There's a theory that your "Series 7" score is inversely proportional to your performance as a broker. Plausible arguments can be made to support such a theory; such as:Those who find book learning to be relatively easy, usually don't mix well socially (translation: geeks). Those who mix well socially, don't like book learning (translation: social gadflys). And since ours is a "social" business, those who can "fit in" get the business.

Yeah, yeah, someone will respond with an exception to the theory. Well, it isn't my theory, it's just one I've heard since the early '90's.

If your manager believes in this theory, then he/she has a future million dollar producer on staff. Good luck in your new career!

[quote=doberman]

If your manager believes in this theory, then he/she has a future million dollar producer on staff. Good luck in your new career!

[/quote]

How many managers do you believe barely passed the exams when they took them?

Personally I completed numerous tests in various fields. After 8 years of schooling I learned that get a C for a degree. So as I focused on my prospering business, military career and life I only committed so much effort to testing.

In the end I passed them all and continue to excel with my balance of life!

I suppose when one takes the series 7 their only function from the brokers point of life is the test. So depending on manager some may be happy (since last applicant failed) and some may think this guy is a slacker since I got a 90.

I think the idea of one's potential being based on a test is wrong.

Good luck!! May we all make millions and live happy lifes!~

executivejock, great answer and I agree with you.  the job has to  balance with your family life.

Good fortune to you.

There is no positive signal sent by just scraping by.



Those who excel on the S7 are likely to excel in other areas of their
lives.  Those who scrape by on something are likely to scrape by
in other areas of their lives.



Would a successful, wealthy client be impressed by a financial advisor whose only goal is to barely pass?

[quote=inquisitive]There is no positive signal sent by just scraping by.

Those who excel on the S7 are likely to excel in other areas of their lives.  Those who scrape by on something are likely to scrape by in other areas of their lives.

Would a successful, wealthy client be impressed by a financial advisor whose only goal is to barely pass?
[/quote]

Has any client ever asked you what you got on the series 7?

No.

Just other brokers on a meaningless website.  Big deal.

I scored a 92 on the 7.  I felt great about it, and that feeling
lasted a couple of weeks, until I realized that it didn’t really matter
in the real world.



In 14 years I have NEVER had a client ask me my score on the 7.  Nor has any manager ever asked.  NEVER.

[quote=joedabrkr]I scored a 92 on the 7.  I felt great about it, and that feeling lasted a couple of weeks, until I realized that it didn't really matter in the real world.

In 14 years I have NEVER had a client ask me my score on the 7.  Nor has any manager ever asked.  NEVER.
[/quote]

Your managers have always known, it's part of your records.

Fourteen years--been on that bull market gravy train for your entire career.  If you have not been registered at least thirty years you have not been tested.

Don't go and whine about the tech impolosion--only fools were heavily invested in tech stocks to begin with.  Does it really make sense that the market capitalization of Google should exceed the market cap of General Motors?  Ford?  General Motors and Ford combined?

Does that really make sense to you?

As for test scores.  I got a 99--or was it an 89?  I know, it was whatever two numbers I say it was.  Whose to know?  Who can check?  This is cyberspace--bald men with pot bellies present themselves as Greek statues and brokers who could not make it at the wirehouses become successful by "going Indy."

Fine, whatever.

The point is not numerical scores.  It's the celebration of mediocrity, the high fives all around when somebody announces that they got a 70 or 71.

If this was an internet forum for rookie lawyers do you really think that the group would engage in a collective, "Way to go!" cheer for somebody who signed on with the message that they had gotten into law school with the lowest possible LSAT score that was acceptable, then passed the bar with the lowest possible passing score?

In our own business, do you suppose that Investment Bankers join in a group cluster phuck if one of them comes back and says, "I passed with a 71?"  I've known hundreds of sales assistants who score in the mid 70s and come back and want to know if their job is secure.

Again, it's the celebration of mediocrity that is disturbing and bodes poorly for the future of the industry.

Do you, Joedabrkr, believe that the job does not require native intellect?  You read the stuff that appears on this forum--does it strike you that it is being written by smart people who should have society's confidence?

[quote=menotellname]Has any client ever asked you what you got on the series 7?

No.

Just other brokers on a meaningless website.  Big deal.

[quote=inquisitive] [quote=menotellname]Has any client ever asked you what you got on the series 7?

No.

Just other brokers on a meaningless website.  Big deal.

[/quote]

Translation:  I got a low score commensurate with my IQ.

Let me put this in a way that even you can understand:  people who possess the drive to excel don't do anything half-assed.   People who do one thing half-assed are very likely to do everything half-assed.  People who dress like slobs are likely to have dirty houses.  Make sense?

The average investor probably has no idea what the Series 7 even is, if they've even heard of it. 

I suppose you'd prefer a doctor who barely passed medical school and took the medical boards multiple times???  Huh, look who I'm talking to.


