I. Economic Factors and Business Information (15%)
The 20 scored questions in this section test your knowledge of various aspects of business and economics.
Basic Economic Concepts (6 questions)
Financial Reporting (4 questions)
Analytical Methods (4 questions)
Types of Risk (6 questions)
II. Investment Vehicle Characteristics (25%)
The 32 scored questions in this section test your knowledge of various characteristics of investments.
Cash and Cash Equivalents (1 question)
Fixed Income Securities (3 questions)
Valuation Factors and Characteristics of Fixed Income Securities (3 questions)
Types of Equity Securities (2 questions)
Characteristics of Equity Securities (3 questions)
Determining the Value of Equity Securities (3 questions)
Types of Pooled Investments (3 questions)
Characteristics of Pooled Investments (3 questions)
Types of Derivative Securities (2 questions)
Characteristics of Derivative Securities (3 questions)
Alternative Investments (2 questions)
Insurance-Based Products (2 questions)
Other Assets (2 questions)
III. Client Investment Recommendations and Strategies (30%)
The 39 scored questions in this section test your knowledge of various types of clients and what investment recommendations you should make.
Type of Client (3 questions)
Client Profile (7 questions)
Capital Market Theory (3 questions)
Portfolio Management Strategies, Styles, and Techniques (6 questions)
Tax Considerations (2 questions)
Retirement Plans (3 questions)
ERISA Issues (2 questions)
Special Account Types (2 questions)
Ownership and Estate Planning Techniques (3 questions)
Trading Securities (4 questions)
Portfolio Performance Measures (4 questions)
IV. Laws, Regulations, and Guidelines Including Prohibition on Unethical Business Practices (30%)
The 39 scored questions in this section test your knowledge of various laws and regulations, with some specific focus on prohibition and unethical business practices.
Regulation of Investment Advisers (6 questions)
Regulation of Investment Adviser Representatives (4 questions)
Regulation of Broker-Dealers (2 questions)
Regulation of Agents of Broker-Dealers (2 questions)
Regulation of Securities and Issuers (2 questions)
Remedies and Administrative Provisions (2 questions)
Communication with Clients and Prospects (10 questions)
Ethical Practices and Fiduciary Obligations (11 questions)
exam outline for the Series 65 exam, which contains 140 questions and has a time limit of 3 hours