How to Pass the MSRB Series 51 Exam

Considering taking the Series 51 exam? Keep reading to learn what the Series 51 qualifies you to do, what the exam covers, and how you should prepare for it. Continue reading

What is the Series 51 exam?

The Series 51, also called the Municipal Fund Securities Limited Principal Exam, is a Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) exam. The MSRB is a self-regulatory organization that establishes rules for municipal securities dealers and municipal advisors. Municipal securities dealers are required to designate principals to supervise their business and associated persons. To work as a principal in this capacity, you must pass either the Series 53 or Series 51 exam.

The Series 51 was created for principals who don’t otherwise deal in municipal securities and haven’t passed the Series 53. Passing the Series 51 exam qualifies you to oversee the municipal fund securities activities of a broker, dealer, or municipal securities dealer. Note that this is limited to municipal fund securities, whereas the Series 53 allows you oversee activities for all municipal securities. Therefore, the Series 51 is shorter than the Series 53 (60 questions vs 100) and focused on 529 college savings plans, local government investment pools, ABLE plans, and other funds created by a state or municipality.

The Series 51 permits you to manage, direct, and supervise any of the following activities:
    • Underwriting, trading, and selling municipal fund securities
    • Offering financial advice and consultant services to issuers of municipal fund securities
    • Communicating with customers about any of the activities above
    • Maintaining records related to any of the activities above
    • Training of principals and representatives
    • Processing, clearing, and safekeeping of municipal fund securities

With a Series 51 license, you may also manage individuals who work in multiple capacities relating to municipal fund securities, including underwriting, sales, trading, advising, and consulting with issuers of municipal fund securities.

Am I eligible to take the Series 51?

To take the Series 51 exam, you must be sponsored by your firm. You must also pass the corequisite Series 24 or Series 26 exam to obtain the Series 51 qualification.

About the Exam

The Series 51 exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions that are worth one point each. You have one and a half hours to complete the exam, and you must score 70% or higher to pass.

Series 51 exam details

Note: Scores are rounded down to the next lowest whole number (e.g. 69.9% would be a final score of 69%–not a passing score for the Series 51 exam).

Topics Covered on the Exam

The Series 51 exam measures your knowledge of MSRB rules, rule interpretations, and federal statutory provisions applicable to allowed activities. It also measures your ability to apply these rules and interpretations to given situations in the context of municipal fund securities activities.

The Series 51 exam covers the seven areas of the MSRB Series 51 Content Outline:

Series 51 exam topics

The MSRB updates its exam questions regularly to reflect the most current rules and market practices. Solomon recommends that you print out the current version of the MSRB Series 51 Content Outline and use it in conjunction with the Solomon Series 51 Study Guide. The Content Outline is subject to change without notice, so make sure you have the most recent version.

Series 51 Example Questions

The Series 51 exam consists of multiple-choice questions, each with four options. You may see the following question structures. However, keep in mind that these sample questions don’t necessarily represent the difficulty level or subjects covered in the exam.

Closed Stem Format:

This item type asks a question and gives four possible answers to choose from.

For SIPC coverage purposes, which of the following people would have their multiple accounts combined?

    1. Joe, who has an individual account and a joint account with his wife
    2. Jane, who has a cash account and a margin account in her name
    3. Jack, who has an UGMA account for his daughter, a trust account for his son, and an individual account
    4. Joan, who has a partnership account for her business, an individual account, and an UTMA account for her niece
Open Stem Format:

This kind of question has an incomplete sentence followed by four possible conclusions.

Municipal fund securities are distinguished from mutual funds by their:

    1. Sellers
    2. Issuers
    3. Investors
    4. Underlying investments
“Except” (or “Not”) Format:

This type requires an answer that is incorrect or is an exception among the four answer choices.

For a 529 plan, all of the following are qualified education expenses except:

    1. Tuition
    2. Services for special needs students
    3. Books
    4. Room and board for all students
Complex Multiple-Choice (“Roman Numeral”) Format: 

For this question type, you see a question followed by two or more statements identified by Roman numerals. The four answer choices represent combinations of these statements. You must select the combination that best answers the question.

Arkansas issues a 529 plan to Firm A. Firm A is in a selling agreement with Firm B. Firm B utilizes other firms to sell the plan. Which of the following are true?

    1. Firm A is a selling dealer.
    2. Firm B is a selling dealer.
    3. Firm A is a primary distributor.
    4. Firm B is a primary distributor.
      1. I and III
      2. I and IV
      3. II and IV
      4. II and III
  1. Answers: 1. B   2. B   3. D.  4. D  

For more Series 51 practice questions, try a free sample of the Solomon Exam Prep Series 51 Exam Simulator. You’ll receive instant feedback on each question with a robust explanation of the correct answer.

Taking the Series 51 Exam

FINRA administers the Series 51 exam, and you must take it at a Prometric test center via computer. Like all securities industry exams, the Series 51 is closed-book. The testing center will provide you with any materials you need to take the exam, such as a four-function calculator, erasable note board, dry-erase markers, and noise-cancelling headphones. The inspection and sign-in requirements at testing centers are stringent, so arrive at least 30 minutes before your appointment.

