What Is the Most Difficult FINRA Exam?

🟥 What Is the Most Difficult FINRA Exam?
The answer depends on your career goals—but here’s what most experts agree on.

Among all FINRA exams, Series 7 is widely regarded as the most difficult for general securities representatives. However, there are others that challenge even seasoned professionals. Let’s break down what makes certain FINRA exams harder than others—and which might be the toughest for you.

🥇 Series 7: The Heavyweight Champion

The Series 7 (General Securities Representative Exam) is considered the most comprehensive and difficult FINRA exam for new professionals.

• 125 questions in 225 minutes
• Covers stocks, bonds, options, mutual funds, municipal securities, retirement plans, taxation, regulations, and customer accounts
• Tests advanced product knowledge and scenario-based decision making

Why it’s hard:
✅ It’s long
✅ It requires deep product knowledge
✅ It includes application-based, real-world questions

🧠 Honorable Mentions – Other Tough FINRA Exams

🔹 Series 24 – General Securities Principal

• For managers and supervisors
• Deep dives into compliance, supervision, and regulatory procedures
• Pass rate is significantly lower than Series 7

Difficulty: High — especially for non-compliance professionals

🔹 Series 66 – Uniform Combined State Law

• Combines Series 63 + Series 65
• Covers state law, investment advice, portfolio management, ethics, and economics

Difficulty: Moderate to high — a lot of memorization and legal theory

🔹 Series 79 – Investment Banking Representative

• Focuses on mergers, acquisitions, IPOs, and corporate finance
• Tough for those unfamiliar with deal structures and valuation models

📊 Which Has the Lowest Pass Rate?

Historically, Series 24 and Series 7 have lower pass rates than most other FINRA exams, often hovering between 60–70% on the first try.

🧩 What Makes an Exam “Hard”?

• Breadth of topics (Series 7 covers the most products)
• Depth of regulation or law (Series 24 and 66 go deep into legal frameworks)
• Application vs. memorization
• Time pressure and stamina required
• Career relevance – some are harder because they go beyond day-to-day experience

🎯 Final Verdict

If you’re new to the industry and looking to become a fully licensed rep, Series 7 is the most difficult general FINRA exam you’ll likely take.

If you’re aiming for management or advisory roles, Series 24 or Series 66 might give you a run for your money.

📚 Need Help Preparing?

Whether it’s Series 7, 24, or 66, we’ve got full prep courses, quizzes, and smart study plans at
👉 finra-exam-mastery.com
Start now and pass with confidence—no matter how tough the exam.