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Open Exam Prep

Open Exam Prep

Ran Chen, EA, CFP® 395 Episodes Oct 13, 2026

Open Exam Prep is a podcast designed to help aspiring financial professionals master challenging certification exams. Created by Ran Chen, a financial advisor with credentials including EA, Series 6/63/65, and CFP®, it offers free, accessible study material. Each episode breaks down complex topics such as tax planning, estate strategies, retirement solutions, and investment principles into clear, digestible lessons. It is intended for listeners to study while commuting, working out, or during downtime. The podcast aims to guide learners one question, one topic, and one victory at a time.

Episodes

[Series 66] 21, Diversification Correlation and Rebalancing
[Series 66] 21, Diversification Correlation and Rebalancing Oct 13, 2026 04:28 This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - How diversification reduces unsystematic risk without elimina
[Series 66] 20, Strategic vs Tactical Asset Allocation
[Series 66] 20, Strategic vs Tactical Asset Allocation Oct 12, 2026 04:34 This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: • The core framework of strategic asset allocation as a long-te
[Series 66] 19, Time Horizons Liquidity and Life Events
[Series 66] 19, Time Horizons Liquidity and Life Events Oct 11, 2026 03:57 This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: • How time horizons differ between a client's overall life stag
[Series 66] 18, Risk Tolerance vs Risk Capacity
[Series 66] 18, Risk Tolerance vs Risk Capacity Oct 10, 2026 04:01 This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: * The fundamental psychological definition of risk tolerance an
[Series 66] 17, Building a Client Investment Profile
[Series 66] 17, Building a Client Investment Profile Oct 9, 2026 04:39 This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: * How to collect both financial and non-financial data when bui
[Series 66] 16, Individuals Businesses Trusts and Estates
[Series 66] 16, Individuals Businesses Trusts and Estates Oct 8, 2026 04:25 This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - Key tax and liability distinctions among sole proprietorships
[Series 66] 15, Options Structured Products and Digital Assets
[Series 66] 15, Options Structured Products and Digital Assets Oct 7, 2026 04:26 This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: * How options contracts function as derivative securities for h
[Series 66] 14, Annuities and Life Insurance Tradeoffs
[Series 66] 14, Annuities and Life Insurance Tradeoffs Oct 6, 2026 04:44 This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: • Differences between fixed, variable, whole, universal, and te
[Series 66] 13, REITs Private Funds and Liquidity
[Series 66] 13, REITs Private Funds and Liquidity Oct 5, 2026 04:42 This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: • How REITs qualify for pass-through tax treatment under federa
[Series 66] 12, ETFs UITs and Closed-End Funds
[Series 66] 12, ETFs UITs and Closed-End Funds Oct 4, 2026 04:42 This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: • Distinctions between open-end funds, closed-end funds, and un
[Series 66] 11, Mutual Funds Share Classes and Fees
[Series 66] 11, Mutual Funds Share Classes and Fees Oct 3, 2026 04:03 This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: • Differences between Class A, Class B, and Class C mutual fund
[Series 66] 10, Common Preferred and Convertible Stock
[Series 66] 10, Common Preferred and Convertible Stock Oct 2, 2026 04:23 This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: • Characteristics and voting rights of common stock versus pref

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