Test-Taking Tips

Here are some basic test-taking strategies to remember when taking your exam. Avoid lingering too long on any one question—this could cause you to run out of time and not get to other questions you know. If you’re not sure about a question, take your best guess and mark it for review. There’s no penalty for guessing, so try to answer every question.

After you’ve answered all the questions, you can go back to any questions you flagged for review. This strategy allows you to efficiently answer the ones you know. You might also learn something later in the exam that helps you answer an earlier question. Just remember to factor in some time to return to the questions you flagged. However, don’t simply skip all of the difficult questions with the plan to answer them later. Instead, make a sincere effort to answer each question before moving on to the next one because your mind is fresher earlier on during the exam.

How to Study for the Series 51 Exam

Follow Solomon Exam Prep’s proven study system:
    • Read and understand. Read the Solomon Study Guide, carefully. Many students read the Study Guide two or three times before taking the exam. 
    • Take chapter quizzes in the Exam Simulator. When you finish reading a chapter in the Study Guide, take 4–6 chapter quizzes in the Exam Simulator. Use these quizzes to give yourself practice and to find out what you need to study more. Make sure you read and understand the question rationales.
    • Take full practice exams in the Exam Simulator. When you’ve finished reading the entire Study Guide, review your handwritten notes once more. Finally, start taking full practice exams in the Exam Simulator. Aim to pass at least six full practice exams and try to get your average score to at least 80%. When you reach that point, you’re probably ready to sit for the Series 51 exam.
Use these effective study strategies:
    • Take handwritten notes. As you read the Study Guide, take handwritten notes and review your notes every day for 10–15 minutes. Studies show that taking handwritten notes in your own words and then reviewing them strengthens learning and memory.
    • Make flashcards. Making your own flashcards is another proven method to reinforce memory and strengthen learning.
    • Research. Research anything you don’t understand. Curiosity = learning. Students who take responsibility for their own learning by researching anything they don’t understand get a deeper understanding of the subject matter and are much more likely to pass. 
    • Become the teacher. Studies show that explaining what you’re learning greatly increases your understanding of the material. Ask someone in your life to listen and ask questions, or explain it out loud to yourself. Studies show this helps almost as much as explaining to an actual person (see Solomon’s blog post to learn more about this strategy!). 
Take advantage of Solomon’s supplemental tools and resources:
    • Use all the resources. The Series 51 Resources folder in your Solomon student account has helpful study tools, including detailed study schedules that you can print out. Or, use the online study schedule and check off tasks as you complete them.
    • Use Ask the Professor. If you have a content-related question, click the Ask the Professor button in your account dashboard and get personalized help from a Solomon professor
  • Good practices while studying:
    • Take regular breaks. Studies show that if you’re studying for an exam, taking regular walks in a park or natural setting significantly improves scores. Walks in urban areas or among people did not improve test scores.
    • Get enough sleep. Sleep consolidates learning into memory, studies show. Be good to yourself while you’re studying for the Series 51: exercise, eat well, and avoid activities that will hurt your ability to get a good night’s sleep.

You can pass the MSRB Series 51 exam! It just takes focus and determination. Solomon Exam Prep is here to support you on your path to becoming a Municipal Fund Securities Limited Principal..

Explore all Solomon Series 51 exam prep, including the Study Guide, Exam Simulator, and Audiobook.

And join the Solomon email list to hear about new product releases, industry news, and more! Just click the button below:

Audiobook Study Guide for the Series 53 Exam Now Available

An audiobook version of the Solomon Exam Prep Series 53 Study Guide is now available for the first time for professionals studying for the MSRB Series 53 exam. Continue reading

Photo used in image by [Seventyfour]/stock.adobe.com

If you already have a Municipal Securities Representative (Series 52) license, you might be considering taking the Series 53 exam. The MSRB Municipal Securities Principal Qualification Exam (Series 53) qualifies you to oversee the municipal fund securities activities of a securities firm or bank dealer. You’re also permitted to supervise associates working in multiple capacities related to municipal securities. For this reason, passing the Series 53 exam requires you to know a lot about municipal securities, MSRB rules, customer accounts, municipal securities trading, recordkeeping, suitability, settlement and delivery, federal securities acts, SIPC, and more. How will you learn everything you need to know to pass this challenging exam?

Solomon Exam Prep is excited to announce the release of its first Audiobook for the Series 53 exam. A word-for-word reading of the Solomon Exam Prep Series 53 Study Guide, 4th Edition, the Solomon Series 53 Audiobook gives you increased flexibility in where and how you study for the Series 53 exam.

The Benefits of Audiobooks

If you like to learn by listening, a Solomon Audiobook offers the perfect way to study on the go. Or, play it while you read to help yourself focus and retain even more content. Read this Solomon blog post to learn more about the benefits of studying with audiobooks.

