What is the SIE pass rate
Nathan Sanders
Published Feb 23, 2026
After enrolling, FINRA provides candidates with 120 days to schedule and take the exam. The SIE Exam’s current pass rate is 74% for first-timers and 82% overall. These numbers are largely unchanged from the pass rates that FINRA previously released in January 2019.
How difficult is the SIE exam?
With an average pass rate of 74%, the SIE exam difficulty is very challenging. For a passing pass rate score, candidates must answer 53 out of the 75 questions correctly. Individuals who are 18 or older are eligible to take the SIE FINRA exam.
Is the SIE exam worth taking?
The SIE is a great investment for professional and personal reasons if you have the time. You’ll never regret what you learn in the process and the credential that goes with it.
What is the average score on the SIE?
The passing score for the SIE exam is 70%, but will be adjusted to equalize the specific mix of questions each candidate faces. This way everyone tests on a level playing field. The average rate at which candidates pass the SIE on their first try is 74%.Is Sie easier than series 6?
Overall, the Series 6 difficulty level is somewhat comparable to the SIE exam difficulty. Both tests are certainly digestible, but require enough memory work to weed out anyone not willing to put in sufficient effort. It takes most of our students about 1 to 1.5 months to study for the exam.
What happens after you pass Sie?
What happens after I pass the SIE exam? To become registered with FINRA and seek a representative level role with an employer, you must also pass a revised, specialized knowledge qualification exam (or “top-off”) applicable to your job function with the firm.
Is Sie harder than Series 7?
The Series 7 exam is essentially a much more difficult SIE exam. It has 125 questions (plus 10 extra that don’t count toward your score) vs 75 for the SIE exam. A key difference in the SIE vs Series 7 is that the content goes much deeper for the Series 7.
Why are there 85 questions on the SIE?
To ensure that new questions to be introduced in future exams meet acceptable standards prior to inclusion, you answer 10 additional, unidentified questions that don’t count toward your score. In other words, you get 85 questions to answer, but only 75 are scored.How many questions can I miss on the SIE?
With 75 questions and a required score of 70%, the test doesn’t offer a large margin for error (in order to pass you must correctly answer at least 53 out of the 75 questions). If you have prior education or experience in the financial sector, you may already be familiar with some of these key concepts.
What is a good score on the SIE exam?What score is needed to pass the SIE? The passing score for the SIE is 70 (on a scale of 0 to 100).
Article first time published onWill passing the SIE help me get a job?
Jobs Within Reach After Passing the SIE Exam Remember, the SIE Exam can be taken without any affiliation with a brokerage firm, but passing the exam doesn’t qualify you for a particular job. On the other hand, the qualification exams require member firm sponsorship, are specialized, and are more demanding.
How long does it take to pass Sie?
Others say 100-150 hours. Kaplan advises no less than 50 hours, and you should add more hours if you don’t have a financial background.
Does the SIE look good on a resume?
For most positions related to securities (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc.), the SIE is one of several exams that candidates must pass to be properly licensed and work for a financial company. In addition to being a prerequisite for these roles, the SIE is an excellent introduction to the world of finance.
How long should I study for SIE?
As the springboard to your financial industry career, it’s very important to study efficiently for the SIE Exam. Achievable Blog recommends studying for 20 to 50 hours and for approximately two months.
Is Sie same as Series 7?
Exam Restructuring On October 1, 2018, FINRA restructured the Series 7 exam. New candidates will be required to pass the Securities Industry Essential (SIE) exam along with a Series 7 Top-off exam to obtain the General Securities Representative Qualification registration.
How long did you study for the Sie exam?
For the SIE exam, you should plan to spend between 100-150 hours with the materials prior to attending the Live Classroom Review to maximize your learning. For the Series 6 Top-Off exam, candidates should plan to spend approximately 80 hours with their materials.
What is the hardest series exam?
The Series 7 exam is by far the longest and most difficult of all the securities exams. It lasts for 225 minutes and covers all aspects of stock and bond quotes and trading; put and call options; spreads and straddles; ethics; margin, and other account holder requirements; and other pertinent regulations.
Is Kaplan Good for Sie?
Bottom Line: Kaplan is a solid, dependable company that would do a great job of helping any student prepare for their SIE exam.
Can you use a calculator on the SIE exam?
The SIE Exam cost is $60 and is paid directly to the testing center. You cannot bring in anything with you—pen, pencil, calculator, cell phone, smart watch, paper—everything is prohibited. FINRA takes cheating seriously (and rightfully so), so DO NOT CHEAT.
Who takes Sie?
The SIE is open to anyone aged 18 or older, including students and prospective candidates interested in demonstrating basic industry knowledge to prospective employers. Association with a firm is not required to take the SIE, and results are valid for four years.
Is the SIE a certification?
The SIE Exam is a required qualifications exam administered by FINRA. It tests basic information including products, risks, the structure & function of the securities industry & its regulatory agencies, and knowledge of regulated & prohibited practices.
Can you take Sie exam online?
The SIE, S6 and S7 can be taken at a test center or online. Any candidate interested in taking other FINRA exams online must complete and submit the FINRA Online Exam Administration Request Form before scheduling an exam appointment.
How do you know if you passed Sie?
Once you complete the exam, your unofficial results will be displayed on the computer screen explaining whether you passed or failed. It also will provide a score profile indicating your performance on the major areas of the exam. You will also get a printout of your results from the exam center.
How do I study and pass the SIE exam?
- Study. According to Professional Exam Tutoring, the amount of study time a person needs is dependent on his prior knowledge. …
- Study the right material. …
- Use practice tests. …
- Get help if necessary. …
- Understand what you’re studying.
Is Sie 75 or 85 questions?
The SIE exam is comprised of 85 multiple-choice questions, of which 75 questions are scorable. … Candidates will be given 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete the exam and must correctly answer 70% of the 75 scorable questions to pass.