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4th Edition of the Solomon Series 7 Study Guide Now Available

If you plan to take the FINRA Series 7 exam, the new edition of the Solomon Series 7 Study Guide covers everything you need to know to pass the exam. Continue reading

There are many exciting careers in the securities industry, such as stockbroker, investment adviser representative, financial advisor, and investment banker. Perhaps less exciting are the securities licensing exams you’re required to pass to pursue these careers. For example, if you’re interested in a career buying and selling all securities products, then you’ll need to pass the FINRA General Securities Representative Exam, also known as the Series 7 (plus the co-requisite Securities Industry Essentials, or SIE, exam).

The Series 7 is one of the longest FINRA exams. It is a 135-question test that covers the four main functions of a securities representative. You have three hours and 45 minutes to complete the exam. Like all qualifying exams in the securities industry, the Series 7 is closed-book. As one of the most challenging FINRA exams, it’s a good idea to be well-prepared going into test day. How should you prepare for the Series 7 exam?

Solomon Exam Prep has just released its 4th edition of The Solomon Exam Prep Guide to the Series 7 General Securities Representative Examination. To help professionals pass the exam, the Solomon Series 7 Study Guide is comprehensive and covers exam topics in easy-to-understand language. Charts, graphs, and practice questions throughout the text support learners in understanding and applying key concepts.

“The Series 7 is challenging. To pass this exam, you must learn the concepts, not just memorize test questions. The Solomon system focuses on teaching the core concepts in a digestible way and reinforcing them through examples and quizzes. This prepares customers not only for the exam, but also for their careers.”

Jeremy Solomon

Solomon Exam Prep President and Co-founder

What changes with this new edition?

While the core content remains the same, the 4th edition of the Series 7 Study Guide includes helpful content updates, along with general writing improvements.

Updates are also reflected in the Solomon Series 7 Exam Simulator. Designed to accompany the Study Guide, the online Exam Simulator contains over 4,400 original Series 7 practice questions with rationales that explain why an answer is correct. With the Solomon Series 7 Exam Simulator, learners can take an unlimited number of quizzes and exams, and the simulator comes with helpful self-assessment tools and Solomon’s proprietary Pass Probability™ technology, which calculates the probability that the student will pass the Series 7 exam.

Solomon Exam Prep is committed to providing industry-leading securities licensing materials, which are continuously kept up-to date. If you are an existing Solomon Series 7 customer, the new 4th edition will be automatically updated in your account, free of charge.

To learn more about Solomon Exam Prep’s Series 7 study materials, including Study Guide, Exam Simulator, Audiobook, Video Lecture, Flashcards, and Live Web Classes, visit the Solomon Series 7 product page.

How to Pass the FINRA Series 7 Exam

Solomon Exam Prep Exhibiting at Midwest Finance Association 2022 Conference

If you’re attending the Midwest Finance Association 2022 Conference March 10-12, visit Solomon Exam Prep’s exhibitor booth. Continue reading

Solomon Exam Prep is proud to be sponsoring and exhibiting at the Midwest Finance Association 2022 Conference, which will be held at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel in Chicago, IL, March 10–12. Solomon invites attendees to visit our booth to learn about how Solomon provides its innovative Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam prep to colleges and universities across the country.

About the MFA

Founded in 1951, the Midwest Finance Association is a nonprofit professional association of academics and finance industry professionals dedicated to the furtherance of finance education. The organization currently has over 400 members from more than forty countries, and membership is open to anyone who has a career in the area of finance. The annual conference provides a forum for the exchange of intellectual ideas between academic and business circles.

What is the SIE Exam?

The FINRA SIE exam is the foundational exam required for anyone who wants to become licensed to work in the securities industry. Passing the SIE shows potential employers that you have mastered the basics of the industry and opens doors to a variety of careers. Anyone over 18 years old can take the SIE, so it’s perfect for college students.

Solomon Exam Prep partners with dozens of colleges and universities to bring the Solomon SIE exam prep program to students across the country. Join institutions such as Florida Memorial University, Pepperdine University, the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, University of Delaware, Adelphi University, University of Nebraska-Omaha, Seton Hall University, Ohio Dominican University, Georgetown University, Widener University, and University of Dallas in partnering with Solomon.

To learn more about the ways colleges and universities can partner with Solomon, contact Beth Hamilton, Higher Education Development Manager, at beth@solomonexamprep.com or 503-601-0212.

Florida Memorial University, InspereX, and Solomon Exam Prep Bring SIE Exam Prep to FMU Students

With sponsorship from InspereX, FMU students will receive the Solomon study materials and exam fee they need to pass the FINRA Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Exam. Continue reading

Solomon Exam Prep is pleased to announce a partnership with Florida Memorial University and InspereX to support FMU School of Business students in preparing for and taking the FINRA Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Exam. Through this partnership, FMU is offering an SIE Self-Study Program led by Visiting Instructor of Finance and Marketing, Lawrence Goehrig, in Spring 2022.

