If you're thinking about a formal Series 3 prep course, 51Թ can set you up with private Series 3 classes to help you improve your study skills. The Series 3 - National Commodities Futures Exam is a National Futures Association (NFA) exam administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) that investment professionals must pass in order to legally trade in commodities and securities. It's considered more challenging than the Series 7 exam, which only covers securities. If you feel that you could benefit from a Series 3 course, reach out to us today to learn more about how we may be able to assist you!
One of the first things discussed in most Series 3 courses is the formatting you can expect on exam day. The Series 3 is a standardized test administered at testing centers across the country. A calculator is provided for your use, as are a pair of dry erase boards you may use as scrap paper. Both of these items must be returned to the test center at the conclusion of your testing session. The chart below provides additional information about the Series 3 test:
Question Format | # Questions | Time Allowed | Passing Score |
Multiple-Choice | 120 | 2 Hours and 30 Minutes | 70% |
You might think that the Series 3 is easy because it utilizes a multiple-choice format, but some of the questions may be deceptively worded. You might want to take practice exams during your Series 3 class to get a feel for the way questions are worded. Since it is a timed test, taking practice exams under realistic conditions may help you develop effective time management strategies as well.
Once you understand the exam's formatting, you can move on to more specific content areas in your Series 3 prep class. The bulleted list below includes some of the topics you might want to go over:
Series 3 Major Subject Areas
- Futures trading theory and basic functions
- Futures margins, option premiums, price limits, futures settlements, delivery, exercise, and assignment
- Types of orders, customer accounts, price analysis
- Basic hedging, basis calculations, hedging futures
- Spreading
- Speculating in futures
- Option hedging, speculating, spreading
- Regulations
Private Series 3 prep classes allow students to concentrate on their unique areas of opportunity to improve study efficiency. For example, a test-taker who lacks a firm grasp of pertinent regulations may focus on them during their test prep. Likewise, you can spend your class time on futures if you don't completely understand them. Any questions you have may be answered promptly, as you are your instructor's sole pupil during your Series 3 prep courses.
A private instructor may also be better able to accommodate your individual learning style during your Series 3 course. If you are a visual learner, charts and graphs may be utilized to help illustrate key concepts. If you are more of an auditory learner, a lecture format may be used to help you better retain information.
We also strive to make Series 3 test prep as convenient as we can. All instruction takes place on our mobile-friendly Live Learning Platform, facilitating remote study sessions anywhere with a stable internet connection. We also try to match you with a tutor who meets your scheduling needs for added flexibility.
If you would like to learn more about the benefits of taking a 51Թ Series 3 class, contact an Educational Consultant today for more information. We look forward to helping you reach for your academic goals!

Andrew: Series 3 course instructor
...of the Series Exams. My teaching philosophy begins with understanding a student's goals and helping them achieve success both inside and outside of the classroom. I can use elements of a student's background to relate complex subjects in a way that is more familiar with the student. Outside of work, I am an avid sports fan, lover of books and movies, meeting new people and hanging out with friends. I enjoy traveling, having been to...
Education & Certification
- UNC Chapel Hill - Bachelors, Economics & Psychology
- Georgetown University - Masters, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- CPA
- Series 7
- Series 55
- +70 subjects

Peter: Series 3 course instructor
...the meetings when FINRA changed the Series 7 test from a single 6 hour exam to the present two exams being the SIE and the Series 7 top off. I passed the Series 3 exam, the National Commodities Futures Exam. If you want to obtain the SIE license, you probably are in one of these categories. You may be doing for the fun of it, looking to get a better understanding of investments, and exploring...
Education & Certification
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - Bachelor of Science, Materials Engineering
- California University of Pennsylvania - Master of Science, Mathematics and Statistics
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- Series 15 - Foreign Currency Options Exam
- Series 7
- Series 22
- +42 subjects

Paul J : Series 3 course instructor
- 25 years of seasoned option trading involvement across diverse sectors. - Proven track record in investment banking and commodity exchange settings. - Insightful CFA exam grader with deep understanding of exam requirements. - Successful stint in hedge fund environment, enhancing market insight. - Former Head of Trading Risk at major clearing house, overseeing significant operations. - Aims to mentor CFA candidates, combining rich industry background with exam expertise. Marine engineering degree MBA in business CFA
Education & Certification
- Pace University-New York - Masters in Business Administration, Business, General
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- Series 7
- Series 56 - Proprietary Trader Qualification Exam
- FRM
- +58 subjects

Hal: Series 3 course instructor
...financial services where I worked as a financial planner, wire-house broker (stockbroker), trust advisor, and wealth advisor. I worked the broker-dealer channel, the bank channel, and the independent channel. I developed and took an introducing brokerage firm through the entire FINRA (then NASD) creation and registration process. I attended what was then a week-long Brokers Option Course at the Chicago Board of Options and followed that as the designated options trader for a firm. I...
Education & Certification
- Frostburg State University - Bachelor of Science, Accounting and Business Management
- Frostburg State University - Master of Science, Management Science
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- Series 28
- SIE
- Series 57
- +171 subjects

