Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Exam Preparation
Your First Step to a Career in the Securities Industry
Enroll NowAbout the SIE Exam
The Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Exam is a foundational FINRA exam designed for individuals aspiring to enter the securities industry.
What is the SIE Exam?
The SIE exam evaluates your understanding of key concepts such as:
- Types of securities products and associated risks
- Structure and functioning of securities markets
- Regulatory agencies and their responsibilities
- Prohibited industry practices
Important Update: Effective Oct. 27, 2025, FINRA will reduce the number of unscored (pretest) questions delivered to candidates on the SIE, Series 7, and Series 79 exams—from 10 unscored questions to 5 unscored questions. The duration remains unchanged.
The SIE exam is open to any individual aged 18 or older. You do not need to be associated with a firm to take the SIE. Once passed, your SIE exam remains valid for four years.
Important: Passing the SIE does not make you fully registered. You must pass both:
- The SIE Exam
- A role-specific qualification exam (e.g., Series 7, Series 79, etc.)
Additionally, you must be associated with a FINRA member firm to sit for the qualification exam.
Exam Details & Pattern
Exam Pattern
The SIE exam consists of 75 scored questions, covering four major sections:
| Sections | % of Exam | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge of Capital Markets | 16% | 12 |
| Understanding Products and Their Risks | 44% | 33 |
| Understanding Trading, Customer Accounts & Prohibited Activities | 31% | 23 |
| Overview of the Regulatory Framework | 9% | 7 |
| Total | 100% | 75 |
Additional 5 unscored pretest questions may appear. All questions are multiple-choice, and the exam is computer-based.
Enrollment Options
FINRA recommends using a Windows laptop or desktop for enrollment.
Individuals Can Enroll Directly By:
- Creating a FINRA account
- Paying the exam fee via credit card/ACH or redeeming a voucher
- Scheduling the exam through Prometric — either at a test center or online
No firm sponsorship is required to take the SIE.
Course Details
What You Study for the SIE Exam – In Detail
Primary Securities Markets
This section introduces how capital markets function and how securities move from issuers to investors.
- Primary and Secondary Markets
- Market Participants
- Public Offerings and Private Placements
- Economic Factors
Equity, Debt, and Packaged Products
This section covers the major financial products and their characteristics.
- Equity Securities (Stocks)
- Debt Securities (Bonds)
- Packaged Investment Products
- Mutual Funds and ETFs
Investment Risks
Understanding different types of risks is crucial for all securities professionals.
- Market Risk
- Interest Rate Risk
- Credit/Default Risk
- Liquidity Risk
Customer Accounts
This area covers how brokerage firms manage and maintain customer accounts.
- Types of Accounts
- Documentation Needed
- Margin Accounts
- Customer Privacy Rules
Order Types and Trade Settlement
This focuses on how trades are executed in the market.
- Market, Limit, and Stop Orders
- Trade Execution and Settlement
- T+1 and T+2 Settlement
- Trade Reporting Rules
Regulatory Framework
Understanding the regulatory bodies is essential.
- SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission)
- FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority)
- MSRB (Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board)
- Regulatory Reporting and Filings
Our Features
What Makes Our SIE Preparation Unique
Complete Live Classes
We conduct fully interactive live sessions where students can learn concepts in real time, ask questions, and engage directly with instructors.
Recorded Lectures Available 24/7
Missed a live class? No problem. Every lecture is recorded and uploaded to your student portal, accessible anytime and from any device.
1-to-1 Mentorship Sessions on Request
We offer personalized, one-on-one mentorship to help you stay on track with your preparation and address specific challenges.
Doubt-Clearing Support
Learning does not stop after class. Students receive full doubt support through WhatsApp chat, direct calls, and weekly doubt-clearing webinars.
Custom Study Plan
We create a personalized study schedule based on your available time, learning pace, target exam date, and strength/weak areas.
Full-Length Mock Tests
We provide complete mock tests that replicate the exact structure, timing, and question style of the real SIE exam.
Study Materials
Everything You Need for Complete SIE Preparation
Comprehensive Topic-Wise Notes
Well-structured, easy-to-understand notes for every topic in the SIE syllabus with definitions, charts, tables, and real-world examples.
Formula Sheets & Quick Revision Guides
Specially designed for last-minute preparation with one-page formula sheets, summary charts, and important terms and definitions.
Question Banks with Answers
Hundreds of practice questions with fully solved answers and explanations to test your understanding and build confidence.
Downloadable Practice Sets
Practice worksheets, topic-wise question sets, and mini-tests in PDF format for offline practice and quick revision.
Instant Performance Analytics
Detailed performance analysis after every test including accuracy percentage, section-wise scores, and improvement suggestions.
Expert Faculty with Industry Experience
Our trainers include professionals with hands-on experience in securities markets, investment banking, and compliance roles.
Student Testimonials
"The classes were structured and easy to follow. The mock tests helped me pass SIE on the first attempt."
"1-to-1 mentoring was the best part. They clarified all doubts and guided me through the entire exam process."
"Study Alpha Academy's materials were very close to the actual exam. Highly recommended."
"The faculty's industry experience made complex topics easy to understand. Great preparation for a finance career."
Contact Us
Get in touch for admissions, guidance, or help with enrollment
Enrollment Form
Contact Information
WhatsApp: +91 9062395123
We offer 24×7 WhatsApp & email support, faculty assistance for difficult topics, and live doubt-clearing sessions weekly.