“The audio materials are a lifesaver and a great resource to utilize, especially while driving.”
Kristina Ribali
Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial, Naples, FL

The Series 53 Audiobook is streamable from your Solomon student dashboard or the free Solomon app for Apple and Android devices and includes these helpful features:

    • Tracks divided and named by chapter so it’s easy to follow your Solomon study schedule
    • Time-stamped sub-sections to quickly jump to specific sections in a chapter
    • Simple track downloading option available for offline learning
"Your audiobook was the game changer for me. Thank you!"
S. Stephens
Merrill Lynch, Orlando, FL

Series 53 Study Materials

The 9.5-hour Series 53 Audiobook can be purchased individually or as part of the Audio Premium study package, along with the Solomon Series 53 Study Guide and Exam Simulator. To learn more about Solomon Exam Prep’s Series 53 study materials, including Study Guide, Exam Simulator, and Audiobook, visit the Solomon Series 53 product page.

Recent Posts

MSRB Updates Continuing Education Requirements to Match Similar Changes by FINRA

The MSRB has proposed several changes to its continuing education requirements to harmonize with FINRA’s new CE requirements. Continue reading

Municipal securities professionals may soon see their continuing education (CE) requirements change to match FINRA’s requirements for others in the securities industry. The MSRB is awaiting final SEC approval for a package of rule changes that could become official as soon as September 30th.

The MSRB’s action was prompted by changes FINRA made to the CE requirements for other securities professionals. The MSRB rule changes will harmonize its CE requirements with the new FINRA requirements.

Both the MSRB and FINRA divide CE into two components, both of which must be completed in order to keep your registration active. The first component is a Regulatory Element provided by the MSRB or FINRA. The second component is a Firm Element, which firms are responsible for providing to their associated persons.

The most important changes to the MSRB’s CE requirements will include:
  • Annual Regulatory Element. Currently, the Regulatory Element of CE must be completed within two years of becoming registered, and every three years thereafter. Beginning in 2023, the Regulatory Element will need to be completed annually.
  • More Ways to Complete Firm Element. Beginning in 2023, other training may count toward satisfying the annual Firm Element, such as anti-money laundering training and annual compliance meetings.
  • Permissively Registered Persons Subject to Firm Element. Like FINRA, the MSRB will remove exemptions from the Firm Element. Beginning in 2023, any registered person must complete the Firm Element each year, including those taking advantage of permissive registration. (Permissive registration allows an employee of a municipal firm to earn and maintain a registration that does not correspond to their current job.)
  • Maintaining Qualifications Program. The rule changes will create an MSRB version of FINRA’s Maintaining Qualifications Program (MQP). Previously, a registered person who left the industry for more than two years would need to retake their qualification exams in order to resume their previous registration. The MQP permits registered persons to leave the industry for up to five years without losing these qualifications, provided that they complete CE.

Keep up on the latest industry developments with Solomon Exam Prep. Subscribe to Solomon News to be notified when a new post is published.

Solomon Exam Prep has helped thousands pass their MSRB exams, including the Series 50, Series 51, Series 52, Series 53, and Series 54. Explore Solomon’s innovative study materials at the link below.

Related Blog Posts

Audiobook Study Guide for the Series 52 Exam Now Available

An audiobook version of the Solomon Exam Prep Series 52 Study Guide is now available for the first time for professionals studying for the MSRB Series 52 exam. Continue reading

Solomon Exam Prep has just released the Solomon Series 52 Audiobook, which is a word-for-word reading of the Solomon Exam Prep Series 52 Study Guide, 5th Edition. This is the first Audiobook for the Series 52 from Solomon. With the Series 52 Audiobook, you have greater flexibility in where and how you study for the Series 52 exam.

The MSRB Municipal Securities Representative Qualification Exam (Series 52), qualifies you to work in many capacities related to municipal securities such as selling, underwriting, trading, advising, conducting research, and communicating with public investors. Therefore, to prepare for the Series 52 exam, you must study a wide range of municipal securities knowledge.

Since the Audiobook is a verbatim reading of the 5th edition of the comprehensive Solomon Exam Prep Series 52 Study Guide, it provides another effective way to learn the Series 52 material. The audiobook can be used in tandem with the Solomon Series 52 Study Guide and/or Exam Simulator to create a rich study experience benefiting a variety of learners.

The Benefits of Audiobooks

Jeremy Solomon, Solomon Exam Prep President and Co-founder, points out that for people who find reading challenging because of learning disorders, vision impairments, or some other cause, it can be easier and more enjoyable to learn by listening.

“Besides the advantage of being able to learn on the go, listening to an audiobook version of their Solomon Study Guide can benefit our customers in many ways.”
Jeremy Solomon
Solomon Exam Prep President and Co-founder

Curious about the many benefits of Solomon Audiobooks? Check out our blog post to read more: “Study Tip for Securities Licensing Exams: Learn by Listening.”

Series 52 Study Materials

The 10-hour Solomon Series 52 Audiobook can be purchased individually or as part of a study package, along with the Solomon Series 52 Study Guide and Exam Simulator. The Audiobook is streamable via the Solomon website or free Solomon app for Apple and Android devices. You can also download the tracks to play them offline.

