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Open free Series 6 prep resources ↗Exam facts & prep options
Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Representative Qualification Examination (Series 6)
The Series 6 exam is a FINRA representative-level qualification examination that assesses the competency of entry-level Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Representatives; candidates must pass it together with the SIE corequisite to obtain the (IR) registration under FINRA Rule 1220(b)(7).
Official exam siteJump to prep options ↓
Questions55 questions total: 50 scored multiple-choice items plus 5 unscored pretest items
Testing time1 hour 30 minutes
ScoringPassing score of 70
Exam feeUSD 100
Prep options
Study resources for Series 6
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Exam overview
What to know before choosing your prep
- Who runs it
- FINRA
- Category
- Securities Licensing
- Current version
- 2020 Series 6 content outline (current specification; effective date of the exam itself is 08/1980–present)
- Where it applies
- United States — national
- Exam languages
- English
- Testing provider
- Prometric
- Format
- Computer-based, multiple-choice exam delivered at Prometric test centers; online delivery with a remote proctor only with an approved FINRA accommodation
- Availability
- By appointment at Prometric test centers; the exam must be taken within a 120-day enrollment window posted after the firm enrolls the candidate
- Score validity
- No fixed expiry while registered; a representative whose registration has lapsed two or more years must retake the applicable representative exam unless the qualification was maintained through continuing education under Rule 1240(c) (military service tolls the two-year expiration period)
- Remote testing
- Not available
Exam structure
50 multiple-choice items (four answer choices each) across four job functions: F1 Seeks Business for the Broker-Dealer from Customers and Potential Customers (12 items, 24%); F2 Opens Accounts After Obtaining and Evaluating Customers' Financial Profile and Investment Objectives (8 items, 16%); F3 Provides Customers with Information About Investments, Makes Recommendations, Transfers Assets and Maintains Appropriate Records (25 items, 50%); F4 Obtains and Verifies Customers' Purchase and Sales Instructions; Processes, Completes and Confirms Transactions (5 items, 10%).
Eligibility
The SIE exam is a corequisite (both must be passed for registration); candidates must be associated with and sponsored by a FINRA member firm or other applicable SRO member firm — there is no individual self-enrollment
Retake policy
Amended FINRA Rule 1210 (SR-FINRA-2026-014, filed with the SEC June 29, 2026) permits retaking 15 calendar days after a failed attempt, and 60 calendar days after three or more successive failures within a two-year period; FINRA stated in July 2026 that the reduced waiting periods are not yet in effect for candidates and that the prior 30-day/180-day waiting periods remain in force until FINRA announces the implementation date