Thanks to the generosity of InspereX, FMU students will receive the top-of-the-line Solomon SIE Total Study Package. InspereX is also funding the purchase of hardcopy Study Guide upgrades for all students in the program, plus the FINRA SIE Exam fee, which is $80.00 per student.

Solomon Exam Prep President Jeremy Solomon says

“Solomon is honored to work with FMU and InspereX to help prepare students to take the FINRA SIE Exam. The SIE is the foundational exam required for anyone who wants to become licensed to work in the securities industry, and passing the SIE exam will give FMU students a competitive edge in the job market.”

Geared to fit a variety of learning styles, the Solomon SIE Exam Total Package includes the full line of Solomon SIE materials: digital Study Guide, Exam Simulator, Audiobook, Video Lecture with downloadable slides, and digital Flashcards. Students will also be able to take advantage of free resources and tools, including Solomon Study Schedules and Solomon Pass Probability™ technology. And with access to the Solomon Instructor Admin Portal, Professor Goehrig will be able to monitor his students’ progress to assist them as they study.

Florida Memorial University, founded in 1879, is one of the oldest academic centers in Florida, and is the only historically Black university in southern Florida. The university offers 27 undergraduate degree programs and three master’s programs.

InspereX is a leading fintech transforming how fixed income securities and market-linked products are accessed, evaluated, and traded. The firm has principal offices in Delray Beach, San Francisco, Chicago, and New York City.

About Solomon Exam Prep

Founded by Karen Solomon (Ph.D., University of Chicago) and Jeremy Solomon (MBA, Wharton), Solomon Exam Prep has helped thousands pass their securities licensing exams including the SIE, Series 3, 6, 7, 14, 22, 24, 26, 27, 28, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 63, 65, 66, 79, 82 and 99.

To learn more about the ways colleges and universities can partner with Solomon, contact Beth Hamilton, Higher Education Development Manager, at beth@solomonexamprep.com or 503-601-0212.

Pepperdine University Partners with Solomon on SIE Prep Course

Solomon Exam Prep’s Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Exam prep materials will be used by students at Pepperdine University this Spring 2022 term. Continue reading

Solomon Exam Prep is thrilled to announce that Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, will be using the Solomon SIE curriculum for a course in the spring 2022 term. This marks the second time Pepperdine has used Solomon SIE materials in one of their courses in the Graziadio Business School, which offers full-time, part-time, and executive MBA programs, as well as doctorate, master’s, bachelor’s, joint degrees, and professional development certificate courses.

The seven-week, in-person class, Contemporary Issues in Business and Management, will be taught by Professor Chris Manfrè, MBA, PhD, and will give students the chance to explore current topics in business and management. Students will be using the Solomon SIE Total Package as their main course material, which includes the digital Study Guide, Exam Simulator, Audiobook, Video Lecture, and Flashcards. The course will help prepare students to take the FINRA Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Exam.

Bring the SIE To Your Campus

Solomon Exam Prep can tailor its SIE curriculum to fit any course, including credit and non-credit courses, as part of a current course such as Finance or Capital Markets, or as a self-study program. The Solomon platform works equally well for in-person, hybrid, and online courses. And no matter what kind of course it is, instructors receive access to the Instructor Portal, class slides, quizzes and exams, a custom study schedule, and QwizBang, Solomon’s interactive game platform.

Solomon Exam Prep partners with dozens of colleges and universities to bring the Solomon SIE exam prep program to students across the country. Join institutions such as Pepperdine University, the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, University of Delaware, Adelphi University, University of Nebraska-Omaha, Seton Hall University, Ohio Dominican University, Georgetown University, Widener University, and University of Dallas in partnering with Solomon.

To learn more about the ways colleges and universities can partner with Solomon, visit the website or contact Beth Hamilton, Higher Education Development Manager, at beth@solomonexamprep.com or 503-601-0212.

Solomon Exam Prep has helped tens of thousands pass their FINRA, NASAA, MSRB, and NFA licensing exams including the SIE, Series 3, 6, 7, 14, 22, 24, 26, 27, 28, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 63, 65, 66, 79, 82, and 99.

Francis Marion University Students Studying for the SIE Exam with Solomon

Solomon Exam Prep’s newest partnership will bring its Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam curriculum to a self-study cohort. Continue reading

Solomon Exam Prep is pleased to announce that students at Francis Marion University in Florence, South Carolina, will shortly begin studying for the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam. Instructor Jan Serrano, PhD., Associate Professor of Finance, will lead the group of students in a self-study course using Solomon’s SIE Total Study Package, providing them with the widest variety of study tools to help them pass the SIE.

