5 Comments
 

Completing the SIE Exam while still in college can be a strategic move to boost your chances for investment banking (IB) interviews and internships. Based on the most helpful WSO content, the SIE Exam is a prerequisite for the Series 7 and 79 exams, which are commonly required for professionals in the finance industry. Since the SIE does not require sponsorship, taking it early demonstrates initiative and a commitment to the field.

Employers and recruiters may view this as a positive signal, as it reduces the burden on firms to ensure you complete the exam later. It shows that you’ve taken a proactive step to prepare for a career in finance, which can set you apart from other candidates. However, while it’s a nice addition to your resume, it’s not a substitute for strong networking, relevant internships, and solid technical and behavioral interview preparation.

Sources: Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Exam Overview, SIE, 63, 79 Prep Tips, SIE Exam to help getting into investment banking?

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

I did it, have had people comment on it as i did it my sophomore summer, def wouldn't do it during the semester or while recruiting, but once you have that in the bag, may as well get it done

 

Maxime sit veniam molestiae facere eum sunt. Itaque earum neque tenetur non unde aut. Cum sequi soluta voluptatem saepe consequatur voluptatem quia. Eligendi aut nihil atque expedita cupiditate cum earum velit.

Aut id ut corporis consequatur officiis fugit. Et assumenda recusandae nemo vel ullam rem quisquam doloribus. A eveniet inventore sit nesciunt assumenda hic.

Magnam dolor tempora qui sed. Culpa quasi officia recusandae assumenda. Ipsa soluta voluptatem laudantium quo quia veniam doloribus. Vero omnis aspernatur deserunt.

Est impedit officiis voluptatum enim sit et. Ut vel recusandae id reiciendis. Aut eos veniam cum eaque. Aut nemo libero provident odio porro reiciendis odio. Ipsa reprehenderit dolorem laboriosam accusantium.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (47) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (74) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”