Series 6 Exam Summary Chart – Must-Know Facts
- April 1, 2025
- Posted by: 'FINRA Exam Mastery'
- Category: Finance
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🧾 Series 6 Exam Summary Chart – Must-Know Facts
📘 Quick Reference for Efficient Series 6 Exam Prep
The Series 6 exam, formally known as the Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Representative Exam, qualifies individuals to sell mutual funds, variable annuities, and insurance-related products. Below is a compact summary chart covering everything you must know to prep smarter and pass faster.
📊 Series 6 Exam Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Sponsor | FINRA |
| Exam Name | Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Representative Exam |
| Total Questions | 50 scored + 5 unscored |
| Time Limit | 90 minutes |
| Passing Score | 70% (35 correct out of 50) |
| Exam Fee | $75 |
| Prerequisite | Must pass the SIE (Securities Industry Essentials) exam first |
| Test Delivery | Prometric centers or online proctored |
🧠 What Series 6 Covers – Content Breakdown
| Content Area | % of Exam | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Seeks Business for Broker-Dealer from Customers | 12% | Prospecting, communication rules, and suitability |
| 2. Open Accounts and Obtain Information | 28% | Customer account types, documentation, privacy rules |
| 3. Provide Information and Recommendations | 50% | Investment risks, fund types, annuities, sales practices |
| 4. Process Transactions | 10% | Order entry, settlement rules, confirmations, and delivery |
📚 What You Can and Cannot Sell with Series 6
| ✅ You Can Sell | ❌ You Cannot Sell |
|---|---|
| Mutual funds | Individual stocks or bonds |
| Variable annuities and variable life insurance | ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) |
| UITs (Unit Investment Trusts) | Options, futures, or commodities |
| 529 Plans, Education Savings Plans | REITs or closed-end funds traded on exchange |
⚠️ Top Topics to Focus On
- Variable Annuities – structure, fees, and suitability
- Mutual Funds – NAV, POP, expense ratios, breakpoint rules
- Customer Account Types – joint, custodial, retirement accounts
- Regulations – FINRA rules, anti-money laundering (AML), privacy (Reg S-P)
- Suitability and Ethics – know-your-customer (KYC), sales practice violations
🛠️ Test-Taking Tips
- Time Management: You have ~1.5 minutes per question. Don’t dwell too long on any one.
- Elimination Strategy: Cross out obvious wrong answers to improve your odds.
- FINRA Wording: Read carefully – avoid assumptions.
- Flag and Return: Mark tough questions and revisit them if time allows.
🎯 Recommended Study Plan
| Week | Focus |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Fund types, annuities, investment risks |
| Week 2 | Customer accounts, suitability, regulations |
| Week 3 | Ethics, sales practices, taxation basics |
| Week 4 | Full-length practice exams and review |
🎓 Need more Series 6 resources, flashcards, or full practice exams?
Visit 👉 https://finra-exam-mastery.com
Master the basics. Apply with confidence. Pass the Series 6 and launch your career!