Series 66 MEGATHREAD!
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This is my attempt at a megathread for those people in the future who are looking for help/information about the Series 66. One of these threads would have been very helpful and saved me a lot of time. Hopefully the admins will make this a sticky.
Anyhow, I passed the Series 66 recently. I made a 76 (cutting it close, I know haha). The study materials I used were STC (provided by my firm), then I did 6 of 10 practice tests from a 2008 pass perfect book full of tests only, and lastly online TC practice tests. I completed all 10 STC pratice tests twice, the 6 of 10 pass perfect tests once, and then all 5 TC practice tests (scoring in 70-80 range), then took the random final twice making an mid 80's.
You can laugh at how much I studied just to get a 76, but I am TERRIBLE at tests! If you're taking the 66, here is my advice for success:
- Buy the Training Consultants online exams. The actual test is very much like the TC tests, as many others have pointed out. Take the tests until you're making 85+ on all of them. Stay away from STC tests. I found them to be more difficult than they really need to be, and STC quizes on a lot of random crap that will never even be on the test. Also, STC seemed to be inconsistent. The pass perfect was okay, but more like STC than TC. TC seemed to be in another league when it came to preperation for this test. I wouldn't say the questions were completely identical, but damn close. Maybe around 10-20 of them were what I would say identical.
-What to expect on the test: The test seems to have a bell curve of difficulty (from my experience and what my co-workers have said). The first 20-30 are easy, then to about 80-90 the questions become more difficult, then last 20-30 are easy. The last 10 were SUPER easy. I would say the easy questions were equal to the TC questions. The hard questions were harder because the answer choices were harder to decide among. Not really that the questions were questions I had not seen before.
Other thoughts: I had two friends from work use only STC and passed with a 78 and 82 with 2 months of studying. So it can be done with STC, but if you're like me and you blow at taking tests, get TC. I'm confident that I would not have passed if I had not used it.
Also, I would say the 66 is much easier than the 7, as long as you put in the same amount of studying. So don't take it lightly. Hope this is helpful!
This is helpful. Thanks for your post layhe! I am also not a good test taker. I am currently studying for the 66 and using TC because of the praise that is on this website from former users of the material. Glad to know I have the right material! Congrats on the 76 score. I would take that anyday!
I am taking the 66 in a week and I’m worried sick. My firm has me on a study program using STC’s material. The book was absolute torture to read, as I had to read 2 chapters a day…several of them 30 page chapters. It was like a whirlwind covering so much material and being up past midnight every single night.
I say this not to sound negative, but to let you know that, I too, am a horrid test taker. I choked the first time I took the Series 7 and failed with a 70…got a 79 on my second attempt.
After taking all 10 of the “open book” STC tests, I am officially worried. My firm has us take those all closed book instead of open and wants an average of at least 70. I averaged a 69 after taking all 10. Next are the “closed book” practice tests I will take starting tomorrow and all next week until I take the real thing. I definitely need to go back and review, because I’m not ready.
One last question - why do you say the 66 is easier than the 7? My firm says the 66 is a good bit harder, and I agree based on this material. Sorry for writing a book, but I’m really getting worried and need some tips. Thanks for starting this thread!
If you are averaging 69%, you should be worried. 75% is passing for the 66. Which is easier is very subjective. One might say that a higher passing score for the 66 would make the 66 more difficult to pass. Also, a 50% weight to law can make the 66 difficult for some people.
If you are averaging 69%, you should be worried. 75% is passing for the 66. Which is easier is very subjective. One might say that a higher passing score for the 66 would make the 66 more difficult to pass. Also, a 50% weight to law can make the 66 difficult for some people.
Yes I understand that 75 is a passing score. But like I said, I averaged a 69 on the open-book tests…without opening the book. I definitely need to learn more, but that 69 is hardly indicative of how I would do on the actual test. Like I said, my firm is looking for a 70. That’s what I’m worried about.
One last question - why do you say the 66 is easier than the 7? My firm says the 66 is a good bit harder, and I agree based on this material. Sorry for writing a book, but I’m really getting worried and need some tips. Thanks for starting this thread!
Jhud, there are a couple of reasons… There is much less material to study and the exam is no where as long as the 7. I have issues concentrating during tests, especially after 2+ hours of taking a test. The 7 is about a 5-6 hour test, which is what had me struggling to pass it.
