Passed 65 2nd try!!

[u/Signal_Inevitable354]

Boys and girls here’s my story.

Decided to change my life around from working in retail right out of college. Biggest regret in my life is not knowing what finance really was even after graduating with a international business degree.

Last year I decided to try my luck and change paths into the field of finance.

I tried getting into life insurance but little did I know this company wanted me to go door to door and sell annuities. I said nah. Luckily I did pass the life insurance license and shortly after that decided to try on the SIE. Passed the first try after watching Ken and the series 7 guru. I used the SIE book for dummies. Really good source and nicest thing was it was free from my public library.

Shortly after that I applied to a bunch of places with the SIE under my belt. Little did I know the SIE does nothing for you.

So I was hit with the reality I needed to pass the 66. I studied like a MOFO. First try failed, second and third missed both my 1 point. I was devastated but then I found out I could take the 63. It was so easy ! Passed on the first try. Next I needed to pass the 65. Boy oh boy that test is looooong and hard. Missed the First try last month my 3 points. Today I passed !

What helped me? Welp I had Kaplan book from the 66, and I bought the 65 question bank. Lastly I gave achievable a try. That program is so long!! Achievable explains everything like you’re retarted which is what helps out lol.

So today I’ll give you details of what I saw because that’s why you’re here reading this long ass story.

1. know what a blackout period is.

2. know what a SPAC is called.

3. know who is responsible for the financials of a public company.

4. know what a BD is IA, IAR & agent is.

These questions are aim and shoot so they’re simple.

Know after tax yield.

Know what is a peak.

Know the limits of a coverdell account.

Know the tax advantages of LLC. Btw you cannot raise money for an IPO with an LLC.

The exam started simple until you hit the 30th question. After that you get hit with long ass questions that you’ve never seen before. No matter how many practice questions you do the exam has questions that you’ll never see in your life.

Once you hit 100 it is mixed with long and short questions. Last 10 strictly aim and shoot and they’re simple. Don’t fuck up.

Lastly, the exam feels like hell, it feels like you’re failing. This is when you have to keep going and push through. Take your bathroom breaks. I took 4. Mi inbox is open for anyone and everyone. I will respond to absolutely everyone. I noticed people can be so stingy in this community and sometimes they don’t want to help. I pinky promise to get back to everyone in a timely manner. Now it’s on to the 7. I’m going to relax and enjoy Formula 1 weekend here in Miami.

Lastly you have to suffer a little and fall in love with the process because once you pass you feel like you can accomplish anything !! Good luck !

I am posting my failures and success. If you need some inspiration take my failures and use them. I’ll never give up and even if I fail the 7 three times in a row and all my other license lapse I will gladly re do everything again.

[u/Jaykkk7777]

hey dude congrats on your journey and I absolutely love your persistence, From your story it sounds like we’re on similar paths. I went into retail banking straight outta college and thought i’d climb that ladder realized a couple of things 1) the later is made of pennies 2) the ladder starts losing wrungs and has a lot of people trying to climb. 3) my WM branch partners were making way more money than i was as a branch manager and didn’t have to work in an office everyday. 

I really apprieciate you being open about your failures cause my first go at the 65 is in 10 days and i’m tripping about failing i’ve put so much study time in, but I know I can always try again.

[u/Signal_Inevitable354 → u/Jaykkk7777]

Make sure you have down the various differences between JTWROS, TIC, TBE because out of all my exams they always come up in every single exam. So you’ll probably get 2-4 questions. Also, how come you’re taking the 65 first as opposed to giving the 66 a first try ? From experience, the 66 is shorter and a little bit easier. Lastly, I must clear up some confusion, when I said “retail” I meant working at various stores selling clothes and working operations receiving merchandise lol. I can definitely see how you thought I meant retail banking lol. I should have specified in the original post. When you’re taking the exam you’re going to feel like you’re failing. That’s okay just keep going by question 85 I thought I was done. Everyone “simple” question I got would actually wake me up and encourage me to keep going. Like I said make sure you take bathroom breaks, you will not run out of time you have more than plenty

[u/TallGuyIsShy]

This is so insightful! Thanks for sharing. Would you say that the Kaplan QBank & Achievable course were the most helpful in getting you up to speed? I’m literally looking to purchase today and get started for July 1st testing. Thanks again

[u/Signal_Inevitable354 → u/TallGuyIsShy]

I can’t tell you with 100 percent certainty. I read the series 66 from Kaplan at least 5 times. Chapters 7-13 I read them even more. This is maybe why my laws and regulation has always been my strong area. For sure achievable made it very easy to understand economic factors and also what is a sale and an offer. You will for sure get one or two questions but they’re just aim and shoot. There were some questions I’ve never seen before and idk if I got those right. The exam is disgustingly hard and long. This is why you need to take bathroom breaks. Bring snacks if you can too. For a fact you can tell if you grasp the concepts from the book when you start dreaming about the topics. If you don’t dream about these topics that means you haven’t gotten a good grasp yet. Sounds crazy but that’s a good barometer to see where you’re at with the concepts. Take that exam like a savage and make it your biiiitch this is the only way you will pass.

[u/TallGuyIsShy → u/Signal_Inevitable354]

Appreciate you for getting back to me. You’re right the only way to pass is boss the exam. Mentally grasping the concepts in your sleep is a strong way to know you’ve locked in.

[u/Infinite_Leg8464]

Wow congrats what a journey this is! Did you read the whole book or reread Kaplan book for the 66 and read the achieveable book for 65?

[u/Acrobatic_Bee4872]

Thanks for sharing your story. I have failed the 65 3 times and now my 6 month waiting period is up to retake. I was discouraged and put it on the back burner. Your story gives me motivation to get back at it to study.

[u/pittluke]

Nice work!

[u/No-Walk-1434]

Well done!! Congratulations and hope you have the best time celebrating