To learn more about Solomon Exam Prep’s Series 52 study materials, including Study Guide, Exam Simulator, and Audiobook, visit the Solomon Series 52 product page.

Recent Posts

Grace Period for MSRB Principal Exams Ends December 27th

The MSRB has announced the end of a COVID-related grace period allowing municipal principals to delay taking their qualification exams. Continue reading

The MSRB has announced the end of a COVID-related grace period allowing municipal principals to delay taking their qualification exams.

When testing centers closed at the start of the COVID pandemic, the MSRB granted temporary relief from the exam requirement for Municipal Securities Principals (Series 53), Municipal Fund Securities Limited Principals (Series 51), and Municipal Securities Sales Principals (Series 9/10). Representatives with at least 18 months’ relevant experience could be promoted to one of these principal positions while deferring their principal exams.

With the ending of the grace period, municipal principals must pass their principal exams by December 27th in order to continue functioning as principals.

A similar grace period for Municipal Advisor Principals (Series 54) ended late last year. Read Solomon’s August 2, 2021 blog post to learn more.

Solomon Exam Prep has helped hundreds pass MSRB exams, including the Series 51 and Series 53. Explore Solomon’s innovative exam prep materials by clicking the link below.

Related Blog Posts

How to Pass the MSRB Series 54 Exam

Thinking about taking the Series 54 exam? Keep reading to learn what the Series 54 qualifies you to do, what the exam covers, and how you should prepare for it. Continue reading

What is the Series 54 exam?

The Series 54, also called the Municipal Advisor Principal Qualification Exam, is a Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) exam. The MSRB is a self-regulatory organization that establishes rules for municipal securities dealers and municipal advisors. As of November 30, 2021, all municipal advisor professionals working in the capacity of a municipal advisor principal must pass the Series 54 to be appropriately qualified.

Passing the Series 54 exam qualifies you to manage, direct, and supervise municipal advisory activities. These activities include advising a municipality regarding issuing municipal securities, such as the structure, timing, or terms of an issue. Soliciting municipal securities business from municipalities on behalf of a third party is also a form of municipal advising.

Are there other exams I need to take to become a municipal advisor principal?

Yes. To become properly qualified as a municipal advisor principal, you must also pass the Series 50, Municipal Advisor Representative Qualification Exam.

About the Exam

The Series 54 exam consists of 100 scored and ten unscored multiple-choice questions. You have three hours to complete the exam, and you must score a 70% or higher to pass.

Series 54 exam details in a table

Note: Scores are rounded down to the next lowest whole number (e.g. 69.9% would be a final score of 69% – not a passing score for the Series 54 exam).

Topics Covered on the Exam

The Series 54 exam is designed to make sure that municipal advisor principals are competent in the supervisory application of rules and regulations. This means that the exam measures your ability to apply regulatory requirements to the municipal advisor’s activities, rather than just a general knowledge of what those regulations are.

The Series 54 exam covers the three main topic areas of the MSRB Series 54 Content Outline:

Series 54 exam topics in a table

The MSRB updates its exam questions regularly to reflect the most current rules and regulations. Solomon recommends that you print out the current version of the MSRB Series 54 Content Outline and use it in conjunction with the Solomon Series 54 Study Guide. The Content Outline is subject to change without notice, so make sure you have the most recent version.

Question Types on the Exam

The Series 54 exam consists of multiple-choice questions, each with four options. You may see the following four question structures. However, keep in mind that these sample questions don’t necessarily represent the difficulty level or subjects covered in the exam.

Closed Stem Format:

This item type asks a question and gives four possible answers to choose from.

Which of the following would be most likely to require registration as a municipal advisor?

    1. Providing a municipality with a price quote for an investment product within the municipality’s investment criteria
    2. Offering the municipality a possible price range for a new issue
    3. Displaying a comparison of debt financing structures
    4. Providing advice on issuing securities to the municipality through its municipal advisor
Open Stem Format:

This kind of question has an incomplete sentence followed by four possible conclusions.

When dealing with municipal entity clients, the two primary duties that a non-solicitor municipal advisor must fulfill with reference to standards of conduct are:

    1. The duties of care and loyalty
    2. The duties of care and suitability
    3. The duties of loyalty and prudence
    4. The duties of fairness and consistency
“Except” (or “Not”) Format:

This type requires an answer that is incorrect or is an exception among the four answer choices.

Documentation that defines a municipal advisory relationship with a client must include all of the following except:

    1. A description of the advisor’s compensation arrangement
    2. Educational background information about the municipal advisor’s associates
    3. The termination date of the relationship between the advisor and the client
    4. A description of all activities to be performed for the client
Complex Multiple-Choice (“Roman Numeral”) Format:

For this question type, you see a question followed by two or more statements identified by Roman numerals. The four answer choices represent combinations of these statements. You must select the combination that best answers the question.

Which two of the following actions are required for a municipal advisor to comply with MSRB rules on supervision?

