I’ve heard a lot of suggestions as to what is the best study material for the 66. I used STC for both the 7 and the 66 and although I passed each exam on the first attempt, I did not feel that STC was the best for the 66. There was a lot of information that I had simply never heard of. Sometimes there are keywords that you know you have seen before and can’t think of what they entail; but today taking the 66 there were words I had never seen before. I pressed the submit button already planning out my study plan for the month ahead of me and was suprised when I saw the 77. Although with these exams one does have a tendency to remember all the questions you struggled with and forget all the question that were a breeze.

I keep hearing the smart 66 program is the best. Not only does it come up in forums, but I have also received recommendations from friends. The 66 is a difficult exam and I took it right after the 7 and was probably a little sick of taking exams. I just wish each exam on STC wasn’t 110 questions; it really is a mental marathon if your firm is monitoring you and you must complete the full study plan.

And Gekko the great, where do you get the research supporting your correlation with complaints and fail rates? I am actually just curious, I would be very interested in seeing stats like that.

And Gekko the great, where do you get the research supporting your correlation with complaints and fail rates? I am actually just curious, I would be very interested in seeing stats like that.[/quote]

There was an article earlier this year in Wall St Journal that talked about the correlation. I don’t have the link anymore but you can probably find it via Google search.

Passed the 7 using Pass Perfect and for some reason my firm switched to Exam FX for the 66. Failed the exam twice using that program and am super disgruntled. I think the reason for the switch was cost, but really? the programs garbage. I started studying for the 66 right after I passed the 7 and thought material seemed pretty easy. So I went into the exam very confident. I got a 71% which I was surprised by. I had been getting 85%avg on the practice tests. So I gave it a go for a second time using the same materials and went over all of it again. Took the test again and got a 68%! I couldn’t believe it. There were so many terms and concepts not covered in Exam FX. I was pretty furious (and still am since I took the exam last Thurs).
I have been reading about different study programs and have nailed in down two: Pass Perfect 66 (Kier) or Training Consultants.
I’ve heard good and bad about both, so not sure which one to purchase. I’m leaning towards Pass Perfect since I had success on the 7 and am familiar with the testing style (it hammers the info into you by repeating question categories until you finally get it).

I would go with the materials you think would be more challenging. I think it is better to use programs with more information and difficult questions

If I have TC, and have already passed, what do I do with my remaining time substantial time with the program? Please pm your answers. This is for the 66.

The keys to Kaplan are the live classes and the QBank. You must utilize the QBank and run through 1,500+ questions. The live teacher “cram courses” are necessary reinforcements. You must take the test within 2 weeks of the live course.

Used only Kaplan materials and live class (Randy Bauer):

83% on Series 7 (September 2014)
78% on Series 66 -Do not take this test lightly. People who say it is easy have not taken it recently. The passing threshold is now 75% and the content is harder than the Series 7.

1/2 of the 66 is laws. I have seen crazy stuff on the Series 66 practice exams such as Totten Trust laws, Polish exchange rates, and Whiskey receipts. Obviously, they have to throw in some option short hedging strategies and breakeven points on protective put options.

Don’t expect to waltz into the 66 and pass. The NASAA is making this exam hard to pass.

If anyone needs TC practice exams or STC study guide please PM me, I’d be happy to sell for cheap! Practice exams are good for 2 more months. Thanks.

I passed the 66 today with a 75 after failing twice before with a 68 and 72. I wish I had taken the advice on this forum to use TC. I used Kaplan for my first two go around including two stints in their live 2 day course. I used Pass Perfect this last time…only the book and online tests. I found Pass Perfect’s book much more digestible than Kaplan. However, Kaplan’s practice tests were better in that they more closely mirrored the test. Pass Perfect’s tests were very hard, their explanations very good, and that helped immensely, but there were only a small handful of questions on the test where I thought “hey, this is almost the same question that was on my Pass Perfect practice test.” I studied for a full month avg 4hrs/day. I passed the 7 with a mid 80s score after 2 days of studying with Kaplan. I am new to the industry and would have lost my job if I failed a third time. I do not wish that burden on anyone. I would highly recommend the Pass Perfect study book but must believe others’ opinions on this forum and would definitely use TC if I did it all again. Good luck to you all on this beast of a test. Oh and one last thing…I do not feel in any way that my knowledge of the material was accurately tested. There are so many “gotcha” questions. My resolve was tested, and I know the material well, but I loathe the question style.

I passed the 66 today with a 75 after failing twice before with a 68 and 72. I wish I had taken the advice on this forum to use TC. I used Kaplan for my first two go around including two stints in their live 2 day course. I used Pass Perfect this last time…only the book and online tests. I found Pass Perfect’s book much more digestible than Kaplan. However, Kaplan’s practice tests were better in that they more closely mirrored the test. Pass Perfect’s tests were very hard, their explanations very good, and that helped immensely, but there were only a small handful of questions on the test where I thought “hey, this is almost the same question that was on my Pass Perfect practice test.” I studied for a full month avg 4hrs/day. I passed the 7 with a mid 80s score after 2 days of studying with Kaplan. I am new to the industry and would have lost my job if I failed a third time. I do not wish that burden on anyone. I would highly recommend the Pass Perfect study book but must believe others’ opinions on this forum and would definitely use TC if I did it all again. Good luck to you all on this beast of a test. Oh and one last thing…I do not feel in any way that my knowledge of the material was accurately tested. There are so many “gotcha” questions. My resolve was tested, and I know the material well, but I loathe the question style.

