FINRA Revises the Research Analyst (Series 86/87) Exam Program

Summary

FINRA periodically reviews the content of qualification exams to ensure each exam remains current and appropriately tailored to the qualifications and subject matter being tested. Based on this review process, FINRA has revised the Research Analyst (Series 86/87) exam program to incorporate the functions and associated tasks a Research Analyst currently performs; reflect the laws, rules, and regulations most relevant to these functions and associated tasks; reduce the number of scored multiple-choice questions on the Series 86 exam; and update the content outline to reflect these revisions.¹

These changes are reflected in the Series 86/87 exam content outline on FINRA’s website and will appear in Series 86/87 exams administered on or after May 15, 2023.

Questions concerning this Notice should be directed to:

• Nwamaka Omenka, Associate Director, Qualifications & Exams at (240) 386-4678; or
• Gemma Sartori, Associate Principal Content Manager, Qualifications & Exams at (212) 858-4146.

Background & Discussion

Section 15A(g)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (SEA) authorizes FINRA to prescribe standards of training, experience and competence for persons associated with FINRA-regulated firms. Accordingly, FINRA has developed exams that are designed to establish that persons associated with FINRA-regulated firms have attained specified levels of competence and knowledge, consistent with applicable registration requirements under FINRA rules.

FINRA Rule 1220(b)(6) (Research Analyst) requires an associated person whose primary job function is to provide investment research and who is primarily responsible for the preparation of the substance of an equity research report, or whose name appears on an equity research report, to be registered and qualified as a Research Analyst. An associated person registering as a Research Analyst after October 1, 2018, must, prior to or concurrent with such registration, pass the general knowledge co-requisite Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam and the Series 86/87 exam, or obtain a waiver. An associated person may obtain a waiver from the analytical portion (Series 86 exam) upon written request (pursuant to the FINRA Rule 9600 Series) and verification that the applicant has passed:

1. Levels I and II of the CFA Examination; or
2. if the applicant functions as a research analyst who prepares only technical research reports as defined in paragraph (b)(6) of Rule 1220, Levels I and II of the Chartered Market Technician (CMT) Examination; and
3.  has either functioned as a research analyst continuously since having passed the Level II CFA or CMT Examination or applied for registration as a Research Analyst within two years of having passed the Level II CFA or CMT Examination.

In consultation with a committee of industry representatives, FINRA recently reviewed the Series 86/87 exam program. As a result of this review, FINRA filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for immediate effectiveness a proposal to revise the Series 86/87 exam program to incorporate the functions and associated tasks a Research Analyst currently performs, and to reflect the laws, rules, and regulations most relevant to these functions and associated tasks. The revisions also reduce the number of scored multiple-choice questions on the Series 86 exam. FINRA has updated the Series 86/87content outline to reflect these revisions.

Revisions

The revised Series 86/87 exam is divided into two parts that include the five major job functions a Research Analyst performs. FINRA conducted a job analysis study of Research Analysts, which included a survey, to develop each function and associated tasks and update the required knowledge set forth in the revised content outline. These functions and associated tasks reflect the day-to-day activities of a Research Analyst. The five major job functions on the revised Series 86/87 exam are:

Part 1 (Series 86):

Function 1: Information and Data Collection;
Function 2: Data Verification and Analysis; and
Function 3: Valuation and Forecasting.

Part 2 (Series 87):

Function 4: Preparation of Research Reports; and
Function 5: Dissemination and Marketing of Information Activities.

FINRA also reduced the number of scored questions on the Series 86 exam from 100 multiple-choice questions to 85 multiple-choice questions; the number of scored questions on the Series 87 exam remains the same.² In reviewing the results of the survey and the changes to the tasks and knowledge required to function as a Research Analyst, FINRA determined an 85-question Series 86 exam can sufficiently sample the requisite knowledge domain.³ Further, FINRA adjusted the number of questions assigned to each major job function on the Series 86/87 exam to ensure the overall exam better reflects the key tasks a Research Analyst performs. The number of questions assigned to each function on the Series 86/87 exam are:

Part 1 (Series 86):

Function 1: 18 questions;
Function 2: 28 questions; and
Function 3: 39 questions.

Part 2 (Series 87):

Function 4: 36 questions; and
Function 5: 14 questions.

Finally, the content outline lists the laws, rules, and regulations a candidate is expected to know to perform each function and associated tasks. FINRA updated the Series 86/87 exam program to reflect the laws, rules, and regulations most relevant to the functions and associated tasks of a Research Analyst by including FINRA Rule 5280 (Trading Ahead of Research Reports) and removing FINRA Rule 2220 (Options Communications).

Candidates will continue to have four hours and 30 minutes to complete the Series 86 exam, and one hour and 45 minutes to complete the Series 87 exam.

Availability of Content Outline

The revised Series 86/87 exam content outline is available on FINRA’s website.

Endnotes