    1. Designation of a single chief compliance officer
    2. Annual certification of supervisory policies
    3. Providing clients with an annual update of supervisory practices
    4. Designation of a principal at each of the firm’s offices to oversee the system
    1. I and II
    2. I and IV
    3. II and III
    4. III and IV
  1.  

Answers: 1. D   2. A   3. B   4. A  

Try a free sample of Solomon Exam Prep’s Series 54 Exam Simulator. You’ll receive instant feedback on each question with a robust explanation of the correct answer.

Taking the Series 54 Exam

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) administers the Series 54 exam, and you must take it at a Prometric test center. Like all qualifying exams in the securities industry, the Series 54 is closed-book, and you’re not allowed to bring anything into the exam. The test center will provide you with any materials you need to complete the exam. For instance, the test center may provide a whiteboard with markers or scratch paper and a pencil, as well as a basic electronic calculator. The inspection and sign-in requirements at test centers are stringent, so plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled test appointment.

Before the exam starts, you’ll take a 30-minute tutorial on exam administration. After you finish the tutorial, the exam will begin and you’ll have three hours to complete it.

Test-Taking Tips

When taking the exam, it helps to keep some test-taking strategies in mind. Try not to spend too long on one question—this may cause you to run out of time and not get to other questions you know. If you don’t know the answer to a question, guess at the answer and “flag” it. There’s no penalty for guessing, so it’s beneficial to answer every question.

After you’ve finished all the questions, you can come back to any flagged questions. This strategy allows you to efficiently answer the ones you know. You might also learn something later in the exam that helps you answer an earlier question. Just remember to save enough time to return to the questions you didn’t answer. However, it’s not a good idea to simply skip all of the difficult questions with the plan to answer them later. You should make a serious effort to answer each question before moving on to the next one since your thoughts are often clearer earlier on during the exam.

How to Study for the Series 54 Exam

Follow Solomon Exam Prep’s proven study system:
    • Read and understand. Read the Solomon Study Guide, carefully. Many students read the Study Guide two or three times before taking the exam. To increase your ability to focus while reading, or as an alternative to reading, listen to the Solomon Series 54 Audiobook. The Audiobook is a word-for-word reading of the Study Guide.
    • Take chapter quizzes in the Exam Simulator. When you finish reading a chapter in the Study Guide, take 4–6 chapter quizzes in the Exam Simulator. Use these quizzes to give yourself practice and to find out what you need to study more. Make sure you read and understand the question rationales.
    • Take full practice exams in the Exam Simulator. When you’ve finished reading the entire Study Guide, review your handwritten notes once more. Finally, start taking full practice exams in the Exam Simulator. Aim to pass at least six full practice exams and try to get your average score to at least 80%. When you reach that point, you’re probably ready to sit for the Series 54 exam.
Use these effective study strategies:
    • Take handwritten notes. As you read the Study Guide, take handwritten notes and review your notes every day for 10–15 minutes. Studies show that taking handwritten notes in your own words and then reviewing them strengthens learning and memory.
    • Make flashcards. Making your own flashcards is another proven method to reinforce memory and strengthen learning.
    • Research. Research anything you don’t understand. Curiosity = learning. Students who take responsibility for their own learning by researching anything they don’t understand get a deeper understanding of the subject matter and are much more likely to pass. 
    • Become the teacher. Studies show that explaining what you’re learning greatly increases your understanding of the material. Ask someone in your life to listen and ask questions, or explain it out loud to yourself. Studies show this helps almost as much as explaining to an actual person (see Solomon’s blog post to learn more about this strategy!). 
Take advantage of Solomon’s supplemental tools and resources:
    • Use all the resources. The Series 54 Resources folder in your Solomon student account has helpful study tools, including documents that summarize important exam concepts. There’s also a detailed study schedule that you can print out – or use the online study schedule and check off tasks as you complete them.
    • Watch the Video Lecture. This provides a helpful review of the key concepts in each chapter after reading the Solomon Study Guide. Take notes to help yourself stay focused.
    • Use Ask the Professor. If you have a content-related question, click the Ask the Professor button in your account dashboard and get personalized help from a Solomon professor.
  • Good practices while studying:
    • Take regular breaks. Studies show that if you’re studying for an exam, taking regular walks in a park or natural setting significantly improves scores. Walks in urban areas or among people did not improve test scores.
    • Get enough sleep. Sleep consolidates learning into memory, studies show. Be good to yourself while you’re studying for the Series 54: exercise, eat well, and avoid activities that will hurt your ability to get a good night’s sleep.

You can pass the MSRB Series 54 exam! It just takes focus and determination. Solomon Exam Prep is here to support you on your path to becoming a Municipal Advisor Principal.

Explore all Solomon Series 54 exam prep, including the Study Guide, Exam Simulator, Audiobook, and Video Lecture.

