I'm considering becoming a CA state certified Financial Advisor. I've
heard that I must take a 130-minute 3-hour $110 test called Series 65
to be certified. I'm not sponsored by a firm which is a member of
NASD. I want to know if there are any Series 65 test preparation
schools in the Silicon Valley/South Bay area, and/or on-line sources
for being able to quickly learn as much about the actual questions and
answers as possible. (For example, if a person wants to prepare to
take a real estate licensing test, they can sign up for Anthony real
estate schools.) I'm interested in finding something similar for the
Series 65 test. Are there sources of sample tests that I can practice
on that will give me a realistic view of what I can expect when I go
to take the real test. I need to know if I'm ready now, or where I'm
weak so I can study up on those areas. Please don't just send me to
the NASD and the applicable CA State Corporations dept. websites and
phone numbers because I've been there and am still lacking the info I
seek.
For the Series 65 test:
What is the minimum number I must get correct to pass? 
How often are the tests administered in the San Jose, CA area?
If a person fails, is there a waiting period before the test can be
taken again?
Is there a maximum number of times a person can take the test?
Thank you!

Hello rusty27:

Thank you for the clear and detailed question. It helps us a lot when
customers explain exactly what they're looking for and what they've
already found. :-)

I have split the information I found into several sections below. 


General Information
*******************

As I'm sure you've already seen, a complete description of the Series
65 Exam can be found at:

Series 65 & 66 Exams
URL: http://www.nasaa.org/nasaa/exams/series_65&66_intro.asp

The exam specifications (a detailed listing of the areas tested) can
be found at:

Series 65 Information:
URL: http://www.marketcounsel.com/examprep/Series_65.htm

Also, don't worry about being sponsored - it is not a requirement. 

"No, both the Series 65 and Series 66 exams were developed by the
North American Securities Administrators Association ("NASAA") and
administered by NASD Regulation.  As such, unlike NASD exams such as
the Series 6 and 7, you do not need to be sponsored by a
broker-dealer."
From: URL: http://www.marketcounsel.com/examprep/Series_65.htm


Online Resources
****************

There are not a lot of sample questions available online. Most sample
questions I found are available for purchase (and listed in the next
section).

However, the following pages have a few sample questions:

http://www.nasaa.org/nasaa/exams/65&66_sample_questions.asp

http://www.dearborn.com/dfp/include/series65testalert.pdf


For Purchase Resources
**********************

Uniform Investment Adviser Study Guide (Series 65)
URL: http://www.marketcounsel.com/examprep/ExamPrep.htm
Cost: $110

Uniform Investment Advisor Law Examination - Self Study Guide
URL: http://www.mikeruss.org/securities/secure_main.htm
Company: http://www.mikeruss.org/
Cost: $199

Investment Adviser's Exam
URL: http://www.stockbrokerschool.com/trainingmaterial.htm
Cost: Textbook $150 - Practice Exam CD-ROM $125 - Bundled $225
"YOU MAY USE OUR SECURE WEBSITE ORDERING SYSTEM, OR ORDER BY TELEPHONE
BY CALLING 1 - (800) 270 2550."
Purchase Online: https://www.prosolutionsinc.com/secure/stockbrokerschool/registrationform.htm

Passtrak Series 65 license exam manual 
URL: http://www.empirestockbroker.com/series_65/series_65_main.htm
Cost: $149


Courses and Schools
*******************

The following organizations provide hands-on training for the Series
65 Exam.

Dearborn Financial Services
URLs: 
http://www.dearborn.com/dfp/product.asp?product%5Fid=203&State=CA&mscssid=5MC9GQJ1M6C18JMV9WVFDK2HWLPH3NBB
http://www.dearborn.com/dfp/class-city.asp?product%5Fid=203&%5FProfitCenter=&State=CA&mscssid=5MC9GQJ1M6C18JMV9WVFDK2HWLPH3NBB
Class Length: 2 days
Dates in San Francisco: 12/19/02 and 03/20/03
Cost: $205
(They had some dates in San Jose in 2002, but don't seem to have any
scheduled for 2003 yet.)

Bisys
URLs: http://store.bisys-education.com/catalog.cgi/family?ECkphwtc;1623;246
Cost: Varies
Locations: http://classes.bisyseducation.com/classes/schedule/classschedule.asp?locationinfo=all&courseinfo=20&Date1=11%2F8%2F02&Date2=2%2F9%2F06
(No upcoming dates near SJ - if you don't mind traveling.)


What is the minimum number I must get correct to pass?  
***********************

You must get at least 89 questions correct to pass the exam.

"At least 89 (68.5%) of the questions must be answered correctly for
an individual to pass the Series 65 exam."
From: http://www.nasaa.org/nasaa/exams/series_65_study_outline.asp

"Each multiple choice question is worth one point. The  passing grade
is equal to 68.5% of the total number of questions on the examination.
A candidate must, therefore, correctly answer 89 of the 130 questions
on Uniform Combined State Law Examination in order to receive a
passing grade."
From: http://www.certtimes.com/fin/examguide.php?topic=nasaa&eg=65

"Be advised that certain states impose a higher score requirement of
up to 85% for principals of firms."
From: http://www.marketcounsel.com/examprep/Series_65-66_FAQ.htm


How often are the tests administered in the San Jose, CA area? 
***********************

I was unable to find a testing schedule for the NASAA's San Jose
testing center online. However, their phone number for bookings is
408-257-7699 and I'm sure they would be happy to provide you with that
information. If you would like, I can call them for you next week when
they are likely to be open again. Please let me know.

Other nearby testing centers are:

San Francisco (Market St.)    415-882-1212 
San Francisco (W. Portal St.) 415-681-3769 

A complete listing of California locations can be found at:

http://www.nasdr.com/3107_9909.htm#California


If a person fails, is there a waiting period before the test can be
taken again?
***********************

The following information was found at
http://www.marketcounsel.com/examprep/Series_65-66_FAQ.htm

In the event of a failed examination, forfeited enrollment or an
expired enrollment, you will be required to re-enroll by submitting
Form U-10 along with the appropriate examination fee(s).  The
following waiting periods have been implemented for individuals
needing to retake the exam following a failed attempt:

NUMBER OF FAILED ATTEMPTS          MINIMUM WAITING PERIOD PRIOR 
                                        TO RE-SCHEDULING
       1 to 2                                30 days
      3 or more                             180 days 
  

Is there a maximum number of times a person can take the test? 
***********************

All the information I was able to find points to the fact that there
is no maximum number of times that you can take the test. As long as
you are willing to wait for the above periods and pay the fee again,
you can continue taking the test until you pass it.

I hope this information is of help to you.    
   
If you need any clarification of the information I have provided,
please ask using the Clarification feature and provide me with
additional details as to what you are looking for. As well, please
allow me to provide you with clarification(s) *before* you rate this
answer.
               
Thank you.                
               
websearcher-ga               
               
       
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Very helpful. Easy to understand. Thorough. Well worth the money. This
saved me a lot of additional time and frustration seeking this
information on my own. Thank you!