If you're thinking about a formal Series 3 prep course, Varsity Tutors can set you up with private Series 3 classes to help you improve your study skills. The Series 3 - National Commodities Futures Exam is a National Futures Association (NFA) exam administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) that investment professionals must pass in order to legally trade in commodities and securities. It's considered more challenging than the Series 7 exam, which only covers securities. If you feel that you could benefit from a Series 3 course, reach out to us today to learn more about how we may be able to assist you!
One of the first things discussed in most Series 3 courses is the formatting you can expect on exam day. The Series 3 is a standardized test administered at testing centers across the country. A calculator is provided for your use, as are a pair of dry erase boards you may use as scrap paper. Both of these items must be returned to the test center at the conclusion of your testing session. The chart below provides additional information about the Series 3 test:
Question Format | # Questions | Time Allowed | Passing Score |
Multiple-Choice | 120 | 2 Hours and 30 Minutes | 70% |
You might think that the Series 3 is easy because it utilizes a multiple-choice format, but some of the questions may be deceptively worded. You might want to take practice exams during your Series 3 class to get a feel for the way questions are worded. Since it is a timed test, taking practice exams under realistic conditions may help you develop effective time management strategies as well.
Once you understand the exam's formatting, you can move on to more specific content areas in your Series 3 prep class. The bulleted list below includes some of the topics you might want to go over:
Series 3 Major Subject Areas
- Futures trading theory and basic functions
- Futures margins, option premiums, price limits, futures settlements, delivery, exercise, and assignment
- Types of orders, customer accounts, price analysis
- Basic hedging, basis calculations, hedging futures
- Spreading
- Speculating in futures
- Option hedging, speculating, spreading
- Regulations
Private Series 3 prep classes allow students to concentrate on their unique areas of opportunity to improve study efficiency. For example, a test-taker who lacks a firm grasp of pertinent regulations may focus on them during their test prep. Likewise, you can spend your class time on futures if you don't completely understand them. Any questions you have may be answered promptly, as you are your instructor's sole pupil during your Series 3 prep courses.
A private instructor may also be better able to accommodate your individual learning style during your Series 3 course. If you are a visual learner, charts and graphs may be utilized to help illustrate key concepts. If you are more of an auditory learner, a lecture format may be used to help you better retain information.
We also strive to make Series 3 test prep as convenient as we can. All instruction takes place on our mobile-friendly Live Learning Platform, facilitating remote study sessions anywhere with a stable internet connection. We also try to match you with a tutor who meets your scheduling needs for added flexibility.
If you would like to learn more about the benefits of taking a Varsity Tutors Series 3 class, contact an Educational Consultant today for more information. We look forward to helping you reach for your academic goals!

Andrew: Series 3 course instructor
...University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill with a dual BA in Economics and Psychology, with a Math minor. I also have a MBA from UNC's Kenan-Flagler Business School with a Finance Concentration. I recently completed my MS in Finance from Georgetown. I have worked for the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, investment banks, and a private equity firm; so, I have experience in the applied application of academic theory. I am adept at teaching economics...
Education & Certification
- UNC Chapel Hill - Bachelors, Economics & Psychology
- Georgetown University - Masters, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- Series 63
- Series 56 - Proprietary Trader Qualification Exam
- Series 55
- +70 subjects

Jonathan: Series 3 course instructor
...a concentration in finance, I am well acquainted with many of the various subjects taught by varsity tutors. The courses I have taken in financial derivatives, business statistics and corporate financial analysis have given me a broad base knowledge, as well as a forum for exploration. My personal goal is to use the knowledge I have gained combined with my experience teaching others to be a great tutor and overall resource for students.
Education & Certification
- St Johns University-New York - Bachelor of Science, Finance
- St Johns University-New York - Masters in Business Administration, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- Insurance License
- Personal Finance
- Elementary School
- +75 subjects
Education & Certification
- Boston University - Bachelor in Arts, Economics
- FGV - Fundação Getulio Vargas - Masters in Business Administration, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- CFA
- Series 7
- Series 6
- +10 subjects

Gregory: Series 3 course instructor
...Wesleyan University and Financial Mathematics at The University of Chicago (Masters Degree.) I have 20 years experience using complex concepts in finance (stats, linear algebra, calculus) at JPMorgan and UBS. I teach stats, finance and programing in a user friendly way. I don't repeat the dry methods of text books. MATLAB is my main scripting language; I also use R and SPSS. I enjoy math and science, and I tutor my own children (7 and...
Education & Certification
- Wesleyan University - Bachelor in Arts, Economics
- University of Chicago - Master of Science, Financial Mathematics
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- Exam FM - Financial Mathematics
- Series 7
- Series 7 - General Securities Representative Exam (Stockbroker)
- +48 subjects

