Series 24 Cheat Sheet.
The night-before summary, built like the exam.
Download the PDFQuick facts
the numbers to know before exam dayFull write-up
the complete guide, in proseSeries 24 — General Securities Principal Exam Cheat Sheet
Exam at a Glance (memorize these numbers)
- 150 multiple-choice questions
- 225 minutes (3 hours 45 minutes) to complete
- Passing score: 70% — you must answer at least 105 of 150 correctly
- Exam fee: $235
- Time budget: ~90 seconds per question (225 min ÷ 150 items)
Note: The Series 24 is a co-requisite exam — candidates generally hold a General Securities Representative (Series 7 or equivalent) qualification before functioning as a principal. Confirm current prerequisites on FINRA's site.
Scoring Quick Math
- Pass line: 105 correct (70% of 150).
- You can miss up to 45 questions and still pass.
- There is no penalty for guessing beyond a wrong answer — never leave an item blank.
Pacing Strategy
- At ~1.5 minutes/question, aim to reach question 75 by the ~112-minute mark (halfway).
- Flag-and-return: don't burn 4+ minutes on any single item when the average is 90 seconds.
- Reserve the final ~15 minutes for review of flagged questions.
Role & Scope Reminders (must-remember concepts)
- The Series 24 qualifies a candidate to supervise a broker-dealer's investment-banking and securities-business activities.
- Core supervisory domains typically tested: supervision of associated persons, trading & market making, corporate/municipal underwriting, and financial responsibility/recordkeeping.
- Principal-level focus is on written supervisory procedures (WSPs), review/approval of activity, and firm-level compliance obligations rather than individual sales practice.
Test-Day Checklist
- Confirm the $235 fee is paid and your enrollment window is open before scheduling.
- Bring valid government-issued ID matching your registration.
- Plan for the full 225-minute block plus check-in time.
Frequently asked questions
What should I memorize from the Series 24 cheat sheet?
Nail the exam logistics first — 150 questions, 3 hours 45 minutes, 70% to pass — then focus on the recurring rule numbers: reporting deadlines, filing windows, recordkeeping retention periods, and approval requirements. Supervision items like who must approve accounts, correspondence, and advertising show up constantly. If a rule has a specific day count or dollar threshold, it belongs on your memorization list.
What are the most common traps on the Series 24?
The classic traps are mixed-up time limits — confusing similar filing, reporting, and notification deadlines that differ by only a few days — and questions that test whether an action needs principal approval before or after the fact. Watch for answer choices that describe what a representative may do when the question asks what a principal must do. Slowing down on words like "must," "may," "prior," and "promptly" avoids most of these.
How should I use the cheat sheet the night before the exam?
Use it as a final scan, not a study session — read through the numbers and rules once or twice, mark anything that still feels shaky, and review only those items. The night before is for reinforcing what you already know, not learning new material. Get a full night's sleep; recall on a 3-hour-45-minute exam depends on it.
Can I pass the Series 24 with just a cheat sheet?
No — a cheat sheet condenses the must-know facts, but the exam mostly tests judgment in supervisory scenarios that raw memorization cannot cover. Use the sheet alongside full study materials and plenty of practice questions. Think of it as the last-mile review tool that keeps the fine details fresh once you understand the concepts.
Can I bring notes or a cheat sheet into the Series 24 exam?
No — the Series 24 is a closed-book, proctored exam, and personal notes are not allowed in the testing room. The testing provider supplies anything you are permitted to use, such as scratch material. Check FINRA's current test-day rules for the exact list of what is allowed, and treat your cheat sheet as a pre-exam review tool only.
Sources
- 1.Series 24 Exam Overview — FINRA (accessed Jul 7, 2026)
- 2.FINRA Qualification Exams — FINRA
- 3.Enroll for a FINRA Exam — FINRA
- 4.FINRA Exam Scheduling (Prometric) — Prometric
Official sources
Primary documents used to verify the exam details shown on this page.
- Series 24 Exam OverviewFINRAfinra.org
- Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) ExamFINRAfinra.org
- Series 24 – General Securities Principal ExamFINRAfinra.org
- Enroll for an ExamFINRAfinra.org
- Reschedule or Cancel Your AppointmentFINRAfinra.org
- Schedule an ExamFINRAfinra.org
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