And join the Solomon email list to hear about new product releases, industry news, and more! Just click the button below:

Series 54 Solomon Study Guide, 3rd Edition, Now Available

The new 3rd edition of the Solomon Series 54 Study Guide covers everything you need to know to pass the exam and become a Municipal Advisor Principal. Continue reading

If you’ve already passed the Series 50 exam and are working as a Municipal Advisor Representative, then you’re well-positioned to consider taking the Series 54 exam. The MSRB Series 54, or Municipal Advisor Principal Exam, qualifies you to supervise associates who conduct municipal advisory business. But how should you prepare for the exam?

Solomon Exam Prep is excited to release the 3rd edition of “The Solomon Exam Prep Guide: Series 54 MSRB Municipal Advisor Principal Qualification Examination.” With this updated version of the Study Guide, professionals who want to become registered Municipal Advisor Principals can learn the content they need to know to pass the Series 54 exam.

About the Series 54 Exam

The Series 54 exam is 110 questions long and tests your knowledge of three main topic areas:

    1. Understanding the Municipal Advisor Regulatory Framework
    2. Supervising Municipal Advisory Activities
    3. Supervising Municipal Advisor Firm Operations

Passing the Series 54 requires you to study and master a wide range of municipal advisory knowledge. This is because, as Solomon Exam Prep President and Co-founder, Jeremy Solomon, explains, “Municipal advisors have a crucial responsibility to establish and enforce compliance procedures at their firm, which is why the Series 54 exam is so challenging. To pass the Series 54, high-quality study materials are a must, and Solomon delivers just that with a consistently high pass rate to prove it.”

“Municipal advisors have a crucial responsibility to establish and enforce compliance procedures at their firm, which is why the Series 54 exam is so challenging. To pass the Series 54, high-quality study materials are a must, and Solomon delivers just that with a consistently high pass rate to prove it.”
Jeremy Solomon
Solomon Exam Prep President and Co-founder

What changes with this new edition?

The core content of the Series 54 Study Guide remains the same, but some key changes in the 3rd edition include:

    • Expanded and updated coverage of the MSRB’s pay to play rule


    • Expanded coverage of the MSRB’s advertising rules

    • Expanded and updated discussion of the MSRB’s rules about giving and receiving items of value

    • Supplemental information on continuing disclosure agreements

    • Expanded coverage of mandatory recordkeeping for municipal securities transactions


    • More detail on mandatory recordkeeping of customer complaints

Content updates for this new edition are also reflected in the Solomon Exam Simulator. The online Exam Simulator complements the Study Guide with hundreds of practice questions for the Series 54. Hone, track, and assess your knowledge by taking unlimited chapter quizzes and full exams to practice what you’ve learned.

Series 54 Study Materials

The Series 54 Study Guide is available as a digital subscription with a hardcopy upgrade option. You can purchase the Study Guide individually or in a package with supporting Series 54 study products. Customers also have access to free tools and resources. These include a study schedule in digital and pdf formats, which helps students master the exam material with maximum efficiency.

To learn more about Solomon Exam Prep’s Series 54 study materials, including Study Guide, Exam Simulator, Audiobook, and Video Lecture, visit the Solomon Series 54 product page.

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Mask Policy Change at Prometric Test Centers

Prometric will no longer require test candidates and test center staff to wear masks at test centers, effective May 1, 2022. Continue reading

Prometric, the testing vendor for several securities licensing exams, has announced a change to one of its COVID-19-related policies. Beginning May 1, 2022, Prometric will no longer require people to wear masks at its testing centers, unless required to do so by building management or local government mandates.

This policy change applies to both candidates and test center personnel. However, Prometric encourages anyone who would like to wear a mask at a test center to do so. The choice to wear a mask or not is up to the individual, regardless of vaccination status.

According to Prometric, this policy change is in response to current trends and guidance from world health organizations. Prometric will continue to follow guidance from local government and health officials in determining its COVID-19 policies. For more information, visit Prometric’s COVID-19 Update page and COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions.

Recent Blog Posts

Series 52 Solomon Study Guide, 5th Edition, Now Available

The Solomon Series 52 Study Guide, 5th edition, covers everything you need to know to pass the Series 52 Exam and become a Municipal Securities Representative. Continue reading

For those interested in becoming Municipal Securities Representatives, passing the Series 52 exam (plus the co-requisite Securities Industry Essentials, or SIE, exam) is necessary. The MSRB Municipal Securities Representative Qualification Exam, also known as the Series 52, qualifies you to work in many capacities related to municipal securities. These include selling, underwriting, trading, advising, conducting research, and communicating with public investors.

Passing the Series 52 exam requires you to learn about many topics within the three main subject areas of the exam:

    • Municipal Securities
    • Economic Activity, Government Policy, and the Behavior of Interest Rates
    • Securities Laws and Regulations

At 75 questions, the Series 52 might not be the longest securities licensing exam. However, you’ll need to master a lot of knowledge, and Solomon recommends 60 hours of study time. A good study plan is a must. How should you prepare for the Series 52?

Solomon Exam Prep has just released the 5th edition of “The Solomon Exam Prep Guide: Series 52 MSRB Municipal Securities Representative Qualification Examination.” With this updated version of the Study Guide, professionals seeking their Series 52 license can learn the content they need to know to pass the Series 52 exam.