Chi-Sun: Series 3 course instructor
...teaching math is for the students to truly understand the concepts and reasoning behind math, and not just learn how to apply formulas and do well on tests. Although they may get good grades, this will be useless later in life. In my teaching experience, when students actually learn the concepts and logic, not only does their math vastly improve, but they also learn to enjoy math, which is the ultimate goal. My qualifications include...
Education & Certification
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Bachelor of Science, Computer Science
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- Series 7 - General Securities Representative Exam (Stockbroker)
- Exam LTAM - Long-Term Actuarial Mathematics
- Exam FM - Financial Mathematics
- +112 subjects

Mary: Series 3 course instructor
...the daily operations. The environment was dynamic, highly demanding, requiring laser focus, preparation and stamina. An integral member of the firm, collaborating with other member firms and the Board of Governors, serving on committees, worked on new business initiatives, recruiting and training new hires from top universities. At the time, O'Connor was the largest market maker in the U.S. financial options exchanges and had been looking to partner with a larger financial institution. The firm...
Education & Certification
- Dickinson College - Bachelor in Arts, Economics
- Northwestern University - Masters in Business Administration, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- CIMA
- Series 6
- CAIA
- +101 subjects

Michael: Series 3 course instructor
...futures and OTC swaps types and usage. It is most important to understand what your goal is and what best strategy can be used to accomplish it, knowing the risks associated with each strategy and best option to hedge it, understanding a traders mentality which is partially based on behavioral science, experience to draw upon and a deep understanding of the interconnections between economic number both domestically and abroad, government statistics, drivers of the market...
Education & Certification
- Long Island University-C W Post Campus - Bachelor of Science, Finance
- CUNY Bernard M Baruch College - Master of Science, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- SIE
- Series 63
- Series 7 - General Securities Representative Exam (Stockbroker)
- +14 subjects

Kevin: Series 3 course instructor
...range of subjects with a focus on math, science, history, government, geography, accounting, finance and related business topics. One of my goals for each tutoring session is to keep the student engaged and challenged yet not overwhelmed. I use a number of teaching methods, including practice questions and topical computer related tools. I often ask for feedback and appreciate candid communication. I try to be flexible with my time. To ensure that we have a...
Education & Certification
- Truman State University - Bachelor of Science, Accounting
- Washington University in St Louis - Masters in Business Administration, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- Series 30
- SIE
- Series 63
- +41 subjects

Hal: Series 3 course instructor
...the entire FINRA (then NASD) creation and registration process. I attended what was then a week-long Brokers Option Course at the Chicago Board of Options and followed that as the designated options trader for a firm. I have over twenty years of teaching experience at the college and university level in addition to having served as a national educator in investments for a Fortune 20 firm. My background includes having been licensed as a Certified...
Education & Certification
- Frostburg State University - Bachelor of Science, Accounting and Business Management
- Frostburg State University - Master of Science, Management Science
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- Series 7 - General Securities Representative Exam (Stockbroker)
- Series 63
- Series 79
- +170 subjects

Ben: Series 3 course instructor
Experienced portfolio manager, strategist and published author with a demonstrated history of working in the financial services industry. Skilled in Asset Management, Equities, Bonds, Investment Strategies, and Capital Markets. Strong finance professional with a MBA focused in Finance, General from University of Southern California - Marshall School of Business. Series 65, 7, 63, 24, CFA, FRM
Education & Certification
- University of Amsterdam - Bachelor of Economics, Economics
- University of Southern California - Masters in Business Administration, Economics
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- Series 7
- Series 24
- Series 65
- +33 subjects

Peter: Series 3 course instructor
...also was the prime lead instructor for a Series 7 school years ago before publishing training manuals that became the big business we see today. My peers, other broker-dealers, had enough confidence in me to elect me to two different FINRA offices. One was regional office and the other a national position. I sat in on the meetings when FINRA changed the Series 7 test from a single 6 hour exam to the present two...
Education & Certification
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - Bachelor of Science, Materials Engineering
- California University of Pennsylvania - Master of Science, Mathematics and Statistics
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- Series 7 - General Securities Representative Exam (Stockbroker)
- Insurance License
- IBEW - International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
- +37 subjects