Bring the SIE To Your Campus

Interested in how you could incorporate Solomon Exam Prep’s study materials into a course at your college or university? Solomon’s flexible SIE curriculum can be tailored to meet the needs of a variety of classes. Students receive Solomon’s industry-leading online study materials at a discounted educational rate, and instructors benefit from high-touch support and access to the Instructor Portal with its innovative classroom tools and reporting features. And Solomon’s SIE curriculum is perfect for both in-person and online courses.

Solomon Exam Prep partners with dozens of colleges and universities to bring the Solomon SIE exam prep program to students across the country. Join institutions such as the University of Nebraska-Omaha, University of Delaware, Adelphi University, Seton Hall University, Ohio Dominican University, Georgetown University, Widener University, and University of Dallas in partnering with Solomon.

To learn more about the ways colleges and universities can partner with Solomon, visit the website or contact Beth Hamilton, Higher Education Development Manager, at beth@solomonexamprep.com or 503-601-0212.

University of Nebraska-Omaha Students Studying for the SIE Exam with Solomon

Solomon Exam Prep’s SIE study materials are helping students at UNO learn about financial markets and prepare to take the SIE exam. Continue reading

Solomon Exam Prep is proud that our long-standing partnership with the University of Nebraska Omaha’s College of Business Administration continues be a success. Since 2018, instructor Ray LeBlanc has been using Solomon’s Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) curriculum in UNO’s Financial Markets course, which is a core course in the banking and financial markets program. In the fall 2021 semester, there are 64 students in two class sections studying with Solomon SIE exam prep.

Ray LeBlanc had this midterm update to share:

“UNO’s experience with Solomon Exam Prep continues to be extraordinary. We have expanded our course catalog to include a completely online offering this fall. Both the face-to-face and online students appreciate Solomon’s clear, concise content which provides the perfect foundation for our Financial Markets class. Best of all, students who aspire to enter the finance services industry are sufficiently prepared to launch their career by passing the SIE Exam before they even interview for a job. We look forward to continuing our partnership for years to come.”
Ray LeBlanc, University of Nebraska-Omaha

Why should students take the SIE exam?

The SIE exam is FINRA’s way of introducing a new generation to the securities industry. Passing the SIE proves that an individual knows and understands the basics of the world of stocks, bonds, mutual funds and ETFs. It’s also the requirement for anyone who will want to become registered, so it’s quickly becoming the industry standard to take the exam before applying for jobs. Having the SIE on a resume can increase a student’s chance of landing a desirable internship or first job after graduation.

Passing the SIE shows potential employers that students:

- Are serious about a career in the financial services industry
- Have completed a co-requisite for a relevant Series exams
- Have mastered the basics of the securities industry

The only requirement to take the SIE is that the candidate is over 18 years old. Results are valid for four years so students can take the exam well before graduation.

University of North Carolina at Pembroke Finance Students Studying for the SIE Exam with Solomon

Students at UNC Pembroke are preparing for the FINRA SIE exam this fall semester with Solomon Exam Prep’s SIE study materials. Continue reading

In a previous blog post, Solomon Exam Prep announced a new partnership with the University of North Carolina at Pembroke’s School of Business. Fall 2021 marks the first term that UNC Pembroke is using Solomon Exam Prep’s SIE curriculum in one of its courses. For the past seven weeks, students have been studying online with the Solomon SIE Total Package, which includes the Study Guide, Exam Simulator, Audiobook, Video Lecture, and Flashcards.

The new 14-week course, Financial Trading, is being taught by Mohammad Rahman, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Finance, who reports:

“University of North Carolina at Pembroke school of Business started offering a new minor in ‘Trading’. As part of that, FIN 3300 (Financial Trading) has been offered in Fall 2021 for the first time. I am using Solomon SIE exam prep tools for the class. The students are tremendously benefitting from using all the tools starting with study guide, exam simulation and other resources. I hope this will allow our students to get the SIE certification and make a positive difference in their life.”
Mohammad Rahman, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Finance

Join institutions such as the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, University of Delaware, Adelphi University, University of Nebraska-Omaha, Seton Hall University, Ohio Dominican University, Georgetown University, Widener University, and University of Dallas in partnering with Solomon.

