Search
Mark C.'s Photo

FINRA Series65: Tutor Specializing: ADHD, Anxiety, Retakes -SIE/66,63
Mark C.

4.9 (288 ratings)

1,104 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Hourly Rate: $115
Contact Mark

About Mark

Bio

I specialize in working with students who have ADD, ADHD, test-taking anxiety, or who have had multiple unsuccessful attempts at licensing exams such as FINRA Series 65, 66, 63, 7, and the NASAA SIE (Securities Industry Essentials).

Over the past 4+ years, I’ve logged more than 4,000 hours of one-on-one tutoring and helped over 700 students from top firms including Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, State Farm, and many insurance brokers and investment advisory firms.

Many of my students are...

I specialize in working with students who have ADD, ADHD, test-taking anxiety, or who have had multiple unsuccessful attempts at licensing exams such as FINRA Series 65, 66, 63, 7, and the NASAA SIE (Securities Industry Essentials).

Over the past 4+ years, I’ve logged more than 4,000 hours of one-on-one tutoring and helped over 700 students from top firms including Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, State Farm, and many insurance brokers and investment advisory firms.

Many of my students are under pressure to pass quickly in order to secure a promotion, career change, or new opportunity.

My approach is always tailored to the individual. I focus on two key areas: first, managing test-taking anxiety through mindset coaching; second, teaching students how to break down tricky FINRA questions and avoid common traps. It's not just about what you know—it's about how you think.

After working with hundreds of students, I’ve developed a proven strategy that includes repetition, pattern recognition, multiple prep programs (Kaplan, STC, Achievable), fill-in-the-blank definitions, flashcards, cliff notes summaries, and mock exams across platforms. We build layered confidence from all angles.

As a semi-retired financial professional, this is a labor of love. I’ve walked the path myself. That’s why I live by the phrase: “The broken help the broken.”

My signature 5-week Bootcamp blends content review, test strategy, and emotional support to help students reach breakthrough moments.

Many of my students came in overwhelmed or ready to give up. Hearing them say things like, “You believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself,” means everything. Helping someone go from self-doubt to “I DID IT” is my way of paying it forward.

Read more

Education

University of Houston
Business Administration

Additional Languages

Spanish

Policies

Schedule

Loading...

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Approved Subjects

Series 6

Series 6

Qualifications For Series 6 Over 20 years’ experience as a Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley and AIG Passed at first attempt: Series 7, 63, 65 and 57 Successful tutor for students at: Morgan Stanley, Merry Lynch, and many other Investment Adviser Firms. Bio For Series 6 My tutoring approach is tailored to the individual needs of my students. I have found throughout my tutoring experience to always address two very important areas: Test taking anxiety – in most cases – a passing score represents a new promotion, new business, or a new career. Sometimes, anxiety can originate from extrapolating a negative outcome. Test taking skills. Sometimes the difference from a passing score can be just a few questions in which the student reads the question too fast or went about the wrong way with their process of elimination. I have seen many times that students will mark for review too many or too few questions. Also, it is extremely important to keep up with the time allotted per question. A critical area with test taking skills is to set priority in passing the test and not to get overwhelmed with mastering the entire content. It is vital to understand that all professional testing is designed to complicate the framing of the questions to eliminate a grand portion of the test takers at their first attempt. For the most part in tests like the Series 6 or most professional testing, the average test score is purposely designed to be in the 55% to 75% range. The winning mindset needs to be on passing the actual test. A systematic study approach is critical. The student needs to be able to measure their level of understanding and to be able to quantify their progress. Practice makes perfect and I encourage the use of several computer learning programs that are equipped with flash cards, videos, and practice questions. By now, after having helped hundreds of students; I have developed an affinity for students that are not comfortable with professional testing. Especially dealing with anxiety, multiple failed scores
Series 63

