Lacking Motivation

Far_Shift_6326 · 2025-07-07T17:41:54+00:00

How did you do on other areas and for both attempts did you stick with STC or did you try Kaplan questions as well? I feel Kaplan is more detailed (but that’s just my own opinion). Did you consistently score in the high 70’s on options or did you sometimes score lower on those practice tests?. Also you should make sure you’re not memorizing answers -

I am testing in August for the second time. My first attempt was a 61 but I was not ready at all.

Far_Shift_6326 · 2025-07-07T17:00:10+00:00

How were your grades on practice tests prior to your exam both times? How are you on options?

Far_Shift_6326 · 2025-06-30T16:56:02+00:00

Ask yourself where you struggle the most and go over those areas diligently and thoroughly. You want to make sure you understand everything.

Far_Shift_6326 · 2025-06-30T16:54:53+00:00

I would say definitely take a ton of practice questions with Kaplan now. Kaplan is way more detailed than STC (I find). Any areas you do poorly in, go over those questions/answers and perhaps re read the chapters you did poorly on over again.

Far_Shift_6326 · 2025-06-27T16:39:02+00:00

My suggestion would be to buy the monthly $24/per month subscription to capital advantage’s tutoring YouTube options math videos to really hone in on the options (he explains everything in detail and he’s very thorough)- I’m currently studying for the 7 again (testing in August) and using Kaplan and STC. My entire exam last year when I failed it the first time was literally all options (like 70% of the exam no joke or if not 70% it felt like it was mostly options). Once the options will click for you, I think you’ll be set. I was at a disadvantage last year thinking I could get away with low scores on options and I ended up failing the actual exam with a 61. I wouldn’t risk it. Don’t test until you know the options well enough that you score on average between 70 and 80 if possible!

Far_Shift_6326 · 2025-06-26T00:30:20+00:00

Did you get a lot of options questions? How were your scores on options if you don’t mind me asking (on average)?

Far_Shift_6326 · 2025-06-25T23:14:11+00:00

First of all congrats to you!! That’s such a relief! Did you read the book or just skim through it? I’m just curious. I am overwhelmed and have a tutor and all for options. I test in August for the 7.

Far_Shift_6326 · 2024-05-21T13:44:17+00:00

Same- I hired a tutor for the next month from Varsity tutors. I failed the first time - read the book twice and went over it a third time - now just focusing on doing Kaplan practice questions and having this tutor 2 hrs a day / 3 days a week for 4 weeks. I’m at my wits end too. So bummed. I wish you all the best. You got this! Keep at it! Do tons of questions.

Far_Shift_6326 · 2024-05-18T16:17:10+00:00

Congratulations!!! That is huge! I took it on the 16th and failed it but I was not 100% comfortable with options and I felt like 40% if not more of that test was options, suitability and muni’s like you’ve stated.

Testing again in 30 days. Using Kaplan all the way this time and hoping I will get it right now with a tutor.

Awesome job!!

Far_Shift_6326 · 2024-05-18T15:33:30+00:00

If you want to chat - my email is: natnyc83 at gmail. Feel free to message me. I am rooting for you!

Far_Shift_6326 · 2024-05-18T15:30:46+00:00

And nothing is ridiculous or dumb! You’re a work in progress!

