I Started on 6/20 with STC.  They have a 4 week study calendar that includes two weeks of reading and then two weeks of practice tests.  I read through the entire STC in 2 weeks and then started just reading the executive summaries in FIRE and taking the quizzes.

I think that STC was more straight forward and clear cut than FIRE Solutions.  However, I did find that FIRE had some terms and concepts that STC did not cover.  I don't know anything about Kaplan's 7 prep.  But, the Regional PMD manager told me that PMDs that completely run through FIRE have a 90% pass rate on the 7, and that the higher ups exclusively reccommend FIRE Solutions.

STC is straight forward no BS info that reads like a good college text book.  I was able to read through it once and understand the material.  It comes in a 3-inch binder with 500+ pages of reading, and another 3-inch binder of practice tests.  Plus having a hard copy allows you to highlight material, if that is helpful for you.  I also like that STC has a glossary at the end of the textbook which has been a handy quick reference. The online progress tests are tough and worth taking.

FIRE Solutions has the cool online tracking template so you can easily look and see which sections you have reviewed, and which sections you are getting high/low quiz scores on.  Plus the executive summaries are a nice feature for reviewing once you feel you have a solid understanding of all the material.  I do think, and have confirmed with FAs, that FIRE Solutions is intentionally overly-tricky in their quizzes. One FA told me to expect to score 10% higher on the actual 7 than you do on the FIRE tests.  I have noticed that some piece of obscure information is mentioned in a summary and then there is a double negative trick question on it in the quiz.  That has been a big frustration for me.  I also think that some information is over-explained which then makes it confusing.

In my first week I had 4 PMDs that are ahead in the program come and tell me about their training experience, and 2 raved about FIRE and the other 2 condemned it.  So it's a matter of preference.  Me, I liked the STC but feel that FIRE was an essential secondary resource.

So, if you are the type that can sit quietly and read for 4-6 hours a day for two weeks, STC is a great system.  Plus it's a great feeling of accomplishment to hold that big heavy binder in your hand and know that you read and understand all that info.  After you read through STC go back through and read the executive summaries in FIRE and take the quizzes.  That's what I did and I feel super confident in my understanding of the material.  I am consistently scoring in the mid 80s on practice tests and I still have 3 1/2 weeks to study.

Anyway just keep chugging away! Hope this helps somehow.  Good luck! When's your test date?

Thanks so much for your input.  I could not agree more with the above comments.   Since I test August 19th, I still have time to go and I have decided to give Training Consultants a try.  I will let you know how it goes. 

I used Kaplan for my 7, 66, and Life and Health, and felt like I was overly prepared for all three. There Q bank questions really help prepare you for the exams, and for the most part are harder than the actual test questions. I took the one week class for the 7 and the instructor helped focus on the main points we needed to know. I have nothing but good things to say, and plan on using them when I start the CFP process.

[quote=ZwingDing]

[/quote]

You should consider removing that ML branded logo from your identity. You want to maintain anonymity here and that does not belong to you and could attract attention.

[/quote]

Good Call, I think I'll pick a new name too.. Thanks!

Found out that Training Consultants is the provider for Edward Jones.  I have been using the online & book training for a few days now and really am impressed with the overall integration and simplicity of the program.  They say that their first time pass rate is 91%+.  I wish that I had started with them. 

Yes, I agree that Roy is a nice guy and can be helpful in person and he has some math short cuts that work well.  However his tutorials are very hard to follow, the written material is disjointed and the concepts are not built upon a proper foundation of understanding to make them easy to grasp.  

I have heard about QBank and I would also suggest that PassPerfect is a good option too.  They both have modifiable tests.  The advantage of Pass Perfect is that it auto-modifies the tests to help you strengthen your weak areas. 

