Series 24 Mismanaging Exam Time by Section

🧾 Series 24 Mismanaging Exam Time by Section
📘 Where Candidates Lose Time—and How to Fix It

The Series 24 exam—also known as the General Securities Principal Qualification Exam—demands mastery of supervisory regulations, procedures, and compliance knowledge. With 150 questions in 3 hours and 45 minutes, time management is crucial. Many candidates don’t fail due to lack of knowledge—but due to inefficient time allocation across sections.

Here’s a breakdown of where candidates most often mismanage time, why it happens, and how to fix it.

⏱️ Series 24 Timing Overview

• Total Questions: 150
• Total Time: 225 minutes (3 hours and 45 minutes)
• Average Time Per Question: 1.5 minutes

🔍 Section-by-Section Timing Pitfalls

📂 Section 1: Supervision of Registration (9% of exam)

Common mistake: Spending too much time on regulatory nuance
Fix: Stick to basics—who registers, when, and what triggers disqualification. Avoid overanalyzing technicalities.

✅ Target Time: ~20 minutes (13–14 questions)

📋 Section 2: Supervision of General Broker-Dealer Activities (28%)

Common mistake: Getting lost in operational questions or margin scenarios
Fix: Flag longer scenario-based questions and come back. Don’t get stuck on margin account mechanics or trade error hypotheticals.

✅ Target Time: ~63 minutes (42 questions)

📈 Section 3: Supervision of Retail and Institutional Sales (27%)

Common mistake: Overthinking suitability or sales practice scenarios
Fix: Use a checklist approach—client profile, product risk, and firm rules. Choose the most client-protective option.

✅ Target Time: ~61 minutes (41 questions)

🧾 Section 4: Supervision of Trading and Market Making (14%)

Common mistake: Getting bogged down by rules on quotations and trade reporting
Fix: Know your FINRA and SEC reporting timeframes cold. Don’t overanalyze the difference between firm quotes and indications.

✅ Target Time: ~31 minutes (21 questions)

📊 Section 5: Supervision of Investment Banking and Research (22%)

Common mistake: Spending too much time on Regulation M and quiet period rules
Fix: Memorize core rules + timeframes (e.g., 10-day vs 40-day quiet periods). Don’t second-guess yourself—move on if unsure.

✅ Target Time: ~50 minutes (33 questions)

📉 Top 3 Time-Wasting Traps

1. Scenario Overthinking
   💬 “What if the client had been 60 instead of 45?”
   → Stay focused on the facts provided.
2. Second-Guessing Ethics Questions
   🛑 If you know what’s unethical—go with it. Don’t debate gray areas unless specifically asked.
3. Skipping Flagging
   📌 Always flag long questions. If a single question crosses the 2-minute mark, move on and return later.

⏳ Smart Time Management Strategy

🚀 Final Tips

• 💡 Use the clock — Keep a running pace check every 30 minutes.
• 🔁 Skip & return — Don’t be afraid to flag 10–15 questions.
• ✅ Answer everything — There’s no penalty for wrong answers.
• 📌 Know your weak section — If you’re slower on sales supervision, compensate on registration or trading.

🎓 Need a full Series 24 study plan with timing drills?
Access tools, strategy sheets, and simulations at:
👉 https://finra-exam-mastery.com

Study smart. Pace well. Pass confidently.