Series 66: Reddit’s best tips and stories

Are you preparing for the Series 66 exam and searching for the most insightful advice online? If you’ve turned to Series 66 Reddit threads for guidance, you’re not alone: Reddit has become a go-to resource for candidates seeking honest discussions about the Series 66 license. However, with so many posts to sift through, it can be challenging to find information that genuinely helps you decide if the Series 66 license is worth it for your career.

As one of the largest platforms for candid conversations among finance professionals, Reddit is where individuals share real-world experiences, practical study tips, and discuss the value of earning the Series 66. While official study guides offer structure, only firsthand Reddit accounts reveal what the exam really feels like, which sections are unexpectedly tricky, and whether scheduling your test in the morning or afternoon offers an edge.

Yet, navigating online forums can be overwhelming: distinguishing between effective study strategies and random anecdotes isn’t always straightforward. That’s why we’ve carefully reviewed r/Series66Exam and related subreddits to highlight the most helpful, highly upvoted posts from users who have successfully passed the Series 66 exam. These threads provide in-depth resource recommendations, test-day mindset advice, topic-specific breakdowns, and honest insights.

Explore our curated selection of the best Reddit posts about the Series 66 exam below. Learn directly from those who’ve been through the process and earned their Series 66, so you can approach your own exam with confidence and clarity.

Passed Series 66 today- here’s what I noticed

Summary: This Reddit post details how long you should spend studying for the Series 66, as shared by a newly licensed representative who successfully passed the Series 66 exam on their first attempt. They dedicated approximately 40 - 50 hours of focused study, using resources like Kaplan, Series 7 Guy, and Brian Lee’s podcast.

The test-taker noted that the Series 66 exam began and ended with easier questions, while the most difficult sections appeared in the middle. To maximize your study time for the Series 66, they recommend concentrating on topics such as securities laws, ethics, and advertising regulations, and caution against overanalyzing straightforward questions. Practice finals and effective stress management techniques played a crucial role in their preparation, helping them approach the exam with confidence.

Series 66 PASSED!

Summary: A first-time Series 66 passer shared their successful approach on Series 66 Reddit, having earned not only their Series 66 license but also passing the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) and Series 7 exams. Using resources like Series7Guru and Test Geek practice tests, they emphasized that the Series 66 exam features tricky question wording and a notable bell-curve in difficulty. Preparation focused strongly on regulations, securities laws, suitability rules, and clearly understanding adviser versus broker differences. The exam included one crypto-related question, though most questions centered on law/regulation items most associated with the Series 66.

Their advice for prospective candidates: maintain study intensity after finishing Series 7 prep, leverage QBank for extensive practice of Series 66 exam questions, and revisit condensed “Series 66 in 60/90 minutes” review videos before exam day to reinforce key topics.

Passed all 3 license[s].. Achievable is the BEST provider

Summary: A user on the Series 7 exam forum passed the three preliminary licensing exams for financial advising in a row: the SIE, the Series 7, and the Series 66, all on the first try. They found Achievable to be the best prep course for all three exams. They appreciated Achievable’s concise and digestible delivery of the exam material compared to other providers, especially for the Series 66. By mastering the foundations, the user could quickly and effectively learn more advanced topics without being hit with information overload at the start. The test taker also found Kaplan’s Qbank and Brian Lee’s videos and study guides to be helpful, demonstrating that using a variety of resources provides well-rounded preparation.

Passed Series 66 today; here’s my best advice

Summary: A test-taker who passed the Series 66 twice, after two early failures in 2020 and on the first try on a 2025 retake, warns against relying only on QBank or reusing old finals. Their winning strategy was repeatedly reading their textbook, mixing resources like videos and study aids, and drilling weak areas with custom quizzes. They stress taking fresh practice finals, reviewing mistakes, using flashcards before the exam, and going in rested, focused, and confident.

Series 66 Tips and Tricks

Summary: This post provides valuable advice on how to study for the Series 66, especially for individuals without a finance background. The test-taker successfully passed the Series 66 exam on their second attempt by leveraging a combination of study materials, including various YouTube playlists to gain exposure to different question types. To reinforce learning, they created over 200 flashcards, repeatedly practiced weak areas with focused quizzes, and emphasized understanding laws, regulations, and North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) ethical standards. For complex math questions, the use of charts, dump sheets, and visual video tutorials proved effective. Among their top Series 66 tips shared was the importance of both mastering exam content and training for the test’s tricky wording, subtle scenarios, and legalese challenges that can often trip up candidates.

Passed Series 66 in 11 days of studying

Summary: This post offers insight into one candidate’s approach to quick exam preparation. The individual successfully passed the Series 66 exam after only 11 days of focused study time, thanks in part to overlapping knowledge from the Series 7 and a recent completion of CFA Level 1. For their Series 66 study plan, they relied on STC materials, completing every practice question from Chapters 1 through 8, along with an additional 50 - 100 review questions from the remaining chapters. Rather than a full-length mock exam, they took a single STC Green Light exam to focus their prep. Their dedicated study schedule included just 2 - 3 hours a day during weekdays at work, with no weekend studying.

The test-taker emphasized that prior background in finance greatly reduced the amount of time needed to prepare for the Series 66, making the exam easier and allowing for a condensed timeline. This experience highlights that significant familiarity with related subject matter may reduce required study time and help streamline the overall process.

Series 66 Passed! (First Try)

Summary: A test-taker shares their experience passing the Series 66 on the first attempt after previously passing the SIE and struggling through three Series 7 attempts. Despite average practice exam scores in the mid-60s to low 70s, they found the actual exam easier than expected, with straightforward regulatory questions and topics including joint accounts, UTMA/UGMA, insurance, and bond duration/pricing. They emphasize that practice exam scores are helpful but not definitive, and advise focusing on understanding mistakes, targeting weak areas, and avoiding comparison to others.

Just Passed the Series 66!!

Summary: This firsthand Reddit account highlights a new test-taker who successfully passed the Series 66 exam on their first try. Scoring in the high 70s to low 80s range on Kaplan, Training Consultants/ExamFX, and Test Geek practice exams, the user found the actual Series 66 test more straightforward than anticipated.

Their exam covered a wide range of topics, including ethics and registration distinctions, essential tax considerations (like IRMAA, Roth accounts, and cost basis), and core investment and market concepts (such as CAPM, P/E ratios, future value, and current ratio). They also encountered questions revolving around retirement and insurance products, types of accounts (TIC, 529 plans, NAV/POP), ERISA compliance, market manipulation scenarios, and some calculation-based questions. Their primary advice for improving your chances of exceeding the average Series 66 pass rate: read every question thoroughly and reinforce your understanding by combining practice questions with instructional videos.

Final thoughts

In short, Series 66 Reddit communities can be invaluable resources when preparing for the Series 66 license exam…if you know where to look. By focusing on firsthand experiences shared in high-quality, highly upvoted posts, you’ll discover practical Series 66 tips, effective study strategies, and real-world insight into challenging topics. Learning how to study for the Series 66 from test-takers who have recently passed can help you reduce stress and develop a clear roadmap to earning your Series 66 license. Leveraging advice from successful candidates can guide your preparation and help you evaluate if the Series 66 license is the best move for your career goals.