Series 6 vs Series 7: the facts
| Series 6 | Series 7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Official name | Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Representative Exam | General Securities Representative Exam |
| Owner | FINRA | FINRA |
| Scored questions | 50 (+5 unscored) | 125 (+5 unscored) |
| Time | 1 hr 30 min | 3 hr 45 min |
| To pass | 70 (scaled) | 72 (scaled) |
| Exam fee | $100 | $395 |
| Sponsor required | Yes | Yes |
| Prerequisite | Firm sponsorship; SIE is a co-requisite for registration | Firm sponsorship; SIE is a co-requisite for registration |
| Online testing | Test center; online only with an approved accommodation | Test center; online only with an approved accommodation |
| Our prep (12 months) | $39 (every exam) | $39 (every exam) |
- 1,706 original questions across 6 exams
- Section drills + timed full-length exams
- 12 months, one-time - emailed to you after purchase
Your course access is emailed to you after purchase. 14-day money-back guarantee. Refund policy
What each one lets you do
Both are FINRA representative exams, both require sponsorship, and both need the SIE as a co-requisite. The difference is scope: a Series 6 rep cannot sell individual stocks, bonds or options.
Which should you take?
| If... | Take |
|---|---|
| Insurance or bank role selling funds and annuities only | Series 6. |
| Any role that may involve individual securities or options | Series 7. |
| Unsure | Series 7; it covers everything the 6 does. |
Cost of each path (exam fees)
| Path | Note | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| SIE + Series 6 | $200 | |
| SIE + Series 7 | $495 |
Not sure?
SIE to Series 66 prep course - $39
SIE, Series 6, 7, 63, 65 and 66 in one prep course: 1,706 outline-weighted practice questions with explanations, section drills and timed full-length exams. One-time payment, 12 months of access, emailed to you after purchase.
Your course access is emailed to you after purchase. 14-day money-back guarantee. Refund policy
Frequently asked questions
Is the Series 6 easier than the Series 7?
It is much shorter. In FINRA’s 2019 pass-through data, however, the SIE + Series 6 rate (58-59%) was lower than SIE + Series 7 (71%), so do not assume it is easy.
Can I upgrade from the Series 6 to the Series 7?
Yes, by passing the Series 7 while sponsored; your SIE stays valid for four years.
Sources
- FINRA - Series 6 Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Representative Exam (accessed 2026-09-23)
- FINRA - Series 7 General Securities Representative Exam (accessed 2026-09-23)
- Knopman Marks - FINRA SIE and top-off exam statistics (Apr 2019, reporting FINRA data) (accessed 2026-09-23) - Third-party report of figures FINRA shared in 2019; dated.