The Series 52 Study Guide is comprehensive and presents exam topics in easy-to-understand language. Charts, graphs, and practice questions throughout the text support learners in understanding and applying key concepts.

“Passing the Series 52 can be challenging because of the vast amount of material it covers. It helps to have study materials written in plain English and guided by research-based teaching methods, like the Solomon system.”
Jeremy Solomon
Solomon Exam Prep President and Co-founder
What changes with this new edition?

The core content of the Series 52 Study Guide remains the same, but the 5th edition of the Series 52 Study Guide includes the following content updates:

    • Expanded and updated coverage of 529 college savings plans
    • Additional information about the order period for new issues
    • Expanded and revised coverage of inflation and interest rates
    • Expansion and update of the process for close-outs
    • Expansion and update of material on limitations on gifts, gratuities, and non-cash compensation
    • A new appendix summarizing the most important and relevant MSRB rules

Updates are also reflected in the Solomon Series 52 Exam Simulator, which complements the Study Guide with over a thousand practice questions.

Series 52 Study Materials

The Series 52 Study Guide is available as a digital subscription with a hardcopy upgrade option. You can purchase the guide individually or in a package with accompanying Series 52 study products. You also benefit from free tools and resources, including Study Schedules in digital and pdf format, which guide you every step of the way.

To learn more about Solomon Exam Prep’s Series 52 study materials, including Study Guide and Exam Simulator, visit the Solomon Series 52 product page.

Also coming soon is the Solomon Series 52 Audiobook! The Audiobook is a word-for-word recording of the Solomon Series 52 Study Guide, giving you greater flexibility in where and how you study for the Series 52 exam.

Related Posts

How to Pass the MSRB Series 53 Exam

What is the Series 53 exam? Learn what a Series 53 license qualifies you to do, what the exam covers, and how you should prepare for it. Continue reading

What is the Series 53 exam?

The Series 53, also called the Municipal Securities Principal Qualification Exam, is a Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) exam. The MSRB is a self-regulatory organization that establishes rules for municipal securities dealers and municipal advisors.

Passing the Series 53 exam qualifies you to oversee the municipal fund securities activities of a securities firm or bank dealer. You’ll also be qualified to supervise associates who engage in various municipal securities activities. In this capacity, a Municipal Securities Principal manages, directs, or supervises one or more of the following activities:

    • underwriting of municipal securities
    • trading of municipal securities
    • buying or selling municipal securities from or to customers
    • rendering of financial advisory or consultant services to issuers of municipal securities
    • communications with customers about any of the above activities
    • maintaining records of the above activities
    • processing, clearing, and safekeeping of municipal securities
    • training of principals or representatives
Are there any prerequisites for the Series 53?

Yes. To take the Series 53 exam, you must have already passed the Series 52, Municipal Securities Representative Qualification Exam, and the FINRA Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Exam. However, if you had passed the FINRA Series 7 exam before November 7, 2011, then that qualifies you to take the Series 53.

Like the Series 52, you must be employed and sponsored by a broker-dealer to take the Series 53 exam.

About the Exam

The Series 53 exam consists of 100 scored multiple-choice questions covering the six topic areas of the MSRB Series 53 Content Outline.

Series 53 exam details in a table

Note: Scores are rounded down to the next lowest whole number (e.g. 69.9% would be a final score of 69% – not a passing score for the Series 53 exam).

Topics Covered on the Exam

The MSRB divides the questions on the Series 53 exam into six main areas:

Series 53 exam topics

The MSRB updates its exam questions regularly to reflect the most current rules and regulations. Solomon recommends that you print out the current version of the MSRB Series 53 Content Outline and use it together with the Solomon Series 53 Study Guide. The Content Outline is subject to change without notice, so make sure you have the most recent version.

Question Types on the Exam

The Series 53 exam consists of multiple-choice questions, each with four options. You will see these question structures:

Closed Stem Format:

This item type asks a question and gives four possible answers to choose from.

Which agencies enforce MSRB rules for broker-dealers?

    1. FDIC and FINRA
    2. SEC and FINRA
    3. Federal Reserve Board and MSRB
    4. SEC and MSRB
Incomplete Sentence Format:

This kind of question has an incomplete sentence followed by four possible conclusions.

Municipal securities dealers are required to maintain records of customer complaints for:

    1. Six years
    2. Three years
    3. Two years
    4. Four years
“EXCEPT” Format:

This type requires you to recognize the one choice that is an exception among the four answer choices.

A person must be registered as a Municipal Securities Representative to engage in all of the following except:

    1. Communicating with public investors in municipal securities
    2. Underwriting municipal securities
    3. Providing investment advice about municipal securities
    4. Trading municipal bond funds
Complex Multiple-Choice (“Roman Numeral”) Format:

For this question type, you see a question followed by two or more statements identified by Roman numerals. The four answer choices represent combinations of these statements. You must select the combination that best answers the question.

