Securities Industry Essentials / SIE exam
Your First Step to a Career in the Securities Industry - Broker-Dealer side
In order to qualify and register as securities professionals, individuals must pass two FINRA exams:
Securities Industry Essentials exam (SIE exam or Essentials exam)
Specialized knowledge exam (SKE) or “top-off” exam
The SIE is an entry-level FINRA exam testing a range of securities industry fundamentals. Broker-dealer sponsorship is not required to take the SIE; anyone aged 18 or older may do so. This allows anyone looking to enter the securities industry to pass the exam, demonstrating sincerity and basic industry knowledge on their resume. However, passing the SIE alone does not qualify a candidate to register with FINRA or perform securities business.
Each candidate must also pass a corequisite Specialized Knowledge Exam (SKE), commonly referred to as a top-off exam which is specific to the candidate’s career path. Top-off exams include the Series 6 and Series 7. They test specific job functions required by a chosen career path and candidates must be sponsored by a FINRA-registered broker-dealer to take these exams.
Though the SIE and top-off exams may be taken in either order, we strongly encourage taking the SIE first, since top-offs assume basic knowledge tested in the SIE.
Exam Details
Exam Format: 75 multiple-choice questions
Exam Duration: 1 hour, 45 minutes (105 minutes)
Passing Score: 70%
Corequisite: One of FINRA’s top-off SKE exams, which include the Series 6 and Series 7
Broker-dealer Sponsorship: not required
Cost: $60
Study Course
Securities Industry Essentials (SIE)
Modules: 15 chapters delivered in mobile-friendly, online and printable .pdf formats
Module Quizzes: 15 20-question, module quizzes to gauge initial comprehension
Live Tutorials: Live, instructor-led tutorials offered on a rotating calendar basis
OnDemand Tutorials: 15 mobile-friendly, OnDemand tutorials available 24/7
Bonus Tutorials:
Introduction to the SIE
Test Taking Tips to help you beat the test
Mini Finals: Two 50-question mini-finals
Final Exams: Six 75-question, weighted finals that simulate the SIE exam
Green Light Status Indicator: Know with confidence your level of preparedness
Remediation:
Suggested Study Plan: System-generated study plan based on incorrect answers on initial assessments. Includes a custom suggested study plan assessment containing actual missed questions from final exams.
Custom Assessments: Create unlimited, 20 or 50-question, custom exams from any number of modules. Feature unlocks when final exams are completed.
Instructor Access: Unlimited email/phone access to our expert NRS Exam Prep instructors
FIRE Drill App: Access to additional practice questions in our free SIE FIRE Drill App
