How I passed the Series 66 exam: My journey to becoming a licensed Financial Advisor
Evan Connolly is new to the financial services industry and has been with Ameriprise Financial for nearly a year. In that time, he has built a strong foundation in financial planning and client service, demonstrating a commitment to professional growth. Most recently, Evan achieved a key milestone by passing the Series 66 exam, further enhancing his ability to support clients with comprehensive financial solutions.
When I first set out to build a career in financial advising, I knew licensing exams would be part of the journey, but going through them firsthand is a completely different experience. Now that I've passed the Series 66, I’ve officially completed my FINRA exam path and am transitioning into my role as a fully licensed financial advisor.
Looking back, this process has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my career so far. Each exam wasn’t just a requirement; it was a step toward building credibility, confidence, and the foundation needed to serve clients at a higher level.
Consistency made the difference
The biggest challenge throughout this journey wasn’t the material itself; it was staying consistent. Balancing study time with day-to-day responsibilities isn’t easy, and not every day feels productive. What ultimately mattered was showing up anyway. Progress came from following the study plan; if things changed in my life, I could update my plan and schedule (which I did on more than one occasion).
The system behind the success
By the time I began studying for the Series 66, I had developed a study approach that worked: breaking content into manageable sections, focusing on understanding over memorization, and consistently using practice questions to reinforce key concepts. This is where the Achievable study material separated itself from the rest. I knew after every chapter and section, I had questions to answer.
The impact of Achievable
Achievable was a major factor in my success across every exam. The platform’s structure made complex material easier to digest, and its focus on repetition and clear explanations helped me truly understand the “why” behind each concept. When you look for your own study material, the biggest piece of advice I can give is to find the right fit for your study habits. I used the playback feature for every page of the textbook (this was the game-changer for me).
Using Achievable throughout multiple exams allowed me to refine my study process and build momentum. By the time I reached the Series 66, I wasn’t starting over; I was building on a system I trusted.
Crossing the finish line
Passing the Series 66 marks the close of my licensing exams (for now) and the beginning of the next phase of my career. It’s a shift from studying and testing to applying what I’ve learned, working directly with clients, and continuing to grow as an advisor.
Final thoughts
If there’s one takeaway from this experience, it’s that success in these exams doesn’t come from perfection; it comes from consistency. Having the right tools, like Achievable, and a system you can rely on makes all the difference.
This chapter required discipline and persistence, but it’s given me the confidence and foundation to take the next step as a fully licensed financial advisor, and I’m just getting started.