I just took my test today and finished about 2 hours ago. I can speak from experience. Fire Solutions has a great intention in reference to how they try to structure the learning materials but the truth is that it is very difficult to learn core principles such as taxation and investment vehicle solutions using FIRE. Roy is very nice but he is just like the guy who you ask for directions and tells you where not to turn instead of just telling you where to turn. Like I stated great intentions but failed approach for me at least. I did not pass and am awaiting a decision on if I will be terminated or not in the morning. I scored 100% in derivitives and scored high in other areas but differientiating taxation for each individual security and choosing the least risky or most risky investments was tough for me. I honestly may have overstudied but overstudying a flawed method can only yield disaster. Now that's a yield I wish I could have calculated prior to using FIRE instead of STC in the PMD program. I really hope Merrill views me as a valuable part of the team considering I have at least 3 above $3 million accounts waiting for me to get my production number. The test can't measure your ability to build and maintain relationships with High Net Worth Clients. It's simply a formality and I understand but I pray that perhaps there may be an exception and I be given a second chance. Tips to others. Listen with a careful ear if you do decide to continue with FIRE in using the tutorials. Just print the slides from the tutorials and study those. I learned that the executive summary does not always have the information you need in it; however the slides and the trainers not give you the best visual display of what you need to know. I too was frustrated to figure out that the practice test in an effort by FIRE to be hard was not hard but it was in fact a misrepresentation of what you were given to study. There were a couple of times I used the executive summarys as I took those test and still scored no higher than 78%. I would then after viewing the test see that I didnt answer the question incorrectly because I was stupid but primarily because either the information in the executive summarys lacked the information or the information provided was conflicting. I studied till 3AM sometimes and still didnt pass and I know I did my best despite what any of you may believe. I had entirely too much riding on this to slack off. So I hope you take it from a recent testee that FIRE may not be the best company to prepare you for this exam. Please supplement witb another tool. I only wish I would have.

NotQuite: Sorry to hear about your exam.  I really hope that your managers can see your value.  I was beginning to think that I was the only one who hit a wall with FIRE.  Roy is really nice, but his tutorials and the written material made me want to put my head through glass.  I switched over to Training Consultants and found them to be clearer and more understandable.  Their online program follows their printed material very closely.  They also have a 90+ pass rate on the first try for the Series 7.  Edward Jones trainees and those of another national firm use them exclusivley.   I wish Merrill Lynch did.   Most in my office started with Fire, gave up on it and went to STC.  However, several in my office tried to use STC and/or Fire for the Series 66 and failed on the first try.  I know two ladies that are new to the business that used Training Consultants and passed in the mid-80's in the last 3 months.   I have called Training Consultants several times for help and they have at least 4 trainers that can answer what ever questions that you have.  Also, if while you are watching their tutorials you have a question, you can click a link, type your question and then they email the answer back to you.  At first, when I saw the course material, it was HALF as thick as STC, PassPerfect and Fire Solutions, but that is because they are only giving you what you need to know, not every thing possible.  Anyway, I had to buy the training myself and it is not cheap, but I think that i have a better chance now.   I hope you get a second one too.

[quote=abovocom]

Yes, I agree that Roy is a nice guy and can be helpful in person and he has some math short cuts that work well.  However his tutorials are very hard to follow, the written material is disjointed

Yeah, I agree.

[/quote]

[quote=NotQuite]

 I really hope Merrill views me as a valuable part of the team considering I have at least 3 above $3 million accounts waiting for me to get my production number.

Merrill will view you as a valuable part of the team IF you transfer a good portion of those assets in - in a fast enough period of time. We have a Richie Rich PMD in our office and all the assets he claimed to be able to bring in are still held away. He is on the verge of getting canned.

The test can't measure your ability to build and maintain relationships with High Net Worth Clients.

The test is a rite of passage. No one claims it tests relational skills with the HNW. And btw: no one at Merrill or any other firm is going to care about an ability to build and maintain relationships with anyone including the Queen of England. You have to deliver the assets into the firm, and you have to deliver them in pretty short order.

It's simply a formality and I understand but I pray that perhaps there may be an exception and I be given a second chance.

I vote no. If you don't have the stuff to pass it the first time you should get canned like anyone else. No get out of jail free card for Richie Rich.

Tips to others. Listen with a careful ear if you do decide to continue with FIRE in using the tutorials. Just print the slides from the tutorials and study those. I learned that the executive summary does not always have the information you need in it; however the slides and the trainers not give you the best visual display of what you need to know. I too was frustrated to figure out that the practice test in an effort by FIRE to be hard was not hard but it was in fact a misrepresentation of what you were given to study.

