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Textbook
Introduction
1. Common stock
2. Preferred stock
3. Debt securities
4. Corporate debt
5. Municipal debt
6. US government debt
7. Investment companies
8. Alternative pooled investments
9. Options
10. Taxes
11. The primary market
12. The secondary market
13. Brokerage accounts
14. Retirement & education plans
15. Rules & ethics
Wrapping up
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Introduction
Achievable SIE

Introduction

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Welcome to the Achievable SIE course! The Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam is a FINRA exam designed for candidates seeking a career in the securities industry.

Here is how the FINRA website describes the exam:

This introductory-level exam assesses a candidate’s knowledge of basic securities industry information, including concepts fundamental to working in the industry, such as types of products and their risks; the structure of the securities industry markets, regulatory agencies, and their functions; and prohibited practices.

Eligibility

Anyone 18 years of age or older can take the SIE. Candidates do not need to be associated with a firm (“sponsored”) to take the exam; once the exam is taken, the results are valid for four years.

Exam format

The exam consists of 75 multiple-choice questions, 10 of which will be experimental, unscored questions. The exam duration is 1 hour and 45 minutes. Most importantly, a passing score for the SIE exam is 70% or higher.

The content outline of the exam is comprised of 4 major sections:

  • (1) Knowledge of Capital Markets (16% of exam questions, 12 exam questions)
  • (2) Understanding Products and Their Risks (44% of exam questions, 33 exam questions)
  • (3) Understanding Trading, Customer Accounts and Prohibited Activities (31% of exam questions, 23 exam questions)
  • (4) Overview of Regulatory Framework (9% of exam questions, 7 exam questions)

Final thoughts

The textbook’s wrapping-up portion contains more details about taking the SIE exam, including how to register for it, exam cost, and test-taking options. Most people schedule their exams about two weeks before their intended test date.

This course is designed to guide you through every aspect of the SIE exam. Achievable exam prep includes our online textbook, review questions, full-length practice exams, and videos on key topics. We recommend that you work through the course as prompted, starting with the textbook and continuing to practice problems and exams. Remember that practice makes perfect!

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