Customer Reviews

Passtrak Series 7: General Securities Representative : License Exam Manual

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We are a broker-dealer (equities + derivatives + stock futures) and have found that, for our new employees, in comparison to all of the other Series 7 test prep books, this is the best...and by a very large margin. If you only bought one book, then this is it. None of the others even come close.

If you don't have the cash to take a "crash course" you can pass the exam with only this book. BUT...you really have to throughly study the chapters, and then honestly take all of the paper and CD based tests and then review all of your mistakes and research why they are mistakes and then continue to do so until you consistently get scores in the 80's then you will pass the Series 7 Exam.

Since, according to law, if you are required to take the "Series 7" then you are usually required to take the "Series 63" (State law) exam, we strongly recommend this publisher's companion book, the "Series 63 Exam" book. Yes, that book "blows away" its competition also.

Please refer to our review on this publisher's "Series 24" exam, not so much that you will immediately need to take the higher level, "Series 24" exam, but for the description about securities industry licensing and registration, as you WILL NEED your employing firm to sponsor you, in order to be allowed to take this exam.

Thus if you are un-employed, you cannot take this exam on your own inititiave, even if you think it is your ticket into the securites industry...so don't waste the money for this book and its companion book (Series 63) unless you are actually employed by a securites firm and they are willing to fill out all of the forms and to sponsor and approve of your taking of this exam.

Another thing.....don't even spend the money for this book, if you have ever been charged (note that the threshold is charged with , not convicted or dismissed) with any crime that in any way relates to money in the last ten years, since there is a very good chance that you will be barred from the securites industry (Federal Law), so take the time to check with your employer and the Federal "U-4" form that they have on you.

Reviewed by a long time stock exchange seat owner, instutional trader, investiment advisor, and former specialist on a equities and options exchange

This is a very comprehensive and excellent manual. I read this book once, took the class, then spent a month doing the practice tests and practice finals. On the last two practice finals I got 86% on each. Today, I took the 7 and passed with an 84%. I found the questions on the CD ROM (which comes with the book) almost indentical to the actual exam, and even more difficult than the exam. If you read the book once, take the class, then keep doing practice tests and practice finals, over and over, scoring at least 80%, you will pass the Series 7 easily. There were absolutely no surprises on the test today, and there were only 2 or 3 questions that I wasn't fimiliar with. This is great material. Great! I am very pleased and will use Dearborn for the Series 66.

Took my series 7 exam today (6/21/04)( 84%). I read Barrons, Arco and Dearborn.
Dearborn was clearly the best hands down. They had great studying tips, easy to read format, you CAN pass the test with this book alone. Just cover everything, answer every practice question, use the disc and there will be no surprises. Arco was OK, but compared to Dearborn it doesn't hold a candle. I was initially a bit worried because I had the 12th edition ( 3 yrs. old) but it didn't matter. Good luck to all...

Dearborn is an outstanding company who writes superior material so you can pass the test you need. Myself failed this exam 3 times using Bisys Education material. I switched to Dearborn to study for my series 6, 63 and here just recently my 7 exam again. I passed each one the very first time using thier study books and cd roms. I passed the Series 7 with a 78% didn't even feel like I had any worries about failing when I turned in my exam. Passed no problem. I deffinatley reccomend this book to anybody wanting to pass the series 7 the first time through. Read the book once, pay attention, have it on hand for refreshers, and just pound the CD-ROM Drills hard everyday do at least two of them every single day. If you pound them consistently and wear yourself out on them you will have no problem passing. Good Luck and USE THIS BOOK TO PASS!!!!

I bought the book thinking that it would merely be instructing in an traditional ways. However, I was totally wrong.

It comes with so many helpful features:

1. Test Topic Alert! --- This makes sure that you understand the most tested concepts and reminds you to pay more attention to certain topics.

2. Take Notes --- it provides more details and explanations on difficult concepts. It clears up common misunderstandings.

3. Example ---- Very detailed, helpful examples that contributes to good interpretion.

4. Quiz ---- they are not that easy, although they may sound like they are. Quizes enforces the reader to understand certain concepts before he/she goes on to next topic. All comes with answer and rationale, which is extremely helpful.

5. Lesson Exams --- Chapter test. Gives you a general idea how you did in that lesson.

6. Hot Sheet (Most creative and important feature!) --- it actually helps you to focus and literally have notes ready for each lesson. It is especially helpful during final review.


Happy reading. It's a must read if you are serious about taking the "series 7", a long 6-hour exam.

It is a lot easier to read and comprehend Dearborn's than Barron's version of the Series 7 examincation. The structure is clearly defined and the practice exams and cd-rom are quite helpful.

The passtrack is quite comprehensive. The material is explained clearly and even a math-averse student can benefit. However, it might be best to supplement your exam preparation with some other materials. Stay away from the Barron's and ARCO prep guides--they are "rush throughs" that will leave you anything but ready for the formidable 7. Even more, Amazon has a great price... Good luck, future RR's.

Do yourself a favor and find a Dearborn Publishing Passtrak License Exam Manual. I found an older edition online for cheap. Yes, it is more studying and reading, but there is a lot more comprehension with it in how they test your understanding of the material. I noticed a couple of questions on the exam the second time I sat for it that seemed to be straight out of the Dearborn Practice finals. Your eventual clients will thank you as you will actually understand the topics, not just memorize ways to pass the test. I also noticed many of the triggers that Robert Walker used in Pass the 7 were also found (in greater depth) in the Dearborn material.

After failing first using other material, I sat for the exam again after reading Dearborn's materials once, doing all their practice tests, and passed with an 85%. I did not take a class.

In addition, the first time I sat for the exam I found myself getting confused when multiple option scenarios were introduced and not having the same difficulty using the method I learned in the Dearborn book. The hot sheets really came in handy the morning of the exam.

Make sure you get the complete edition which includes 10 practice finals, the cd and the license exam manual.

I wish I had just ponied up the extra bit of money for the more expensive Dearborn material to begin with - it would have saved me a lot of time and heartache!