Series 6 Exam Day: Common Mistakes to Avoid

🧾 Series 6 Exam Day: Common Mistakes to Avoid
📘 Make Exam Day Work for You – Not Against You

Passing the Series 6 exam (Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Representative Exam) requires more than just knowing the material—it also means avoiding test-day errors that can sabotage your performance. Here’s a list of the most common mistakes candidates make on exam day—and how to prevent each one.

⚠️ 1. Rushing Through the First Few Questions

Mistake: Starting fast and misreading early questions.
Why It Hurts: The Series 6 is about interpretation and wording. A misread question can cost you easy points.

✅ Fix:

• Pace yourself.
• Read each question twice, especially in the first 10.
• Use the “mark for review” function instead of guessing quickly.

⚠️ 2. Ignoring the Clock Until It’s Too Late

Mistake: Getting stuck on difficult questions early on and losing track of time.
Why It Hurts: You may not finish the test and miss out on easier questions at the end.

✅ Fix:

• You have 105 minutes for 50 questions – that’s over 2 minutes per question.
• If a question takes longer than 2.5 minutes, flag it and return later.

⚠️ 3. Second-Guessing Clear Answers

Mistake: Changing answers based on anxiety, not logic.
Why It Hurts: Your first instinct is often correct—especially if you’ve studied well.

✅ Fix:

• Only change an answer if you clearly misread the question or realize new information.
• Trust your prep and don’t overthink.

⚠️ 4. Forgetting the FINRA Focus Areas

Mistake: Expecting only product knowledge (mutual funds, variable annuities) and being surprised by regulatory and ethics questions.
Why It Hurts: Around 25%–30% of questions test on suitability, regulation, and client communication.

✅ Fix:

• Brush up on FINRA rules, sales practices, and ethics before the exam.
• Know the difference between BD vs. IA, and communication types (retail vs. correspondence).

⚠️ 5. Skipping the Tutorial

Mistake: Skipping the system tutorial at the start of the test.
Why It Hurts: You may waste time later figuring out how to flag questions or navigate between screens.

✅ Fix:

• Use the first few minutes to get comfortable with the system.
• The tutorial time does not count against your 105-minute exam clock.

⚠️ 6. Cramming the Night Before

Mistake: Studying until 2 a.m. before exam day.
Why It Hurts: Fatigue lowers focus and recall speed, especially on logic-heavy questions.

✅ Fix:

• Get at least 7 hours of sleep the night before.
• Do a light review (flashcards or formulas) the evening before and relax.

🧠 Bonus Tip: Know the Testing Center Rules

• Bring 2 forms of ID.
• Personal items are not allowed in the room (phones, notes, watches).
• Arrive 30 minutes early to check in and reduce stress.

🎓 Ready for exam success?
Get last-minute review sheets, practice quizzes, and test-day checklists at
👉 https://finra-exam-mastery.com

Avoid the traps. Stay sharp. Pass with confidence.