Introducing Broker-Dealer Financial and Operations Principal Exam (Series 28) Practice Test

30 questions available

Build your confidence for Introducing Broker-Dealer Financial and Operations Principal Exam (Series 28). Practice the concepts, understand the answers, and strengthen your knowledge one question at a time.

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Certification exam
110 Exam questions
3 hours 15 minutes Time Limit
Your practice
30 Practice questions
30 minutes Practice Time
Try 5 free questions
No account needed. A free account includes 20 questions for this exam.
The bar to clear 70 Published passing score for this certification.
Official objectives from FINRA
FINRA30 practice questions
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Exam overview and details

The Series 28 Practice Test is designed for individuals seeking to qualify as a Financial and Operations Principal (FINOP) with a broker-dealer that is not a member of the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) or that does not maintain custody of customer funds or securities. This exam tests a candidate's knowledge of the core regulatory and operational responsibilities required to manage a broker-dealer's financial reporting, capital compliance, and customer protection obligations. The practice test covers three primary domains: Customer Funds and Securities (including segregation, safeguarding, and reserve formula requirements), Financial Responsibility (including net capital computations, early warning thresholds, and recordkeeping), and Regulatory Requirements (including SEC and FINRA rules, reporting deadlines, and supervisory obligations). Candidates who take this practice test are typically aspiring FINOPs, experienced operations professionals, or compliance staff seeking to validate their understanding of the financial and operational controls that keep a broker-dealer solvent and compliant. By completing this practice test, users will gain a realistic assessment of their readiness for the actual exam, identify knowledge gaps in critical areas such as the Customer Protection Rule and net capital calculations, and build confidence in applying complex regulatory concepts to real-world scenarios.

Sample Questions

Choose an answer and explore the explanation to see how practice works.

Customer Funds and Securities

A firm receives checks payable to itself in broker-dealer activities. What is it deemed to do?

Financial Responsibility

What are funds carried for the account of any customer?

Regulatory Requirements

If a material weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance exists, what must be included?

Financial Responsibility

A broker-dealer classifies customer funds. Which balances are included?

Financial Responsibility

A broker-dealer has more than $1,000,000 in aggregate credit items. What threshold has it met for the cited risk-control record?

Career Opportunities & Salary

Median salary: $78,660– Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 -- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents (SOC 41-3031), US national. Occupation median, not a certification salary. (2025)

Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents

Exam insights and study advice

This practice test matters because the role of a Financial and Operations Principal carries direct responsibility for a firm's financial integrity and regulatory compliance. Errors in net capital computations or customer fund segregation can lead to immediate regulatory sanctions, financial penalties, or even the forced liquidation of the broker-dealer. In practice, a FINOP's decisions affect whether a firm can continue operating, how it handles customer assets, and whether it meets its reporting obligations to the SEC and FINRA. Mastering these topics is not just about passing an exam; it is about protecting customers, maintaining market confidence, and ensuring the firm avoids costly enforcement actions. The practical value is immediate: a strong understanding of these rules helps you prevent compliance failures, streamline financial reporting, and respond effectively to regulatory inquiries.

These are the backgrounds the certifying body suggests. Check the vendor's own page for anything it formally requires.

What this exam covers

01Customer Funds and Securities

02Financial Responsibility

03Regulatory Requirements

Exam Details Series 28 | $130 USD | 3 hours 15 minutes

Exam Code Series 28
Vendor FINRA
Exam Cost $130 USD
Passing Score 70
Time Limit 3 hours 15 minutes
Exam questions 110
Question TypesMultiple Choice
Retake Policy 30-day waiting period after first and second failed attempts. 180-day waiting period after third failed attempt and any subsequent failures. Full exam fee required for each retake.
Exam Format Linear
Online Proctoring Available
Exam rules Closed-book. No personal items in exam room. On-screen calculator provided. Scratch paper provided. No phones or electronic devices. Monitored by proctor.
Available In
English

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the passing score for the actual Series 28 exam, and how does this practice test compare?

Do I need to memorize specific net capital formulas for this practice test?

How much time should I allocate to studying the Customer Funds and Securities section?

Can I use a calculator during the actual Series 28 exam?

What is the most common mistake test-takers make on this practice test?