This schedule assumes you're working full-time and studying evenings and weekends. Adjust based on your schedule, but maintain the content progression—later topics build on earlier ones.

Overview

100-150
Total Hours
2-3
Hours/Day
125
Questions
72%
Passing

Weekly Breakdown

Week 1 Foundation

Section 1 (Seeks Business) + Section 2 Start
Target: 10-12 hours
Key concepts: Retail vs. institutional customers, Communication requirements, Do-Not-Call rules, Account types

Week 2 Account Opening & Suitability

Complete Section 2
Target: 10-12 hours
Key concepts: Suitability requirements (Rule 2111), Three suitability obligations, Margin and options account documentation, KYC requirements
End of Week 2 Checkpoint: Should know account types and suitability cold

Week 3 Products Foundation

Investment Companies + Equity Securities
Target: 12-15 hours
Key concepts: Open-end vs. closed-end funds, NAV calculation, Sales charges and share classes, Common vs. preferred stock, Rights and warrants

Week 4 Debt & Variable Products

Debt Securities + Variable Products
Target: 12-15 hours
Key concepts: Bond pricing (premium/discount), Current yield calculation, Interest rate risk, Variable annuity phases, Separate account vs. general account
End of Week 4 Checkpoint: Products foundation should be solid

Week 5 Options I - Fundamentals

Options Chapters 1-3 (Fundamentals + Pricing + Basic Strategies)
Target: 15-18 hours
Key concepts: Calls vs. puts, Buyers vs. sellers, Intrinsic vs. time value, In/out/at the money, Long call and long put strategies

Calculation focus: Max gain/loss for long positions, Breakeven calculations

Week 6 Options II - Strategies

Options Chapters 3-4 (Complete Strategies + Spreads)
Target: 15-18 hours
Key concepts: Covered calls and protective puts, Bull spreads vs. bear spreads, Debit spreads vs. credit spreads, Net premium calculations

Calculation focus: Covered call max gain/loss, Spread max gain/loss/breakeven
End of Week 6 Checkpoint: Options should be 80% mastered

Week 7 Margin Accounts

Complete Margin Accounts subsection
Target: 15-18 hours
Key concepts: Regulation T (50%), Initial margin requirements, Maintenance margin (25%), SMA calculations, Buying power, Short margin mechanics

Calculation focus: SMA calculations, Buying power from SMA, Margin call triggers

Week 8 Municipal Bonds

Complete Municipal Bonds subsection
Target: 15-18 hours
Key concepts: GO vs. revenue bonds, Tax advantages, Tax-equivalent yield calculation, MSRB rules (G-37, G-17, etc.), Official statements, Primary vs. secondary market

Calculation focus: Tax-equivalent yield
End of Week 8 Checkpoint: All major content completed

Week 9 Remaining Topics + Review

Section 4 + Retirement Plans + DPPs + Review
Target: 15-18 hours
Key concepts: Order types (SLoBS/BLiSS), Settlement dates, IRA contribution limits, 401(k) rules, Limited partnership structure

Practice Exam 1: Take under test conditions. Review all missed questions. Identify weak areas for Week 10.

Week 10 Final Preparation

Practice exams + targeted review
Target: 15-20 hours
Daily breakdown:
Mon: Practice Exam 2 + review
Tue: Targeted review of weak areas
Wed: Formula sheet drilling
Thu: Practice Exam 3 + review
Fri: Light review + mental preparation
Sat: Rest or very light review
Sun: Exam Day

Calculation Mastery Schedule

Calculation topics need extra drilling. Work these into your schedule:

Week Calculation Focus
3 NAV calculations
4 Yield calculations
5-6 Options max gain/loss/breakeven
7 Margin SMA and buying power
8 Tax-equivalent yield
9-10 All calculations review

If You're Behind

Adjust this schedule based on your starting knowledge and available time. The key is maintaining progression: don't skip to options before you understand basic securities.