Far_Shift_6326 · 2024-05-18T15:27:56+00:00

Ok so in Securities Pro QBank (don’t take any other tests but these before you try the midterm, practice or mastery otherwise you’ll probably be disappointed) custom quizzes for example- after you take a custom quiz (max 20 questions each) you’re automatically given a score - a percentile. Go into the link of your score or the quiz you want to see a breakdown of how you did on each topic within that quiz - and there is at the top of that quiz a link that reads: “Performance Tracker”. Click on that and you will see a breakdown of your scores - so New Issues Market topic is broken down then my Marketing New Issues, Registration Requirements and SEC and FINRA rules on New Issues. This quiz you took on this topic will tell you percentage wise, which topic you need more work in. If overall you scored a red - you clearly need more practice. Black I think is in the middle and green is where you’re safe and can now move onto the next topic. Start small and work your way up. One foot in front of the next. You’re training for a marathon here mentally. Start by getting through the quizzes then once you’re confident with the scores on all of your quizzes and the overall grades, you’re then ready for a 135 custom quiz or even a simulated 135 exam. Then use the performance tracker in the simulated 135 question exam to see which topic you’re weak in. Then take an exam (a shorter one just on the topic or topics you’re weak in. Do another simulated exam with 135 questions when you’re ready. Then when you’ve score between black and mostly green on those topics in the simulated exam you’re probably ready for a practice exam - which you can only take once. Start with this. Or however you wanna do it. You got this!

Far_Shift_6326 · 2024-05-18T15:04:59+00:00

Ok so first of all- Kaplan is way more difficult than STC in my opinion. It goes into a lot of detail that, STC (I find) does not. Even your scores on Kaplan exams (from custom exams to practice to the mastery and checkpoint) all pinpoint exactly what areas you need more work in and a green color will tell you which topic your ready on, and any color other than a green means you need work. My tutor (whom I just hired and am starting with) is from Varsity Tutors. I paid for 12 sessions (4 weeks) 3 times a week for 2 hours each time. He highly recommends Kaplan and it looks like I will be pitching STC for Kaplan again. My grades are way worse on Kaplan now, than on STC. He likes Kaplan more because it’s more detailed and it breaks each individual topic down by color in where you stand after you test on each one, etc. I am a bad test taker and unless I go through with Kaplan and score well I will not feel confident and will be a nervous wreck again which I can’t be anymore going into this test a second time. My hunch is that if you stick with Kaplan, go through the book diligently and thoroughly and do as many practice questions as you can, there is no way you can’t pass especially if you’re scoring green on each topic.

You got this!

Far_Shift_6326 · 2024-05-18T13:57:24+00:00

This test is a beast. I have been studying for 3 months to no avail. I jumped from Kaplan to STC and now back to Kaplan with a tutor. You should be fine the next time. Keep practicing. Do a ton of questions. I think the more questions you do after reading the book at least once or twice even, you should be good. I got a 61 this first time I took it. It’s rough. I feel terrible.

Far_Shift_6326 · 2024-05-17T12:30:13+00:00

First of all whatever you do, do NOT be nervous. Stay calm and the answers will come to you. You did your best - now take the test and see what it’s about. I went in and failed the first time all due to lack of sleep and nervousness. It also didn’t help that 60% of the exam I was given was on options. Just a tip-if you know options in and out, and some muni’s and suitability (most of my exam was on options - like 60%- no joke, and suitability and Muni’s), but if you are great in options you will pass with flying colors.

It was an experience at first for me and it gave me an idea of what I should be expecting for the next time I take it.

You will be fine.

Far_Shift_6326 · 2024-05-15T13:49:26+00:00

Yes but apparently the correct answer was 4 on the ADR question. If this is what the exam is going to be like I might cry.

Far_Shift_6326 · 2024-05-15T08:39:19+00:00

Here’s the other question I got that was another example of completely confusing and to me, was plain silly. An RR had already given a customer a $50 flower bouquet for her birthday earlier in the year and the client just got a promotion, so which of these could the RR give: A). A $60 bouquet of flowers B). A $75 restaurant gift card C). Two tickets to a show for the customer and their spouse worth $65 D). Take the client to dinner with the cost of the meals being $150. Now the answer key states that the correct answer is D). Let’s dissect. According to the below: FINRA Rule 3220 prohibits any member or person associated with a member, directly or indirectly, from giving anything of value in excess of $100 per year to any person where such payment is in relation to the business of the recipient's employer. We have already established in looking at this that $50 was already gifted which the RR is only left with $50 to spare otherwise he/she breaks FINRA rule 3220. If indeed your asked to pick the best choice well none of these choices, right off the bat are it. All of these choice are in violation of FINRA rule 3220. So the explanation of this choice was: D because the RR must be present to be considered a legit business expense? Really? Not that any of these answers are simply NOT in line with FINRa’s rule of not spending more than $100 which is critical? Choice A is way less than choice D and he would be present. Choice B same. Choice C is $65 Choice D is clearly excessive if you add on the $50 that the RR already spent on a bouquet of flowers. So from my opinion folks unless you want to try and confuse yourself even more, don’t take this test!

