Best SIE Exam Prep Courses Online
Passing the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Exam proves that individuals have a fundamental understanding of securities topics. The exam is divided into multiple-choice and experimental sections, covering topics essential to working in the industry and furthering your career. For many, this exam will be one of their first hurdles on their path to their professional career goals.
But with a newer exam, where do you even begin to study? We’ve got you covered there.
We’ll be discussing who the big players are in the SIE study materials space and the prep courses surrounding these top providers. We’ll not only break down who these providers are, but also what makes their services stand out and what types of learners they’ll most likely appeal to.
Best SIE Exam Study Materials
- Securities Institute of America
- Securities Training Corporation
- Achievable
- Kaplan SIE
- ExamFX
- Knopman Marks
1. Securities Institute of America
Securities Institute of America covers all sections of the SIE Exam (as well as content for other FINRA exams) and employs a proven method to help students achieve higher test scores. Lessons are segmented into shorter sections to allow for a greater number of opportunities to test your knowledge. By breaking the lessons into smaller chunks and quizzing you more frequently, you’re more actively able to retain information and better recall key facts.
The good news is that you can feel safe here as well. Securities Institute of America understands that its students will do better when learning with top-tier content. For that reason, they’ve included video lessons shot with state-of-the-art technology and featuring actual industry professionals and instructors.
The course also provides comprehensive coverage of fundamental topics, including economics, corporate fundamentals, equity and debt securities, and more.
In addition to providing useful information, this SIE study guide aims to keep you on track as you progress. You’ll be provided with access to a Performance Dashboard including key metrics and progress indicators. Additionally, you’ll have a personalized study calendar for scheduling out your agenda as you work through more than 13 hours of online video lectures.
Pros and Cons
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Video Instruction: Once you sign up for this online review course, you get access to a library of in-depth video lectures covering all the subjects on the SIE exam. With over 13 hours of video content, that’s more than enough to get you up to speed on all the relevant securities industry topics. -
Choose Your Practice Method: There are 15 different ways you can customize the Securities Institute of America’s SIE practice exams. These include separating each exam into specific subjects—a great way to quickly eliminate knowledge gaps—or creating fully randomized exam simulations that accurately reflect the real thing. -
Mobile Friendly: Although there is no dedicated mobile app for this FINRA review course, you’re able to easily access all of their online study materials through your tablet or smartphone’s browser— as long as it’s a newer model. Additionally, you get a physical textbook with 400 pages of study material that you can easily take with you for on-the-go studying. -
Good Amount of Practice Questions: With 1,200+ practice questions to choose from, you’ll have more than enough to prepare, but not too many that you’ll feel overwhelmed.
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A Little Excessive: Since the SIE exam has only 75 questions, practicing with 1,200+ questions may seem like overpreparation. Because of this, you can probably stop long before answering every single practice question included with this course and still earn a passing grade on the actual exam. -
Large Textbook: Honestly, over 400 pages is great for depth and comprehension, but if you prefer to learn through video lessons, it can feel like a lot (and yes, it’s a little heavy!). -
On-Demand Only: While some SIE exam prep providers, like STC and Kaplan, offer live online classes, SIA sticks to on-demand resources.
2. Securities Training Corporation
Securities Training Corporation is best for SIE candidates who want a more traditional, structured prep course with strong instructor support. Its SIE packages can include a step-by-step study plan, textbook-style materials, on-demand and live class options, practice exams, progress tracking, and access to an instructor hotline, depending on the package selected. STC also emphasizes exam-style practice, with its comparison materials listing 8+ full-length practice exams and 2,100+ questions.
The biggest reason to choose STC over a leaner self-study course is guidance. It’s a good fit if you don’t want to piece together your own plan, want help when securities concepts get confusing, or prefer a course that feels closer to a formal licensing program. The tradeoff is that STC may be more course-heavy than some app-style competitors, so independent learners who just want a huge question bank or a cheaper minimalist option may prefer something else.