[/quote]

Translation:  Every standardized test that I have taken has me at the 99th percentile.  You know that MENSA accepts the top 2% in standardized IQ tests.  Often times in group gatherings we try to figure out who is in the 98th percentile and who is in the 99th percentile.  Fortunately we don't have to worry about that with you.  You are somewhat beneath me.

Your serve.

Heated argument. Not to but in, but I just started and heard that in my
office (about 57 sr. brokers and 15 junior br.) the record on the S7
was 94.



I am working to score a 95-plus. Maybe I’ll get it, maybe I don’t, but the idea is to work to excel, not just pass.



The way I see it’s like the test medical doctors take. Do you ask your
doctor the score he got before getting his license? NO. If you did,
would you put your life in the hands of someone who scraped by the
test?  I doubt.



 

[quote=Knead To Know]

[quote=joedabrkr]I scored a 92 on the
7.  I felt great about it, and that feeling lasted a couple of
weeks, until I realized that it didn’t really matter in the real world.

In 14 years I have NEVER had a client ask me my score on the 7.  Nor has any manager ever asked.  NEVER.
[/quote]

Your managers have always known, it's part of your records.

Fourteen years--been on that bull market gravy train for your entire career.  If you have not been registered at least thirty years you have not been tested.

Don't go and whine about the tech impolosion--only fools were heavily invested in tech stocks to begin with.  Does it really make sense that the market capitalization of Google should exceed the market cap of General Motors?  Ford?  General Motors and Ford combined?

No it didn't.  And I don't need to whine about the 'tech implosion' because I missed the whole mess....and my clients were pretty happy for it.  Hardly a 'bull market gravy train' the last 5-7 years Put, especially if you had a well diversified portfolio in 98 and 99.  The market got narrower and narrower, and value just wasn't keeping up with growth at all.

Does that really make sense to you?

As for test scores.  I got a 99--or was it an 89?  I know, it was whatever two numbers I say it was.  Whose to know?  Who can check?  This is cyberspace--bald men with pot bellies present themselves as Greek statues and brokers who could not make it at the wirehouses become successful by "going Indy."

FWIW I have a full head of hair and no pot belly either.  No great looker, but I was doing ok at the wire....just came to the conclusion there was a better way to do my business and live my life.  I'm very happy I did it.  As a member of the Useless Overhead Society of Majro Firms, you can't imagine that there would be an alternative that is at least as good if not substantially better than working as an EMPLOYEE of one of the bloated corruption laden wires.

Fine, whatever.

The point is not numerical scores.  It's the celebration of mediocrity, the high fives all around when somebody announces that they got a 70 or 71.

If this was an internet forum for rookie lawyers do you really think that the group would engage in a collective, "Way to go!" cheer for somebody who signed on with the message that they had gotten into law school with the lowest possible LSAT score that was acceptable, then passed the bar with the lowest possible passing score?

In our own business, do you suppose that Investment Bankers join in a group cluster phuck if one of them comes back and says, "I passed with a 71?"  I've known hundreds of sales assistants who score in the mid 70s and come back and want to know if their job is secure.

Again, it's the celebration of mediocrity that is disturbing and bodes poorly for the future of the industry.

Do you, Joedabrkr, believe that the job does not require native intellect?  You read the stuff that appears on this forum--does it strike you that it is being written by smart people who should have society's confidence?

It does require intelligence and the willingness to think independently, none of which is really reflected in your score on the series 7.

[quote=inquisitive] [quote=menotellname]Has any client ever asked you what you got on the series 7?

No.

Just other brokers on a meaningless website.  Big deal.

[/quote]

Translation:  I got a low score commensurate with my IQ.

Let me put this in a way that even you can understand:  people who possess the drive to excel don't do anything half-assed.   People who do one thing half-assed are very likely to do everything half-assed.  People who dress like slobs are likely to have dirty houses.  Make sense?

The average investor probably has no idea what the Series 7 even is, if they've even heard of it. 

I suppose you'd prefer a doctor who barely passed medical school and took the medical boards multiple times???  Huh, look who I'm talking to.

Really, it depends where you are in your life.  I have my BA cum laude and an MBA.  20 years as a financial professional.  Family, house and the whole bit.  I had 6 weeks to study and I got a 75.  Moving on.  I am a very good student, but I never did great on test like the 7 or the SAT.  It is just that simple.  I do NOT scrape by on anything.  I do my best, and in my past career that was excellent.  I certainly plan to continue that tradition.

You might need to open your mind a bit on this subject.

[/quote]

Investment and finance is my passion so I want a 90. I know I have commited enough time and effort to earn a 90.

Either way once the 7 is done I will kick some butt on the other required tests.

Then after that I am going to help a lot of people and be compensated properly.

My point is reguardless if I get a 71 or a 95 I am going to move forward. The day after I pass my last required test I will not care what my scores were. I will focus all of my energy on expanding my knowledge, networking, sealing the deal, performance and customer service. 

There are so many people who need our help. Reach out and make a difference!