Series 7 FAQ — Common Questions & Quick Answers

Answers to common questions about the FINRA Series 7 exam: eligibility and sponsorship, SIE corequisite, format/timing, scoring, retakes, what’s tested, and how to study.

Policies can change—confirm critical details with FINRA and your firm before scheduling.

Quick facts

  • Scored items: 125
  • Unscored pretest items: 5
  • Time: 225 minutes
  • Passing score: 72 (scaled)
  • Cost: $300
  • Corequisite: SIE
  • Sponsorship: required

Frequently asked questions

Do I need firm sponsorship for Series 7?

Yes. Series 7 is a representative-level qualification exam and generally requires association with a FINRA member firm (or other applicable SRO member firm).

Do I need to pass SIE too?

Yes. Series 7 is paired with the SIE as a corequisite. You must pass both to obtain the General Securities Representative registration.

How is the exam scored?

FINRA uses a scaled (equated) score. Unscored pretest items are mixed in and do not affect your result.

What’s the best way to allocate study time?

Put most of your time into F3 (the recommendation and product knowledge function). Then build speed on F4 (orders, settlement, margin) because those are easy points if you’re accurate.

What is the retake policy?

FINRA retake waiting periods can depend on attempt count and exam type. Verify current rules with FINRA at scheduling time.