I spent all my waking hours studying and conditioning myself to take the series 3 exam.  I failed it the first time, not due to lack of knowledge, but by rushing when I started running out of time.  While I have traded Forex and stocks and know that market cold, the exam is overseen by the Commodities and Futures Board.  It is reported to be the 6th hardest test in the United States.  Changing my strategy for taking the test, I passed the second time with a 91%.  Am I any smarter? No.  I was however, much clearer on what I needed to do to save time and reduce pressure.

Here are the three concrete strategies that will help you pass  

1. Go all the way through the test, select B for any answer you don’t know.  Skipping all hard questions. Do not waste any time yet, on these.  I’ll show you why.  On the blank paper provided in the test, draw two columns.

2. As you go along, record each of the questions you skipped in the two columns.  One marked quick, the other marked detailed.  Go through the test and quickly answer all of the questions that you know.  Easy ones, gimmies, quick ones.

3.  It should take you 1 hour to complete the test.  Now you can take the next 2 hours to complete the detailed time consuming math problems.   Also note:  If the question is long and full of smoke, select B and move on.  90% chance it will be B and it was there to waste time and trap you.

I wish you success on your test.

Shawn Powell

Tags: how to pass the series 3 exam, passing the series 3 exam, series 3 exam, shawn powell, tips to pass the series 3

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