[quote=Mike Langford]One of the most important things I learned a long time ago, when I was studying for the GMAT, about taking standardized tests is that “how you take the test” is just as important as your knowledge of the material.

Techniques like eliminating answers that are obviously wrong from consideration, for example, give you improved odds and increased confidence on tough questions.

As for test prep solutions, I used “Pass the 65” years ago and found it to be a great approach of mixing audio test prep and print test prep. They have a “Pass the 66” as well./[/quote]

I agree. I got a perfect GMAT score 6 years ago. Passed the 7 with no industry experience and 2 days of studying. I had never failed a test in my life until I failed the 66 twice. I wanted to share in case high IQ individuals read this forum and think they can pass this test like they’ve passed others. Not my experience.

[quote=Mike Langford]One of the most important things I learned a long time ago, when I was studying for the GMAT, about taking standardized tests is that “how you take the test” is just as important as your knowledge of the material.

Techniques like eliminating answers that are obviously wrong from consideration, for example, give you improved odds and increased confidence on tough questions.

As for test prep solutions, I used “Pass the 65” years ago and found it to be a great approach of mixing audio test prep and print test prep. They have a “Pass the 66” as well./[/quote]

I agree. I got a perfect GMAT score 6 years ago. Passed the 7 with no industry experience and 2 days of studying. I had never failed a test in my life until I failed the 66 twice. I wanted to share in case high IQ individuals read this forum and think they can pass this test like they’ve passed others. Not my experience.

I just took the series 66 and failed with a 71% after reading all the materials, taking all the practice exams, etc., with the Securities Training Corporation. I feel like the study material was sufficient for the questions that were asked, I just went through the study materials too quickly and didn’t let all of it sink in. My employer said if I fail the 66, then I have to take the 63 and 65 instead. Does anyone know if the study material for the 66 still applies for the 63 and 65 or would I have to buy additional study materials for each exam…

There is overlap but you will be missing parts of the 65. You might be able to get away with your series 66 materials for the 63 but I would just go ahead and spend the money on new materials geared to the tests you taking.

Also, taking the 65 and 63 after failing the 66 once does not make much sense. Most people would wait the 30 days and take the 66 again.

I don’t know what state you are in but our state has a requirement for the testing centers to only allow X number of people to pass the test each month. As that number increases or decreases so does the level of difficulty of the test… take it again, you will do fine,

My situation is similar to the OP’s

I was so confident that I would pass. The questions couldn’t be any easier or straightforward (Unlike the horrendously difficult practice exam questions…)

What can you tell us to back that up? You’re saying they cheated us out of a passing grade?

Is it Prometric for sure? I mean I got a 74% and I tested at Prometric.

I have always taken my exams (Life and Health x2 and I took the S7) with PearsonVUE and I have never failed.

-Thanks.

Very strange. I have never heard of testing centers limiting the numbers of people who pass. I would be very surprised if that were true.

I should have read this forum before studying and taking the 66. I just took it today and got a 68%. I used STC since I had great success with it on the 7, man was I wrong. Once the test started, I like many people said WTF. I was lost and confused. Whoever wrote that test, had one purpose on hand…to see how many of us fail it. I know that if I was to take the 66 again using TC as all of you recommend I will pass it, but unfortunately I can’t wait the 30 days. So I am opting to take the 65. Those of you taking the 66 make sure you read the forum, if not you’ll end up like me on test day going WTF.

Hi all!!
I finally just passed the Series 66 on attempt #2 with an 85%!!! I finally have my life back!!!
I wanted to get on here to help any future test takers!! Piece of advice, DO NOT USE KAPLAN!!!
Kaplan’s book is unneccessarily large and the questions are not in similar format of the test. I used Kaplan on my first attempt, because I had such success with Kaplan for my Series 7 (passed the first time with a 78%).
I felt prepared, was scoring 80s on the practice tests, and then got to the test and had a panic attack when I saw information that was not in the huge study book.
I got a sad 70%.
I did some research on this thread and got the Training Consultants book for my second try! THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING! The practice exams are excellent!
That being said, the test is still very hard. You have to re-read every question and every answer choice. The wording can be confusing and you have to go with your gut.
If anyone wants to talk more about TC or Kaplan or the test, feel free to PM me.
GOOD LUCK!!!

I passed with a 75%… yeah i know very lucky. I didnt study hard and used kaplan.

Used the STC books to pass the 7 & 63 years ago. For the 66, used the STC book and failed with 62%. Then I used the Knopman book and QBank questions and failed with a 74%. I literally saw every question in the QBank at least once, was getting 80s on the practice exams and then failed for a third time with a 74%. Now I’m in the 180 day purgatory waiting to take it again. The 66 is not required for my position but company wants us all to have it. I’m considering applying for a waiver. But, if not, will sign up for an actual class this time - and from what I’ve read here, I’ll make sure the class is close to the next test date in order to retain knowledge.
The questions on the actual 66 are NOTHING like the QBank practice tests. These questions are written to intentionally trip you up. They don’t care if you have knowledge of the material, they’re purposely messing with test takers and it’s ridiculous.