If you're thinking about a formal Series 3 prep course, Varsity Tutors 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 Varsity Tutors Series 3 class, contact an Educational Consultant today for more information. We look forward to helping you reach for your academic goals!

Andrew: Edmonton Series 3 course instructor
...and finance, as well as topics in math, statistics, business administration, and standardized testing including several 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...
Education & Certification
- UNC Chapel Hill - Bachelors, Economics & Psychology
- Georgetown University - Masters, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- CPA
- Series 63
- Series 55
- +70 subjects

Chi-Sun: Edmonton Series 3 course instructor
...the concepts and reasoning behind math, and not just learn how to apply formulas and do 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...
Education & Certification
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Bachelor of Science, Computer Science
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- Exam P - Probability
- Exam STAM - Short-Term Actuarial Mathematics
- AAI - Accredited Adviser in Insurance
- +112 subjects

Daniel: Edmonton Series 3 course instructor
Learn from a finance industry professional with nearly 2 decades of experience. Formally trained in Economics with an MBA in Finance. I am also a CFA Charterholder. My talent in explaining difficult concepts easy to understand!
Education & Certification
- Boston University - Bachelor in Arts, Economics
- FGV - Fundação Getulio Vargas - Masters in Business Administration, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- CFA
- Series 7
- Series 6
- +10 subjects

Hal: Edmonton Series 3 course instructor
...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 have over twenty years of teaching experience at the college and university...
Education & Certification
- Frostburg State University - Bachelor of Science, Accounting and Business Management
- Frostburg State University - Master of Science, Management Science
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- SIE
- Series 65
- Series 7
- +171 subjects

Gregory: Edmonton Series 3 course instructor
...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...
Education & Certification
- Wesleyan University - Bachelor in Arts, Economics
- University of Chicago - Master of Science, Financial Mathematics
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- Series 7 - General Securities Representative Exam (Stockbroker)
- Exam FM - Financial Mathematics
- Series 31
- +48 subjects

Michael: Edmonton Series 3 course instructor
...then pass it on to others. That is what brought me to earn my PhD and 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...
Education & Certification
- Capella University - Doctor of Philosophy, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- Series 9
- Series 7 - General Securities Representative Exam (Stockbroker)
- Exam IFM - Investment and Financial Markets
- +16 subjects

Jonathan: Edmonton Series 3 course instructor
...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...
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
- Elementary School Science
- Social Networking
- +75 subjects

Kevin: Edmonton Series 3 course instructor
...and realize their own potential with improved confidence, grades and test scores. Because I have over 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...
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 30
- +41 subjects

Ben: Edmonton Series 3 course instructor
...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 66
- Series 65
- Series 15 - Foreign Currency Options Exam
- +39 subjects

Peter: Edmonton Series 3 course instructor
...that I had all the licenses. I also was the prime lead instructor for a Series 7 school years ago before publishing training manuals that became the big business we see today. My peers, other broker-dealers, had enough confidence in me to elect me to two different FINRA offices. One was regional office and the...
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 79
- Series 24
- +42 subjects

Michael: Edmonton Series 3 course instructor
...able to guess where it is we are going and where the jobs will be. If you care to read on exactly how I gained this knowledge you can read my bio below I just wanted to be clear above of exactly what I can help with, below is where and how I gained my...
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
- Series 7
- Series 4
- Exam IFM - Investment and Financial Markets
- +14 subjects

Paul J : Edmonton Series 3 course instructor
...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...
Education & Certification
- Pace University-New York - Masters in Business Administration, Business, General
Subject Expertise
- Series 3
- ARM - Associate in Risk Management
- Series 5 - Interest Rate Options Exams
- CRM - Certified Risk Manager
- +58 subjects