Series 53 courses from Varsity Tutors work with you as you prepare for this exam. A Series 53 course gives you resources and instruction to make the most of your time. Your Series 53 course helps you prepare according to your needs and situation.
The Series 53 exam is also known as the Municipal Securities Principal Qualification Examination. Passing the Series 53 exam qualifies you to become a Municipal Securities Principal so that you can underwrite, trade, and buy or sell municipal securities. In a Series 53 class, you can learn more about the structure and layout of the exam. Below is a table detailing the format of the exam:
Question Format | # Questions | Time Allowed | Passing Score | Corequisites |
Multiple-Choice | 100 | 3 Hours | 70% | Security Industry Essentials (SIE) + Series 52 |
Your Series 53 class will take place online via our Live Learning Platform. By offering online meeting, we remove an important barrier to Series 53 classes. When you register for a Series 53 prep course, we will connect you to a tutor who meets your availability as closely as possible.
As you work through your Series 53 prep class, you and your instructor can improve your knowledge of the content and ideas that appear on the exam. Because Series 53 prep courses do not have a set syllabus, you are able to decide which content is most important for your preparation. Whether you want to study all content areas a little bit, or you want to study a particular content area in depth, you have the freedom to do that in Series 53 prep classes. Below is a list of key topics and ideas that may appear on the exam:
Series 53 Topics (non-comprehensive)
- Securities Exchange Act of 1934
- Rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission
- Bank dealer, customer, discretionary accounts, municipal fund security, and other related terms
- Qualification and Registration
- Supervisory Responsibilities
- Conduct of Business
- Requirements that govern all types of communications with customers
- Requirements and supervisory procedures that relate to discretionary accounts
- Activities of Financial Advisors
- Rules related to quotations of municipal securities
- Secondary Market Securities
- Requirements for Transactions with Customers
- Books and records required to be made
Because all Series 53 prep courses meet one-on-one, you receive a high degree of personal attention. This environment allows your tutor to adapt to your goals, abilities, and learning style. Your Series 53 course can help you learn in ways that are effective for you. Whether you learn best through reading, listening, watching, or practice and repetition, you can structure your time in a Series 53 class in ways that help you absorb and retain information. Additionally, throughout your sessions, you can receive live feedback from the instructor in your Series 53 prep course. This feedback can help increase your confidence, and help you to build effective habits.
During your Series 53 prep class, you and your instructor are able to develop a study plan for your time. You can discuss your goals and then break those goals down into smaller units. Developing this kind of a plan for your Series 53 class can help you and your tutor use your time effectively and proceed through your sessions in an organized manner.
Series 53 classes are a great venue to help you become familiar with test-taking strategies. Based on the sorts of questions that appear on the exam, you and the instructor for your Series 53 course can create strategies to help you answer questions more accurately and quickly. Utilizing test-taking strategies is a way for you to make the most of the time you have during the Series 53 exam. By helping you to understand and utilize test-taking strategies, Series 53 classes can increase your confidence and preparedness.
If you are interested in the resources and instruction that Series 53 prep classes from Varsity Tutors provide, contact an Educational Consultant online or over the phone to register.

James: Series 53 course instructor
...management, and employed approximately 300 licensed personnel. I coordinated and managed all functions of the holding company and its subsidiaries, which included a national brokerage firm, a commodity firm, an insurance firm, a market-making brokerage firm, and a facilities company. My responsibilities included all aspects of corporate and financial management, new business development, strategic planning, and tactical operations. After retiring from the Financial Services Industry, I have both consulted as well as managed various private...
Education & Certification
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Bachelor in Arts, Business, General
Subject Expertise
- Series 53
- Series 24
- Series 27
- Series 5 - Interest Rate Options Exams
- +24 subjects

Aaron: Series 53 course instructor
...financial professionals is noble, they have the ability to help others retire comfortably, protect themselves and loved ones against unfortunate circumstances, help others as well as many other goals they have. I believe there is a right way to do business and I strive to help others in their efforts to do business the right way. My expertise started long ago when I received my Bachelor's in Finance from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. During that...
Education & Certification
- University of Nebraska at Omaha - Bachelor of Science, Finance
- Kansas State University - Master of Science, Financial Planning
Subject Expertise
- Series 53
- Series 65
- Series 24
- CFP
- +7 subjects

Victoria: Series 53 course instructor
...personal financial literacy and have previously taught financial literacy classes to high school students. While I tutor a broad range of subjects, I am most passionate about business, economics, leadership, personal finance, and securities licensing. In my experience helping students prepare for complex exams, we always seem to have the most success when we have discovered the student's learning style and thought-process. I believe learning should be an engaging, inspiring activity where the student can...
Education & Certification
- University of South Alabama - Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
- Florida Atlantic University - Masters in Business Administration, Business Administration and Management
Subject Expertise
- Series 53
- SIE
- Series 7 - General Securities Representative Exam (Stockbroker)
- Series 65
- +35 subjects

Jim: Series 53 course instructor
I have been in the securities industry for over 20 years and have a good understanding of many different areas. I will do my best to help the student by simplifying the material and using everyday tasks as examples. Exams I have taken (and passed on the first try): Series 7 (General Securities), Series 24 (General Securities Principal), Series 4 (Registered Options Principal), Series 27 (Financial and Operations Principal), Series 53 (Municipal Securities Principal), Series...
Education & Certification
- Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus - Bachelor of Science, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 53
- Series 7
- Series 6
- Series 27
- +16 subjects