Is Trading and the Stock Market for Dummies a reliable option?
Trading and the Stock Market for Dummies is the trading school of Francisca Serrano (@Fca_Serrano). The truth is, Francisca is no newcomer to the world of trading, having offered various trading courses.
Francisca has plenty of experience, and I definitely can't say her course is a scam. However, the fundamental question that invariably remains is the quality of these trading courses.
Let me address this question in this article and discover if this is truly the trading course that best suits your needs.
Trading and Stock Market for Dummies reviews:
I've been a student in both the basic and advanced courses, and I have to say that, from my perspective and that of absolutely everyone who took the advanced course together (we keep in touch via WhatsApp since the course community is practically nonexistent and offers no help), it's a waste of money. The course materials are rushed and riddled with errors. Their clear focus is on selling you another course.
Peter
The BPT method: Inconsistencies and contradictions
The school offers various trading courses (Forex, stocks, etc.), and while it is true that many of these courses are designed for those starting out in the world of trading, my feeling is that the methodology used does not have the flexibility that other stock market courses do offer.
What I'm trying to say is that 'the BPT method' is not suitable for all traders, or rather, I should say that it's a method that I've found insufficient.
These courses might help you take your first steps in trading, but I doubt they'll help you become a true trader or investor. Let's analyze this in detail.
Trading and the Stock Market for Dummies – TRAINING PLAN:
The main courses taught at Francisca Serrano 's school are divided into Basic Course and Advanced Course .
I'm talking about the main courses, because there are other courses in the school's training schedule, but these are complementary.
The truth is that Francisca Serrano is constantly adding courses to her training. In fact, the school regularly promotes its courses on social media, frequently offering free courses on stocks and Forex.
They've even added an Order Flow, called 'Price and Volume with Order Flow'. Unfortunately, this course is only available to students who have purchased the Basic Course + Advanced Course bundle (a very common strategy at the school and one that applies to almost all supplementary courses).
The ABCs of trading according to Francisca Serrano
The Basic Online Course lasts approximately 1 to 2 months (depending on the number of hours you can dedicate to it each day) and generally covers everything we expect from a stock market course for beginners.
The most interesting aspect of the Basic Course is that it introduces the BPT method. This method is the heart of Francisca Serrano's courses.
To simplify things a bit, I can tell you that the BPT method is based on looking for buy/sell operations in the pullbacks that occur when the market is trending.
In other words, if the market shows a downward trend, you will wait for a green retracement candle (the method works candle by candle) and place your short entry below the low of the bullish candle that started the retracement.
Of course, there are other elements involved in the operation, but the basis of the method is what I describe here.
You can see it better in the following screenshot. The sell order would be placed below the green candle and the stop loss above it (usually 2 or 3 ticks above the high).
Your target will be at least double what you risk (a risk/reward ratio of 2:1 is sought).
This concludes the BPT method.
The best and worst of the BPT method
As the name suggests, this is a basic course , or a trading course for beginners.
The truth is, you won't find anything here that you can't find for free online. But it's a good introduction to the basics of technical analysis and stock market investing.
After completing this course, you will have the tools to identify the elements you need to take your first steps in trading.
Do not expect to complete this course and then open a live broker account . That would be a recipe for disaster
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From basic trading to advanced chaos
So, knowing that the Basic Course is not enough, we will have no other option than to see what the Advanced Course is about.
In the Advanced Course you will be able to deepen the knowledge acquired during the Basic Course and put what you have learned into practice with some extra elements.
The strategy used in the Advanced Course is not the one I like the most, and it hasn't seemed to me to be the most solid either.
Using a combination of candlesticks (Japanese candlesticks), Heiken Ashi candles (something that honestly doesn't contribute much in my opinion) and indicators such as the RSI, the MACD, or the Stochastic, entries will be sought in Fibonacci.
Now the target will no longer be double the risk (2:1) but will be in the Fibonacci extensions.
And this is where the problems arise
honestly don't see how to harmoniously integrate what I learned in the Advanced Course with what I learned in the Basic Course. They seem like two parallel worlds that only intersect for brief moments.
There are even times in the course where chart patterns (e.g., head and shoulders) are added to the analysis, something that Francisca pulls out of thin air since they were not part of the proposed method.
I get the impression that it is up to the student to decide how to apply what they have learned, or how to integrate everything into the BPT method.
