How to pass the SIE Exam: A financial analyst shares his tips
Braden Goldman is a recent graduate from the University of Michigan and a current analyst at JPMorganChase. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, staying active, and spending time with friends. He is based in Columbus, Ohio.
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Need advice on prepping for the FINRA Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam? Braden Goldman, an analyst at JPMorgan Chase, shares his insights with the hope of inspiring you as you gear up for your exam.
Thousands of test-takers like Braden have used our online course to prepare for and pass the SIE. These are real people with real stories to help you navigate your own journey. Read below to learn how Achievable helped skyrocket his career in finance.
What motivated you to take this exam?
I wanted to build a strong foundation in finance and open doors for future opportunities. Since I was pursuing a career in wealth management and financial services, passing the SIE felt like the right step toward developing credibility and momentum early in my career.
What was the biggest challenge you faced during your prep?
Balancing my exam preparation with a full-time workload was definitely the hardest part. Some days I’d feel drained after work, so staying consistent required discipline and planning.
Did you use any strategies, habits, or tools that helped?
What worked best for me was creating a structured study schedule with daily goals. Even if I couldn’t study for long hours, I made sure I touched the material every day. Achievable’s bite-sized lessons and practice quizzes made it much easier to keep the habit going.
Did your background or life circumstances shape how you approached prep?
Since I was already working in finance, I had exposure to some concepts, but the SIE is broad and covers areas I hadn’t encountered before. I treated prep as both exam practice and professional development, which helped me stay motivated.
What advice would you give to someone just starting?
Consistency is everything. Even 20–30 minutes of focused studying each day will add up. Don’t wait until you feel “ready” to test yourself, because the practice questions are where real learning happens.
How did you feel going into test day?
I was a little nervous, but also confident. By the final week, I had built a rhythm with Achievable’s practice exams, which helped me feel like I had seen almost everything before.
What role did Achievable play in your prep?
Achievable was a game-changer. The clear explanations, smart repetition, and realistic practice questions made the exam feel much less overwhelming. I always knew exactly where to focus, which saved me time and boosted my confidence.
What’s next for you now that you’ve finished the exam?
I’m excited to continue growing in my career as an analyst at JPMorgan Chase. Passing the SIE exam was an important milestone, and now I’m focused on building experience while working toward future certifications.
You can try our SIE course for free to see if it fits your learning style. And perhaps, someday, you will share your journey with us and others here as well!
Best of luck!