Series 63

Qualifications For Series 63 Over 20 years’ experience as a Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley and AIG Passed at first attempt: Series 7, 63, 65 and 57 Successful tutor for students at: Morgan Stanley, Merry Lynch, and many other Investment Adviser Firms. Bio For Series 63 My tutoring approach is tailored to the individual needs of my students. I have found throughout my tutoring experience to always address two very important areas: Test taking anxiety – in most cases – a passing score represents a new promotion, new business, or a new career. Sometimes, anxiety can originate from extrapolating a negative outcome. Test taking skills. Sometimes the difference from a passing score can be just a few questions in which the student reads the question too fast or went about the wrong way with their process of elimination. I have seen many times that students will mark for review too many or too few questions. Also, it is extremely important to keep up with the time allotted per question. A critical area with test taking skills is to set priority in passing the test and not to get overwhelmed with mastering the entire content. It is vital to understand that all professional testing is designed to complicate the framing of the questions to eliminate a grand portion of the test takers at their first attempt. For the most part in tests like the Series 63 or most professional testing, the average test score is purposely designed to be in the 55% to 75% range. The winning mindset needs to be on passing the actual test. A systematic study approach is critical. The student needs to be able to measure their level of understanding and to be able to quantify their progress. Practice makes perfect and I encourage the use of several computer learning programs that are equipped with flash cards, videos, and practice questions. By now, after having helped hundreds of students; I have developed an affinity for students that are not comfortable with professional testing. Especially dealing with anxiety, multiple failed score
Series 65

Series 65

Qualifications For Series 65 Over 20 years’ experience as a Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley and AIG Passed at first attempt: Series 7, 63, 65 and 57 Successful tutor for students at: Morgan Stanley, Merry Lynch, and many other Investment Adviser Firms. Bio For Series 65 My tutoring approach is tailored to the individual needs of my students. I have found throughout my tutoring experience to always address two very important areas: Test taking anxiety – in most cases – a passing score represents a new promotion, new business, or a new career. Sometimes, anxiety can originate from extrapolating a negative outcome. Test taking skills. Sometimes the difference from a passing score can be just a few questions in which the student reads the question too fast or went about the wrong way with their process of elimination. I have seen many times that students will mark for review too many or too few questions. Also, it is extremely important to keep up with the time allotted per question. A critical area with test taking skills is to set priority in passing the test and not to get overwhelmed with mastering the entire content. It is vital to understand that all professional testing is designed to complicate the framing of the questions to eliminate a grand portion of the test takers at their first attempt. For the most part in tests like the Series 65 or most professional testing, the average test score is purposely designed to be in the 55% to 75% range. The winning mindset needs to be on passing the actual test. A systematic study approach is critical. The student needs to be able to measure their level of understanding and to be able to quantify their progress. Practice makes perfect and I encourage the use of several computer learning programs that are equipped with flash cards, videos, and practice questions. By now, after having helped hundreds of students; I have developed an affinity for students that are not comfortable with professional testing. Especially dealing with anxiety, multiple failed sco
Series 66

Series 66

Qualifications For Series 66 Over 20 years’ experience as a Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley and AIG Passed at first attempt: Series 7, 63, 66, 65 and 57 Successful tutor for students at: Morgan Stanley, Merry Lynch, and many other Investment Adviser Firms. Bio For Series 66 My tutoring approach is tailored to the individual needs of my students. I have found throughout my tutoring experience to always address two very important areas: Test taking anxiety – in most cases – a passing score represents a new promotion, new business, or a new career. Sometimes, anxiety can originate from extrapolating a negative outcome. Test taking skills. Sometimes the difference from a passing score can be just a few questions in which the student reads the question too fast or went about the wrong way with their process of elimination. I have seen many times that students will mark for review too many or too few questions. Also, it is extremely important to keep up with the time allotted per question. A critical area with test taking skills is to set priority in passing the test and not to get overwhelmed with mastering the entire content. It is vital to understand that all professional testing is designed to complicate the framing of the questions to eliminate a grand portion of the test takers at their first attempt. For the most part in tests like the Series 66 or most professional testing, the average test score is purposely designed to be in the 55% to 75% range. The winning mindset needs to be on passing the actual test. A systematic study approach is critical. The student needs to be able to measure their level of understanding and to be able to quantify their progress. Practice makes perfect and I encourage the use of several computer learning programs that are equipped with flash cards, videos, and practice questions. By now, after having helped hundreds of students; I have developed an affinity for students that are not comfortable with professional testing. Especially dealing with anxiety, multiple failed
Spanish

Examples of Expertise

Mark has provided examples of their subject expertise by answering 2 questions submitted by students on Wyzant’s Ask an Expert.

See all of Mark ’s answers ›
Mark C.'s Photo

Questions? Contact Mark before you book.

Still have questions?

Contact Mark

Ratings and Reviews

Rating

4.9 (288 ratings)
5 star
(279)
4 star
(6)
3 star
(1)
2 star
(1)
1 star
(1)

Reviews

I Passed !!!! Thank You Mark !

