How I passed my securities exams and built confidence for the CFP
Hugo is a native Seattleite working at Morgan Stanley as a Registered Client Service Associate. He is cordial, honest, and determined, aiming to succeed in Wealth Management.
Breaking into the wealth management industry without a background in finance can feel intimidating, especially when securities licensing exams stand between you and your career goals. Hugo shares how he overcame test-day uncertainty and balanced his studies with a busy schedule. His experience offers valuable insights for anyone preparing for securities licensing exams.
What motivated you to take this exam?
What motivated me to take the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam was the idea that I entered this industry with no prior knowledge of wealth management or how securities work. My colleagues prompted me to proceed with the testing, and I determined that once I started, I'd put my head down and get through it. Achievable made this a very seamless study process, and since taking my exams, I don't have an ounce of regret for choosing them.
How did you feel going into test day?
My sentiment was a full feeling of uncertainty with each test I took. I was confident in my results with Achievable, averaging 85%-90% scores; however, on test day, there is always a feeling of something missing; that's just the uncertainty of these tests to me. I believe Achievable set me up for success, though, because they highlight many key factors that the test tries to trip you up on. I listened to their "Before test day" podcast on Spotify, and they provided a strong basis of what to do and not to do during the exam.
What would you do differently, if anything?
Definitely take more practice tests. I feel the Achievable test question syntax was very similar to that of the FINRA/NASAA tests, which is a huge benefit of taking the course. A lot of these other programs try to trip you up by using convoluted or ambiguous wording that isn't pertinent to the test and doesn't fully match the testing style. With that, I believe if I had taken more practice tests, I'd have more confidence going into each one of the three tests.
What's next for you now?
For now, I am studying for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) exam. I have just started this past month and am aiming to sit for the March 2027 exam. I believe the Achievable tests have sharpened my acumen and made me more intuitive when learning new concepts in wealth management and financial planning. With that, studying for the exam has become more seamless, as I recognize old concepts and learn new ones. I know for sure that if Achievable were to offer a CFP course, I'd be more than obliged to sign up.
What was your biggest challenge during your prep?
My biggest challenge was definitely managing my time well. There was a lot going on in my life when I began studying for my tests, so I couldn't put all my focus into one place. With that, however, I overcame this obstacle by looking for any possible window to study and try to retain as much information as possible to proceed on a proper timeline. My biggest motivator in this was scheduling the test in advance, so I had a set date to aim for in completing my studies.
How did you balance studying with other responsibilities?
I balanced studying with other responsibilities by maintaining as much consistency as possible. I notice that my peers who are struggling to study and pass their tests don't manage their time effectively or prioritize test preparation. Both time management and prioritization skills provide great benefit to the individual role in this industry, and having the SIE completed sets you up for success. If you don't manage your time properly, it creates a scheduling hole and allows inconsistency to creep into the retention of the material. This is a wonderful industry to be in, and with that, I believe that if there is intention in your study patterns, a lot can be achieved.
