I honestly procrastinated so hard with studying until the night before. I kinda cooked myself on this one any next steps to take or who to watch to study a little more please let me know.
I used Chat GPT to study the night before I honestly expected a way lower score. Would love some honest feedback.
Studied for 4 weeks and completed the Kaplan course.
Hey all, I’m currently a college student (soon to graduate thankfully) who has had a poor time studying for sie. I was targeting a mid may exam day for the sie, but got derailed by taking 7 courses along with just lack of motivation to study. I had been writing extensive notes chapter by chapter of kaplan financials licensing manual, which led to me feeling burnt out. I now have a lot of content i need to get through and likely wont get to the exam date prepared
Im considering pushing back my exam (never fully chose a date, just predicted date), but i wanted to know if i can just read and then spam quizzes/exams and learn just as much. I want to be diligent but not take too long or get that burn out feeling moving forward. Any advice?
Hello everyone, I am just getting into learning about the SIE exam. Do you guys recommend any websites or books to pass the exam under $100? Thanks
Used Knopman Marks provided by my firm to pass the SIE and supplemented with Kaplan Q bank. I answered over 3,000 questions in total + all of the free tests available online. I honestly can’t recommend KM enough it truly did feel like the SIE was the easiest of all of the practice tests i took throughout my studying. I watched all of their videos, and read the entire book which really helped me. Key concepts were also great & honestly didn’t see most of them on the SIE but definitely boosted my confidence knowing I was familiar. Studied for 20 days & passed this Monday. Currently studying for the 6 using KM as-well, any tips or anything I should be focused on? I only have 9 study days for the 6.
Would anyone be interested in creating a study group for the SIE exam. I am on chapter 6 just starting it but would find it beneficial to have a study groups with people because I think that is the best way to learn being with a group of people to discuss content. Let me know and I can start a zoom and we can get a schedule going.
In no way am I endorsing this method, however, I wanted to post this for those working on condensed timelines to know that it is possible. Was offered a position in IB, but needed to get certificates to get job, scheduled them further out and they wanted them done on an accelerated timeline(aka take the test next week)
My background MDS (total bullshit degree) and a few years working for a CRE PE group, so light terminology knowledge. Purchased KnopmanMarks Wed 4/15, basically had no life outside of my computer except for a couple of hours Saturday evening, late nights. Late afternoon test time on Tuesday 4/21 to cover last minute studying and passed first try.
I am exhausted, I don't recommend(I do recommend KnopmanMarks), and suggest anyone taking the test to give yourself more than a week, but wanted to give confidence to those that think they don't have enough time. Taking the 63 & 79 in the coming weeks
SIE exam tomorrow 😬
Been using Pass Perfect and scoring around 62… cutting it close, but hoping it clicks on test day.
Hey guys I just pass my Sie!!! This was my second chance I had miss it by one pone the first time.
I’ve been using STC study material the past two weeks and I genuinely do not find it helpful at all. I have no experience in the industry and am trying to pass this exam to get my foot in the door. STC feels like they expect you to know all the finance jargon as if I had 5+ years experience in the field. I watch lectures, Read The chapters, take notes, pass quizzes, but somehow still averaging 55% on practice tests. For some reason the way they present the material vs how they structure exams just doesn’t click to me and I did well in school and am usually a good test taker. Are there a better beginner friendly options over STC? I really want to take my exam in the next 4-8weeks.
Started studying at the beginning of the year. Purchased Kaplan materials for myself (as a birthday present lol) and read the book all the way through. I made sure to do all the knowledge checks & practice tests. Between working & studying, I completed the book in about 2 months. Then all of March I brushed up on areas that I felt I struggled on using the Q bank & taking more detailed notes. Also used Ken Fin & series 7 guru to help clarify the topics I needed extra focus on. Those guys really do help man. I took the test on 4.20 and honestly that was probably more than enough time.
By mid March I was scoring 75-90% with a couple of exceptions where my scores were unusually low which I didn’t mind because I could review those questions and learn where my mistakes were.
1-2 weeks out I took the mastery & then started customising the Q bank to heavily test myself in areas I knew were tested based on this thread & what Google told me.
When you go in, be calm & confident. Read the questions carefully and once you’re done with all the questions go back and review your answers but don’t spend longer than 10 minutes doing so. Most of your answers are probably right the first time but if you can catch the obvious then that’s the only time I’d change. I had 1-2 where the wording had got me caught up and I only marked 8 or so for review.
I don’t know how some people do it in a month while working but kudos to those people. Yall got this. Don’t slack, don’t make excuses. Do the work, be a savage, and you’ll come out on top.
