Need advice on Series 24 Principal: materials, etc

Aug 12, 2008 6:42 pm

Anyone recently take this test? I took it a few weeks ago and unfortunately did not pass. I used Kaplan materials and felt that the exam was nothing like what I studied. I was scoring 80-90% consistently on the practice finals understanding the concept behind the question and not just merely memorizing the answer. I don’t know what else to do differently.

Has anyone used STC materials? I am purchasing their materials since I failed with Kaplan, I thought I would try another provider. Anyone ever take their virtual class? Thoughts on that? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Aug 12, 2008 11:07 pm

I never took the Series 24, but you may want to check out http://www.testeachersonline.com/

I am using them currently to study for the Series 66 and so far it is a good experience.  I started off using Kaplan for the 66 and it would put me to sleep every time.  This guy makes it a little more understandable.
Aug 13, 2008 12:32 am

Someone else recently asked something similar - here’s my original post - I took the 24 last spring - 15 months ago. I found the STC material very much superior:



If I remember correctly, the STC 24 material also can come with a cd containing five practice exams. If that is still available and you have the time, here’s what I did: Read the STC material (once, then again with highlighter and notes) and then took the practice exams on the CD - Once through (ugly) and kept track of the wrong answers. I then went back through and took those again. Then took all practice exams a second time (ugly but better) and kept track of the wrongs again. Went back through those again. Finally went through all wrong answers again. With remaining time before the test (not much) I kept taking random questions. This yeilded a 75 first time around. Lots of work but better than taking the test again - I found the 24 material quite challenging. Not sure if this will work for your schedule though - I had the opportunity to take two weeks off prior to the test to get it all done.



Good luck!

Aug 13, 2008 2:30 am

I was in the same situation recently.  Used Kaplan, studied alot, was getting low 80's//high 70's on the practice exams.  Took the real exam and got a 66%.  I then re-took it 30 days later and passed, but barely, with a 72%.  A lot of the Q's were NOTHING like Kaplan's material.  I've heard STC might be the better material.

Keep in mind I did use Kaplan for the Series 7 and 63 both and got scores of 81 and 82 respectively the first time but that was 3 years ago.
Aug 13, 2008 2:39 am

[quote=MJames11673]

I was in the same situation recently.  Used Kaplan, studied alot, was getting low 80’s//high 70’s on the practice exams.  Took the real exam and got a 66%.  I then re-took it 30 days later and passed, but barely, with a 72%.  A lot of the Q’s were NOTHING like Kaplan’s material.  I’ve heard STC might be the better material.

Keep in mind I did use Kaplan for the Series 7 and 63 both and got scores of 81 and 82 respectively the first time but that was 3 years ago.[/quote]

That's exactly my situation. I ordered the package with the cd-rom and the practice finals didn't even have rationales. Did yours? What did you do to study for your second attempt? Did you read the whole book again? Were the questions on the second attempt similar in difficulty as the first? I feel like there's nothing more I can do with the Kaplan material.
Aug 13, 2008 9:46 am

I give the same advice for all of these exams.  Study the information from one source, but always take practice exams from two sources.

Aug 13, 2008 11:36 am

I got a CD Rom and 5 written practice finals.  The written finals had rationals but when you take the CD “Final Tests” it shows your breakdown of scores based on each unit but you cannot go back and review your incorrect answers.

  As a result I was just creating my own tests and picking questions from the most important units (sales, inv banking, trading & market making).  Seeing the rationales (for both correct and incorrect answers) is very important.  Doesn't help if you kinda guess an answer correctly and don't go back and learn why it was correct.   Anyways, the first time I read book, took notes, did practice Q's.   The 2nd time I re-read book, took very detailed notes then re-red each chapter and made notecards.  I took every question on the CD and did 2 written practice finals.  I also skimmed through the other practice final answer keys to read rationales.   With all this said, I barely passed the 2nd time.  I felt very confident going in and then on the exam there were things talked about I had never heard of.  It was hard.  I did have a better understanding on the material so I think I was able to do a better job of eliminating an answer choice or two.  I don't know if it's the same way with people who use STC.   Apparently FINRA has been making the 24 more difficult ever since they took over in July 2007.  Before it was typical for most people to consider the 24 easier than the 7 but since the 24 is supervision for series 7 people, you would expect it to be more difficult (at least I would logicially).