But don't get me wrong, I'm all for flexibility in stock market courses. But here I don't see flexibility, what I see is chaos.
This deficiency in the methodology of Trading and Stock Market for Dummies often means that students end up trading without a compass.
In my opinion, there are too many indicators and a lack of context in these strategies, but as I always say, the important thing is that it works (in this case I couldn't tell you if it really works, I have my doubts).
The rest of the course is hands-on practice with the instructors and more practice. Generally, trading is done on the E-mini S&P 500, but there's always the option to work in other markets. In this video, you can see a bit about the trading that Francisca offers her students.
According to the school, experience can be gained through virtual classrooms where tutorials are given once a week.
However, according to comments left here by fellow traders who have taken the course, these virtual classrooms are limited to one per month, and are 45 minutes long each (and the last 5 minutes are used to sell you more courses).
Traders community
The school also gives you the opportunity to become part of a student community, which you gain lifetime access to once you enroll in a course. I must tell you, however, that this community isn't the most active.
Apparently, the school goes to great lengths to prevent direct communication between students, and filters most of the messages that are shared.
This is truly ridiculous, and honestly, I find it very difficult to explain.
I can't stress this enough: always look for a community to turn to for support in any course you take. It's the best investment you can make. Don't go through your training alone; the journey is hard enough without the company.
Free stock market course
If you want to get a first impression of the courses offered by Trading and Stock Market for Dummies, you can access a free stock market course offered by the school itself through the BPT Club (unfortunately, even as a free course, it is quite poor).
Buying one of Francisca Serrano 's books could be another alternative.
If you decide on this second option, I recommend starting with: Escuela de Bolsa; a very, very basic text, but one that will help you take the first steps.
Other published books that may also interest you are: 'Trading School: Short-Term Investment Guide', 'Move Your Savings and Earn a Salary', and 'Day Trading and Stock Market Operations for Dummies'.
On Francisca Serrano's personal website (yes, Francisca even has a personal website), you'll find all her books. Her latest book is 'From Civil Servant to Millionaire: Invest in Stocks and Achieve Financial Independence'.
Trading and marketing… for dummies
The truth is that the school constantly updates its course offerings, which shouldn't surprise you.
In fact, they're always launching new campaigns or business initiatives. BPT's marketing is truly powerful.
An example of this is Canal Trader, a project also run by Francisca Serrano, which introduces people to the world of trading in a friendly and engaging way, eventually leading them to the paid course.
I should clarify that this is not a criticism, I'm just telling you how Francisca's school works on its marketing strategies.
If you search online, you'll find many opinions about Francisca Serrano's course, many of them unflattering. The school, however, continues to share its successes, with figures that are hard to take seriously (like the 82% example below).
This practice of presenting dubious statistics is something Eurekers also engages in (according to Eurekers, 86% of its students win). Francisca Serrano seems to be a big fan of Jose Antonio Madrigal 's (Eurekers' director) marketing strategies , as she constantly copies his bad habits: questionable awards and biased statistics.
Be very careful with these statistics shared by stock market schools; the truth is that many times this data is compiled during the best month or the best week of the year in the markets (and generally during a very good year for the market).
It is clear that if I only evaluate traders during the best week of the year in the markets, there is a high probability that they will all make a profit, whether by pure luck or because of the system used when trading.
Uncle's awards
The school often boasts about the awards it receives. Awards that are generally given by organizations of very dubious reputation.
As I have already mentioned, this practice is shared with Eurekers and it honestly never ceases to amaze me.
Awards such as 'Best Stock Market Course in Europe'or 'Best Trading School in Europe' are worthless when the person awarding these prizes is 'Aunt Paquita', the owner of the bar on the corner.
The truth is, these organizations give an award to each of their membersso they can somehow elevate the status of their products or educational programs. Unfortunately, people don't investigate and believe in these awards. Don't be one of them.
And if this surprises you, consider that Francisca earns more than 1.5 million euros a year from the sale of her courses.
Given these numbers, it's no wonder these deplorable marketing strategies have spread among many trading academies. Fortunately, not all academies are the same.
Don't be fooled by those videos showing extraordinary trading profits (of course, Francisca isn't the only one doing this).
The truth is, I don't like this type of marketing when it comes to selling stock market courses. It creates expectations that are often light years away from reality, especially for someone looking to make a living from trading by scalping, as Francisca suggests.
