Best Series 66 study tips for busy financial advisors
James is a financial advisor focused on farmers, ranchers, agribusiness professionals, and their families. The son of a financial advisor and a farmer, he’s combined his experience in both fields to serve the community that keeps our economy running. James is an alumnus of Missouri State University in Springfield, MO, where he was in leadership within the Economics Department, studied abroad, and remained involved with the faculty and students.
Breaking into wealth management is rarely a straight line, and for James, a second-generation advisor, the journey was shaped by both family legacy and real-world responsibility. With roots in agriculture and a career already underway as a registered representative, pursuing additional licensing wasn’t just a box to check: it was a necessary step toward building an independent practice and serving a community he knows well.
While juggling full-time work, health challenges, and the demands of exam prep, James stayed focused on the bigger picture, earning the credentials needed to officially step into his role as an Agriculture Wealth Advisor. In this post, he shares what motivated him, the obstacles he faced, and the lessons he learned along the way.
What motivated you to take this exam?
I'm a registered representative currently, soon to be an Agriculture Wealth Advisor. In this, I'm a second-generation advisor, as my mother was one before me, and my father farms. I got into the wealth management side of the industry out of college, but eventually left to start my own practice with an independent firm. As part of this, I've been working on my licensing for the last year while working full-time. I started with Achievable on my SIE, which I passed on my first attempt in 2024, and then I outsourced my Series 7 to another vendor last year due to a favorable rate with my company.
What was the biggest challenge you faced during your prep?
The biggest issue, without a doubt, was staying consistent amid life events. I'm working full-time, and I am also chronically ill, which has been something I've had to contend with during this entire process. Balancing the job, family, and exam was the biggest hurdle.
Did you use any strategies, habits, or tools that helped?
The biggest habit I had was to make sure I did something every day, even if it wasn't completing the whole day's schedule. Additionally, I used ChatGPT extensively to track my progress through the chapters and outline my next study goals.
What advice would you give to someone just starting?
NASAA wording is NOT FINRA wording; the Series 7 and Series 66 are fundamentally similar but completely different tests. Don't treat the Series 66 like it'll be a walk in the park just because you knocked out the Series 7.
How did you balance studying with other responsibilities?
It came down to a lot of late-night study sessions, catching up on studying in hotel rooms, and having the laptop and notepad out while my wife and I watched a movie or ate dinner.
How did you feel going into test day?
I was calm but anxious, not about my performance, but more anxious to get it all behind me. I felt prepared.
What role did Achievable play in your prep?
Achievable was the vendor that replaced my original. I went through that original vendor for the Series 66, but ultimately failed on my first attempt. I found that the other vendor put way too much emphasis on edge cases in their question bank and study material, and I went in feeling prepared for the wrong stuff. Additionally, I found that the other vendor didn't prepare me for the number of repeat concepts from my Series 7, which I should have reviewed more thoroughly.
Looking back, what would you do differently, if anything?
If I had to do it differently, I would've given myself more time on my first attempt to get ready, and I would have gone through Achievable in the first place. And again, the Series 66 is NOT the Series 7.
What’s next for you now that you’ve finished the exam?
My next step is to get my title officially changed to Agriculture Wealth Advisor and really start going to work with the people I love- farmers, ranchers, agribusiness professionals, and their families.