You are full of crap and an excuse machine. Frankly, I don't think much of FIRE even though I think Roy is a good guy with a good heart. I personally prefer Kaplan, but tons of people pass the 7 just using FIRE.

There were a couple of times I used the executive summarys as I took those test and still scored no higher than 78%. I would then after viewing the test see that I didnt answer the question incorrectly because I was stupid but primarily because either the information in the executive summarys lacked the information or the information provided was conflicting.

Results matter. Period.

I studied till 3AM sometimes

Boohoo.

If you didn't pass, it's not the fault of FIRE. I agree that FIRE has issues. It's not well organized and the presentation is not as good as others. But, many many people pass the 7 with FIRE. You're the one who didn't pass. Take 100% responsibility Richie.

and still didnt pass and I know I did my best despite what any of you may believe. I had entirely too much riding on this to slack off. So I hope you take it from a recent testee that FIRE may not be the best company to prepare you for this exam. Please supplement witb another tool. I only wish I would have.

[/quote]

If you didn't pass the 7, you're going to be in for a rude awakening when (if) you get to the 66.  Fire - while not the best - is just fine for the 7.  You should have passed with ease using their material and diligent studying. 

To put things into perspective, the 7 is a cake walk relative to the 66.  And, your management, surely, is aware of that fact. 

Actually ZWINGDONG I’ve already transferred 2 mil into the house account and building relationships is absolutely the first step to closing an account. Some may say I am stupid for doing that but I know this game. I was simply giving Merrill a taste of what is to come in my efforts.By the way tenaciously recruited into this business with no prior experience so lets not talk about what Merrill thinks of me. If things were not to work out; which I am pretty sure they will I wouldnt work for another brokerage firm anyway and they could keep the assets. I would bow out gracefully and go dominate another industry. I wouldn’t cry over it ; however when a Billion Dollar company tells you that they believe in a test preparation company then I didn’t see the harm in trusting them. We have actually had 2 FA’s within the pass two months to fail via FIRE I just didn’t want to scare the new guy. I dont cry because I am absolutely fearless. If and when I get another opportunity to pass I could almost guarantee I could double your book in less than a year and by the way I am not a Richie Rich. I’m a shirtsleeve to shirtsleeve; however this sleeve ends here. I almost believe that you are one of the over 35 year olds who still believes in rites of passages, but the reality is that this industry will not stand with us 25 and unders coming in now. In about 20 years with the ‘help’ of current FAs over 35 Merrill will be selling itself to another bank because, cold calling doesn’t work anymore. It isn’t the only way anymore and I’d say 50% of the current Advisors for Merrill still oddly believe business is closed over the phone and behind their desk. I know the truth; I know that the old fogees prey on the PMDs in an effort to “PARTNER” and get in on a portion of the assets so that just in case the PMD fails; which is what I believe the FA’s pray for; they can own those assets and laugh as they do no work themselves. Prospecting doesn’t even happen unless a PMD does it and frankly no FA in Merrill can eat unless they are prospecting but instead of actually doing the work they leach. That’s cool though I know exactly how to handle them. But anyway none of this matters. The forum was about FIRE Solutions & The Series 7 and you said so yourself, they are sub par. So do me a favor and “GROW UP” and get off FORUMs when you should probably be prospecting and concerned about your own book and not be in the ROOKIE forum giving supposed “SENOIR” advice. Sorry guys I’m not trying to be rude to ZWINGDONG however if FIRE was Fireproof it would be the only Test Prep out and that only means that it is not for everybody and it wasnt for me. That is all I was trying to say. No tears here. Oh and during this annoyed reply post I received a phone call and looks like I am getting a second chance so “WATCH OUT” ZWINGDONG. I’m coming for your clients buddy. All of em. I won’t fail next time and I’ve already got my 66 so give me till whenever I pass this test and I promise to send you an E-THANK YOU Card for all your support. What an encouragement you’ve been.

[quote=Mr. Net New]

If you didn't pass the 7, you're going to be in for a rude awakening when (if) you get to the 66. 

You are correct sir.

[/quote]

[quote=NotQuite]Actually ZWINGDONG I've already transferred 2 mil into the house account

Good luck with that Richie. If you don't find someone to take the 7 and 66 for you and you fail out you just built someone else's book.

and building relationships is absolutely the first step to closing an account.

