How to Adapt a 60-Day Study Plan for Busy Professionals
- April 1, 2025
- Posted by: 'FINRA Exam Mastery'
- Category: Finance
🗓️ How to Adapt a 60-Day Study Plan for Busy Professionals
Balancing a full-time job with studying for exams like Series 6, 63, 65, or 66 can feel like a daunting task. But with the right strategies, it’s possible to create an effective study plan that fits within a busy professional schedule.
Here’s how to adapt a 60-day study plan to maximize your efficiency, stay consistent, and pass your FINRA exam — even with a packed calendar.
🧩 1. Prioritize Key Topics
Focus on High-Yield Areas:
- Review the exam outline and identify the most heavily tested areas.
- Prioritize sections like ethics, regulations, and suitability, which are frequently tested in both Series 6 and 65 exams.
- Spend more time on weaker areas but don’t neglect the essentials.
Tip: Group topics into 3–5 key areas and give extra time to more complex sections.
⏰ 2. Use Time Blocks Efficiently
Divide Your Day into Focused Study Sessions:
- Break study time into focused blocks (30–45 minutes each) with short breaks in between (5–10 minutes).
- Aim for 2–3 study blocks a day, with at least one longer session on weekends.
Tip: Use your commute to listen to audio lectures or review flashcards on mobile apps.
📅 3. Optimize Weekday Study Time
Study During Short, Available Times:
- Morning: Review flashcards, go over key terms, or read summaries for 15–20 minutes.
- Lunch Break: Use this time for practice questions (10-20 questions) or a quick review of a tricky topic.
- Evenings: If possible, dedicate 30–45 minutes to more in-depth studying, including watching videos or reading content.
Tip: Keep study materials portable — use a tablet or phone for quick reference on the go.
🧳 4. Leverage Weekends for Deep Dives
Maximize Weekend Study Time:
- Weekend sessions should be longer, ideally 2–3 hours per session.
- Focus on completing full-length practice exams (timed) and reviewing your answers.
- Dedicate one weekend day to taking a mock exam and the other to reviewing difficult concepts.
🗂️ 5. Use Spaced Repetition & Active Recall
Active Recall:
- After reviewing a section, test yourself without looking at your notes. Write out key definitions and concepts from memory.
- Use spaced repetition apps like Anki or Quizlet to ensure you review the most important concepts at strategic intervals.
Tip: Create a study calendar that focuses on reviewing material at least 3 times before the exam.
📱 6. Use Mobile Apps for Flexible Study
Study on the Go:
- Use mobile apps for quick review sessions (during commute, waiting in line, etc.).
- Apps like Quizlet, Anki, and FINRA’s own resources offer practice questions, flashcards, and summary sheets that you can easily access anywhere.
🧠 7. Take Care of Your Well-Being
Avoid Burnout:
- Don’t skip exercise and make time for rest. Regular physical activity boosts focus, and adequate sleep enhances memory retention.
- Consider using relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing to reduce stress.
📝 8. Review & Adjust Your Plan Regularly
Track Your Progress:
- Every week, assess how much you’ve covered and adjust your plan accordingly.
- Stay flexible — if you miss a study session, don’t stress. Just adjust your plan to make up for it.
Tip: Use a study journal to track which areas need more focus and stay motivated.
🎓 Want an efficient study plan with all the resources you need for your FINRA exam?
Get expert-designed prep tools, practice tests, and a customized study calendar at finra-exam-mastery.com — Designed for professionals who want to study smarter and pass faster.