Series 24 Exam Format and Time Limit

Series 24 Exam Format and Time Limit
Published on finra-exam-mastery.com

📝 Overview of the Series 24 Exam
The Series 24, officially known as the General Securities Principal Qualification Examination, is administered by FINRA. It qualifies individuals to supervise or manage branch office activities at broker-dealer firms, including underwriting, trading, and regulatory compliance.

📊 Exam Format

• Number of Questions: 150 multiple-choice questions
• Question Type: Single-answer multiple choice
• Scored Questions: All 150 are scored (no unscored pretest items)
• Passing Score: 70% (105 correct answers required)

⏱️ Time Limit

• Exam Duration: 3 hours and 45 minutes (225 minutes)
• Breaks: No scheduled breaks, but candidates may pause if needed (clock continues running)
• Test Delivery: Computer-based at a Prometric testing center

📘 Content Areas Covered
The exam is structured around five functional categories:

1. Supervision of Investment Banking (9%)
2. Supervision of Trading and Market Making (14%)
3. Supervision of Customer Accounts (16%)
4. Supervision of the Broker-Dealer’s Compliance and Operations (33%)
5. Supervision of Advertising and Sales Practices (28%)

Each section focuses on regulatory requirements, supervisory procedures, and firm obligations under FINRA and SEC rules.

🧠 Tips for Managing Time Effectively
✔️ Pace yourself at ~1.5 minutes per question
✔️ Flag difficult questions and revisit them after finishing the exam
✔️ Don’t spend too much time on one scenario-based item—move on and return if time allows

🎯 Prepare to Lead with Confidence
The Series 24 isn’t just about memorization—it’s about understanding how to supervise effectively. Use timed practice exams, scenario-based drills, and full function-specific reviews to get exam-ready.

🔗 Access targeted prep resources at finra-exam-mastery.com