If you're ready to move into options trading or market making at your firm, Varsity Tutors can set you up with effective Series 4 prep classes. We use an individualized approach, putting you together with a test prep and finance expert who can cater a Series 4 course to your particular needs. Whether you need to learn options trading strategies, understand how you can hedge your firm's other trades using options, or hone your understanding of options disclosure regulations, a Series 4 prep course gives you the opportunity to focus on the areas where you need the most support.
If you're ready for a Series 4 class, then you've already been through the SIE and the Series 7 exam. That means that you know what Finra expects from you on these exams, and also that you can expect the difficulty level to rise as you move into more complicated products. That's why a customized Series 4 class could be right for you. You can dictate what sessions focus on so that you're always learning efficiently. If you don't know where you need to fill gaps, your Series 4 prep class instructor can perform an assessment of your knowledge and capabilities so they can build a study plan that keeps you making progress throughout sessions.
One of the first things you'll need to know for the Series 4 is its makeup. Here's what you'll be preparing for in Series 4 courses:
Question Format | # Questions | Time Allowed | Passing Score | Corequisites |
Multiple-Choice | 125 | 3 hours and 15 Minutes | 72% | Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) + Series 7 |
With this information in mind, you should know that Series 4 prep courses can help you develop additional skills beyond the topics you need to know for the test. Your Series 4 class also gives you the chance to build up your study and test-taking skills, develop time management and other test-taking strategies, and know where you stand in terms of a passing score. Put together, this knowledge can help you get more out of the test, cut out obvious wrong answer choices to increase your chances of getting tough questions correct, and overall feel more confident heading into test day.
Your Series 4 class isn't low on substance though. You'll have to understand a lot of different concepts and apply that knowledge throughout the exam. Often, it makes sense to spend time drilling on concepts the exam covers so you have them at the tip of your tongue come test day, especially if you don't do everything on the exam on a daily basis at your firm. Here are just some of the topics you could make sure you understand during your Series 4 prep courses:
Series 4 Topics (non-comprehensive)
- Customer Identification Program (CIP) requirements
- Due Diligence and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements
- Options disclosure document requirements
- Options programs and trading strategies
- Authorization and approval of any discretionary handling
- Requirement to perform suitability reviews to determine if the use of options is consistent with the customer profile
- Margin requirements set by regulation for initial/maintenance requirements
- Contract adjustments due to such events as splits, mergers, and dividends
- Record retention and segregation requirements
- Aggregation of accounts for reporting position limits, exercise limits, and large positions
- Separation of proprietary, market making, and customer trading
- Authorizing and monitor customer market access
If Series 4 classes sound like a good idea to you, reach out to the Educational Directors at Varsity Tutors today. Directors can listen to your needs and specifications and set you up with a Series 4 course instructor who can meet at a time that is most convenient for you. You'll also be able to meet for each Series 4 class using our innovate online Live Learning Platform. Let's get you started today.
James: Series 4 course instructor
...helped establish my first financial conglomerate, including a mutual fund, an NASD sales and investment advisory firm, and a transfer agent. In 1983, I earned a Master's in Business Administration from Illinois State University with a specialty in the field of Finance. I also taught there for a period of time and authored two books: The Do-It-Yourself Investor and Do-It-Yourself Investment Analysis. The former book was chosen by Sylvia Porter as one of her top...
Education & Certification
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Bachelor in Arts, Business, General
Subject Expertise
- Series 4
- Series 66
- Series 7 - General Securities Representative Exam (Stockbroker)
- Series 7
- +24 subjects
Mary: Series 4 course instructor
...unique learning experience to set a foundation for our respective quantitative trading roles. I became a market maker, providing liquidity to the public orders, a specialist, keeping an orderly book of all public orders, and floor manager, overseeing the daily operations. The environment was dynamic, highly demanding, requiring laser focus, preparation and stamina. An integral member of the firm, collaborating with other member firms and the Board of Governors, serving on committees, worked on new...
Education & Certification
- Dickinson College - Bachelor in Arts, Economics
- Northwestern University - Masters in Business Administration, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 4
- Series 57
- Exam IFM - Investment and Financial Markets
- Series 37
- +105 subjects
Education & Certification
- Saint Peters College - Bachelor of Science, Business Administration and Management
Subject Expertise
- Series 4
- Series 7
- Series 63
- Series 24
- +4 subjects
Aaron: Series 4 course instructor
...pursuit of growth, I went on to earn my Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. A short time later, I enrolled at Kansas State University and earned a Master's degree in Personal Financial Planning. Recently, I've earned the Behavioral Financial Advisor (BFA) designation and the Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP) designation. I've worked in several industry roles from client service, back office roles, compliance, management, personal advising and planning and retirement consulting. When I'm not focusing...
Education & Certification
- University of Nebraska at Omaha - Bachelor of Science, Finance
- Kansas State University - Master of Science, Financial Planning
Subject Expertise
- Series 4
- Series 24
- Series 65
- Series 7
- +7 subjects
Michael: Series 4 course instructor
...of what I know has been actually gained doing various jobs while I may of started with book knowledge practical applications are different in terms of how things work to some degree. I started my career on the Coffee, Sugar and Cocoa exchange's trading floor at a young age, then moved upstairs to run Bear Stearns's energy futures desk using my options knowledge and learning the energy complex. So wearing the sales/trader/strategist hat I built...
Education & Certification
- Long Island University-C W Post Campus - Bachelor of Science, Finance
- CUNY Bernard M Baruch College - Master of Science, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 4
- Series 44 - NYSE Arca Options Market Maker Exam
- Series 7 - General Securities Representative Exam (Stockbroker)
- Series 63
- +14 subjects
Peter: Series 4 course instructor
...from scratch, was a manager of other reps, and was a producer. To see my career path including all the licenses I obtained, view me at Broker Check: https://brokercheck.finra.org/individual/summary/1313689 and see that I had all the licenses. I also was the prime lead instructor for a Series 7 school years ago before publishing training manuals that became the big business we see today. My peers, other broker-dealers, had enough confidence in me to elect me...
Education & Certification
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - Bachelor of Science, Materials Engineering
- California University of Pennsylvania - Master of Science, Mathematics and Statistics
Subject Expertise
- Series 4
- Series 10
- Insurance License
- Series 79
- +38 subjects
Daniel: Series 4 course instructor
I am a CPA with a background in teaching and tutoring. I can work with you on most finance, business, and accounting subjects. I help simplify the material and highlight the core lessons. I've been told it's very effective and helpful!
Education & Certification
- Malone University - Bachelor in Arts, Organizational Leadership
- Baldwin-Wallace College - Masters in Business Administration, Accounting
Subject Expertise
- Series 4
- CPA
- FINRA - Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
- Series 7
- +25 subjects
Jim: Series 4 course instructor
...industry for over 20 years and have a good understanding of many different areas. I will do my best to help the student by simplifying the material and using everyday tasks as examples. Exams I have taken (and passed on the first try): Series 7 (General Securities), Series 24 (General Securities Principal), Series 4 (Registered Options Principal), Series 27 (Financial and Operations Principal), Series 53 (Municipal Securities Principal), Series 66 (Investment Advisor Representative) and PA...
Education & Certification
- Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus - Bachelor of Science, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 4
- Series 24
- Series 7 - General Securities Representative Exam (Stockbroker)
- Series 53
- +16 subjects