Trading and Stock Market Prices for Dummies:
As I've already mentioned, there are many courses you can take at Francisca Serrano. However, the core courses are the Basic Course and the Advanced Course, a package you can access for approximately €1,500.
Since these values can fluctuate, I recommend that you always check the prices on the Bolsa para Torpes website .
Of course, these courses can be complemented by other courses offered at the same school, but for those who wish to start the Basic + Advanced pack, it will be sufficient.
What the students say
✅ The best according to students
- Accessibility for beginners: The basic course is designed for people with no prior trading experience, offering a structured introduction to technical analysis and trading in financial markets.
- Variety of educational resources: In addition to the courses, Francisca Serrano has published several books on trading and investing, providing supplementary material for students.
- Live sessions: Some students highlight the possibility of attending live classes, which allows them to resolve doubts in real time and follow the instructors' operations.
⚠️ The worst, according to the students
- Inconsistent and confusing strategy: Several alumni criticize the BPT method for lacking coherence between the basic and advanced courses, incorporating multiple indicators and techniques that can be contradictory and difficult to integrate into a solid strategy.
- Lack of follow-up and support: There is little attention given to the student after the purchase of the course, with an inactive community and limited interaction with the instructors.
- Aggressive marketing and upsells: Some users mention that the basic course is not enough and that they are constantly encouraged to purchase additional courses to complete their training, which can result in considerable expense without any guarantee of results.
- Outdated content: Former students have reported that some of the course material was recorded several years ago, which may affect the relevance and applicability of the strategies taught in the current market context.
Conclusions and opinion on the stock market course 'Trading and Stock Market for Dummies' by Francisca Serrano:
As a trader, I confess that BPT's proposal is not the one that appeals to me the most.
Personally, I don't like that volume isn't used in the core courses offered by Francisca, but this is just my opinion.
In a way, something similar happens to me as happens with Oliver Velez.
Although it is true that Francisca offers a complete course on volume (Price and Volume with Order Flow), you should keep in mind that this course is paid for separately as it is complementary.
Lots of marketing, lots of chaos
I also criticize the school for a certain lack of organization when it comes to transmitting the concepts used in the different trading strategies.
There is no solid system, but rather, as I have already mentioned, what we find is a set of elements that are often difficult to integrate into a coherent whole.
An example of what I mean is that I have spoken with several people who have taken the Basic + Advanced Course, and every time I ask them to tell me what their market entry strategy is, they find it difficult to describe it or each one gives me a different version of it.
I honestly believe that the Basic Course can contribute something to your training if you are starting from scratch and don't feel like using Google.
The Advanced Course may no longer make sense, because you should know that if you really want to approach trading in a minimally professional way, what Trading and Stock Market for Dummies will not be enough.
However, despite what I've said, it seems that some people do find success with what they learned in Trading and Stock Market for Dummies. An example of this is the video below of someone who earned €20,000 trading with funded accounts.
The question we should be asking ourselves is whether this is truly the result of consistent trading, or merely a stroke of luck. Time will tell.
Watch video of student from school who earns $20,000 in one week
Alternatives to the course offered by BPT
As an alternative to Francisca Serrano's courses, you could consider the course offered by Ferran Font, where, in addition to trading with 'Price Action', you can work on 'Order Flow'.
My opinion on Trading and the Stock Market for Dummies in a nutshell
In short, Francisca Serrano offers modest stock market training for those just starting out who don't have time to research on their own, but don't expect much more than that.
🛡️ Legal notice
This article is for informational purposes only and reflects personal opinions, user experiences shared on social media, and critical analysis of an educational product offered to the public. It is not intended to defame, spread misinformation, or damage the reputation of any person or company mentioned.
The images used in this article are illustrative, either public screenshots or images taken for critical analysis from freely accessible websites. Their use falls within the legitimate interest of informing and providing context.
We recommend that our readers research and compare various sources before making decisions related to financial products or services.
My name is Norberto. I've been investing and trading for over a decade. I'm also the author of the trading course Experiencia Topstep. If you want to learn how to invest and have any questions, feel free to contact me.
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Francisca Serrano's courses are worthless; they rely on indicators and news, which isn't professional trading. Furthermore, they don't pay for the course, monitor your progress, or anything like that (you pay for the course and that's it). She also has a SICAV (investment company) in Andorra and doesn't declare her income in Spain… A complete charlatan, and she doesn't contribute to the tax system like the rest of us taxpayers
What course would you recommend to learn volume or what academy?.
