In today’s post we discuss what seems to be most effective for our students when studying for both FINRA and NASAA exams.
In short, we explore whether you should read the textbook, or watch a video course?
Watch the Video Course… If That’s What You Know You’re Really Going to Do
In a world where there is content for everything, you can be sure to find no shortage of videos and lessons when it comes to the Series 7 Exam, Series 63 Exam, Series 66 Exam, SIE Exam, and so on. And, with so much video content out there, you’re definitely going to find plenty of help when it comes to studying.
But is that help productive?
What Approach Should you Take?
Well, there are two ways to look at it.
First, if you know that you are not going to read the textbook, then don’t kid yourself. Find the best rated video courses that you can and use them.
There’s no sense in wasting time reading pieces of the text, if you won’t make real progress.
Time is usually limited, so jump right into online videos if you know you are unlikely to finish the text.
The second approach is for those more willing (and likely) to read the text. If you take this approach, we highly recommend that you do NOT take notes as you read through the text. Most people get carried away, and write too much, which slows down progress.
Furthermore, don’t worry about highlighting, or how many practice questions you get through as you progress for each chapter either. The goal is to get through the text as fast as you can, while trying to understand as much as you can the first time around.
This first “read through” is to become familiar with the text, not proficient.
Another important reason for not doing questions as you go is that if you try to do questions while reading the text, it will significantly increase the amount of time it takes you to get through all of the content. This leaves the average student with very little time to focus solely on practice questions.
Not only that, but it also leaves big gaps between covering previously covered content.
For instance it might only take you two weeks to read the whole text from front to back without doing questions. But, if you incorporate questions we see that with most students, it takes four or five weeks. Chances are, by week five you will already have forgot what you covered on week one.
In our view, it’s better to get through the text fast, and leave yourself four weeks for practice questions. The sooner you can review all sections leading up to the exam, the better.
Do What Works
Our mantra at Professional Exam Tutoring, is “ figure out what works, and do that.” This mantra proves highly effective when it comes to studying, and what works is often different for everyone.
Try to recognize as early as possible what study method works best for you, and don’t try to force anything on yourself (like reading the textbook) when you know you may be better with videos, or vice versa.
With enough discipline, and practice questions, you’ll make it through your FINRA and NASAA exams! Good luck with it!