Michael: Series 3 course instructor
...use in a strategy either for profit or hedging. Also, technical and quantitative analysis such as understanding graphing and more advanced tools such as moving averages, stochastic and market profile. Also, I can impart a trader's mentality outlook, having been a trader in several asset classes. My areas of expertise are the energy complex, crude and heating oil, RBOB gasoline, natural gas in both physical and futures and options. My energy knowledge includes OTC natural...
Education & Certification
- Long Island University-C W Post Campus - Bachelor of Science, Finance
- CUNY Bernard M Baruch College - Master of Science, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- SIE
- Series 7
- Series 7 - General Securities Representative Exam (Stockbroker)
- +14 subjects

Kevin: Series 3 course instructor
...20 years of "real life" professional experience and have traveled extensively, I am able to provide you real life examples to help understand the value of learning the topics I tutor you with. I specialize in tutoring a broad range of subjects with a focus on math, science, history, government, geography, accounting, finance and related business topics. One of my goals for each tutoring session is to keep the student engaged and challenged yet not...
Education & Certification
- Truman State University - Bachelor of Science, Accounting
- Washington University in St Louis - Masters in Business Administration, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- Series 24
- CPA
- Series 6
- +41 subjects

Gregory: Series 3 course instructor
I studied economics at Wesleyan University and Financial Mathematics at The University of Chicago (Masters Degree.) I have 20 years experience using complex concepts in finance (stats, linear algebra, calculus) at JPMorgan and UBS. I teach stats, finance and programing in a user friendly way. I don't repeat the dry methods of text books. MATLAB is my main scripting language; I also use R and SPSS. I enjoy math and science, and I tutor my...
Education & Certification
- Wesleyan University - Bachelor in Arts, Economics
- University of Chicago - Master of Science, Financial Mathematics
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- Series 31
- Series 63
- Exam FM - Financial Mathematics
- +48 subjects

Michael: Series 3 course instructor
...my flight instructor certificate, allowing me to teach various areas in finance, such as corporate finance, personal finance, and securities markets, and anything dealing with aviation. I have recently changed my career to move out of in-house financial services firms and focus completely on teaching. The way I prefer to teach and tutor is to work with the student, not lecture them. I try to find their strengths and weaknesses, the focus on increasing their...
Education & Certification
- Capella University - Doctor of Philosophy, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- FINRA - Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
- Exam IFM - Investment and Financial Markets
- Series 31
- +16 subjects

Mary: Series 3 course instructor
...in the U.S. financial options exchanges and had been looking to partner with a larger financial institution. The firm entered into a joint venture with Swiss Bank creating the opportunity to become part of a newly formed global team deployed as financial engineers in various financial centers - Chicago, Zurich, London, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong. My assignment was in the bank's headquarters of Zurich, Switzerland within the Treasury Group where I priced, hedged, executed, and...
Education & Certification
- Dickinson College - Bachelor in Arts, Economics
- Northwestern University - Masters in Business Administration, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- Series 12 - NYSE Branch Manager
- Series 51
- CFA
- +109 subjects
Education & Certification
- Boston University - Bachelor in Arts, Economics
- FGV - Fundação Getulio Vargas - Masters in Business Administration, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- Series 7
- Series 6
- CFA
- +10 subjects

Chi-Sun: Series 3 course instructor
...well on tests. Although they may get good grades, this will be useless later in life. In my teaching experience, when students actually learn the concepts and logic, not only does their math vastly improve, but they also learn to enjoy math, which is the ultimate goal. My qualifications include excelling at all high school math competitions including finishing second at the 1989 Colorado Math Olympiad. I also graduated from MIT at 19 years old.
Education & Certification
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Bachelor of Science, Computer Science
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- Exam STAM - Short-Term Actuarial Mathematics
- Series 63
- Exam FM - Financial Mathematics
- +112 subjects

Ben: Series 3 course instructor
Experienced portfolio manager, strategist and published author with a demonstrated history of working in the financial services industry. Skilled in Asset Management, Equities, Bonds, Investment Strategies, and Capital Markets. Strong finance professional with a MBA focused in Finance, General from University of Southern California - Marshall School of Business. Series 65, 7, 63, 24, CFA, FRM
Education & Certification
- University of Amsterdam - Bachelor of Economics, Economics
- University of Southern California - Masters in Business Administration, Economics
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- Series 5 - Interest Rate Options Exams
- Series 86
- Exam IFM - Investment and Financial Markets
- +39 subjects

Jonathan: Series 3 course instructor
...a concentration in finance, I am well acquainted with many of the various subjects taught by varsity tutors. The courses I have taken in financial derivatives, business statistics and corporate financial analysis have given me a broad base knowledge, as well as a forum for exploration. My personal goal is to use the knowledge I have gained combined with my experience teaching others to be a great tutor and overall resource for students.
Education & Certification
- St Johns University-New York - Bachelor of Science, Finance
- St Johns University-New York - Masters in Business Administration, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- Insurance License
- Middle School Reading
- Elementary School Writing
- +75 subjects