Hi Hugo,
There are many courses that work exclusively with price action and volume, but the two that I have liked the most and usually recommend are Futures Trading and PV School of Finance (The Wyckoff Method).
Greetings
What course would you recommend to learn volume or what academy?.
Hello,
I am Jose
I'm a mentor and I've completed all four courses: basic, advanced, structures, and volume.
I also did mentoring, and I have to say I spent three and a half years training at http://www.tradingybolsaparatorpes.com , because my training hasn't been stable and I've had to take breaks due to family reasons.
Most of the comments I read here probably wanted to see positive results in two days and were looking for the holy grail.
Today I am profitable. It hasn't been easy, but without this school and teachers like Francisca and Sergio, or Jordi in mentoring, it would have been impossible for me to get here.
Last month I made 150 points on the Nasdaq and 25 on the DAX. My average is around that.
And I've been doing that for a few months now. We're a community of students all connected on Telegram.
I have all the courses, including the one on stocks, and I learned a long time ago how to identify and value companies. I'm speechless at all the knowledge they provide.
I don't see any comments about the live classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays for beginner and advanced students that I attended. They're always trying to improve…
So I completely disagree with everything that's been said, and besides, to this day I haven't seen anyone from any school doing live trading for several weeks. Francisca and Alejandro from Audiomercados have traded live for a month and a half every day at the same time.
Anyway… I'm just sharing my modest experience. But I suppose many of these testimonials are fake, and others are from people who, instead of getting proper training, have tried to beat the market with just one course.
Anyone who comes to a trading school and expects not to work simply has no place in the trading world.
For me, trading is now my way of life, and without my teachers it wouldn't have been possible.
I haven't received any training other than what I got at the stock market for dummies or BPT.
Greetings to anyone who might be interested.
Hello José,
Thank you so much for your contribution; I'm sure the community will appreciate it. There are a few points I'd like to clarify:
1. You might not know this because you haven't taken their courses, but Ferran Font, Trading de Futuros, ArmagaFX, and Novatos Trading Club are live traders. There are probably others I can't recall right now.
2. The testimonials aren't fake (at least most of them aren't). I can guarantee this because I've exchanged emails (or even spoken) with several of these former students. They're simply testimonials from traders who weren't satisfied with the course. This is what usually happens when the marketing surrounding the course creates very high expectations (make a living from trading, become a millionaire in your time, travel the world while working at what you love, €2,000 a month trading 2 hours a day, etc.).
Greetings
Many years ago, at least 10 or 12, I took all of Francisco Serrano's courses in person in Madrid and Barcelona. I also bought all his books. As you rightly say, I used to trade once a week, and it was disastrous. His empire has grown exponentially, and more and more books and courses are added to his collection. I can tell you that I belonged to the group of the first students who took the courses, and I don't think any of them were profitable after several years of trading. If I remember correctly, he even set up a SICAV (Spanish investment company), and one of my friends from that group lost more than €20,000. The moral of the story is that income comes from courses and other things, not from trading itself
Hello.
I took the BPT basic course, and as several other responses have already mentioned, it's a very poor course for the price. I think Francisca is better at marketing than trading, because the advertising is very aggressive, but the course was practically useless to me. As others have mentioned, the stop losses are very low (which the market quickly wipes out), and they practice scalping, which I don't think is the best approach for beginners. I tried their method (in a simulation) and it didn't work for me…
In short, I don't recommend it, but that's my experience.
Oh, I forgot to mention his books… he says he's written eight, but the content is so repetitive I'd say it's the same book with eight different titles. I even found glaring errors, like on page 184 of "Day Trading and Stock Market Operations," where he refers to an upward-downward channel and vice versa.
And I'm still a beginner.
Thank you so much for your contributions, I won't waste any more money on this school.
Wow… I should have looked for reviews before paying for the course.
My opinion is the same. They bombard you with advertising, and the course was recorded between 2011 and 2013. Her husband, Sergio, appears in most of the recordings, and you can't understand him even with the subtitles.
In the final video, Francisca says that anyone who has completed the basic course is already qualified to trade with real money, but then she tells you not to even think about doing so without taking the advanced course. Thank you for clarifying that for me, because I'm desperate to learn once and for all and was going to buy it, even though I didn't like the basic course at all.
I developed such a dislike for her that I can't watch another video of this woman with her screeching voice.