Thanks for the lecture Richie. If you know so much and have such great contacts why go to a wire at all? I smell something rotten in Denmark. If you have that much to offer you would be much better off at an RIA or Indy.

Some may say I am stupid for doing that

The representative from Zwingland votes aye.

but I know this game.

Then what are you doing on this forum. Why are asking for people's feedback on whether or not you might get a pass on not passing the 7. You know this game, but don't know something as elementary as that?

I was simply giving Merrill a taste of what is to come in my efforts.

You are certainly impressed with yourself. Why? Because you won the sperm race? The first taste Merrill has of your "efforts" is your experience with the 7.

By the way tenaciously recruited into this business with no prior experience so lets not talk about what Merrill thinks of me.

Read your post. You are the one who raised the issue of hoping that Merrill would think well of you in spite of your issues.

If things were not to work out; which I am pretty sure they will I wouldnt work for another brokerage firm anyway and they could keep the assets.

What kind of friend/family member are you? You don't give a rip about these people's assets? You don't care who ends up managing the money? What if it winds up in the hands of someone who is less than ethical?

I would bow out gracefully and go dominate another industry.

Yes, you are certainly setting out your domination of this industry. I know I'm quaking.

I wouldn't cry over it ;

Too late. You're already spending an undue amount of time defending yourself. Oops.

however when a Billion Dollar company tells you that they believe in a test preparation company then I didn't see the harm in trusting them.

You may or may not have some assets that will follow you in, but you are not a prime candidate for success. You are already blame shifting. Richie says: "It's not me. It's the test prep company."

have actually had 2 FA's within the pass two months to fail via FIRE I just didn't want to scare the new guy. I dont cry because I am absolutely fearless.

Read your post. That is fear. You are self deluded.

If and when I get another opportunity to pass I could almost guarantee I could double your book in less than a year and by the way I am not a Richie Rich.

Here's hoping you don't get a second chance. Others don't, neither should you.

I'm a shirtsleeve to shirtsleeve; however this sleeve ends here. I almost believe that you are one of the over 35 year olds who still believes in rites of passages, but the reality is that this industry will not stand with us 25 and unders coming in now.

Wow. You truly are impressed with yourself. Yes, you will change the world grass-hopper. We await your commands.

In about 20 years with the 'help' of current FAs over 35 Merrill will be selling itself to another bank because, cold calling doesn't work anymore.

Big  books are being built everyday with cold calling sweetie.

It isn't the only way anymore and I'd say 50% of the current Advisors for Merrill still oddly believe business is closed over the phone and behind their desk.

This is based on what? Your exensive research for your PhD?

I know the truth; I know that the old fogees prey on the PMDs in an effort to "PARTNER" and get in on a portion of the assets so that just in case the PMD fails; which is what I believe the FA's pray for; they can own those assets and laugh as they do no work themselves.

Finally, you made a true statement.

Prospecting doesn't even happen unless a PMD does it and frankly no FA in Merrill can eat unless they are prospecting but instead of actually doing the work they leach.

Yes. You are correct. So, since you are SO awesome and have ready access to assets that will follow you why go to a place like Merrill?

That's cool though I know exactly how to handle them. But anyway none of this matters. The forum was about FIRE Solutions & The Series 7 and you said so yourself, they are sub par. So do me a favor and "GROW UP"

I have a hang nail older than you sweetie.

and get off FORUMs

I'm going to go with...no. But, thanks for playing the game.

when you should probably be prospecting and concerned about your own book and not be in the ROOKIE forum giving supposed "SENOIR" advice.

Read my posts. I have never held myself out to be senior. Read your post. You asked for RECENT experience with the issue you are facing. I fit that category.

Sorry guys I'm not trying to be rude to ZWINGDONG however if FIRE was Fireproof it would be the only Test Prep out and that only means that it is not for everybody and it wasnt for me.

You are a blame shifter. YOU failed bubba. Own it.

That is all I was trying to say. No tears here. Oh and during this annoyed reply post I received a phone call and looks like I am getting a second chance so "WATCH OUT" ZWINGDONG. I'm coming for your clients buddy.

