Understanding the Exam!
Learn how to successfully pass the Exam, the first time!
Once the Form U-4 has been completed and filed with the FINRA’s CRD (Central Registration Depository) system, you will have 120 days to complete and pass the exam. If for any reason you fail the exam, you will have to wait 30 days before taking it a second time. Ifyou were to fail it a second time, you again would have to wait 30 days. If you were to fail the exam a third time, you would have to wait 180 days.
So the question is...how many times do you want to take the Exam? The Answer is simple! Once! Exam Tips below...
Don’t let the exam take you, but you take the Exam! Be prepared!
Scheduling your exam as been made easy. Your Principal can schedule it for you, or you can go online and schedule it yourself at the following:
http://www.prometric.com/FINRA/default.htm
The Exam
Schedule the exam 30 days before you wish to take it, that way you will have a better shot of getting the time and location you desire.
Actually drive to the exam center a few days ahead of your exam date, at the time you would be taking the exam, to insure you know where it is located, the parking, is there any street construction, traffic, etc. There would be nothing worse than putting in all the prep time for the exam, and then get lost, can find a parking slot, etc and letting the stress build more than needed.
You will need to have proper ID, the center will have you sign in, and they will take a thumb print and walk you into the exam room.
The room is plain and generic, set up in a cubical arrangement.
You will be under 360° video surveillance and each computer station is wired for sound.
Exam center will give two pencils, a calculator and a number of sheets of paper to take notes.
You will not be allowed to take anything into the exam room, not even a watch, no drinks, snacks, tissues, NOTHING. If you need anything while taking the exam, you will need to go to the proctor and ask.
You will start the exam with a computer tutorial, Do it completely, and take your time. It serves two purposes; One, it will show how their exam software work and how to use it. I do believe the exam is still being written in old DOS computer language. Two, it will slow your heart rate, you will be stresses just by bein ghtere, but after you begin the tutorioal, the heart rate will come down to a managable level.
Keep a positive attitude throughout the whole test and try to stay relaxed.
If you start to feel nervous take a few deep breaths to relax. OR, get up from your seat and take a walk to the rest room, gt a drink of water, but do not go down the rabbit hole of the exam.
Stay focused on the task at hand.
Don't rush you have more than enough time.
Read the entire question and look for keywords. Read The Full Question TWICE, before looking at the answers.
Don't stay on a problem that you are stuck on especially when time is a factor. Mark it for review and move on.
Once you have completed the exam, you can now go back the the questions that were driving you nuts. If you have time left when you are finished, look over your test. Only change an answer if you misread or misinterpreted the question because the first answer that you put is usually the correct one. Watch out for careless mistakes and proofread your essay and/or short answer questions.
Exam Preparation Tips
Plan the Work, Work the Plan!
Preparation for your exam should begin after the first day of class; this includes studying, completing assignments and reviewing study materials on a regular basis.
Budget your time, make sure you have sufficient time to study so that you are well prepared for the exam.
Go to all review sessions, pay attention to hints that the instructor may give about the exam.
Take notes and ask questions about items you may be confused about.
Go over any material from practice exams, review material, the textbook, class notes...
Eat a heathly meal before a exam. Having food in your stomach will give you energy and help you focus but avoid heavy foods which can make you groggy.
Don't try to pull an all nighter. Get at least 3 hours of sleep before the exam.
Put the main ideas/information/formulas onto a sheet that can be quickly reviewed many times, this makes it easier to retain the key concepts that will be on the exam.
Set your alarm and have a backup alarm set as well.
Try to show up at least 30 minutes before the exam will start.
Go to the bathroom before walking into the exam room. You don't want to waste anytime worrying about your bodily needs during the exam.
Bottom line, YOU take the exam, don’t let the exam take you!
Tips on answering multiple choice questions
Read the question twice before you look at the answer.
Come up with the answer in your head before looking at the possible answers, this way the choices given on the test won't throw you off or trick you.
Eliminate answers you know aren't right.
Read all the choices before choosing your answer.
Don't keep on changing your answer, usually your first choice is the right one, unless you misread the question.
In "All of the above" and "None of the above" choices, if you are certain one of the statements is true don't choose "None of the above" or one of the statements are false don't choose "All of the above".
In a question with an "All of the above" choice, if you see that at least two correct statements, then "All of the above" is probably the answer.
A positive choice is more likely to be true than a negative one.
Usually the correct answer is the choice with the most information.