My test date is Sep. 30th and I just started studying for the SIE on achievable on Tuesday, Sep. 9th. I am 14% of the way through the readiness so far, and am wondering if I should be speeding up the pace, keeping it, or slowing down potentially to ensure I pass on my first try. I have already prior experience with a lot of topics from my bachelors degree in finance for context.
Hi @Alex_Lopeman, You’re off to a solid start, but with your exam on September 30th, you’ll want to increase your study pace. At 14% readiness, keeping the same speed may not get you to the range we recommend for a first-time pass. Since you already have a finance background, you may be able to move faster without losing comprehension.
Keep to your study plan to ensure you’ve reviewed all the material in time, aiming to finish your learning by around September 22–23, so you can take practice exams in the final week. Reviewing those tests will help you identify weaker areas and focus your study sessions where they’ll have the most impact.
Try to study 2–3 hours daily, using quizzes and practice exams to track your progress. This way, you’ll confidently enter the last stretch, honing in on what matters most and putting yourself in the best position to pass on your first try.
You got this! Please let us know if there’s anything else we can do to support you as you study.
Thank you,
Mataia
Thank you for the swift response. I will work on trying to increase my study workflow within the coming days. What specific chapters of the book would you suggest I emphasize in taking multiple looks over? For example topics that are commonly large blocks for the test. Let me know!
Best,
Alex Lopeman
Hi @Alex_Lopeman, here is the breakdown of the SIE final exam by chapter:
Common stock – 9 Questions
Preferred stock – 2 Questions
Bond fundamentals – 8 Questions
Corporate debt – 3 Questions
Municipal debt – 1 Question
US government debt – 5 Questions
Investment companies – 5 Questions
Alternative investments – 2 Questions
Options – 4 Questions
Taxes – 1 Question
Primary market – 7 Questions
Secondary market – 4 Questions
Brokerage accounts – 7 Questions
Retirement and education plans – 5 Questions
Rules and ethics – 12 Questions
This may be helpful to see where to prioritize your time, but keep in mind that some concepts overlap across chapters. It’s always smart to give at least one pass over every topic, since even the lower-weighted areas can still show up as must-know questions.
Hope this helps!
Best,
Mataia
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