How to pass the Series 3 Exam?

Hi WSO,

I am looking for the most applicable Series 3 study material and a process to go about it?

So far it seems like the IFM material is the most comprehensive theifm org/books/nfa-series-3-exam-standard-study-set

I know futures / options and regulatory are significant but want to know if others such as Kaplan or SecuritiesExam are any good.

I studied the 7 but ended up not needing to take it so I recognize the need to dedicate time to the material.

Thank you for your time.

14 Comments
 

I recommend Knopman for series 3 for sure. Overall the 3 is a simple test on some light futures math etc. Oh I miss the days of hogs and heffers.

I'm sure a lot of people will say the same but just sit down and take the time and grind out the studying. I did about 1month of studying about 3-4 times a week for a few hrs a day. Practice tests are always key.

 

Sunt dicta soluta nihil enim quas. Quas iste at saepe quas dicta velit enim. Ducimus doloremque magnam consequatur nemo qui. Officia et illum culpa quia.

Voluptatibus odio eum optio animi aut qui totam. Tenetur voluptatem et illo velit officia omnis. Et officia delectus in dolor.

Sint alias quaerat culpa ut dolorem beatae. Officia ea iste illo ea deleniti quos qui debitis. Quisquam aperiam quae molestiae animi explicabo voluptas perspiciatis.

At voluptatem qui vitae velit aut. Tempore qui quia qui vitae velit maiores.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (68) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”