FINRA’s fee adjustment schedule raises the Series 7 exam fee from $300 in 2025 to $395 in 2026. FINRA’s current content outline specifies 125 scored items plus 5 unidentified pretest items, for 130 displayed items in 225 minutes. Those are the counts to use when checking a study guide or planning practice timing.
Current format
The FINRA content outline is the source for the current item count and time limit.
| Current specification | Value from FINRA’s outline |
|---|---|
| Scored items | 125 |
| Unscored items | 5 |
| Time allowed | 225 minutes |
2026 exam fees
FINRA’s fee adjustment schedule lists the Series 7 fee at $395 for 2026. The separate SIE fee is $100 for 2026, making the two exam fees $495 in total by addition. This excludes preparation and registration costs.
How to check an older study resource
Compare its format and fees with the two FINRA documents linked above. Then check whether its rule discussions cite a version that still applies. A correct question count does not prove that every rule in a book is current, and an outdated fee does not prove that every lesson is wrong.
What to change in practice
Build timing drills around all 130 displayed items, not only the 125 that are scored. FINRA’s outline says pretest items are unidentified. For a timing drill, mark whether a delay came from the scenario, the rule or the calculation, then work on that specific gap.
Use the Series 7 study guide for explanations and the free practice questions to apply them. A practice result is not a calibrated FINRA score; a question count alone does not measure exam difficulty.
What the cited data shows
Free Series 7 practice test — 200 questions, instant feedback. No signup required.
Sources
- 1.Series 7 – General Securities Representative Exam — FINRA (accessed Jul 18, 2026)
- 2.Series 7 Content Outline, October 2025 — FINRA (accessed Sep 9, 2026)
- 3.Series 7 Content Outline — FINRA (accessed Jul 18, 2026)
- 4.Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Exam — FINRA (accessed Jul 18, 2026)
Frequently asked questions
How should I time a Series 7 practice session?
FINRA’s Series 7 outline includes 125 scored items and 5 unidentified pretest items in 225 minutes. Use all 130 displayed items when budgeting practice time; this timing drill does not predict a FINRA score.
What fee should I check in an older Series 7 study guide?
FINRA’s fee adjustment schedule lists the Series 7 at $300 for 2025 and $395 for 2026. The separate SIE is $100 in 2026. Check the year attached to the quoted fee.