The Series 7 study guide · 2026–2027 Expanded Edition
Series 7 Mastery
The complete study guide to the FINRA General Securities Representative Exam.
Every topic on the Series 7 exam, explained in plain language, then worked one step at a time. 1,140+ practice questions, 6 full-length practice exams, 90 worked examples, 500+ flashcards and audio review lessons — every answer explained. Updated for 2026 rules.
Built the way the Series 7 exam is built
FINRA scores the Series 7 on 125 questions across four job functions. The book follows the same four functions — and gives Function 3, nearly three out of four questions, the most pages. See the full table of contents.
Seeks business for the broker-dealer
Communications with the public, telemarketing, the registration process for new issues, private placements and Rule 144.
- 2 Prospecting, communications and new issues
Opens accounts
Customer identification, Reg BI and Form CRS, account types, senior-investor protections, AML, IRAs, 401(k)s and 529 plans.
- 3 Opening and managing customer accounts
- 4 Retirement and education accounts
Provides information and makes recommendations
Every product on the exam, with the math the exam expects: yields, TEY, breakpoints, options, margin and taxes.
- 5 Equity securities
- 6 Debt: prices, yields and risks
- 7 Corporate debt and money market
- 8 Government, agency and mortgage-backed securities
- 9 Municipal securities
- 10 Mutual funds, ETFs and UITs
- 11 Variable annuities and insurance products
- 12 DPPs, REITs and alternatives
- 13 Options I: fundamentals
- 14 Options II: spreads, index options, rules
- 15 Economics, analysis and portfolios
- 16 Taxation of investments
- 17 Margin accounts
Processes and confirms transactions
Order types, markups, Reg SHO, T+1 settlement, ACATS, trade reporting, complaints and records.
- 18 Orders, trading and settlement
- 19 Regulation, complaints and records
Every section teaches in three steps
The same rhythm in all 19 chapters, so you always know what comes next.
Learn the concept
A clear explanation of one exam topic, with tables that organize the rules, numbers and deadlines you have to remember.
Work an example
An exam-style problem solved line by line — breakevens, tax-equivalent yields, margin calls — so you see exactly how the answer is reached.
Test yourself
A question in exam format to answer on your own, with the answer and a full explanation in the key at the back of the book.
Free Series 7 study resources
Use these alongside the book — or on their own, to see how the book teaches.
Online Series 7 practice tests
Six timed, full-length exams and 19 chapter quizzes, scored by function.
Series 7 flashcards
500+ flip cards by chapter. Mark what you know and review the rest.
Series 7 audio lessons
19 short chapter reviews read aloud — study on your commute.
Series 7 exam guide 2026
Format, cost, passing score, requirements and retake rules in one place.
How to pass the Series 7
A six-week study plan, exam-day pacing and the traps that cost points.
Series 7 formula sheet
Every formula on the exam, printable on one page.
SIE vs Series 7
How the two exams differ and which order to take them in.
25 free practice questions
Exam-style questions with answers you can read right on the page.
Options cheat sheet
Breakevens, max gain and max loss for every strategy the exam tests.
Series 7 cheat sheet
80 must-know facts, 20 costly traps and an exam-day checklist.
Current for 2026
Rules change, and question banks lag. Where a rule changed recently, the book teaches the current rule and the older one you may still see in practice materials.
- T+1 settlementRegular-way trades settle in one business day, so the ex-dividend date now equals the record date.
- Pattern day trader rule replacedFINRA's intraday margin standards took effect June 4, 2026, with firm phase-in allowed through October 20, 2027.
- 2026 retirement limitsIRA $7,500 plus $1,100 catch-up; 401(k) $24,500 plus $8,000, or $11,250 at ages 60 to 63.
- Gift limits raised to $300FINRA Rule 3220 from March 30, 2026, and MSRB Rule G-20 for FINRA-member dealers from June 1, 2026.
- Gift and estate tax$19,000 annual exclusion and a $15 million lifetime exemption for 2026; 529 K–12 limit now $20,000 a year.
- Outside activities: Rule 3290Replaces Rules 3270 and 3280 on October 25, 2027; only investment-related outside activities will need notice.
- Performance projections approvedThe SEC approved Rule 2210 amendments on October 15, 2026; the effective date is still to be announced.
- Shorter retake waits comingFrom January 19, 2027, the wait after a failed attempt drops to 15 days (60 days after a third failure).
Frequently asked questions
What is the best book for the Series 7 exam?
The best Series 7 book is one that is current for this year's rules, follows FINRA's four job functions in proportion to the exam, shows the math step by step, and includes a full-length practice exam with explained answers. Series 7 Mastery was written to meet each of those tests; see how to choose a Series 7 study guide.
Is this book enough to pass the Series 7?
The book covers every topic in FINRA's Series 7 content outline and includes more than 1,140 practice questions, including six full-length 125-question exams that you can also take as timed tests online. Aim to score 80% or more on Exams 4 to 6 before you sit for the real one.
Is the book updated for 2026 rules?
Yes. The 2026–2027 Edition teaches T+1 settlement, the 2026 IRA and 401(k) limits, the $300 gift limit, FINRA's new intraday margin standards and other recent changes. Later changes are listed on the rule updates page.
How many practice exams are in the book?
Six full-length 125-question practice exams, each weighted like the real Series 7 (9, 11, 91 and 14 questions across the four functions), plus a 15-question review quiz at the end of every chapter — over 1,140 questions in all, every one explained. All six exams are also available as timed online tests.
Does the book include flashcards or audio?
Yes. The book prints more than 400 flashcards by chapter, and the website adds an interactive deck of 500+ cards and 19 audio review lessons you can listen to on your phone.
Is Series 7 Mastery available on Kindle?
Yes. It is published for Kindle and in print on Amazon. The Kindle edition reads on any Kindle device or the free Kindle app for phones, tablets and computers.
Get Series 7 Mastery
2026–2027 Expanded Edition. 442 pages, 8.5 × 11 inches in print. Six full-length practice exams, 19 chapter review quizzes, 500+ flashcards, study plans, a final-review cram section, quick guides, a formula sheet and a glossary — every answer explained.
Free with the book: all six exams as timed online tests, interactive flashcards, audio lessons and rule updates.
Kindle eBook
Read on any Kindle device or the free Kindle app.
Paperback
8.5 × 11 inches, 442 pages, with room for notes.
Hardcover
Case-laminate hardcover for your desk reference shelf.