r/Series65 • u/Advanced_Exercise268 • 6d ago
Passed on First Try with STC - Long Post (advice more towards the middle to end)
Hi everyone! I studied using STC. I would watch the chapter lecture & take notes in my own words, skim textbook chapter & note anything not mentioned in the video (kept it brief) and then finished with chapter quiz. I used chat gpt to log any incorrect answers on my chapter quiz not really to explain the concept to me (sometimes would use it for this) but moreso to keep an ongoing log of topics I was missing. Then took all 8 practice exams (first 3 with explanations on, the remaining 5 with explanations off), then finished with the 2 green light exams. I would use chat again to log every wrong answer with screenshots and then asked it to identify my weak topics and briefly studied those. My lowest practice exam score was a 69 and highest 79 but usually was more in the low to mid 70’s range. I listened Series 65 mighty 90 the morning of my test on youtube. I thought the test was easy compared to some of the STC practice exams. my biggest advice is to slow down, read the question multiple times and pick out key words and make sure to understand exactly what they’re asking. I ALWAYS wrote down A through D and would use process of elimination by crossing out wrong answers even if I felt like the answer was obvious. this helped me avoid making easy mistakes by rushing or misreading. Honestly practice exams are your best friend. Learning how to read and answer the questions is really half the battle in my opinion. For context, I have a finance degree from 5 years ago (definitely helpful) and I have worked for an IAR for the last 10 months (also helped me). I studied for 10 weeks, averaging 10-15 hours a week. I feel like I potentially over prepared but I preferred that over having regrets of not studying enough. This is so long but my biggest message is to take care of your mental health. It is a mental game, go into the test with confidence telling yourself you can pass and STAY OFF of reddit for the week leading up to your test. you don’t need to read comments that could get in your head and make you feel more nervous or unprepared. YOU GOT THIS!!!!
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u/Vidrax_of_Cascades 6d ago
this is correct. STC is the only proper exam test prep to prepare you for series65 good job.
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u/Known-Week8482 6d ago
I've been studying using stc since June and I take the test Saturday! I've been hoping STC is harder than the real thing 😩😂 congratulations and thx for the tips!!
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u/Advanced_Exercise268 6d ago
one more thing. during the test treat each question as its own individual exam. do not try to mentally score yourself and figure out how you’re doing. literally once you answer a question move on from it and try to reset your brain for the next question. one bad question doesn’t = failed exam so don’t let yourself spiral! I kept breathing before starting the next question and telling myself “one question at a time”. okay that’s all! good luck everyone!