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Free Series 3 Practice Questions

10 free, exam-style Series 3 National Commodities Futures (Series 3) practice questions with answers and explanations. No signup required. Work through them below, then take the full free Series 3 practice test to study every exam domain.

Question 1

A speculator is long one futures contract. The account's equity falls below the maintenance margin level, and the broker issues a margin call. To satisfy the call, the customer must deposit funds sufficient to bring the account back up to:

  1. the maintenance margin level
  2. the federal Regulation T requirement
  3. the initial margin level
  4. 50% of the contract's current market value
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - the initial margin level

Question 2

A grain elevator owns cash corn in storage and has hedged by selling corn futures. Between placing the hedge and lifting it, the basis strengthens (narrows). The effect on the elevator is that it:

  1. must take delivery against the short futures because the basis narrowed
  2. realizes a better net selling price than the hedge first implied
  3. loses an amount exactly equal to the change in the basis
  4. has to post added margin on the stored cash corn position
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - realizes a better net selling price than the hedge first implied

Question 3

A customer buys one put option on a soybean future. The strike price is $13.00 per bushel and the premium paid is $0.40 per bushel. Ignoring commissions, what is the customer's breakeven price at expiration?

  1. $12.60 per bushel
  2. $13.00 per bushel
  3. $13.40 per bushel
  4. $0.40 per bushel
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - $12.60 per bushel

Question 4

A new client transferring from an equities firm describes the deposit required to open a futures position as a 'down payment' that finances the rest of the contract on credit. The most accurate correction is that futures margin is:

  1. an extension of credit subject to Federal Reserve Regulation T
  2. a partial payment toward ownership, with the balance loaned by the broker
  3. a premium paid to the clearinghouse that is forfeited at expiration
  4. a good-faith performance bond ensuring the holder can meet obligations
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - a good-faith performance bond ensuring the holder can meet obligations

Question 5

In May, a soybean farmer expects to harvest and sell beans in the fall. To hedge, the farmer sells November futures at $13.20. At harvest, the farmer sells the cash crop at $12.80 and simultaneously buys back the November futures at $12.50. What net price per bushel does the farmer effectively receive?

  1. $12.50 per bushel
  2. $12.80 per bushel
  3. $13.50 per bushel
  4. $13.20 per bushel
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - $13.50 per bushel

Question 6

A firm solicits futures orders from customers but operates under a guarantee agreement with a single futures commission merchant (FCM) that assumes responsibility for its obligations. What is this guaranteed introducing broker's minimum adjusted net capital requirement?

  1. $1,000,000, the same minimum that applies to a futures commission merchant
  2. $45,000, the minimum that applies to an independent introducing broker
  3. $30,000 in adjusted net capital held at the guarantor firm
  4. None - the guarantor FCM assumes its financial responsibility
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - None - the guarantor FCM assumes its financial responsibility

Question 7

A commodity trading advisor (CTA) has been trading a program with actual client results for the past eight months. Under NFA Compliance Rule 2-29, the CTA's promotional material for that program may:

  1. present hypothetical performance results in place of the actual results
  2. not present hypothetical performance results for that program
  3. present hypothetical results only if labeled 'for illustration only'
  4. present hypothetical results provided actual results also appear
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - not present hypothetical performance results for that program

Question 8

An associated person (AP) who is not registered as a commodity trading advisor wishes to exercise discretion over a customer's futures account. Apart from obtaining the customer's written authorization, the AP generally must have been:

  1. continuously registered as an AP for at least the prior two years
  2. approved in writing by the National Futures Association beforehand
  3. registered as a floor broker for a minimum of one year
  4. employed by the introducing firm for at least six months
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - continuously registered as an AP for at least the prior two years

Question 9

A trader holds a long futures position and, to protect against a decline while keeping upside potential, buys a put option on the same future. This combined position has a profit-and-loss profile equivalent to a:

  1. short straddle
  2. covered call writing position
  3. long call option
  4. short put option
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - long call option

Question 10

A customer signed a pre-dispute arbitration agreement when opening a futures account. A dispute later arises, and the firm notifies the customer of its intent to arbitrate. To instead pursue a CFTC reparations proceeding, within how many days of receiving that notice must the customer notify the firm of that election?

  1. 15 days
  2. 45 days
  3. 30 days
  4. 90 days
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - 45 days

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