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.

Mary: Series 4 course instructor
...maker, providing liquidity to the public orders, a specialist, keeping an orderly book of all public orders, and floor manager, overseeing 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...
Education & Certification
- Dickinson College - Bachelor in Arts, Economics
- Northwestern University - Masters in Business Administration, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 4
- Personal Finance
- Middle School Reading Comprehension
- Middle School Writing
- +95 subjects

John: Series 4 course instructor
Love helping others better understand complex topics by making learning as fun and as visual as possible. As a life-long investor and trainer, professional licensing exams are my specialty, from Series 4, 7, 24, 53, 63, 65, to CFP and RICP designations. Coaching to succeed is my main mission...Let's do this!
Education & Certification
- University of Utah - Bachelor of Science, Accounting
- Westminster College - Masters in Business Administration, Business, General
Subject Expertise
- Series 4
- SIE
- Series 53
- Personal Finance
- +12 subjects

Warren: Series 4 course instructor
I have enjoyed and prospered for 40 years in the security industry. If I can help another person have the same success then I have truly accomplished something. I attended the University of Illinois but my life education is from experience running brokerage and registered investment advisory firms. My approach to training starts with an understanding of the individual's needs from there we can structure an approach around the unique needs of each individual.
Education & Certification
- College of Financial Planning - Associate in Arts, Financial Planning
Subject Expertise
- Series 4
- Series 63
- Series 6
- Series 28
- +21 subjects

Aaron: Series 4 course instructor
...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 worked...
Education & Certification
- University of Nebraska at Omaha - Bachelor of Science, Finance
- Kansas State University - Master of Science, Financial Planning
Subject Expertise
- Series 4
- Series 53
- Professional Certifications
- Series 7
- +7 subjects
Education & Certification
- Saint Peters College - Bachelor of Science, Business Administration and Management
Subject Expertise
- Series 4
- Series 9
- Series 63
- Series 24
- +4 subjects

Michael: Series 4 course 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 could help a Varsity Tutors client understand is futures, equities and options, commodities especially energy both paper and physical usage,...
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 55
- Series 44 - NYSE Arca Options Market Maker Exam
- Finance
- +14 subjects

Jim: Series 4 course instructor
...good understanding of many 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...
Education & Certification
- Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus - Bachelor of Science, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 4
- Series 65
- Music
- Series 6
- +16 subjects