University of the Incarnate Word In San Antonio Partners with Solomon on Capital Markets Course

Solomon Exam Prep’s SIE exam study course is being used by students at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas this Fall 2021 term. Continue reading

Solomon Exam Prep is pleased to report that the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas is partnering with Solomon this Fall 2021 term. Solomon SIE study materials are being used by 17 students in the FIN 3325 Money and Capital Markets course. Alicia Rubio, Ph.D., Professor of Finance and BBA Director at the H-E-B School of Business and Administration, had this to say about students’ experience preparing for the SIE so far:

“Finance students at the University of the Incarnate Word are preparing for the SIE with Solomon Exam Prep. Our students love the unlimited sub-chapter quizzes as they really help them to master the material. Although the SIE exam is information overload, Solomon does a great job at making it manageable to digest. We look forward to the end of the semester to see how many students attempt and pass the SIE exam.”
Alicia Rubio, Ph.D., Professor of Finance & BBA Director

The Money and Capital Markets course is required for students pursuing a BBA in Finance with a Financial Planning specialization. This path prepares students for careers in risk management, insurance, estate planning, investment planning, and other areas of finance. The Financial Planning career path is recognized by the Certified Financial Planner (CFP)® Board as a registered program.

Bring the SIE to Your Campus

Solomon Exam Prep partners with dozens of colleges and universities to bring the Solomon SIE exam prep program to students across the country. Join institutions such as the University of the Incarnate Word, University of Delaware, Adelphi University, University of Nebraska-Omaha, Seton Hall University, Ohio Dominican University, Georgetown University, Widener University, and University of Dallas in partnering with Solomon.

University of North Carolina Pembroke partners with Solomon on Financial Trading course

Solomon Exam Prep’s latest partnership will bring its Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam curriculum to a new UNC Pembroke course. Continue reading

Solomon Exam Prep is thrilled to announce its newest university partnership, with the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Mohammad Rahman, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the School of Business, will be using Solomon Exam Prep’s Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) curriculum for a new finance course called Financial Trading. The online elective is running this Fall 2021 semester and will give students the opportunity to dive into the world of investing, plus help prepare them to take the SIE exam.

In the course, students will learn about trading environments, processes, and strategies. Topics covered include order types, trading terminology, hedging strategies, trading costs, market structure, and regulatory environments. Market simulations will be used to aid students’ understanding of executing trades, the application of trading strategies, and tracking performance metrics.

Bring the SIE to Your Campus

I just want to thank Solomon Exam Prep for a great semester! We taught this curriculum at Widener University for the first time. The Solomon team was great to work with! Always available, very responsive and eager to help. The online offering is very comprehensive and we didn’t miss a beat when we switched to remote learning. The QwizBang game was a big hit with the students (although more fun when we were all in the same room.) I can’t thank them enough for all that they have done.
Maggie Creed, Widener University, Chester, PA

Join institutions such as the University of Delaware, Adelphi University, University of Nebraska-Omaha, Seton Hall University, Ohio Dominican University, Georgetown University, Widener University, and University of Dallas in partnering with Solomon.

Understanding Trading Halts

The market’s intense reaction to the coronavirus has caused something not seen since 1997: trading halts. Continue reading

Understanding Trading Halts

The market’s intense reaction to the coronavirus has caused something not seen since 1997: trading halts. If you’re studying for the FINRA Series 7 General Securities Representative exam or the FINRA Series 24 General Securities Principal exam, FINRA may test you on the subject. Rest assured, Solomon Exam Prep’s Series 7 and Series 24 study materials cover the topic in detail. Here’s a little background on trading halts.

Sometimes called “circuit breakers,” these trading halts were first put in place after the 1987 stock market crash known as Black Monday. Part of the reason the Black Monday crash was so bad was the panic selling that happened once the market started dropping. A trading halt is meant to prevent this panicked free fall.

A trading halt may apply to the entire market, or a single security.

Market-Wide Trading Halts

A market-wide trading halt will be triggered when the S&P 500 drops sharply from where it was the day before. A Level 1 halt is triggered by a 7% drop and lasts for 15 minutes. If the drop reaches 13%, it triggers a Level 2 halt. A level 2 halt also lasts 15 minutes. Finally, a 20% drop in the S&P 500 triggers a Level 3 halt, which stops trading for the rest of the day. These kind of halts stop securities and options trading on all the exchanges, as well as the OTC markets.

Trading Pauses in a Single Security

When a company makes a major announcement, it’s stock price may move dramatically. Pausing trading of a particular stock or security protects smaller investors who generally cannot react as quickly to the news as larger investors. If the price of a security drops a certain amount below what it normally trades at, the security is said to be “limit down.” If it stays limit down for 15 seconds, then trading in that security is paused for 5 minutes. Unlike market-wide trading halts, the same goes if the price of a single security rises rapidly. If a security is “limit up” for 15 seconds, trading pauses for 5 minutes. How much a security has to move to be limit up or limit down depends on the type of stock and its normal price range.

Your Securities Exams

Trading halts are topics on the FINRA Series 7 and Series 24 exams. Solomon Exam Prep covers trading halts in Solomon study guides, audio guides, video lectures, exam simulators and digital flashcards. For more information, go to www.SolomonExamPrep.Com or call 503.601.0212.