If you're ready to move into options trading or market making at your firm, Varsity Tutors can set you up with effective Series 4 prep classes. We use an individualized approach, putting you together with a test prep and finance expert who can cater a Series 4 course to your particular needs. Whether you need to learn options trading strategies, understand how you can hedge your firm's other trades using options, or hone your understanding of options disclosure regulations, a Series 4 prep course gives you the opportunity to focus on the areas where you need the most support.
If you're ready for a Series 4 class, then you've already been through the SIE and the Series 7 exam. That means that you know what Finra expects from you on these exams, and also that you can expect the difficulty level to rise as you move into more complicated products. That's why a customized Series 4 class could be right for you. You can dictate what sessions focus on so that you're always learning efficiently. If you don't know where you need to fill gaps, your Series 4 prep class instructor can perform an assessment of your knowledge and capabilities so they can build a study plan that keeps you making progress throughout sessions.
One of the first things you'll need to know for the Series 4 is its makeup. Here's what you'll be preparing for in Series 4 courses:
Question Format | # Questions | Time Allowed | Passing Score | Corequisites |
Multiple-Choice | 125 | 3 hours and 15 Minutes | 72% | Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) + Series 7 |
With this information in mind, you should know that Series 4 prep courses can help you develop additional skills beyond the topics you need to know for the test. Your Series 4 class also gives you the chance to build up your study and test-taking skills, develop time management and other test-taking strategies, and know where you stand in terms of a passing score. Put together, this knowledge can help you get more out of the test, cut out obvious wrong answer choices to increase your chances of getting tough questions correct, and overall feel more confident heading into test day.
Your Series 4 class isn't low on substance though. You'll have to understand a lot of different concepts and apply that knowledge throughout the exam. Often, it makes sense to spend time drilling on concepts the exam covers so you have them at the tip of your tongue come test day, especially if you don't do everything on the exam on a daily basis at your firm. Here are just some of the topics you could make sure you understand during your Series 4 prep courses:
Series 4 Topics (non-comprehensive)
- Customer Identification Program (CIP) requirements
- Due Diligence and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements
- Options disclosure document requirements
- Options programs and trading strategies
- Authorization and approval of any discretionary handling
- Requirement to perform suitability reviews to determine if the use of options is consistent with the customer profile
- Margin requirements set by regulation for initial/maintenance requirements
- Contract adjustments due to such events as splits, mergers, and dividends
- Record retention and segregation requirements
- Aggregation of accounts for reporting position limits, exercise limits, and large positions
- Separation of proprietary, market making, and customer trading
- Authorizing and monitor customer market access
If Series 4 classes sound like a good idea to you, reach out to the Educational Directors at Varsity Tutors today. Directors can listen to your needs and specifications and set you up with a Series 4 course instructor who can meet at a time that is most convenient for you. You'll also be able to meet for each Series 4 class using our innovate online Live Learning Platform. Let's get you started today.

Peter: Series 4 course instructor
...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 exams being the SIE and the Series 7 top off. I passed the Series 3 exam, the National Commodities Futures Exam. If you want to obtain the SIE license, you probably are in one of these categories. You may be doing for the fun of it, looking...
Education & Certification
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - Bachelor of Science, Materials Engineering
- California University of Pennsylvania - Master of Science, Mathematics and Statistics
Subject Expertise
- Series 4
- Series 65
- Series 66
- Series 7 - General Securities Representative Exam (Stockbroker)
- +20 subjects

Michael: Series 4 course instructor
...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 and the connection all asset classes have on each other. I have the following licenses; 3,4,7,55,63 and SIE. Having run 4 trading desks, I can also help with compliance questions regarding order handling, proper investment fit, confidentiality rules. Equally as important is the able to see what...
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 4
- Series 7 - General Securities Representative Exam (Stockbroker)
- Series 44 - NYSE Arca Options Market Maker Exam
- Series 7
- +14 subjects

James: Series 4 course instructor
...began my professional career in the Financial Services Industry with the firm that later became Shearson American Express. At that firm I worked as a licensed stock, commodity, and insurance broker, earning the position of 2nd Vice President of Investments. By 1987, I had founded AISCO Holdings, Ltd., where I served as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and its Chairman of the Board. During my tenure, I held, among others, SEC Series Licenses 3, 4,...
Education & Certification
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Bachelor in Arts, Business, General
Subject Expertise
- Series 4
- Series 24
- Series 3
- Series 5 - Interest Rate Options Exams
- +24 subjects

Mary: Series 4 course instructor
...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 entered into a joint venture with Swiss Bank creating the opportunity to become part of a newly formed global team deployed as financial engineers in various financial centers - Chicago, Zurich, London, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong. My assignment was in the bank's headquarters of Zurich, Switzerland within...
Education & Certification
- Dickinson College - Bachelor in Arts, Economics
- Northwestern University - Masters in Business Administration, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 4
- Series 11
- Series 27
- SIE
- +99 subjects

Drew: Series 4 course instructor
...In addition to working directly with staff, I have also been responsible for leading a Training organization responsible for hiring and training 2000 new brokers. My field experience combined with my own personal passing of many Insurance and FINRA required licenses makes me an excellent choice as your tutor. I also have an extensive business, economic, history, geography, philosophy and general knowledge experience that can also be called upon. Thanks in advance for trusting me...
Education & Certification
- The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey - Bachelor in Arts, Political Science and Government
Subject Expertise
- Series 4
- Series 7
- Series 86
- FINRA - Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
- +40 subjects

Aaron: Series 4 course instructor
...my Series 7 and 66 licenses. Shortly after obtaining those licenses, I then obtained the Series 4, 24 and 53 licenses. To continue my pursuit of growth, I went on to earn my Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. A short time later, I enrolled at Kansas State University and earned a Master's degree in Personal Financial Planning. Recently, I've earned the Behavioral Financial Advisor (BFA) designation and the Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP) designation. I've...
Education & Certification
- University of Nebraska at Omaha - Bachelor of Science, Finance
- Kansas State University - Master of Science, Financial Planning
Subject Expertise
- Series 4
- CFP
- Series 65
- Series 7
- +7 subjects
Education & Certification
- Saint Peters College - Bachelor of Science, Business Administration and Management
Subject Expertise
- Series 4
- Series 7
- Series 63
- Series 10
- +4 subjects

Jim: Series 4 course instructor
...different areas. I will do my best to help the student by simplifying the material and using everyday tasks as examples. Exams I have taken (and passed on the first try): Series 7 (General Securities), Series 24 (General Securities Principal), Series 4 (Registered Options Principal), Series 27 (Financial and Operations Principal), Series 53 (Municipal Securities Principal), Series 66 (Investment Advisor Representative) and PA Life and Health Insurance agent exam. My goal is to have the...
Education & Certification
- Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus - Bachelor of Science, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 4
- Series 27
- Insurance License
- Series 7
- +16 subjects