Also, there aren’t a lot of ways to change up 66 questions like they could on the 7 by changing different variables. I think this is why people (and myself included) believe they are seeing identical questions from the TC study material.
I only had the TC material for 1 week, so don’t feel like it’s too late. I would go ahead an buy it if I were you. If you have windows 7 or 8, use the “Snipping Tool” app to take screenshots of questions you’ve missed or need to look over more and save them to a folder on your desktop. I had about 60-70 TC questions that I saved that way and would go over them all the time. In addition to that, in the STC book take out the “cheat sheet” pages at the ends of chapters 2,3, and 4 (I think) and keep them with you at work/home studying over them. I have a nice 2 pg (front and back) Kaplan cheat sheet that is helpful. I can e-mail it to you or try to post it on here if you’d like.
[quote=Jhud423]One last question - why do you say the 66 is easier than the 7? My firm says the 66 is a good bit harder, and I agree based on this material. Sorry for writing a book, but I’m really getting worried and need some tips. Thanks for starting this thread!
Jhud, there are a couple of reasons… There is much less material to study and the exam is no where as long as the 7. I have issues concentrating during tests, especially after 2+ hours of taking a test. The 7 is about a 5-6 hour test, which is what had me struggling to pass it.
Also, there aren’t a lot of ways to change up 66 questions like they could on the 7 by changing different variables. I think this is why people (and myself included) believe they are seeing identical questions from the TC study material.
I only had the TC material for 1 week, so don’t feel like it’s too late. I would go ahead an buy it if I were you. If you have windows 7 or 8, use the “Snipping Tool” app to take screenshots of questions you’ve missed or need to look over more and save them to a folder on your desktop. I had about 60-70 TC questions that I saved that way and would go over them all the time. In addition to that, in the STC book take out the “cheat sheet” pages at the ends of chapters 2,3, and 4 (I think) and keep them with you at work/home studying over them. I have a nice 2 pg (front and back) Kaplan cheat sheet that is helpful. I can e-mail it to you or try to post it on here if you’d like.[/quote]
Thanks for the tips! I am glad to say I scored an 84 on my first STC timed simulation test last night. Definitely not going to get my hopes up though - I still have 8-9 more to go.
As far as the Kaplan cheet sheet, I would love to see it! I have been provided with a couple of different tools but I would like to access as much as possible. Thanks!
Layhe, I would like to see that Kaplan “cheat sheet” as well. What is the best way to get that from you?
I want to chime in on this post as well. My firm also provided me with STC. I read all of the chapters then took the practice test. I avg between 72-77 on those. I read on this website TC was the way to go so I bought the online test for $99. I took all the individual chapters test then took the practice exams avg. between 80-85 after my 2nd try on each one. The questions asked in STC compared to TC was night and day. STC asked a lot of math based questions. The real test might’ve asked a handful of math questions and it was math questions that anyone can do in their head (13.5% - 5% = ?)
Today, I took and passed the 66 with a score of 77. I felt like TC best prepared me for what the test was asking. No joke, I saw 10-15 questions almost identical from TC to the real test. Like layhe said, it was a bell curve test with the first 10 and the last 10 questions being chip shots, real easy questions. The middle part was challenging but just read the question and pick apart the wrong answers and you’ll pick the right answer.
I hammered the TC practice questions for the last week and I did see the same questions multiple times so I felt it was better for cram session, something one should focus on within the last two weeks. All in all, anyone who tries to study and pass the 66 should. People that think, “well I passed the 7 so I can pass the 66” without studying will most likely fail.
Good luck to other test takers out there, hope this advice helps.
let me know if anyone needs the TC series 66 material. I have the online lectures, practice exams, and book for sale. Expires 12/24/2013. looking for $140 obo.
Make_it_rain reminds me… TC apparently checks with finra to see if you’ve passed the exam. If you’ve passed, they expire your account to prevent reselling the account. I know this bc I tried it.
Just passed the Series 66…made an 84!!!. TC prepared me well for the exam. Honestly, there was not much I didn’t know when taking this test. Felt very confident… However, I did put in a lot of study time but so glad to be done with it.
Just passed the Series 66…made an 84!!!. TC prepared me well for the exam. Honestly, there was not much I didn’t know when taking this test. Felt very confident… However, I did out in a lot of study time but so glad to be done with it.