Pros and Cons
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Live Online Classes: Not only does STC offer live virtual prep classes, but students can choose a 2-day, 2-week, or 4-week setup, with a variety of days and times. -
Pass Guarantee: If you’re interested in this company’s study materials, I recommend enrolling in their Premier or Premier Plus packages. That’s because these two options come with a pass guarantee that stipulates you will ace your SIE exam after finishing this course. -
Lots of Practice Tools: With thousands of practice questions, 8 full-length mock exams customized to your strengths and weaknesses, 10 progress exams, Green Light exams, and plenty of 20-question quizzes, you’ll struggle to run out of practice opportunities. -
Digital Flashcards: Take advantage of over 1,800 digital flashcards and customizable decks to make memorizing terminology easy.
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Package Upgrades: STC has strong features, but some of the biggest selling points, like live instruction and the STC Pass Guarantee, are tied to higher-level package options, so students should check what’s actually included before buying. -
Traditional Course Feel: STC’s structured study plan, textbook, videos, live and on-demand classes, and instructor support can be a major plus, but it may feel heavier than necessary for students who just want a lean question bank and fast self-study review. -
Less Customizable Than Some Competitors: STC is built around a guided, step-by-step prep process, which is helpful for structure but may not be ideal for independent learners who prefer building their own study calendar or jumping straight into targeted practice.
3. Achievable Test Prep
If you want to put your best foot forward as you move towards your securities career, a great way to do so is with Achievable. Achievable is best for SIE candidates who want a clean, self-paced course that’s easy to follow without comparing a bunch of package tiers. The course includes an online textbook written in plain English, 2,000+ review quizzes, 2,000+ practice exam questions, 35+ full-length practice exams, and 32+ bonus videos. Its adaptive learning engine also tracks your progress and adjusts quiz questions based on what you need to review, which makes it especially useful for students who want targeted practice instead of a generic study calendar.
The biggest advantage of Achievable is that it feels built for busy, independent learners. Lessons are broken into manageable sections, the platform is fully online, and the course focuses heavily on retention through quizzes, practice exams, and repeated review. It’s a strong fit if you want a modern, affordable SIE prep option with lots of practice and minimal clutter. The tradeoff is that Achievable is not the best match for students who want live classes, a traditional instructor-led format, or a more formal classroom experience.
Pros and Cons
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Student Success: If you’re looking to establish a securities career, Achievable is fully capable of providing you with the necessary knowledge to succeed. That’s why some of their students have gone on to work for top financial firms such as BlackRock, Fidelity, and Goldman Sachs. -
Very Affordable: This is the only full SIE review course with adaptive learning at this price. If you’re trying to save money but don’t want to skimp on any features, you should absolutely consider signing up for Achievable’s course! -
Easy to Follow: Achievable is designed for real learners. The digital textbook is hyper-readable, the video lessons are short and sweet, and the navigation is foolproof. -
Great Content for the Price: Normally, “cheap” means “not much to work with,” but Achievable includes 36 bonus videos, 35 practice exams, and 2,000+ chapter quizzes.
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Not Live: Like SIA, Achievable is affordable, but lacks live virtual classes that some competitors offer. -
No Bonus Tools: There aren’t many supplemental materials here to switch things up. Read the textbook, watch the videos, and practice what you’ve learned; that’s the flow. -
No Pass Guarantee: If you fail the exam, you won’t receive a full or partial refund or an access extension from Achievable.
4. Kaplan SIE Exam Prep Review
Kaplan is best for SIE candidates who want a comprehensive, highly structured prep course with many built-in study tools. Its SIE packages can include a License Exam Manual, SecuritiesPro QBank, study plan, checkpoint exams, midterm exam, mastery exam, performance tracker, practice exam, unit intro and wrap-up videos, and InstructorLink support, depending on the package selected. Kaplan’s updated SIE course also emphasizes digital-first learning, with more than 120 micro-learning videos, expanded practice questions, resource links, and exam simulation.
The biggest advantage of Kaplan is depth. It’s a strong fit for students who want more than a lightweight self-study platform and prefer a course that walks them through the material with reading, videos, quizzes, exams, analytics, and instructor support. The tradeoff is that Kaplan may feel more expensive or resource-heavy than simpler SIE prep options, especially if you don’t need live or on-demand instruction. It’s best for candidates who want structure, accountability, and a full exam-prep system rather than just a question bank.
