Series 63 Exam Weighting Adjusted Slightly
- April 1, 2025
- Posted by: 'FINRA Exam Mastery'
- Category: Finance
⚖️ Series 63 Exam Weighting Adjusted Slightly
The Series 63 Exam has recently undergone a minor adjustment in topic weighting to better reflect evolving regulatory priorities and candidate performance data. While the total number of questions and overall exam structure remain unchanged, the distribution of emphasis across content areas has been refined by NASAA (North American Securities Administrators Association).
Understanding this updated weighting is key to focusing your study time on the most tested areas.
📘 Exam Overview (Unchanged)
- 📝 Total Questions: 65 (60 scored, 5 unscored)
- ⏱ Time Limit: 75 minutes
- 🎯 Passing Score: 72% (43/60 correct)
- 🏛️ Administered by: FINRA, developed by NASAA
🔁 Updated Topic Weighting Breakdown
| Content Area | Previous Weight | Updated Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation of Persons | 35% | 33% |
| Regulation of Securities and Issuers | 20% | 22% |
| Communication with Clients and Prospects | 20% | 20% |
| Ethical Practices and Business Obligations (incl. fraud) | 25% | 25% |
🧭 The most notable change is a slight increase in focus on Regulation of Securities and Issuers, signaling greater emphasis on state registration rules, exemptions, and filing procedures.
📌 Why This Matters for Your Study Plan
- 🔍 Spend extra time on Securities and Issuers, especially registration exemptions and notice filing rules
- 📋 Continue prioritizing Ethics and Fraud Prevention, which remains 25% of the exam
- 🧾 Understand the differences between federal covered securities and state-registered securities
- 🧠 Review how communication rules apply to marketing, social media, and recommendations
📝 Sample Question (Updated Emphasis Example)
A company issues shares to 20 accredited investors in one state and files a notice with the Administrator. Under state law, this would be classified as:
A. A non-exempt security
B. A federal covered security
C. An exempt transaction
D. A prohibited offering
Correct Answer: C. An exempt transaction
Explanation: Private placements to a limited number of accredited investors typically qualify as exempt transactions under state law, assuming appropriate notice filings are made.
🚀 Stay Focused and Up to Date
Even small adjustments in exam weighting can shift where you should focus your time. Ensure your prep materials reflect the current outline, and build a study plan that prioritizes high-weight topics.
👉 Access the Latest Series 63 Study Tools
Study smart. Target what matters. Pass with confidence.