Must be nice. I made a 70 today. I aced the suitability/recommendation part but did terribly on the rest. Makes me sick. Yeah yeah, I know the test focuses on laws more than anything. It’s just frustrating, because I’m prepared for what’s really important in the industry.
I’ll have to push back the process and study 2 more weeks, but like I said my firm has us on the STC program, so it’s my only option.
Jhud423-Sorry to hear about that. My firm used to use STC but the failure rate was so high that they switched to Training Consultant. Glad that they did…I would highly recommend you purchase the software on your own if feasible.It’s broken down in a way that’s easily understandable.
Pass Perfect is the best for the 66. I recommend their program to all of my students. One overlooked detail regarding any materials provider is the their explanations to answers. Pass Perfect often gives you very detailed explanations to questions. You should avoid providers that reword the question and then use it as an answer/explanation.
Hi Guys, I recently took the 66 and failed with 74% using STC. I am now using Training Consultants, rereading their study manual and going to the Live Class next week. I am averaging 91% on the content exams. I took 1 of the final exams (when I first started) and got a 77%, the 2nd final I got a 91%. Has anyone ever taken the Live Classes before? I hear TC is definitely the way to go for the 66 but any feedback on my progress and/or classes would be greatly appreciated. I also found the Uniform Combined State Law Examination (Series 66)
Exam Specifications and Outline a few days ago on the NASAA Website http://www.nasaa.org/industry-resources/exams/series-65-66-resources/series-66-study-guide/ . This is an exact outline of the subjects (IN DETAIL) that will be tested on the exam. I thought this may be of great use to everyone. Thanks
[quote=AN714]Hi Guys, I recently took the 66 and failed with 74% using STC. I am now using Training Consultants, rereading their study manual and going to the Live Class next week. I am averaging 91% on the content exams. I took 1 of the final exams (when I first started) and got a 77%, the 2nd final I got a 91%. Has anyone ever taken the Live Classes before? I hear TC is definitely the way to go for the 66 but any feedback on my progress and/or classes would be greatly appreciated. I also found the Uniform Combined State Law Examination (Series 66)
Exam Specifications and Outline a few days ago on the NASAA Website http://www.nasaa.org/industry-resources/exams/series-65-66-resources/series-66-study-guide/ . This is an exact outline of the subjects (IN DETAIL) that will be tested on the exam. I thought this may be of great use to everyone. Thanks[/quote]
AN714, sorry to hear you failed by only 1 point. I used STC too and felt that it tested on things that were never going to be on the actual exam.
When you say final exam, do you mean one of the 1-5 exams? or do you mean the Final random exam? If you’re scoring in the 70’s on the 1-5 exams from TC, that’s normal. Make sure you’re going over the areas that you do poorly in. I recall making around 75-80’s on the 1-5 exams. When I took them, I would go over my problem areas by taking a 50 question set in the topic area. Then, I went on to the random finals, making high 80’s to low 90’s.
Pass Perfect is the best for the 66. I recommend their program to all of my students. One overlooked detail regarding any materials provider is the their explanations to answers. Pass Perfect often gives you very detailed explanations to questions. You should avoid providers that reword the question and then use it as an answer/explanation.
Pass perfect is good, especially their explanations. The explanations go into detail and often include “!” marks to emphasize their point. However, I felt that (like STC) they test on things that were never going to be on the test, which was frustrating. Then again, I had the 2008 version, so things may have changed since then.
[quote=mstudy]Pass Perfect is the best for the 66. I recommend their program to all of my students. One overlooked detail regarding any materials provider is the their explanations to answers. Pass Perfect often gives you very detailed explanations to questions. You should avoid providers that reword the question and then use it as an answer/explanation.
Pass perfect is good, especially their explanations. The explanations go into detail and often include “!” marks to emphasize their point. However, I felt that (like STC) they test on things that were never going to be on the test, which was frustrating. Then again, I had the 2008 version, so things may have changed since then.[/quote]
No company should have an “inside track” to what will actually be on the test. They should all be using the NASAA outline and teach the material based on that outline. Some providers may give you more than you need to know, which I think is totally okay. The material should also be challenging, which is a characteristic of Pass Perfect. Working with challenging, comprehensive material should help you pass the exam and also help in your career.