Financial licensing education

Long time no see friends. I hope all of you are doing well and working your way through the job and education market.

I've got a question for anyone who's been working on their series licensing exams and SIE, what program did you use? I've tried Kaplin and studied really hard for 3 months, went to take the exam and I didn't pass. I averaged an 87% on the study questions, but the real exam wasn't even close to the practice material. I'm hoping to find a solid solution for anyone who has any ideas or has taken the exams. I'm specifically working on the SIE first then the series 65 second.

Any and all help and advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks friends

4 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some insights and recommendations for tackling the SIE and Series 65 exams:

SIE Exam Preparation:

  1. Study Materials:

    • Many users have found Knopman Marks to be highly effective. Their videos, workbooks, and QBank are often praised for being more aligned with the actual exam compared to Kaplan.
    • A recommended approach is: Knopman videos + workbook > class summary > QBank. Write notes next to the respective sections in the summary for better retention.
  2. Practice Scores:

    • If you're hitting mid-80s to low-90s on Knopman practice tests, you're likely in a good position. However, Kaplan's practice questions may not be as strong or reflective of the real exam, as some users noted that scoring 90% on Kaplan equates to about 80-85% on Knopman.
  3. Study Timeline:

    • Allocate around 6 weeks for the SIE, focusing on one chapter every 2 days or so. This structured schedule ensures you cover all material thoroughly.
  4. Key Tips:

    • Pay attention to word associations and subtle differences in answer choices. The SIE often tests your ability to distinguish between very similar options.
    • Focus on major topics like regulations, suitability, advisor roles, and quantitative concepts.

Series 65 Exam Preparation:

While the context doesn't provide specific advice for the Series 65, the general approach of using high-quality materials like Knopman or other reputable providers and creating a structured study schedule should apply. Additionally, ensure you understand the state vs. federal regulations/jurisdiction and the roles of key players (e.g., BD, Agent, IA, IAR, Admin).

General Advice:

  • If Kaplan didn’t work for you, consider switching to Knopman Marks or another provider with strong reviews.
  • Practice rationalizing your answer choices and understanding why certain options are correct or incorrect.
  • Create a realistic study schedule and stick to it, ensuring you review weak areas thoroughly.

Good luck with your exams! You've got this!

Sources: SIE , Series 79 and Series 63 Advice, Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Exam Overview, SIE , Series 79 and Series 63 Advice, Time allowed to pass SIE/Series 63/79

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

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