Posted by forex at 6:52 AM
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1. Conduct your own research into the options trading business. Most people moving into the commodities market already are traders and have received brokerage training (and are registered with FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority), so they know something about options and futures trading. If you're new to the business, even if you have no investment experience or education, you still can become an options trader. But read and talk to people in the business to find out first if it's a career for you before investing time and money in options training.
2. Ask your supervisor about options training if you're already working at an investment firm. Explain that you'd like to learn about options trading and eventually sit for the Series 3 Exam. Most firms not only require additional training for their options traders but also provide guidance and mentoring from a veteran broker. They'll provide you with independent-study materials and probably have you conduct a virtual trading account trial and assess your progress.
3. Search online training courses to augment any in-house training. Most course work is designed with an eye toward the Series 3 Exam. Preparation for the exam is offered interactively, through study-and-exam methods, and even in seminar settings. Many courses also include a virtual trading portion similar to what you might receive in-house at a firm. Most reputable sites estimate a total time commitment of 30 to 50 hours. Count on investing at least that much time to options training; be wary of companies that promise miracles in one to two days.
4. Study on your own. If you don't work for a brokerage firm, or if your firm won't or can't pay for online training, you still can find material available online and at the library to help you learn about options trading. As you wind down your studies, find a site that deals specifically with the Series 3 Exam. Some sites even offer quizzes and other exercises to help prep for the test.