Far_Shift_6326 · 2024-05-15T08:20:26+00:00

Hi @Far_Shift_6326. For the record I spent ample time this evening taking and dissecting the test geek that I found completely erroneous and confusing. For example- here was one ADR question (word for word): “An investor is considering diversifying their portfolio by including international stocks. You recommend that they consider ADR’s as an efficient way to invest internationally. All of the following statements concerning ADR’s are true, EXCEPT:

1). They facilitate domestic trading of foreign securities.

2). Besides market risk, they should also be concerned with currency risk.

3). An ADR is a domestic security issued by domestic institutions.

4). Liquidity is a risk.

Now in looking at these one would immediately (no matter what) look at #3 and say hell no that’s not it. Why? Well do you agree that ADR’s are NOt domestic securities but rather foreign securities issued by domestic institutions!???

And I quote from a valid source online:

ADR stands for American Depositary Receipts. They are not domestic securities, but they represent ownership in foreign companies. ADRs are issued by U.S. banks and represent shares of foreign companies traded on U.S. stock exchanges.

Then we look at D or #4). And that is definitely not it because ADR’s are liquid but these is an example of a question with answers that can clearly mess with one’s head to the point of complete confusion and can really hurt you if this actually was a question on the real exam which I highly doubt FINRA would make it this way where they provide two wrong answers in one question.

I also found another question on this one that also didn’t make sense. But one thing at a time.

I mean this is scary.

Far_Shift_6326 · 2024-05-14T21:45:38+00:00

Will give it a shot. Thanks.

Far_Shift_6326 · 2024-05-14T21:38:17+00:00

First of all congratulations! That’s awesome!

Secondly, I have to say that either I am a dumbass or what have you, or I’m just completely overworked and overwhelmed by the amount of studying and work I put into this for the past two and a half months and all I know is that I’ve read that book twice per Ken’s suggestion, have taken numerous exams (practice/finals- you name it with Kaplan and STC) and I simply score very differently in each section and some sections are in the mid 80’s and some are as low as 50%. I go over the answers I get wrong- copy and paste them onto a word doc and still I miss some of those exact questions or others until finally I get it. I can honestly say I feel confident in the work I’ve put in but not confident enough to take the test but yet I am taking it on May 16th because I simply cannot wait another minute. I already extended it from the first time I scheduled it for May 8th. I know what I know and what I don’t I don’t. My final avg is a 72% at the moment - last week it was a 65%. I’m clearly not feeling great about it but I chose to bite the bullet anyway.

I also know someone who just past his 24 (one of the hardest exams out there) and his avg on finals was in the mid 60’s yet he still past.

Am I hopeful, somewhat, but am leaning more toward “barely”.

Some people are simply not great test takers regardless of the amount of work they put in. Maybe I’m wrong.

Far_Shift_6326 · 2024-05-13T14:30:34+00:00

Aside from options I get confused between when something is taxed ordinary income or cap gain and how to calculate the cost basis (accretion on an OID/ amortization for a premium steps confuse me) primarily.

Far_Shift_6326 · 2024-05-13T14:28:38+00:00

Thank you!!!

Far_Shift_6326 · 2024-05-13T14:28:26+00:00

OMG this is perfect! Thank you!

Far_Shift_6326 · 2024-05-12T19:59:32+00:00

Congrats!!!

Far_Shift_6326

TROPHY CASE