How to study effectively for the SIE
Austin Snively is studying finance at Taylor University and seeking a career in financial planning or venture capital.
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Struggling to make technical financial concepts stick with traditional study methods? That’s exactly how Austin Snively felt before finding a better way to study for the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam. By switching from dense textbooks to Achievable’s guided online course, he regained confidence and focus. After just six weeks of high-impact preparation, he passed the SIE on his first attempt.
Check out Austin’s story to see how the right tools can make all the difference.
What motivated you to take this exam?
I was motivated to take the SIE primarily for a class I will take next semester, but also because it looks good on a resume to employers.
What was the biggest challenge you faced during your prep?
Growing up, I always struggled to learn and understand from textbooks that were filled with information scattered across the pages. When it came time for me to start studying for my exam, I ran into the same problem.
Did you use any strategies, habits, or tools that helped?
As I asked around to figure out the best way to study, a friend offered me his old textbook for $20. I bought it and started reading. Page after page with no target or timeline. Just reading and trying to make sense of what I was staring at on the page. After a week of repeating this process, I realized I needed something better. That is when I found Achievable. It is affordable, organized, in an easily understandable language, filled with real-world examples to help the concepts stick, and has a plethora of practice questions to help you get accustomed to the test writer's format.
What role did Achievable play in your prep?
Without Achievable and the tools it provided, I would not have been able to pass the SIE on the first try. It helped me stay disciplined and put in 50 hours of studying in six weeks.
Looking back, what would you do differently, if anything?
If I were to do anything differently, it would be to start using Achievable earlier and not waste hours reading an old textbook!
What’s next for you now that you’ve finished the exam?
Looking ahead to the future, I am going to take a break and focus on my remaining classes. I am looking at taking the CFP and potentially the Series 65 in the future, and when I do, I will be using Achievable.
You can try our SIE course for free to see if it fits your learning style. And maybe you'll share your journey with us and others here one day, too!
Best of luck!
