This video simplifies the inner workings of mutual funds by breaking down industry jargon and organizational structure. Real-world scenarios make it easy to understand how mutual funds operate and what factors investors should consider.

You’ll learn:

• How mutual fund structure affects operations and investors

• Common terminology like NAV, expense ratio, and fund family

• The role of portfolio managers and how they make buy/sell decisions

• The importance of fees, redemption patterns, and portfolio turnover

• How questions about fund structure and costs appear on exams

📘 Related Exams: SIE, Series 6, Series 7, Series 65, Series 66
🧠 Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
📈 Topics Covered: Mutual fund structure, jargon, fees, NAV, portfolio management

Bond price volatility refers to how much a bond’s price changes in response to interest rate movements. This video explains the factors that influence volatility and helps you understand which bonds are most sensitive to market shifts.

You’ll learn:

• How interest rates affect bond prices (inverse relationship)

• Why long-term and low-coupon bonds are more volatile

• The role of duration and maturity in price sensitivity

• How to compare bond volatility on the exam using key traits

• Common exam setups testing volatility, risk, and pricing

📘 Related Exams: SIE, Series 6, Series 7, Series 65, Series 66
🧠 Skill Level: Intermediate
📈 Topics Covered: Bond pricing, interest rate risk, duration, volatility, bond characteristics

Securities are categorized as either negotiable or redeemable, based on how they are traded or cashed in. This video breaks down the key differences, helping you understand how liquidity, pricing, and investor rights vary across security types.

You’ll learn:

• What makes a security negotiable and how it’s traded on secondary markets

• What redeemable securities are and how investors redeem them directly from issuers

• Common examples of each type, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and UITs

• Why pricing and liquidity differ between the two categories

• How this distinction appears in exam questions and suitability scenarios

📘 Related Exams: SIE, Series 6, Series 7, Series 65, Series 66
🧠 Skill Level: Beginner-to-intermediate
📈 Topics Covered: Securities types, transferability, market liquidity, redemption features, investment structure

After-tax return shows what an investor actually keeps after taxes are paid on interest, dividends, and capital gains. This video explains how to calculate after-tax return and why it’s a critical measure of an investment’s true effectiveness.

You’ll learn:

• The formula for calculating after-tax return

• How taxes affect different types of investment income

• Why after-tax return is more meaningful than nominal return

• Common tax scenarios and how they appear on exams

• How to apply this concept to suitability and portfolio questions

📘 Related Exams: Series 6, Series 7, Series 65, Series 66
🧠 Skill Level: Intermediate
📈 Topics Covered: Taxation of investments, return calculations, portfolio analysis, investor income

Total return is a comprehensive measure of an investment’s performance, accounting for both income and capital gains. This video shows how to calculate total return and interpret what it tells you about portfolio growth over time.

You’ll learn:

• The formula for total return and when to use it

• How dividends, interest, and price appreciation factor in

• Common exam-style questions and how to solve them step-by-step

📘 Related Exams: SIE, Series 6, Series 7, Series 9, Series 65, Series 66
🧠 Skill Level: Beginner-to-intermediate
📈 Topics Covered: Return calculations, investment performance, total return formula

An investment adviser is a person or firm that provides securities-related advice for compensation. This video breaks down the legal definition, the services advisers typically offer, and the regulatory framework that governs their registration and conduct.

You’ll learn:

• The three-part test used to define an investment adviser

• Key exclusions and exemptions under the Investment Advisers Act

• Common advisory services and compensation structures

• Differences between federal and state registration

• How this definition is tested on licensing exams

📘 Related Exams: SIE, Series 6, Series 7, Series 63, Series 65, Series 66
🧠 Skill Level: Beginner
📈 Topics Covered: Investment adviser definition, regulatory framework, fiduciary duty, registration requirements

This episode of The Basic Wisdom Podcast provides step-by-step guidance on creating a successful and sustainable study plan for professional exam prep. It breaks down study habits and scheduling strategies proven to boost retention and reduce stress.

You’ll learn:

• How to structure a study plan that aligns with your exam timeline

• Effective study habits like spaced repetition and active recall

• How to identify and focus on weak areas

• Techniques to track progress and adjust your strategy

• Methods to stay motivated and avoid burnout

📘 Related Exams: SIE, Series 6, Series 7, Series 9, Series 63, Series 65, Series 66
🧠 Skill Level: Beginner
📈 Topics Covered: Study planning, time management, exam strategy, retention techniques

Taking a licensing exam at a Prometric test center can feel stressful if you don’t know what to expect. This video offers practical advice to help you stay calm, focused, and fully prepared—from check-in procedures to test-taking strategies under pressure.

