The Uniform Combined State Law Examination is more commonly known as the Series 66 Exam. It is for candidates who need to register in certain states as investment adviser representatives or securities agents. The exam content was developed by NASAA, though it is administered by FINRA. Working through Series 66 sample questions is a great way to study. Start your test prep right now with our free Series 66 practice exam.
Question 1 |
The principal difference between a listed REIT and an unlisted REIT is:
the liquidity to the investor | |
the suitability standards applied to investors | |
the regulatory scrutiny | |
all of the above are key differences |
Question 2 |
The phase of the business cycle immediately preceding recovery is:
the trough | |
the peak | |
contraction | |
expansion |
Question 3 |
When the long end of the yield curve is yielding a similar return to the intermediate and short end of the curve, analysts describe this as a:
normal yield curve | |
positive yield curve | |
inverted yield curve | |
flat yield curve |
Question 4 |
Variable life insurance has a number of similarities to the variable annuity. Among those would be:
guaranteed cash value | |
tax free proceeds to beneficiary upon death of the insured | |
money deposited into a separate account | |
all of the above |
Question 5 |
Under the USA, when an Administrator wishes to conduct an inspection of an office of a broker-dealer or IA,
he may do so without prior notice | |
he is required to give at least 5 business days advance notification | |
he is required to give at least 3 business days advance notification | |
none of the above |
Question 6 |
Under the Investment Advisor Act of 1940, exclusions from the definition of investment adviser include:
lawyers | |
accounts | |
teachers | |
all of these |
Question 7 |
The Brochure Rule applies to:
all business entities operating as registered investment advisers | |
all broker-dealers with the exception of sole proprietorships | |
both A and B | |
neither A nor B |
Question 8 |
When an IA fills a client order to buy as principal:
this is permitted. | |
this is permitted so long as the client is provided with full disclosure. | |
this is permitted only with consent from the Administrator. | |
this is considered a violation of state and/or federal law. |
Question 9 |
If the projected return of a portfolio is that over the next 12 months, there is a 40% likelihood it will return 15%, there is a 30% likelihood it will return 8%, and there is a 30% likelihood it will return minus 5%, what is the expected return of this portfolio over the next 12 months?
6.9% | |
9.9% | |
18.0% | |
Not enough information to determine |
15% return times 40% chance = 6.0%
8% return times 30% chance = 2.4%
Negative 5% return times 30% change = 1.5% loss
Add them up and you get 6.0 + 2.4 − 1.5 = 6.9%
Question 10 |
When looking at an investment grade debt instrument with a 15 year maturity, the risk to which it has the greatest exposure in the early years of holding the investment is:
credit risk | |
inflation risk | |
non-systematic risk | |
interest rate risk |
Question 11 |
Which of the below are not considered securities?
529 plans | |
Equity indexed annuities | |
Whiskey warehouse receipts | |
All of the above |
Question 12 |
When a bank liquidates securities that have been hypothecated as loan collateral due to a default by the borrower:
it qualifies as an exempt transaction under the USA | |
it is not considered a sale under the USA | |
it is an exempt transaction under the USA only if the collateral is an exempt security under the USA | |
the bank would have to be registered as a broker/dealer in order to effect this liquidation of collateral in the form of securities. |
Question 13 |
Each of the following entities may claim an exclusion from being defined as an investment adviser with the exception of:
securities attorney | |
certified public accountant specializing in auditing publicly traded corporations | |
a public school employee | |
geological engineer |
Question 14 |
As interest rates rise, which of the below is least likely to decline in value?
Treasury bond | |
Treasury note | |
Aaa-rated GO bond | |
NYSE listed corporation’s convertible bond |
Question 15 |
Financial service businesses, including but not limited to broker-dealers and investment advisory firms, are required to have in place disaster and other significant negative event plans in place to at least in part, enable communications with customers, regulators, vendors, and employees. Collectively these plans are referred to by the regulatory authorities as:
event readiness plans | |
disaster plans | |
business continuity plans | |
data back-up and emergency contact plans |
Question 16 |
Certain of the self regulatory authorities require periodic disclosure of political contributions made by investment professionals to the campaigns of candidates seeking election to positions of influence over the allocation of federal, state and/or local financial business, including securities underwriting business.
When such contributions are made, which of the following statements is accurate?
I. Disclosure is only required if the contributions exceed a minimum dollar level.
II. Disclosure to the regulatory authorities is required on a quarterly basis at a minimum.
III. The dollar limits place upon such contributions is a per election standard, not an annual standard.
IV. Any individual making contributions without providing his or her firm disclosure is considered statutorily disqualified from being an RR or an IAR for a minimum of 10 years after the violation.
all of the above | |
I and III | |
II and IV | |
II and III |
Question 17 |
Regulation S-P allows financial industry firms to obtain personal private information about customer/clients in all the following ways except:
internet cookies | |
private investigator | |
account application | |
credit reporting agencies |
Question 18 |
No agent or IAR may represent his or her professional credentials as including any form of ‘senior’ specialization or certification absent:
evidence that such a senior designation is bona fide and approved by a principal of the firm | |
the designation appearing on an approved SEC or State list | |
the representative having taken and passed the so-called Baby Boomer credentialing course given by AARP and other similar organizations | |
all of the above |
Question 19 |
An IA client of yours is CEO of a publicly-traded corporation. Among the rules with which you need to be familiar when servicing clients such as this include each of the below except:
13D | |
Form 4 | |
Rule 144 | |
Reg. T |
13D is filed when a certain level of beneficial ownership is attained; Form 4 is filed when any change in beneficial ownership takes place; Rule 144 is filed when control stock is sold by an officer of the firm — all three can impact a CEO.
Question 20 |
The NSMI Act of 1996 set forth for the first time a set of criteria by which to differentiate IA registration responsibilities. Choose from the below the most accurate statement describing these impact of these criteria.
I. AUM is the most significant of the differentiating criteria.
II. An IA filing Form ADV showing expected aggregate client portfolio assets in excess of $100,000,000 will register with the SEC.
III. An IA filing Form ADV showing expected aggregate client portfolio assets in excess of $30,000,000 will register with the SEC.
IV. Performance-based IA fee structures are no longer permitted absent special dispensation from the appropriate regulatory agency.
I only | |
I and II | |
I and III | |
III and IV |
List |
Series 66 Study Material
- Series 66 Study Guides – An overview of the best Series 66 study guides.
- Series 65 Practice Exam
Series 66 Exam
On the FINRA Series 66 Exam there are 110 multiple choice questions. Only 100 of these questions are scored, and the other 10 are pretest questions that may be used on future exams. You will be given 150 minutes to answer all of these questions. To get your Series 66 license you will need to get a passing test score, which is 75%.
This is a closed book exam and you will be provided only with scratch paper and a basic electronic calculator. You are not allowed to bring in any outside notes, books, or calculators. Scores are provided immediately after you finish your test. No prerequisites are needed to take this exam, but you will need to pass the Series 7 before you can register with a state.
Here are the topics covered along with the percentage of questions on each topic:
- Economic Factors and Business Information (5%)
- Investment Vehicle Characteristics (15%)
- Client Investment Recommendations and Strategies (30%)
- Laws, Regulations, and Guidelines, including Prohibition on Unethical Business Practices (50%)
For a complete outline of each topic, you can review the Exam Specifications Outline that is published by NASAA.
This is a hard test, so you will want to spend a lot of time on your Series 66 exam prep. Working through sample questions and carefully reading the explanations is a great way to learn this material. Start your test prep right now with our free Series 66 practice questions.