FINRA Series 7
The FINRA Series 7 exam assesses the competency of entry-level General Securities Representatives to trade corporate, municipal, and investment company securities, options, and variable contracts. Master key financial products and regulations to pass your exam.
Total questions
125
Duration
225 min
Options / question
4
Curriculum
General Securities Representative Qualification Examination Core Knowledge
1997 questions- Seeks Business for the Broker-Dealer from Customers and Potential Customers121 questions
- Opens Accounts After Obtaining and Evaluating Customers' Financial Profile and Investment Objectives249 questions
- Provides Customers with Information About Investments, Makes Suitable Recommendations, Transfers Assets and Maintains Appropriate Records1126 questions
- Obtains and Verifies Customers' Purchase and Sales Instructions; Processes, Completes and Confirms Transactions501 questions
About the exam
The FINRA Series 7, formally known as the General Securities Representative Qualification Examination (GS), is an entry-level professional certification exam administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). It qualifies individuals to buy, sell, or solicit a broad range of securities products, including corporate stocks, municipal bonds, options, investment company products, variable annuities, and direct participation programs. The examination consists of 125 multiple-choice questions plus 5 unscored pretest questions, with a total time limit of 3 hours and 45 minutes. Content is structured into main job functions covering seeking business for the broker-dealer, opening customer accounts, providing investment information, and processing trade transactions and account updates. Candidates must obtain a passing score of 72% to qualify. Candidates taking the Series 7 are typically entry-level financial advisors, stockbrokers, wealth management associates, and trading professionals seeking authorization to sell general securities. Passing the exam is a key requirement for career advancement in retail brokerage, wealth management, and capital markets. Effective preparation requires thorough review of financial product mechanics, options strategies, municipal bond rules, and industry regulatory requirements. Utilizing practice question banks, full-length mock exams, and targeted topic reviews helps build concept mastery and exam-day pacing.
Registration & key dates
Candidates must be sponsored by a FINRA member firm or an eligible Self-Regulatory Organization (SRO) member firm to register for the Series 7 exam. In addition, candidates must have passed the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam as a corequisite prior to or concurrently with taking the Series 7. Once a sponsoring firm files Form U4 on your behalf through the Central Registration Depository (CRD) system, a 120-day enrollment window opens to schedule your exam session through FINRA's designated testing delivery providers. For the most up-to-date information regarding registration policies, testing centers, accommodations, and scheduling procedures, candidates should refer to the official FINRA website.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the FINRA Series 7?
The FINRA Series 7 has 125 questions in total.
How long is the FINRA Series 7?
The FINRA Series 7 lasts 225 minutes.
Where can I practice FINRA Series 7 questions for free?
Examkin offers 1997 free FINRA Series 7 practice questions with step-by-step explanations, plus timed mock exams.
What is the format and duration of the Series 7 exam?
The Series 7 exam consists of 125 scored multiple-choice questions and 5 unscored pretest questions. Candidates are given 3 hours and 45 minutes (225 minutes) to complete the test.
What are the prerequisites for taking the Series 7 exam?
Candidates must be sponsored by a FINRA member firm or eligible SRO member firm and must pass the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam. The SIE can be taken before or concurrently with the Series 7.
What is the passing score for the Series 7 exam?
The passing score for the Series 7 examination is 72%. Results are provided immediately upon completion of the computer-based exam session.
How should I prepare for the Series 7 exam using practice questions?
Successful candidates study the official FINRA content outline, take simulated full-length practice tests, and review detailed answer explanations to master key concepts in options, municipal securities, and customer accounts.
What is the retake policy if I do not pass the Series 7 exam?
If a candidate does not pass, a 30-day waiting period applies before attempting the exam again for the first two retakes. If a candidate fails three consecutive times, a 180-day waiting period is required before the next attempt.