SIE Exam

What is the SIE exam?

Well, first off, the SIE Exam is a securities licensing exam and actually goes by a number of different names. Its formal name is the Securities Industry Essentials Exam, but it is most commonly referred to as the acronym SIE exam.

Who created the Securities Industry Essentials exam?

The Securities Industry Essentials exam was created and is administered by FINRA, which is the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. FINRA is a self-regulatory organization that oversees the securities industry. The exam is an entry-level exam that is the starting point for those looking to become a securities industry professional.

Who can take this exam?

The SIE exam can be taken by anyone age 18 or older, including students and prospective candidates interested in demonstrating basic industry knowledge to prospective employers. No firm affiliation is required to sit for the SIE exam. In other words, an applicant does not need to be sponsored to sit and take the SIE exam.

What content is covered on the exam?

Most of the content covered on the SIE exam is based upon common securities industry knowledge and general concepts. If you are interested in viewing the actual SIE Exam outline as created and published by FINRA, click the link below.

Learn More

Once I pass my SIE Exam can I sell securities?

No, you cannot. Passing this exam alone does not qualify an individual for registration with a FINRA member firm, or to engage in the securities business. In order to become registered to engage in the securities business, an individual must pass the Securities Industry Essentials exam and a qualification exam related to the type of business they will engage in.

What are the vitals for the SIE Exam?

The Securities Industry Essentials exam is made up of 75 multiple-choice questions. Each question consists of four answer choices. The exam has a 1 hour and 45-minute time limit and has a 70% minimum passing score. The questions on the exam come from four sections of information as follows:

Knowledge of Capital Markets – 16% of exam – 12 questions
Understanding Products and Their Risks – 44% of exam – 33 questions
Understanding Trading, Customer Accounts and Prohibited Activities – 31% of exam – 23 questions
Overview of the Regulatory Framework – 9% of exam – 7 questions

How do I study to pass the exam?

Here at PassMasters we have an excellent video lecture based online SIE test prep course. We can teach you everything you need to know to pass this exam on your first attempt. Or, maybe you studied another course and failed. Our specialty is assisting those who have taken the SIE test and failed, prepare to pass the exam once and for all. To learn more click this link: SIE Exam Prep

Learn more about the SIE exam from Suzy

Suzy is our Director of Securities Exam prep and will guide you through an overview of this exam and share with you a great study solution you can use to pass this exam.

“I passed on my SIE exam on my first try!! If I didn’t have all the help from Suzy and her trick questions, I don’t know how I would have made it!”

Mark

SIE Student

Did you already pass the exam?

If you have already passed the SIE Exam and need to take a top-off exam, we can help you there. Click the links below to be directed to information about our other securities exam prep courses:

How do you know our Securities Industry Essentials exam study material is the best? Check out two full-length sample lecture videos from the course below. You can also take a FREE SIE practice exam to see exactly how our practice/final exams are formatted. Of course, you can also check out our SIE Exam student testimonials. Feedback from real people who are passing the SIE test.

SIE Exam Questions Explained

Each week on Wednesday we post a new Question of the Week video on our YouTube page. Check out this QOTW video in which Suzy explains 20 exam questions. Visit our YouTube page, follow and turn notifications ON to view future QOTW videos when posted.