We often get asked our opinion on studying video courses vs textbooks for the Series 7 Exam. Like most questions in life, this one has a nuanced answer.
Video Courses vs Textbooks: Does it Save Time?
The answer to this question, it really depends on how much you can focus on your studying. Most people can read faster than the time that it takes to sit through a video that can explain the same concepts. That said, most people we talk to also tend to find their mind wondering when reading. So with that in mind, video courses can help if it means that they will keep you focused.
The flipside of that however, is that most video courses do not cover all of the text. It would take way too many videos, and way too much time, to create enough video content to cover the whole textbook. We ultimately suggest that you try to fill in any gaps not covered by the videos if you prefer watching video courses. The best way to do this is to “back fill” your knowledge gaps by reading sections of the text.
All in all, you may find that the video courses save time, but they certainly won’t be as detailed as the textbook. The number of Series 7 study hours can vary from student to student, so the next best thing is to learn all of the tips and tricks you can.
Tips and Tricks
When it comes to video courses some have the advantage of adding color commentary that includes tips and tricks from certain sections of the text. For example, many of the textbooks will not include helpful acronyms, or simple memory tricks, but the video course narrators may throw in the odd tidbit.
This can obviously be quite helpful when compared to the textbook. But again, the textbooks all have much more content, so be sure to review areas not covered in the videos.
What We Recommend for Our Students
Ultimately it depends how much time our student has to study. If you have time to get through the whole textbook, then we definitely recommend reading everything. However, if you are truly crunched for time, then the videos will certainly help explain terminology and concepts. The absolute best case scenario would be if you have time to hit up both. The textbook will be much more detailed, but the videos will be more digestible.
Overall, the best thing that you can do is be aware of how you study best. Think back to what worked in high school, or college. If you really don’t think you have the patience to get through the textbook, then the video courses are certainly better than nothing.
Of course, we have our own Series 7 video course, and helpful tutors if you need them. Good luck!