Why Securities Exam Prep is Professional Development

Kicking off a career with momentum and finding early success in the securities industry begins at an often-overlooked place: securities exam prep.  

The knowledge and skills you gain preparing for industry-entrance exams lay the groundwork for improved retention, confident decision-making, and a smoother transition into the industry. All of this ultimately gives you early-career momentum that sets you apart from the start. 

Here are some tips for making the most out of your securities exam prep to start your career off on the right foot. 

Oh, the Places You’ll Go! 

From trading to portfolio management to advisory services and more, the securities industry offers a wide range of paths that allows each person to find their niche.   

Which securities exam is right for you? 

Here’s an overview of common roles throughout the securities industry and their required exams: 

Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Exam: Introductory-level qualifying exam all individuals entering the securities industry must pass, alongside their appropriate qualification exam.  

Click here for a complete overview of the SIE Exam. 

Series 6: 

Roles: Financial Advisor (focusing on packaged products like mutual funds), Insurance Agent (selling variable annuities), Entry-level wealth management positions. 

Click here for a complete overview of the Series 6. 

Series 7: 

Roles: Full-Service Broker, Trader, Investment Representative, able to sell a broad range of products (stocks, bonds, options). 

Click here for a complete overview of the Series 7. 

Series 63 (Usually paired with Series 6 or 7; Required by most states):   

Adds state-level regulatory compliance. Often needed for any client-facing, trading, or advisory role that involves state jurisdictions. 

Click here for a complete overview of the Series 63. 

Series 65: 

Roles: Investment Adviser Representative, Portfolio Manager, Fee-Based Financial Planner (often not tied to a broker-dealer). The focus is on providing advice rather than effecting trades for commission. 

Click here for a complete overview of the Series 65. 

Series 66 (Combines Series 63 & 65): 

Roles: Same as above (Investment Adviser Representative, Client-Facing Advisory Roles) but more comprehensive. Typically paired with the Series 7 to cover both the product-selling (broker-dealer) and advisory aspects. 

Click here for a complete overview of the Series 66. 

Potential Overlaps

Sometimes a role requires more than a single exam. Here are a few of the most common examples:  

Series 7 + Series 63:  

Required in many states to become a fully registered representative who can sell a wide variety of securities. 

Series 7 + Series 66:  

Allows both the selling of products and providing comprehensive investment advice. 

Series 6 + Series 63:  

Common combo for entry-level advisors who focus on mutual funds and annuities and need to meet state-level registration requirements. 

Together, that amounts to a lot of options, each of which are complex, highly regulated, and require their own exams.  

The best way to begin is with the right professional development to advance your career, also known as securities exam prep.  

Why Securities Exam Prep is Professional Development

Now that you’ve decided on a career path and are ready to make your mark, you might be wondering, Is taking securities exam prep worth it? 

Absolutely.  

Exam prep is essentially professional development for the beginning of your career. It offers the foundational knowledge and confidence needed to make a strong first impression, find early success, and build all-important early career momentum.  

In fact, the top three advantages of professional development directly overlap with the benefits of securities exam prep.  

Expertise 

Growing your knowledge and expertise is at the core of both professional development and securities exam prep.  

Mobility  

Exam prep opens doors to new opportunities in the securities industry, just like professional development. 

Confidence  

Growing your expertise with exam prep builds confidence, which can encourage you to take that next bold step in your career. 

In short, exam prep is where career success begins because it prepares you for both the exam and the challenges ahead.

Securities Exam Prep from WebCE

The best securities exam prep understands all of this. It also understands the importance that first impressions make—from beginning to learn about the industry to your first day on the job. And it is backed by decades of experience from award-winning securities professionals.  

With WebCE’s securities exam prep, you’ll have access to expert content designed to help you thrive. Plus, you’ll get access to unlimited practice exams, online flashcards, and our exclusive AI-powered Exam Readiness Score complete with personalized study tips.  

Visit our securities exam prep catalog to get started today! 

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