What Topics Are Covered on the Series 6 Exam?

🟦 What Topics Are Covered on the Series 6 Exam?

The Series 6 license, also called the Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Representative Exam, is ideal for professionals who want to sell mutual funds, variable annuities, and insurance products. It’s often taken by those starting in the financial services industry in a limited-scope sales role.

The Series 6 exam includes 50 scored questions across four core content areas, plus 5 unscored questions used for exam development.

📘 Series 6 Exam Content Outline

1. Seeks Business for the Broker-Dealer from Customers and Potential Customers (12%)

• Understanding investment products and services offered
• Explaining account types and opening procedures
• Gathering customer information and financial goals
• Identifying customer investment profiles and suitability

2. Opens Accounts After Obtaining and Evaluating Customers’ Financial Profile and Investment Objectives (17%)

• Customer account registration types (individual, joint, custodial, retirement)
• KYC (Know Your Customer) rules
• CIP (Customer Identification Program) requirements
• Handling account documentation and compliance procedures

3. Provides Customers with Information About Investments, Makes Suitable Recommendations, Transfers Assets and Maintains Appropriate Records (50%)

• Characteristics of investment companies (mutual funds, UITs, closed-end funds)
• Variable contracts and annuities
• Suitability standards and recommendations
• Fund types, share classes, fees, and sales charges
• Exchange privileges and rollover procedures
• Tax considerations and implications for clients
• Prospectus requirements and disclosures

4. Obtains and Verifies Customers’ Purchase and Sales Instructions; Processes, Completes and Confirms Transactions (21%)

• Order tickets and execution procedures
• Confirmations and disclosures
• Handling errors and customer complaints
• FINRA and SEC recordkeeping requirements
• Supervisory responsibilities and compliance

📝 Key Exam Facts

• Number of Questions: 50 scored + 5 unscored
• Time Limit: 90 minutes
• Passing Score: 70%
• Prerequisite: You must also pass the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam

💡 What Can You Sell with a Series 6?

• Mutual funds
• Variable annuities
• Unit Investment Trusts (UITs)
• Municipal fund securities (like 529 plans)

❌ Not allowed to sell: individual stocks, ETFs, options, or corporate bonds

🎓 Start your journey toward a career in financial services.
Learn with expert-led courses at 👉 FINRA Exam Mastery and prepare to pass the Series 6 with confidence.