Which of the following must the underwriter give to a customer who purchases a municipal bond subject to a negotiated offering within the first 25 days following the end of the underwriting period?

    1. The final official statement
    2. The investor brochure
    3. The amount of the underwriting spread
    4. The percentage of orders that were filled in the presale period
    1. I and III
    2. I and II
    3. III and IV
    4. II and IV

This format is also used in items that ask you to rank or order a set of items from highest to lowest (or vice versa), or to place a series of events in the proper sequence.

Arrange the following order types from highest priority to lowest priority:

    1. Designated orders
    2. Group net orders
    3. Member takedown orders
    4. Presale orders
    1. I, II, III, IV
    2. IV, I, II, III
    3. IV, II, I, III
    4. I, IV, III, II

 

Answers: 1. B   2. A   3. B   4. A   5. C

For an even better idea of the possible question types you might encounter on the Series 53 exam, try Solomon Exam Prep’s free Series 53 Sample Quiz.

Taking the Series 53 Exam

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) administers the Series 53 exam, and you must take it at a Prometric test center. Like all qualifying exams in the securities industry, the Series 53 is closed-book, and you’re not allowed to bring anything into the exam. The test center will provide you with any materials you need to complete the exam. For instance, the test center will likely provide a whiteboard with markers or scratch paper and a pencil, as well as a basic electronic calculator. The inspection and sign-in requirements at test centers are stringent, so plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled test appointment.

Test-Taking Tips

When taking the exam, it helps to keep some test-taking strategies in mind. Try not to spend too long on one question—this may cause you to run out of time and not get to other questions you know. If you don’t know the answer to a question, guess at the answer and “flag” it. There’s no penalty for guessing, so it’s beneficial to answer every question.

After you’ve finished all the questions, you can come back to any flagged questions. This strategy allows you to efficiently answer the ones you know. You might also learn something later in the exam that helps you answer an earlier question. Just remember to save enough time to return to the questions you didn’t answer. However, it’s not a good idea to simply skip all of the difficult questions with the plan to answer them later. You should make a serious effort to answer each question before moving on to the next one since your thoughts are often clearer earlier on during the exam.

How to Study for the Series 53 Exam

Follow Solomon Exam Prep’s proven study system:
    • Read and understand. Read the Solomon Study Guide, carefully. Many students read the Study Guide two or three times before taking the exam. To increase your ability to focus while reading, or as an alternative to reading, the Solomon Series 53 Audiobook will be launching soon! The Audiobook is a word-for-word reading of the Study Guide.
    • Take chapter quizzes in the Exam Simulator. When you finish reading a chapter in the Study Guide, take 4–6 chapter quizzes in the Exam Simulator. Use these quizzes to give yourself practice and to find out what you need to study more. Make sure you read and understand the question rationales.
    • Take full practice exams in the Exam Simulator. When you’ve finished reading the entire Study Guide, review your handwritten notes once more. Finally, start taking full practice exams in the Exam Simulator. Aim to pass at least six full practice exams and try to get your average score to at least 80%. When you reach that point, you’re probably ready to sit for the Series 53 exam.
Use these effective study strategies:
    • Take handwritten notes. As you read the Study Guide, take handwritten notes and review your notes every day for 10–15 minutes. Studies show that taking handwritten notes in your own words and then reviewing them strengthens learning and memory.
    • Make flashcards. Making your own flashcards is another proven method to reinforce memory and strengthen learning.
    • Research. Research anything you don’t understand. Curiosity = learning. Students who take responsibility for their own learning by researching anything they don’t understand get a deeper understanding of the subject matter and are much more likely to pass.
    • Become the teacher. Studies show that explaining what you’re learning greatly increases your understanding of the material. Ask someone in your life to listen and ask questions, or explain it out loud to yourself. This helps almost as much as explaining to an actual person (see Solomon’s previous blog post to learn more about this strategy!).
Take advantage of Solomon’s supplemental tools and resources:
    • Use all the resources. The Series 53 Resources folder in your Solomon student account has helpful study tools, including documents that summarize important exam concepts. There’s also a detailed study schedule that you can print out – or use the online study schedule and check off tasks as you complete them.
    • Use Ask the Professor. If you have a content-related question, click the Ask the Professor button in your account dashboard and get personalized help from a Solomon professor.
  • Good practices while studying:
    • Take regular breaks. Studies show that if you’re studying for an exam, taking regular walks in a park or natural setting significantly improves scores. Walks in urban areas or among people did not improve test scores.
    • Get enough sleep during the period when you are studying. Sleep consolidates learning into memory, studies show. Be good to yourself while you’re studying for the Series 53: exercise, eat well, and avoid activities that will hurt your ability to get a good night’s sleep.

You can pass the MSRB Series 53 Exam! It just takes focus and determination. Solomon Exam Prep is here to support you on your path to becoming a Municipal Securities Principal!

Explore all Solomon Exam Prep Series 53 study materials, including the Study Guide and Exam Simulator.

And join the Solomon email list to find out when the Series 53 Audiobook is released! Just click the button below: