Series 86 Advice!
For those of you who have recently taken the series 86 exam and passed, what was the exam structure like? I know STC is really the only exam prep out there, but older posts seem like there is a big disconnect between practice questions and questions on the real Series 86 exam.
Spoke to an instructor recently who said the real exam has phased out a lot of the heavier calculation questions that are on STC's curriculum (i.e. questions with answers that you need to solve multiple scenarios for to find the true answer) and has phased in more conceptual questions (i.e. if interest expense moves this direction, and net income moves this direction, what are the implications for WACC/CF/Valuation, etc.). Were the specific ratios/topics that were more prevalent on the exam compared to STC focuses? (I know exam question banks can be different but just trying to build a general consensus)
Is this true for those of you who recently took it? My first attempt was a while back and I do not remember exactly how the structure was, but would appreciate any color someone could provide! Thank you so much!!
P.S. I've been mainly focusing on going through Practice Testss and Greenlight Exams for my study prep!
I took the exam about a year ago, but can confirm that my exam did not have as many pure calculation based questions as the STC exam prep.
Do you remember any specific ratios or type of questions that were more heavily weighted?
From what I remember (took the exam 9 months ago): heavy emphasis on account receivable / balance sheet turnover. Lots of PEG and return on ___ questions. A few cash flow cause and effect.
Failed first time by a small margin but felt really great taking it the second time. Number one advice is to take Practice exams 1-5 then both greenlights over and over until you are scoring 95%+ on every single one. I was scoring in the mid 80s when I failed the first time. No previous financial modeling/accounting experience. Happy to answer any questions. I know its a hard exam but you can do it!!
Hi! I PM'd! :)
I heard they knocked the questions down from 110 to 85 which should help immensely. I’d just memorize every formula and didn’t says they could be use and you’ll be fine.
Yeah my date right now is set before they change the exam to less questions. I'm pretty sure time will be shortened as well. Not sure if I should push it after the change? I don't think it will make a difference in terms of difficulty?
The time remained the same, 4.5 hours for 95 questions (85 scored, 10 “experimental”). There’s a new outline on the FINRA site, personally I think the reduced number of questions but same amount of time will be beneficial.
Whether to take it before/after the update depends on if you can wait for the course/study materials to update on the STC site and others.
Has anyone taken the new version yet??
Series 86 was the one test I actually read the STC book (skimmed it without taking notes, but actually read the sections I didn't know as well) and then did the practice tests. Then thoroughly review the practice test questions that you missed each time and go back to the textbook and re-read that section. I missed it by 1 question on my first try but second try felt much easier after lots of extra study/ practice tests
Could anyone comment on the new outline post May changes vs the STC material? Taking the exam this week and would appreciate some insight
Good luck!! can you update once you've taken it?
I took the 86 a week ago and it was so much easier than I anticipated. Question count down from 110 to 95 and the time spent on formula questions was significantly less than the practice exams (less steps involved to get your answers)
Check the questions given at the end of the May update from STC, there was a couple on there that were pulled right into the exam
cant find the may update, where is it? thanks in advance!
Did you use STC to study?
Anyone know difficulty of the real exam historically compared to the STC greenlight? Seems like greenlight is harder than the other PTs
Check out an intro to finance course on youtube, college level. A lot of the frameworks were the same.
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Any update on anyone who has taken the series 86 the past 2 months since the new version was launched? Did you pass/come close? Thoughts on questions etc.
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