Official Series 161 resources for FINRA Supervisory Analyst Part I, including Series 16 exam facts, content outline, eligibility, scoring, and study checkpoints.
Use these official resources as your source of truth.
Quick links:
| Resource | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Series 16 exam page (FINRA) | Best starting point for current Series 16 structure and the two-part qualification context. |
| Series 16 Content Outline (PDF) | Best source for Part I weighting, topic scope, and sample-item style. |
| FINRA exam credit and validity | Use only if you have a specific prior-exam or lapse issue. |
| FINRA exam waivers and exemptions | Use only if your firm is evaluating a waiver or exemption question. |
| Fact to confirm | Current FINRA reference point |
|---|---|
| Series 16 structure | Part I is Series 161; Part II is Series 162. |
| Series 161 exam focus | Regulations and supervisory review of research communications. |
| Item count | 50 items. |
| Time limit | 90 minutes. |
| Passing score | 72%. |
| Larger function | Review and approve research analysts’ communications. |
Series 161 as Part I of the supervisory analyst pathDo not read the outline as a list of disconnected rules. Read it as a workflow for a supervisory analyst:
| Outline area | Convert it into this question |
|---|---|
| research communication scope | What kind of communication is this? |
| approvals and specialist review | Who must review it before release? |
| restricted lists, watch lists, and quiet periods | Is publication allowed right now? |
| risk discussion and fair balance | Does the communication overstate the investment case? |
| required disclosures | What must the reader know about conflicts and relationships? |
| liaison and dissemination controls | Who is interacting with research, and who receives the communication when? |