My clients wouldn't give a 20 something a single penny of their money.

All of em. I won't fail next time and I've already got my 66 so give me till whenever I pass this test and I promise to send you an E-THANK YOU Card for all your support. What an encouragement you've been.

You're welcome.

[/quote]

[quote=NotQuite]Actually ZWINGDONG I've already transferred 2 mil into the house account and building relationships is absolutely the first step to closing an account. Some may say I am stupid for doing that but I know this game. I was simply giving Merrill a taste of what is to come in my efforts.By the way tenaciously recruited into this business with no prior experience so lets not talk about what Merrill thinks of me. If things were not to work out; which I am pretty sure they will I wouldnt work for another brokerage firm anyway and they could keep the assets. I would bow out gracefully and go dominate another industry. I wouldn't cry over it ; however when a Billion Dollar company tells you that they believe in a test preparation company then I didn't see the harm in trusting them. We have actually had 2 FA's within the pass two months to fail via FIRE I just didn't want to scare the new guy. I dont cry because I am absolutely fearless. If and when I get another opportunity to pass I could almost guarantee I could double your book in less than a year and by the way I am not a Richie Rich. I'm a shirtsleeve to shirtsleeve; however this sleeve ends here. I almost believe that you are one of the over 35 year olds who still believes in rites of passages, but the reality is that this industry will not stand with us 25 and unders coming in now. In about 20 years with the 'help' of current FAs over 35 Merrill will be selling itself to another bank because, cold calling doesn't work anymore. It isn't the only way anymore and I'd say 50% of the current Advisors for Merrill still oddly believe business is closed over the phone and behind their desk. I know the truth; I know that the old fogees prey on the PMDs in an effort to "PARTNER" and get in on a portion of the assets so that just in case the PMD fails; which is what I believe the FA's pray for; they can own those assets and laugh as they do no work themselves. Prospecting doesn't even happen unless a PMD does it and frankly no FA in Merrill can eat unless they are prospecting but instead of actually doing the work they leach. That's cool though I know exactly how to handle them. But anyway none of this matters. The forum was about FIRE Solutions & The Series 7 and you said so yourself, they are sub par. So do me a favor and "GROW UP" and get off FORUMs when you should probably be prospecting and concerned about your own book and not be in the ROOKIE forum giving supposed "SENOIR" advice. Sorry guys I'm not trying to be rude to ZWINGDONG however if FIRE was Fireproof it would be the only Test Prep out and that only means that it is not for everybody and it wasnt for me. That is all I was trying to say. No tears here. Oh and during this annoyed reply post I received a phone call and looks like I am getting a second chance so "WATCH OUT" ZWINGDONG. I'm coming for your clients buddy. All of em. I won't fail next time and I've already got my 66 so give me till whenever I pass this test and I promise to send you an E-THANK YOU Card for all your support. What an encouragement you've been.[/quote]

Arrogance is not a business plan.  For a guy that failed the 7 you should be a little more modest.  Bringing in a few million in assets is a great start.  Good for you.  But it's a far cry from actually having a successful practice.  Regardless of how confident you may be, you are totally unproven, and you failed the first test. 

[quote=Market Mark]

