If you're ready to invest in formal Series 3 test prep, Varsity Tutors can refer you to a private Series 3 class to help you pursue your professional goals. The Series 3 - National Commodities Futures Exam is required to earn a license to sell and trade commodities in the United States. If you are ready to take your Series 3 prep to the next level, let us connect you with Series 3 tutoring today!
One of the most important aspects of Series 3 prep is developing a familiarity with the test's structure and content. The exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions administered over a testing session lasting two-and-a-half hours. A four-function calculator and dry erase boards will be provided for your use, but you are not permitted to take any other materials into the testing lab with you. Since the exam is timed, you might want Series 3 tutors to show you how to efficiently use these tools to your advantage.
If you're curious about the topics you might review in a Series 3 course, the list below highlights some of the exam's core concepts:
Series 3 Topics (non-comprehensive)
- Futures and forward contracts
- The Structure of Futures Markets
- Hedging Theory
- Speculative Theory
- Futures terminology
- Options terminology
- Margin Requirements
- Option Premiums
- Offsetting Contracts, Settlements, Delivery
- Options Exercise, Assignment, Settlement
- Market/stop/stop-limit/etc. orders
- Technical and fundamental analysis
- Short and long hedging
- Spread trading
- P&L calculations for speculative trades
- Option Spread Strategies
- CFTC registrations/NFA membership
- FCM/IB Regulations
- Arbitration Procedures
- NFA Disciplinary Procedures
- CFTC Commodity Exchange Act Enforcement
Private Series 3 test prep affords you the luxury of spending as much time as you need on every topic. For example, a student who has a hard time with options terminology might incorporate flashcards into their Series 3 prep. Alternatively, you might want to review sample problems concerning long-term hedging during your Series 3 test preparation to get more comfortable with them heading into exam day. Regardless, large Series 3 classes are often unable to cater to an individual's needs the same way private Series 3 test prep courses can.
Similarly, Series 3 test prep may be adapted to your preferred learning style. If you are a hands-on learner, your instructor might incorporate real-world examples into your Series 3 prep to illustrate the most important concepts. Likewise, an auditory learner might want a Q&A discussion format to make it easier to retain information.
Working with a private instructor also ensures that any questions you have may be addressed immediately. In fact, some students find it easier to ask a private tutor for help than a classroom instructor responsible for a group of students. This can be important, as correcting any misunderstandings before they spiral out of control can be beneficial.
Varsity Tutors also tries to make Series 3 preparation as convenient for you as possible. Our proprietary Live Learning Platform utilizes powerful features such as a virtual whiteboard to facilitate digital study sessions, giving you the benefits of face-to-face instruction without the logistical nightmare of meeting up in person. Likewise, we try to match every student to a tutor who fits their scheduling needs for added convenience. We believe that nobody should stop living their life because they are preparing for a test and design our products accordingly.
If you would like to learn more about the benefits of one-on-one Series 3 test prep, reach out to Varsity Tutors today. Educational Directors are standing by to assist you in any way they can!

Peter: Hoffman Estates Series 3 test prep instructor
...including all the licenses I obtained, view me at Broker Check: https://brokercheck.finra.org/individual/summary/1313689 and see that I had all the licenses. I 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...
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 86
- Series 24
- Series 16
- +42 subjects

Daniel: Hoffman Estates Series 3 test prep instructor
Learn from a finance industry professional with nearly 2 decades of experience. Formally trained in Economics with an MBA in Finance. I am also a CFA Charterholder. My talent in explaining difficult concepts easy to understand!
Education & Certification
- Boston University - Bachelor in Arts, Economics
- FGV - Fundação Getulio Vargas - Masters in Business Administration, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- Series 7
- Series 6
- CFA
- +10 subjects

Paul J : Hoffman Estates Series 3 test prep instructor
...commodity exchange settings. - Insightful CFA exam grader with deep understanding of exam requirements. - Successful stint in hedge fund environment, enhancing market insight. - Former Head of Trading Risk at major clearing house, overseeing significant operations. - Aims to mentor CFA candidates, combining rich industry background with exam expertise. Marine engineering degree MBA in...
Education & Certification
- Pace University-New York - Masters in Business Administration, Business, General
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- Series 5 - Interest Rate Options Exams
- FRM
- Series 7 - General Securities Representative Exam (Stockbroker)
- +58 subjects

Michael: Hoffman Estates Series 3 test prep instructor
...and securities markets, and anything dealing with aviation. I have recently changed my career to move out of in-house financial services firms and focus completely on teaching. The way I prefer to teach and tutor is to work with the student, not lecture them. I try to find their strengths and weaknesses, the focus on...
Education & Certification
- Capella University - Doctor of Philosophy, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- Series 7 - General Securities Representative Exam (Stockbroker)
- FINRA - Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
- Series 66
- +16 subjects

Andrew: Hoffman Estates Series 3 test prep instructor
...both inside and outside of the classroom. I can use elements of a student's background to relate complex subjects in a way that is more familiar with the student. Outside of work, I am an avid sports fan, lover of books and movies, meeting new people and hanging out with friends. I enjoy traveling, having been...
Education & Certification
- UNC Chapel Hill - Bachelors, Economics & Psychology
- Georgetown University - Masters, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- Series 55
- Series 7
- CPA
- +70 subjects

Gregory: Hoffman Estates Series 3 test prep instructor
...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...
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 - General Securities Representative Exam (Stockbroker)
- Series 7
- +48 subjects

Hal: Hoffman Estates Series 3 test prep instructor
...worked the broker-dealer channel, the bank channel, and the independent channel. I developed and took an introducing brokerage firm through 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...
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 26
- Series 24
- Series 65
- +171 subjects

Ben: Hoffman Estates Series 3 test prep 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,...
Education & Certification
- University of Amsterdam - Bachelor of Economics, Economics
- University of Southern California - Masters in Business Administration, Economics
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- CPA
- Series 66
- Series 15 - Foreign Currency Options Exam
- +39 subjects

Chi-Sun: Hoffman Estates Series 3 test prep instructor
...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 excelling at all high school math competitions including finishing second at the 1989 Colorado Math Olympiad. I also graduated from MIT at 19...
Education & Certification
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Bachelor of Science, Computer Science
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- Series 7 - General Securities Representative Exam (Stockbroker)
- Exam P - Probability
- Exam IFM - Investment and Financial Markets
- +112 subjects

Kevin: Hoffman Estates Series 3 test prep instructor
...life examples to help understand the value of learning the topics I tutor you with. I specialize in tutoring a broad 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...
Education & Certification
- Truman State University - Bachelor of Science, Accounting
- Washington University in St Louis - Masters in Business Administration, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- Series 24
- Series 6
- Series 30
- +41 subjects

Jonathan: Hoffman Estates Series 3 test prep instructor
...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...
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
- Writing
- Cooking
- +75 subjects

Michael: Hoffman Estates Series 3 test prep instructor
...desks in a bank who used me instead of their in-house trading desks. I have been involved in quantitative portfolio management recently designing customized passive investment strategies for state pension funds using quantitative data to help them generate alpha with little tracking error risk. I have a Masters degree from Baruch in Finance. What I...
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
- Series 7 - General Securities Representative Exam (Stockbroker)
- SIE
- Series 44 - NYSE Arca Options Market Maker Exam
- +14 subjects