Key Differences Between Series 6 and Series 7 – Chart
- April 1, 2025
- Posted by: 'FINRA Exam Mastery'
- Category: Finance
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Key Differences Between Series 6 and Series 7 – Chart
Published on finra-exam-mastery.com
📊 Series 6 vs. Series 7: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Series 6 | Series 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Official Name | Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Representative Exam | General Securities Representative Exam |
| Scope of Products | Limited: Mutual funds, variable annuities, variable life insurance, unit investment trusts (UITs), 529 plans | Broad: Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, options, municipal securities, direct participation programs (DPPs), and more |
| Allowed Activities | Sell investment company securities and variable contracts only | Sell virtually all types of securities, including individual stocks and options |
| Cannot Sell | Stocks, corporate bonds, municipal bonds, options | Very few restrictions—can sell almost everything |
| Exam Length | 50 scored questions (plus 5 unscored), 90 minutes | 125 scored questions (plus 10 unscored), 225 minutes |
| Passing Score | 70% | 72% |
| Prerequisites | SIE Exam required | SIE Exam required |
| Target Career Roles | Insurance agents offering investment products, mutual fund sales representatives | Full-service registered representatives, stockbrokers, options traders, financial advisors |
| Sponsorship Requirement | Yes, by a FINRA-member firm | Yes, by a FINRA-member firm |
| Primary Customers | Individuals seeking packaged investment products (mutual funds, annuities) | Individuals, corporations, institutions across a full range of investment needs |
| Typical Employers | Insurance companies, mutual fund firms, banks | Broker-dealers, investment banks, trading firms, full-service financial advisory firms |
🧠 Key Takeaway
- Series 6 is suitable if your career is focused on insurance-based products and mutual funds.
- Series 7 is essential if you want to sell a full range of securities and build a comprehensive financial services career.
🎯 Prepare Smarter for Your Licensing Exam
Access study guides, practice exams, and career planning resources tailored for Series 6 and Series 7 candidates at finra-exam-mastery.com