This was my " Third Attempt” and I was almost ready to give up. I had studied 3 times more than was required to pass the series 65 and I still had 2 previous failed attempts. At this point, I felt that I was very good at recognizing the answers but not good at understanding the concept behind the question. I was well aware that if I wanted to pass the test; I needed help. Mark provided me with plenty of encouragement and showed me a proven method to study for this test. He had me use Kaplan as well as other programs: Exam Fx, KM, Solomon Etc. He provided me with his personal cliff notes as well as his favorite playlist of videos and presets of multiple practice questions by topic. He did everything possible to be sure that I would thoroughly understand the concept behind the question and have a very clear perspective of the mindset of a Financial Advisor and /or the FINRA Regulators. Before the test I was very confident for the following reasons: 1) This time the priority was not letting the test beat me. 2) I was well aware of the importance of "Test Taking Skills" and "Test taking Strategy." 3) My understanding of the material was in line with the actual test. 4) My confidence and my determination provided me with the anxiety control necessary to be successful this time:) What makes Mark a great coach is that he gets joy by empowering his students and propping them up into a better future.

Joshua, 9 lessons with Mark

Extremely knowledgeable and skilled tutor.

I reached out to Mark to prepare for the Series 66 exam. After 4 weeks of tutoring prep I can say that Mark is one of the best. From his vast knowledge in test taking strategies to getting in the right mindset to pass the test - Mark can truly help! I owe my passing score on the exam to my preparation with Mark. This guy knows the test and the skills needed to pass it! Thank you Mark !

Jack, 7 lessons with Mark

Mark is friendly, knowledgeable and helpful

Mark is an awesome choice for a tutor - he started off with basic concepts for our first session and even helped with multiple choice questions for the SIE off the bat.. extremely helpful. He came up with a study plan for me moving forward. I definitely would recommended Mark.

Gianna, 3 lessons with Mark

Helped SO much!

Mark took the time to ask a number of questions to really understand and get to the root of where I was having difficulties in the testing process. As a student who must navigate the waters of FINRA exams with having both diagnosed ADHD and Anxiety Mark helped teach me an entirely new approach to taking the exam. After failing the 65 twice I transitioned to the 66 and passed on the first attempt. I strongly believe it was the approach Mark taught me that get me the pass! HIGHLY recommend for anyone struggling.

Stacy, 2 lessons with Mark

Knowledgeable Patient Tutor

Mark is just the best! He is so helpful and patient and makes sure I understand everything before moving on. I am so grateful for his expertise as i become licensed in the financial field

Becca, 61 lessons with Mark

An amazing tutor and person!

Mark is one of the nicest people I have met. I had a few sessions with him with only 2 weeks before my test and he made every hour meaningful. Anxiety was one of the biggest challenges and Mark really took time to make me feel more comfortable in my skills and give me methods to help relieve test taking stress. He provided homework and things for me to focus on in the time between sessions and I strongly believe these past two weeks were the most effective learning weeks I have had. I passed my test this week and after having to take many different tests multiple times, I wish I had found Mark sooner!

Peyton, 3 lessons with Mark

Master at Tips and Strategies

Mark has a lot of tricks up his sleeve to pass the FINRA exams and work your way through the material and questions. He guides you focus within a given chapter on the necessary material and leaves you energized to want to study even more.

Joel, 7 lessons with Mark

Excellent Tutor!

Mark had a good way of explaining concepts and making them easy to understand. Highly recommend if you're needing a good way to grasp the material. I don't have a background in business (I'm a science major) and Mark made everything I was confused on very easy to understand.

Gia, 1 lesson with Mark

Mark is AWESOME!

I failed both the 63 and 65 on my first attempt, which was highly stressful because I need both for my job. I have ADHD and test anxiety, so I decided to play it safe and get a tutor. Best decision! Mark is a big picture test strategist. He broke the test down in a way that I easily passed both series exams after his guidance. I wasn’t trying to get a perfect score, I just needed to pass the test. Mark understands this, keeps you motivated, is extremely patient, and REALLY cares about his students! Thank you, Matthew

Matthew, 13 lessons with Mark

Knowledgeable and experienced tutor who goes the extra mile

I am an experiential learning needing to pass the SIE and next, the Series 7. Having a tutor, and Mark in particular, changed the game for me. I was really struggling. He knows the industry information, provides great insights about "how to test", and recommends tools and resources to reinforce concepts. He is a really nice guy who truly wants to see you succeed.

Ruth, 11 lessons with Mark
Hourly Rate: $115
Contact Mark