Hey everyone I recently got a new job in Chicago and I need to pass my Sie in June, I failed my SIE for a 3rd time in December it’s first score 69, then two 64s. I’m able to take it again in June I’m very nervous because I need to pass to get this job and move to Chicago, I’m working a different job rn and I need advice on new study tips especially when working a 9-5 now and just any insight on how to pass as you can see I was right there on the threshold and I think while studying in the past I knew nothing when I started and now I have a good baseline of what I’ll be looking at. But still very nervous I need to pass this in order to move and work, and if I find a place and quit my current job and then fail the SIE I will be big screwed, please any insight on what I can do differently or how to burn it into my head that would be great thank you! Also have bad test anxiety and adhd I also used Kaplan but did not follow and would skip around I went at it in a bad way
Studied KM and was getting tired of the double negative, multiple answer questions.
But, it did prepare me for the FINRA test layout. The questions were written pretty similarly in that they required thought to answer. Don't feel like I got an easy question bank 😀.
Repitition is key. Now on to Series 6.
Best of luck to all upcoming test takers!
Hi friends - just wanted to share that I PASSED today on my 2nd attempt!!! I literally cried when I saw I passed lol ugh wow so happy. My first try I got a 69%. And that was crushing. But I reworked the way I studied and I can say without a doubt - I absolutely crushed this. Total 180 from last time where I’d been doubting myself and changed answers - this time I was like yeah 10000% that’s the right answer. I only went back and relooked at 10, only 2 of which I changed my answer BECAUSE they were math problems that I finally figured out. Specifically, one was about a 3:2 split & new $/share after - and I’m so stoked I went back on that one cause I knew there had to be a right answer. Anyways, thank you everyone for your input and support ! I don’t claim to be an expert, obviously all I know is I got at least 70%, but I also am happy to answer any questions and provide help how I can. My biggest tip would be if you fail the first, work that much harder for the second. And during the second, do not second guess yourself & STOP CHANGING ANSWERS.
Also - after I saw I passed it moved on to the survey and then my whole screen errored out and I about passed out but apparently they save your information as you go so it was fine but that was really a scare lol I have the passing printout and everything so it’s 100% legit - I passed. Yay.
Good luck to y’all - onto the 7 for me 🤍🥹🥹
Hi!
I am pursuing a career change from healthcare to financial planning. I have been studying using Achievable and have my exam scheduled for May 14th. I have been applying to positions over the last few weeks while studying and was contacted by a recruiter for a large broker dealer after making a LinkedIn connection.
Does anyone out there have any advice for the phone screen? I appreciate any thoughts or help!
Hey everyone,
I’m going into my 3rd attempt at the SIE and wanted some honest feedback before I spend more money.
Right now I’m:Scoring around 75–80% on Kaplan QBank (new questions)
Got an 81% on a Kaplan practice exam
I feel like I know most of the material, but it’s kind of choppy in my head.
My biggest issue isn’t really scores—it’s that sometimes I’ll see a term (like UIT, annuities, etc.) and think:
“I know this… but I can’t explain it cleanly”
So I end up hesitating or second-guessing.
I’m considering buying the TestGeek SIE course mainly for:simpler explanations
organizing everything better in my head
feeling more confident going into this last attempt.
For those who’ve used TestGeek:
Did it actually help things “click” for you?
Was it worth it at this stage (already scoring ~75–80)?
Or is it more useful earlier on?
Appreciate any honest input—especially from anyone who passed after being in a similar spot.
Hey everybody, relieved to pass the SIE. Still gotta take the 7 and 66. I did read the entire SIE textbook but I’m wondering if that’s appropriate for the 7, as it is way larger. I’m aiming to take it in about a month or so. Any advice would help!!! I have Kaplan and STC materials.
Shoutout Ken at Capadvantage for all the wisdom!
Zero finance background. Haven't taken a math class in 20 years. Got hired to write for the product marketing team at a b-d; SIE/Series 6 required to keep my job.
I studied for 2.5 months (mostly CeriFi/Pass Perfect, provided by my employer). I was getting 65-70% on practice exams. Honestly did not expect to pass.
The exam, for me at least, was SO MUCH easier than the practice exams. I felt like I was being asked trick questions, they were so simple!
Anyway, can't believe I'm here now. 4/20 blaze it
Hi everyone!
My husband is taking the SIE in about 3 weeks and I’m trying to help him set up the best study plan. He works full-time as a supervisor at the post office and is really interested in eventually moving into the financial side of things.
He does have ADHD and gets pretty bad test anxiety, so I’m trying to find study resources that are clear and not overwhelming.
From what I’ve seen, people mention Kaplan, STC, and Achievable a lot but I’d love real opinions:
What study guides actually helped you pass?
Are any better for shorter attention spans or ADHD?
Best practice test resources?
Anything that helped with test anxiety specifically?
He’s super motivated, I just want to set him up the best way possible.
Thank you so much in advance!!