[quote=gkza]can anyone speak to the accuracy of the STC greenlight exams? are they close to what you scored on the real exam?[/quote]

The greenlights are supposed to be vaild predictors of how you will do if you take the test within the next two or three days.  Save them till you're almost ready to take the test.

If you don't do well on them consider not going to take the test.  That requires that you give Prometrics two days notice.  I am only about 90% sure of this, but if your appointment is on Wednesday it has to be cancelled by noon on Monday in order to avoid losing the testing fee as a no-show.

There is Greenlight A and Greenlight B.  They are different, yet the same mix of types of questions.  The reason they have two of them is because so many people fail the test and come back for a second class.  So, if you saw Greenlight A last month you'll get Greenlight B this month.

Our firm used them for years, but there are newer things available these days.

[quote=Scorpio]For some reason my firm just switched from STC to "Fire Solutions" and I think its horrible, and its the only couse I've ever seen.  STC must've raised their prices now that they're popular and my firm bailed.   [/quote]

Fire, as it's called, has been working its way through the wirehouses.

For those who don't know it, it's an on-line course out of California.  I think Morgan Stanley used it first, became disappointed with the results and returned to Dearborn or STC.  I think that Merrill may be using it now, I have not heard how happy they are.

The gripe about FIRE is that they have done a horrible job of presenting sample questions.  They also do something with options that works about 85% of the time.  For my money learning something that works most of the time, even though it's really very clever, is not good when the questions that are appearing on the exam are often based on skills that are in the 15% of the time when the FIRE method is exactly backwards.

The reality is that STC and Dearborn are so well entrenched in a very narrow niche market that there is hardly room for anybody else.  The b/d's are casting about looking for more effective alternatives, but we keep coming back to the realization that we should go with the two firms that have proven themselves since the late 1960s.

I am at MS and i am currently using Fire, and i think it sucks.  I am not a huge fan of online training, but it is the only thing they offer.  I was able to find a Dearborn book from last year.  I am thinking about finishing the Fire Solution and then waiting to take their finals, until after i read through that Dearborn i just found.  Any thoughts, please share.

Beach- I too am at MS and ended up using Fire Solutions Online. I took the STC one week study class and found it extremely helpful. Ended up getting an 86 on the Series 7. The only good thing about Fire Solutions is the options grid. MS will reimburse you for the study class if you have a decent branch manager.

Great Advice.  Thank you!

Go thru the chapters and comprehend the material.  Then when you take the practice tests, write out the answers that you get wrong.  WRITING ENHANCES COMPREHENSION/RETENTION.  Don't be worried if you score low on the first couple of full exams you take.  Keep with it.  You have to crack those books.

I studied for 5 weeks using the Pass Perfect books and CD.  I took the Dearborn class for 1 weeks.  6 weeks total study time and I got a 75 on the test.

Good luck.

01 August-Why do you think the NASD made the Series 7 pass fail?

There is very little correlation between passing the 7, 66 with any grade above what is required and being sucessful in this business. I worked with a rep that got a 95 on his 7 but yet couldn’t complete a sentence, let alone close a sale.

The pride issue goes alot deeper than this industry. I am more concerned right now about meeting my production goals and building my business. If I was compensated based on my exam score you can bet I would have aced it.

I have watched this forum develop over the last 45 days and have never laughed so hard in my life!

01 August- Are you worried about running out of clever sign on names for this forum?

Not to stir the pot anymore, but my goal is to get higher then an 85%, I know all I need is a 70% but I want to out do the person I am working with and that is why I am studying so much and I am willing to take that STC class.  Everyone is different, I am highly competitive and that is why I want to get higher then an 85%, so I can out do my boss. <?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Beach-Did you see how quickly the other posts were deleted? If you are with MS what region are you in?

Pretty sure it is 6, but it could be 8.  Northeast if that helps. 

Beach- If you are in the Northeast Region than it is region 8. The only reason why I ask is that I have the study materials for the 66 which is the next test you will be taking after the 7. I tried the Fire Solutions study materials for the 66 but found them inadequate. I have the Dearborn materials for the 66 if you are interested.

I am taking the 66 tomorrow…the Dearborn study tests 12th edition have tons of typos in their answers.  They will print the wrong answer in the back and give a wacky-hard-to-read description about why your answer was wrong…when in fact you were right.  The 11th edition only has 2 errors that I have found.  The good thing about Dearborn is that their questions ‘look’ like the real questions supposedly and there is a hotline to call when you get frustrated with their misprints.

Asset-Thanks for the advice i have Dearborn 66 materials at my office.  After i get done with the Fire Solutions 7 materials i’m going to work on the STC courses.  I really do not like the Fire Solutions at all. 

Good luck.  The 66 is worded much trickier.  Take time to carefully read the questions.  Have a bonfire with those books after you pass.

seven 28 is very well versed on series 7 training and study options. Quite strange and far removed for a SR VP at a major firm.

So…did you pass the Series 66?