The Series 7 is the General Securities Representative Qualification Examination. It is the most common license for financial professionals. Passing the Series 7 and the SIE lets you sell almost all types of securities. Acadio's Series 7 prep course breaks down the toughest material into clear, simple lessons — Start Studying with our Free Trial.
What Is the Difference Between the Series 7 and the Series 6 License?
The biggest difference is what you can sell. The Series 6 only covers packaged products like mutual funds and variable annuities. The Series 7 covers almost everything: stocks, bonds, options, ETFs, mutual funds, and more.
| Series 6 | Series 7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Products | Mutual funds, variable annuities, variable life, UITs, 529 plans | All Series 6 products PLUS stocks, bonds, options, ETFs, munis, REITs, DPPs |
| Exam fee | $100 | $395 |
| Questions | 50 scored items, 1 hr 30 min | 130 total (125 scored + 5 unscored), 3 hr 45 min |
| Passing score | 70% | 72% |
| Career paths | Insurance firms, retirement planning | Brokerage firms, financial advising, investment banking |
If you want the widest range of career options, the Series 7 is the better choice. It is harder, but it opens far more doors. No matter which path you choose, Acadio has prep courses for the SIE, Series 6, and Series 7 to help you get licensed.
What Is the Heaviest Tested Topic on the Series 7 Exam?
The biggest section is Function 3: Providing Information and Making Suitable Recommendations. It is 91 out of 125 scored questions — that is 73% of the exam.
| Function | Items | % of Exam | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| F1: Seeks business for the broker-dealer | 9 | 7% | Low |
| F2: Opens accounts | 11 | 9% | Medium |
| F3: Information and suitable recommendations | 91 | 73% | Highest |
| F4: Processes customer orders | 14 | 11% | Medium |
The Series 7 is really a test of suitability. Can you look at a customer's situation and recommend the right investment? That is what 73% of the questions ask. Acadio's Series 7 course gives you hundreds of suitability practice questions so this section becomes second nature.
How Many Questions Are on the Series 7 and What Is the Passing Score?
The Series 7 has 130 total questions. 125 are scored and 5 are unscored. You have 3 hours and 45 minutes. You need 72% to pass (at least 90 out of 125 correct). The fee is $395.
| Detail | Answer |
|---|---|
| Total questions | 130 |
| Scored questions | 125 |
| Unscored (pretest) questions | 5 |
| Time | 3 hours and 45 minutes |
| Passing score | 72% (at least 90 correct) |
| Exam fee | $395 |
| Sponsorship needed? | Yes |
A 72% passing score means you must answer at least 90 questions correctly. A structured study plan makes a big difference. Acadio's Series 7 prep course is built around the exam's content outline so you spend the right amount of time on each section.
What is the Current Price to Take the Series 7 Exam?
In 2026, the price increased to $395 to sit for the Series 7 exam.
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Written By: Micah Wolf | Learning Group | Managing Editor
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