877-218-1776 
The objective of this article is to help candidates determine which top off exam to take once they have passed the SIE examination.
If I have already passed my SIE Exam, Should I take the Series 6 or 7 Exam?
Many candidates who have taken the sie exam wonder what the next step is to become fully registered. This is especially true for candidates who have self sponsored for the sie exam. If you are seeking to become associated with a broker-dealer many times the broker-dealer will dictate which test you should take. However, There are some broker-dealers that allow agents to determine on their own if they should take the Series 6 or Series 7 Exam. There is a substantial difference between these two examinations as well as the business that can be conducted with the license granted upon successful completion of the exam. For candidates who wish to conduct business in all General securities including stocks, bonds, options, exchange traded funds and investment company securities the Series 7 Exam must be passed. Passing the Series 7 Exam will qualify an individual as a general Securities registered representative. Passing the SIE exam is a great start. Your next step is to prepare for and to pass the series 7 top off exam.
Seires 7 FAQs
Will I see information from the SIE exam on the Series 7 Top off exam ?
Yes, you will see some of the same content tested on the series 7 top off exam. The information tested on the top off exam will also require you to have maintained your knowledge from the securities industry essentials exam. You must have mastered this information in order to move on to the more difficult concepts tested on the series 7.
I passed the SIE exam some time ago and I am concerned that I have forgotten a lot of the information.
No worries. All of us here at The Securities Institute and John Wiley & Sons, knew many of you would be in this exact situation. That is why we have included the foundational information you need to refresh to ensure that you are able to master the advanced concepts on the series 7 top off exam.
What if I have not taken the SIE or the Series 7, but I need to take them both?
You have come to the right place for the best in class training solutions. We strongly suggest that all students start with the SIE exam. Do not try to take both exams on the same day. The SIE and the series 7 top off exams are both challenging exams. Focus on the SIE first. Do not try to take both exams on the same day. Once you have passed the SIE exam, move on to the series 7 top off exam.
Can I take the series 7 exam before I take the SIE exam?
FINRA does allow candidates to sit for the series 7 exam prior to taking the SIE exam. However, Candidates who pass the series 7 top off exam will still be required to pass the SIE exam in order to become a registered representative.
I have an active limited registered representative license and now want to upgrade my registration to the series 7. Do I need to take the SIE exam ?
No if you have an active series 6, or series 62 you have been grandfathered in to the SIE exam. In fact if you look at your active registrations with FINRA you will see that you were “granted” an SIE registration when the SIE exam became effective.
If you are simply looking to conduct business in open-end mutual funds and variable annuity contracts perhaps the series 6 exam is the best option for you. Keep in mind that to Transact business in variable annuity contracts, you must have passed the life Insurance exam. the following information will answer many of the frequently asked questions for individuals who have passed the s i e exam who now want to take the Series 6 exam..
Series 6 FAQs
I have passed the securities industry essentials exam and now want to become series 6 licensed, What do I need to do?
You are already half the way there. Once you have passed the SIE exam, you must complete the series 6 top off exam in order to become fully licensed to sell investment company securities and variable annuities. Keep in mind that unlike the SIE exam you must be sponsored and employed by a FINRA member firm.
Will the series 6 top off exam contain information from the SIE exam ?
The Series 6 top off exam will require you to have retained the foundational knowledge tested on the SIE exam. The Series 6 exam will test some of the same material and will test you on more advanced concepts based on the information contained in the SIE exam.
I passed the SIE and I am concerned I have forgotten a lot of the information?
We have designed our series 6 top off training materials with this scenario in mind. We knew many test takers would go significant periods of time between the SIE and the series 6 top off exam. So the foundational knowledge is all here for you to refresh memory and to ensure your mastery of the concepts tested on the series 6 exam. So whether you took the SIE exam two weeks or two years ago this material will get you ready to pass your exam.
What if I have not taken the SIE or the Series 6, but I need to take them both?
We have the training solutions you need to ensure you pass both the SIE and series 6 exams on your first attempt. Our Wiley SIE training program is best in class. And our series 6 training packages come with our greenlight money back pass guarantee.
Should I take the SIE or Series 6 exam first ?
While the rules allow you to take either exam first, it is strongly recommended that students start by passing the SIE exam. The concepts tested on the series 6 top off exam require you to have mastered the information covered on the SIE exam, so that is a great place to start.
I have an active limited registered representative license and now want to upgrade my registration to the series 7. Do I need to take the SIE exam ?
No if you have an active series 6, or series 62 you have been grandfathered in to the SIE exam. In fact if you look at your active registrations with FINRA you will see that you were “granted” an SIE registration when the SIE exam became effective.
We hope that this article has helped you better understand which top off exam is right for you. Both our Series 6 and Series 7 Exam materials come with our Greenlight money back pass guarantee.
Good luck on your exam!
The Securities Institute of America.
