Customer Reviews

Passtrak Series 7: General Securities Representative

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I have owned manuals from three of the top selling providers of Series 7 Exam study material. Dearborn's books are some of the best. The tone of the book is fairly conversational and engaging, but there is alot of material covered so its not exactly a "page turner". Its easy when studying for this exam to get overwhelmed, and this book isn't even the longest available. The best way to study for this exam is to read the book once and then hit the questions with a vengence. If you read the book once and then go through the full test 15 times you will pass on your first attempt, just make sure that you are learning the answers to the quiz and test questions and not simply recognizing them from past attempts.

I would say if you need to get the test done quickly this book is great but Dearborn also has a multimedia CD-Rom that is truly fantastic. The audio coaches on the CD point out different areas of study to pay particular attention too as well as giving you a break from alot of what most people will consider fairly dry reading.

If you want a even denser source of information than Dearborns then the only choice is the study materials from Securities Training Corp. There is a fair bit more material covered and the sample exams are even harder than the real thing. You will score well on the exams if you use and absorb the STC material.

Pass Perfect is another provider and I would say while the easiest to read and the most conversational it also covers the least amount of info of the three and while you can certainly pass with it, you are taking a greater risk. Not to give Pass Perfect a hard time, if you just want to pass and be done with it then they are a good choice.

In the end almost all the available study materials from all the different providers (except ARCO) will get the job done, it really depends on your personal preference and how much detail you want to deal with.

I passed the Series 7 exam (October 2002) with an 89% score in my first try by answering correctly 224 out of 250 questions. I put in about a month of full-time study for this exam. No prior knowledge or history dealing with this exam whatsoever. To anyone who is interested in passing this 6-hour, energy- and time-consuming test in your first try, I would recommend the following:

1. Read the entire book at least once - carefully and thoroughly. That means if you are a fast reader, read it a few times. After that go over topics in the "Municipal Securities" and "Options" sections that you don't fully understand. These two sections will be tested heavily on the exam. Make sure you can comprehend (by that I mean being able to articulate clearly about an idea or concept) at least 80% of things mentioned in both chapters.

2. After you read the book at least once, start doing the practice tests that simulate the real-test with two 125-question sections.

3. Get a copy of the CD-ROM. The CD-ROM will give you a taste of what is like taking this exam on computer. It is extremely important that you try the practice test on computer a few times and get comfortable with it because that is the way it will be on the exam day.

4. Review the questions you answered incorrectly as well as the ones you guessed correctly. Ask yourself why you couldn't or had trouble with the questions you got wrong. Work on your weak areas.

5. There is no secret in doing well on this exam or any other exam for that matter. Practice makes perfect. There is just no other substitution.

One last thing. Do get plenty of rest before the test day. Depending on what score you are shooting at, you will probably need the stamina required in order to complete the 2nd portion of the exam successfully. I didn't sleep well before the test day. Went in the next day. Did well in the morning but almost fell asleep in the afternoon. Trust me. You don't want that to happen!

I recently used CCH Wall Street Financial Training's Series 7 materials. I found them to be excellent. I failed my Series 7 exam first time around using Dearborn's materials. I found that Dearorn covered a lot of material that wasn't on the actual exam. CCH Wall Street's material was very readable. I would also recommend using their online testing tool. I walked into the exam the second time with no suprises! Best stuff out here is CCH Wall Street's.

This book is ok as far as detail of material goes. It has a few mistakes but if you read it a couple of times you should have no problem passing the series 7 with it.

I have always wanted to study for the Series 7 exam. This review book is incredibly comprehensive, and won't stretch your bank account, or wallet! I highly recommend it for anyone who is a serious, dilligent student!