You’ll learn:

• What the Prometric check-in process looks like (ID, lockers, security)

• What to bring—and what not to bring—on exam day

• How the test interface works and how to use scratch paper effectively

• Time management strategies and mental resets during the exam

• How to stay calm and stay sharp throughout the testing experience

📘 Related Exams: SIE, Series 6, Series 7, Series 9, Series 63, Series 65, Series 66
🧠 Skill Level: Beginner
📈 Topics Covered: Test day logistics, Prometric procedures, exam mindset, performance strategies

This video delivers five essential options fundamentals in just five minutes, providing a rapid yet clear overview of key concepts that form the backbone of options trading. It’s perfect for getting a fast grasp of terminology and strategic thinking.

You’ll learn:

• The difference between calls and puts and the rights they confer

• How long and short positions function and generate profit/loss

• What in-the-money, at-the-money, and out-of-the-money mean

• The importance of expiration date and strike price in value

• How volatility impacts option pricing and trader decisions

📘 Related Exams: SIE, Series 6, Series 7, Series 9, Series 63, Series 65, Series 66
🧠 Skill Level: Beginner
📈 Topics Covered: Options basics, calls & puts, option moneyness, expiration vs. strike, volatility impact

The intrinsic value of a call option measures how far the market price of a stock exceeds the option’s strike price. This video explains how to identify in-the-money call options, calculate their intrinsic value, and apply the concept under exam conditions.

You’ll learn:

• How to calculate intrinsic value for call options

• What makes a call in-the-money, at-the-money, or out-of-the-money

• The role of strike price vs. market price

• The difference between intrinsic value and time value

• How exam questions typically test this concept

📘 Related Exams: SIE, Series 6, Series 7, Series 9, Series 63, Series 65, Series 66
🧠 Skill Level: Beginner
📈 Topics Covered: Options pricing, intrinsic value, call strategy, strike price vs. market value

The intrinsic value of a put option represents the amount it’s in-the-money—how far the strike price is above the current market price of the underlying stock. This video simplifies the concept and shows you how to apply it accurately on exam questions.

You’ll learn:

• How to calculate intrinsic value for put options

• The relationship between strike price and market value

• What makes a put in-the-money, at-the-money, or out-of-the-money

• How intrinsic value differs from time value

• Common exam setups that test this concept

📘 Related Exams: SIE, Series 7, Series 9, Series 63, Series 65, Series 66
🧠 Skill Level: Beginner
📈 Topics Covered: Options pricing, intrinsic value, in-the-money definitions, put option strategy

This video explores the fundamental differences between long and short positions in options, helping viewers understand the contrasting roles and responsibilities in options trading. It clarifies the distinct profit/loss mechanics and highlights strategic considerations for each.

You’ll learn:

• How long options (buying calls and puts) work and what drives profit

• How short options (writing calls and puts) expose traders to risk and generate income

• The different risk/reward profiles and margin requirements for long vs. short positions

• Real-world examples illustrating payoffs and obligations for each side

• Common pitfalls and misconceptions about directional bias and assignment risk

📘 Related Exams: SIE, Series 6, Series 7, Series 9, Series 63, Series 65, Series 66
🧠 Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
📈 Topics Covered: Options mechanics, directional strategies, payoff diagrams, risk management, margin concepts

This video takes you inside an equity mutual fund—using a real-world example of the Fidelity Magellan Fund—to show exactly what types of assets it holds and how it's structured. You'll gain clarity on how equity funds pick and allocate stocks to meet their investment objectives.

You’ll learn:

• What kinds of securities make up an equity mutual fund portfolio

• How fund managers choose and weight individual stocks

• The concepts of diversification, sector exposure, and turnover

• Fee impact and performance dynamics tied to holdings

• How exam questions frame fund structure and holdings analysis

📘 Related Exams: SIE, Series 6, Series 7, Series 65, Series 66
🧠 Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
📈 Topics Covered: Mutual fund holdings, equity portfolios, diversification, fund structure, portfolio analysis

Options hedging strategies are designed to protect existing stock positions against adverse market movements. This video breaks down how protective puts and protective calls work, helping investors reduce downside risk while staying in the market.

You’ll learn:

• How protective puts hedge long stock positions

• How protective calls hedge short stock positions

• Risk/reward tradeoffs and breakeven points for each strategy

• When hedging is appropriate based on investor goals and market outlook

• How to recognize these strategies in exam scenarios

📘 Related Exams: SIE, Series 6, Series 7, Series 9, Series 65, Series 66
🧠 Skill Level: Intermediate
📈 Topics Covered: Options hedging, protective puts, protective calls, risk management, investor suitability

Options income strategies are designed to generate consistent cash flow by selling options against existing positions. This video explains how investors use strategies like covered calls and cash-secured puts to boost returns while managing risk.

You’ll learn:

• How covered calls generate income from long stock positions

• How cash-secured puts are used to earn premiums while waiting to buy

• Risk/reward profiles and breakeven calculations for both strategies

• When each strategy is appropriate based on market outlook

• How these income strategies appear in exam scenarios

📘 Related Exams: SIE, Series 6, Series 7, Series 9, Series 65, Series 66
🧠 Skill Level: Intermediate
📈 Topics Covered: Options writing, covered calls, cash-secured puts, premium income, suitability