Series 6 Exam Structure: Format and Time Limit
- April 1, 2025
- Posted by: 'FINRA Exam Mastery'
- Category: Finance
🧾 Series 6 Exam Structure: Format and Time Limit
📘 Everything You Need to Know About the Layout and Timing of the Series 6 Exam
The Series 6 exam—officially the Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Representative Exam—is required for professionals who want to sell mutual funds, variable annuities, and insurance-based products. Here’s a breakdown of the exam’s format, timing, and what to expect on test day.
🎯 1. Series 6 Exam Format
- Total Questions: 50 multiple-choice questions
- Pretest (Unscored) Questions: 5 additional questions randomly placed (do not count toward score)
- Total Items on Exam: 55 questions
Only the 50 scored questions determine your final grade, but you won’t know which 5 are unscored.
⏱️ 2. Time Limit
- Exam Time: 90 minutes (1 hour and 30 minutes)
- This gives you about 1.8 minutes per question, so pacing is important.
🧠 3. Content Breakdown by Section
Topic Area | Approximate Weight | # of Questions |
---|---|---|
1. Regulatory fundamentals and business development | 22% | ~11 questions |
2. Evaluating customer needs and profiles | 24% | ~12 questions |
3. Opening and maintaining customer accounts | 16% | ~8 questions |
4. Recommendation and sale of securities | 38% | ~19 questions |
✅ 4. Passing Score
- Passing Score: 70% (You must answer at least 35 of the 50 scored questions correctly)
- Scores are calculated instantly at the test center.
🖥️ 5. Testing Environment
- Administered at Prometric testing centers or online with remote proctoring (if eligible)
- No calculators needed – the exam questions do not require advanced math.
- Scratch paper or digital whiteboard provided for notes.
📦 6. What You Can Sell with Series 6
Once licensed, you can sell:
- Mutual funds
- Variable annuities
- Variable life insurance
- Unit investment trusts (UITs)
❌ You cannot sell:
- Individual stocks
- Bonds
- Options
- Direct participation programs
🎓 Need help preparing for the Series 6 exam?
Get access to study guides, practice tests, and timed simulations at
👉 https://finra-exam-mastery.com
Master the format. Time your pace. Pass your Series 6 with confidence!