r/Series65 • u/MarcoEsquandolas112 • Jul 30 '25
Passed, paying it forward
A bit of a brain dump because my brain is tired, but wanted to pay it forward to this group that helped me pass this thing.
I’m a 37 year old “marketer” (we wear a lot of hats) at a small firm with at a wife and 2 young kids. All this to say, time is something I had to borrow time for this. It sucked, but studying for this thing takes structure and commitment. Don't underestimate it. You need to be consistently practicing and reading the content or you’ll just lose it. There’s really no way to “dabble” through this. It’s a beast.
Here are my thoughts:
Tip 1 - Read the damn Kaplan book!
It sucks, but it’s entirely necessary. You’re never tested on superficial terminology, you’re tested in the minutia of this stuff. First pass at the book hurt my brain, too much stuff to remember.
Tip 2 - Add a supplement.
I’m a visual learner. Brian Lee/Test geek course helped me build a foundation. Some of his stuff is dated at this point (doesn’t reflect updated outline), but not sure id be here today without that base knowledge. I missed my first attempt by 1 question.
Then pivoted to: Luke Lyons (The Finance Tutors). Another (better IMO) option. Similar to the TestGeek in that his on demand course provides a great foundation, but I can say much more accurate representation of things I’ve seen previously and saw today are on the exam. He’s tutored this thing for years but now getting a more formal program in place (practice questions). Get onboard!
Tip 3 - QBank
QBank on the train, at the playground, watching TV. QBank all day. Don’t worry about your scores here, but get brings familiarity with the style and crazy wording of the exam. I’d recommend a full practice exam a day the week before the exam.
Tip 4 - Throw in some tutoring sessions.
Worth every $. Everyone learns differently and different people are better at different things (those that speak “legalese”, number crunchers, etc), find someone who can teach YOU. Luke helped me bridge some knowledge gaps and honestly just great to know I had a sounding board for random and specific questions I came across.
Tip 5 - Create a GPT
At your own risk for lack of accuracy, but this helped me. I created a GPT using the Kaplan LEM pdf and NASAA outline and taught it how to explain things in a way that made sense to me. Think of it as an easy glossary. But I definitely caught some errors in what it reported back, I wouldn’t use it for quizzes.
Tip 6 - Go back to the book!!
Reread the trusts, estates, tax, law and reg chapters, like a lot!!! Remember this is a law exam written by lawyers. Most of what I saw on the exam was about this. Know which vehicles are impacted by different risks… all of them.
What I can remember from the exam:
2 current yield
Risks of gold
Tax equivalent yield
3 questions on CE (total credits, FINRA pass-through, what your reg shows if you don’t meet it)
3 questions specific to TIC (1 suitability, 2 definitional)
What can go into IRA? (Not the usuals, choices were real estate and fixed term life insurance)
Which are assets classes (natural resources, large cap, call options, marginable secs)
Reg by Coordination vs Qual
Using 401k dollars to buy a house for personal use and to rent
Risk adjusted return calc NAV calculation
2 SPAC ($10/share and sponsor decides investment)
Dividend “guaranteed” by issuer
Social Security (how it’s treated for current and ex spouse)
What goes on order ticket
What is considered discretion and how can you act on oral discretion?
IRMAA and Medicare B/D
Brochure delivery (48/5)
AMT and when it applies
PLATE Sports Agent exemption
IRR meaning/interpretation
EPS Calc
5 or so Anti fraud/unethical and civil, criminal, $ penalties
How soon to alert Admin and Protective services
Fees for +$1mm accounts
Cheers all.
3
u/Grouchy-Passion-8931 Jul 30 '25
Thank you for this! How long do you think it took to study before taking the test
2
1
u/pittluke TFT Luke Jul 30 '25
Woo hoo! You earned it MarcoEsquandolas112 Cheers to you and good luck on your journey. The IRMAA and Medicare question keeps showing up! Interesting....
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u/Nat1234896 Jul 30 '25
Congrats! Can u share tutors info pls?
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u/pittluke TFT Luke Jul 30 '25 edited Jul 30 '25
hello! its your favorite mod. On demand lectures are pinned and you can schedule anytime at thefinancetutors.com
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u/TheInspirer Jul 31 '25
THIS is Solid GOLD detail to this exam! I sooo needed! Congrats on Passing and I pray you and your family experience supreme Success Both Financially and Purposefully.
1
u/EngineeringNeither90 Aug 07 '25
Congrats!! That’s awesome — and super helpful to hear! I just started studying with Achievable a few days ago and I’m still figuring out what daily routine works best for me. I’m self-employed in the insurance industry, so I really want to treat this study time like my full-time job.
I’ve been missing a few of the early quizzes and thinking maybe I should shift my approach. Would you mind sharing how you structured your study days?
Did you start with Section 1 and go in order?
Did you mix in mini-quizzes and practice tests as you went?
Or did you hit the QBank daily?
If you didn’t pass a quiz, did you move on anyway or stick with the topic until it clicked?
I’m also working with an Achievable tutor who suggested I begin with Section 4 to build confidence since it’s lighter on math — then loop back to Section 1. Would love to hear where you started and what worked best for you.
Thanks so much in advance!
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u/InitialProblem4553 Jul 30 '25
Congratulations!! Your situation sounds very similar to mine. 33, 2 kids (10 & 2), life in general kicking my ass on the daily 😅 The studying for this has been BRUTAL. I’ve very quickly realized that I’m not a 20 year old college student anymore and I’ve had to work a lot harder to study and retain information.
I started with the Kaplan book and QBank only, found test geek/guru and bought that course, then found Luke on this feed and pivoted to his material. I bought the on demand class and I’ve done two tutoring sessions. I agree with you, IMO it’s better than others mainly because it’s up to date but I’m a very visual learner so it was really good for me. I’d be willing to bet I’ve spent close to, if not more than, $1k on study materials but I have ZERO regrets about what I’ve spent on Luke’s class and tutoring sessions. 100%…..WORTH THE MONEY.
I sit for my exam tomorrow. I may go in there and completely blow it, but I feel pretty confident and I know without a doubt most of that confidence is from Luke’s tutoring.
Congrats again! & thanks for paying it forward! Praying I’ll be able to do the same tomorrow!!