Pros and Cons
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Live Online or On-Demand: Choose the format that best fits the study experience you want to have. Kaplan offers both. -
Surprisingly Affordable: Kaplan can be pricey for some prep programs, but for the SIE exam, their pricing is roughly on par with the other courses on this list (and sometimes, even cheaper). -
AI Tutor: AI tutors have been growing in popularity and sometimes feel more like companies are hopping on a “trend train” than providing a real benefit. After testing Kaplan’s, I can say it actually works surprisingly well. -
Student Community: Studying can get lonely, and it’s really nice to have a community of other people who “get it” (and know where to find the details on that sticky subject in the textbook).
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Audiobook: The good news is that Kaplan offers an audio-only version of their License Exam Manual for the SIE exam, which can help you prepare for your test while multitasking or commuting. The bad news is that this is sold separately from their other courses, and it costs more than the standard textbook, which is not included in the package. -
Fewer Live Online Class Schedules: Where STC has a wide variety of schedules, Kaplan tends to stick to the same 4-day format. -
Traditional Feel: Like STC, Kaplan has a more traditional feel than modern competitors like Achievable.
5. ExamFX SIE Review
ExamFX is best for SIE candidates who want flexible prep without being locked into one learning style. Its SIE course is built around multiple study formats, including reading, video, note-taking, practice exams, and live instruction, depending on the selected package. ExamFX also self-reports a 93% pass rate, a low starting price, and a large learner base, making it a practical option for students who want a recognizable exam prep provider with several ways to work through the material.
The biggest advantage of ExamFX is variety. It’s a good fit if you get bored with one-note studying and want a mix of lessons, practice, assessments, and support tools to keep your prep moving. The tradeoff is that ExamFX may not feel as streamlined as Achievable or as deep and traditional as Kaplan or STC, so it works best for students who want a balanced, flexible course rather than the cheapest minimalist option or the most intensive classroom-style program.
Pros and Cons
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Multiple Study Formats: Students can choose between a textbook package, online course package, or live online package, making ExamFX flexible for readers, visual learners, and students who want instructor-led support. -
Strong Practice Tools: ExamFX includes practice question sets, checkpoint exams, benchmark final exams, standard final exams, and a custom exam generator, giving students several ways to test their readiness before exam day. -
Live Webinar Option: The Live Online Package includes live focused webinars that cover challenging SIE topics, which is helpful for students who don’t want to rely entirely on self-study. -
Useful Progress Tracking: ExamFX includes tools that help students monitor their performance and identify weak areas, making it easier to adjust their study plan before taking the real exam.
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Upgrade Limitation: ExamFX notes that students may need to choose the Live Online Package upfront, since upgrading later may not be available. -
Best Features Are Package-Dependent: Some helpful tools, like on-demand videos, online flashcards, progress tracking, and live webinars, are tied to higher-tier packages rather than every version of the course. -
Not the Simplest Course: ExamFX offers a lot of tools and study options, which is useful for many students, but it may feel less streamlined than a minimalist SIE prep course built around one clean study path.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SIE exam?
The Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam is a foundational test for those aspiring to enter the securities industry. It assesses a candidate’s basic understanding of securities industry concepts, the regulatory framework, and market structure.
How long should I study for the SIE exam?
The recommended study time for the SIE exam varies with individual familiarity with the material, but generally 50-70 hours of dedicated study over several weeks is advisable for thorough preparation.
Is the SIE exam hard?
The difficulty of the SIE exam can vary based on your background and understanding of the securities industry. It’s designed to test fundamental concepts, so with proper study and preparation, it is manageable for most candidates.
How many questions are on the SIE exam?
The SIE exam consists of 75 multiple-choice questions, which cover a range of topics pertinent to the securities industry. Candidates are given 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete the exam.
Which additional qualification exams should I consider after the SIE?
After passing the SIE, consider pursuing exams like the Series 7 or Series 63, depending on your career goals. The Series 7 is ideal for those aiming to become general securities representatives, while the Series 63 is suited for those looking to engage in securities transactions at the state level.
Kenneth W. Boyd is a former Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and the author of several of the popular "For Dummies" books published by John Wiley & Sons including 'CPA Exam for Dummies' and 'Cost Accounting for Dummies'.
Ken has gained a wealth of business experience through his previous employment as a CPA, Auditor, Tax Preparer and College Professor. Today, Ken continues to use those finely tuned skills to educate students as a professional writer and teacher.
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