[quote=NotQuite]Actually ZWINGDONG I've already transferred 2 mil into the house account and building relationships is absolutely the first step to closing an account. Some may say I am stupid for doing that but I know this game. I was simply giving Merrill a taste of what is to come in my efforts.By the way tenaciously recruited into this business with no prior experience so lets not talk about what Merrill thinks of me. If things were not to work out; which I am pretty sure they will I wouldnt work for another brokerage firm anyway and they could keep the assets. I would bow out gracefully and go dominate another industry. I wouldn't cry over it ; however when a Billion Dollar company tells you that they believe in a test preparation company then I didn't see the harm in trusting them. We have actually had 2 FA's within the pass two months to fail via FIRE I just didn't want to scare the new guy. I dont cry because I am absolutely fearless. If and when I get another opportunity to pass I could almost guarantee I could double your book in less than a year and by the way I am not a Richie Rich. I'm a shirtsleeve to shirtsleeve; however this sleeve ends here. I almost believe that you are one of the over 35 year olds who still believes in rites of passages, but the reality is that this industry will not stand with us 25 and unders coming in now. In about 20 years with the 'help' of current FAs over 35 Merrill will be selling itself to another bank because, cold calling doesn't work anymore. It isn't the only way anymore and I'd say 50% of the current Advisors for Merrill still oddly believe business is closed over the phone and behind their desk. I know the truth; I know that the old fogees prey on the PMDs in an effort to "PARTNER" and get in on a portion of the assets so that just in case the PMD fails; which is what I believe the FA's pray for; they can own those assets and laugh as they do no work themselves. Prospecting doesn't even happen unless a PMD does it and frankly no FA in Merrill can eat unless they are prospecting but instead of actually doing the work they leach. That's cool though I know exactly how to handle them. But anyway none of this matters. The forum was about FIRE Solutions & The Series 7 and you said so yourself, they are sub par. So do me a favor and "GROW UP" and get off FORUMs when you should probably be prospecting and concerned about your own book and not be in the ROOKIE forum giving supposed "SENOIR" advice. Sorry guys I'm not trying to be rude to ZWINGDONG however if FIRE was Fireproof it would be the only Test Prep out and that only means that it is not for everybody and it wasnt for me. That is all I was trying to say. No tears here. Oh and during this annoyed reply post I received a phone call and looks like I am getting a second chance so "WATCH OUT" ZWINGDONG. I'm coming for your clients buddy. All of em. I won't fail next time and I've already got my 66 so give me till whenever I pass this test and I promise to send you an E-THANK YOU Card for all your support. What an encouragement you've been.[/quote]

Arrogance is not a business plan.  For a guy that failed the 7 you should be a little more modest.  Bringing in a few million in assets is a great start.  Good for you.  But it's a far cry from actually having a successful practice.  Regardless of how confident you may be, you are totally unproven, and you failed the first test. 

[/quote]

Here here.

Well, this got a little contentious, but I recently had a nice conversation with Training Consultants and found out that they do the training for several major national firms including EJ, TD Ameritrade & 5/3rd.  I hope that ML gets them too.  The main instructor also wrote questions for the Series 7 for over 20 years.   So, I'm feeling pretty confident with them.  

[quote=abovocom]

I recently had a nice conversation with Training Consultants and found out that they do the training for several major national firms including EJ, TD Ameritrade & 5/3rd.  I hope that ML gets them too. 

[/quote]

I concur.

Ok folks listen I wasnt trying to display arrogance or act as if I do not have to pay any dues. I believe that the 7 is not a joke and yes I should have passed it but I did not the first time. Merrill Lynch is the only that Ive heard of that fires you if you do not pass. And there are a lot of people that you really dont know about that did not pass that are extremeley successful at Merrill Lynch for instance our Resident Director. He was very transparent in telling me that he did not pass twice and the #1 FA in our complex and the only one on barrons in our side of the state did not either the first 2 times. So nobody in authority really uses it as a measure. I was told it is an excuse to get rid of people they believe have no chance in this business. Fortunate for me I did not have that issue. But yes I did fail and it was my fault not Fire Solutions. Im not an excuse maker. I accept all my mistakes; but I also accept my fate and it wasnt being fired at Merrill. You all can say whatever you need to in order to feel validated as “FAs” but I know the truth. You cant stand to know that I reveived a second opportunity to use Merrill as a platform to dominate this industry. Im confident only because I should be. Why should I mope around like some wimp who got his lunch stolen. As I recall there were many successful individuals who did not even finish college but they became very wealthy and successful. I bet the guys calling them a loser work for them or possibly all the Cum Laude Grads who are unemployed. The test means nothing to anyone but those who pass. Its the same test those people will carry with them or hang in their offices as acheivements. Call me arrogant, call me ignorant, call me a failure, call me whatever you need to keep your test score at some strange value. God I bet you would really hate the fact that I dont have one wealthy family member, or perhaps the fact that I dont have rich friends either, or maybe even the fact that I dont even have a college degree, or the fact that I was employed with Merrill Lynch a full 3 months before I was even given the test prep material, and yea I still failed. What a loser I must be huh? But this loser will be getting a second chance just like the other two “millionaire” FAs Merrill gave a second chance to. Must really piss you off huh. Sorry I spoiled the fun.