Staying motivated while studying for the SIE

Are you considering advancing your career through FINRA licensing, but are putting it off because it seems overwhelming? You’re not alone; many aspiring financial professionals feel the same way. The good news is, it’s never too late to take that first step and dedicate yourself.

Thousands of learners have trusted Achievable to help them pass their securities exams and reach their professional goals. These are real people with real stories, just like you.

Kellie Tillotson is one of them. After putting her studies on hold, she used Achievable to regain momentum and successfully pass her Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam while working full-time. Her story is proof that with the right support, you can get back on track and thrive in your career.

If you’ve been hesitant to begin, read Kellie’s story below and discover how you can turn your goals into reality, one step at a time.

What motivated you to take this exam?

I was given the opportunity to transition from a risk-focused role in our team to a more investment-focused one. Due to my position change, pursuing my investment licenses became a necessity.

What was the biggest challenge you faced during your prep?

Honestly, time management, staying consistent, and the fine line between balancing work and life are what originally overwhelmed me in the process.

Did you use any strategies, habits, or tools that helped?

The daily goal of completing my studies and exams helped keep me accountable, which in turn contributed to my success. What really helped was ensuring, section by section, that I was obtaining a good score that reflected comprehension, as all the information was new to me.

Did your background or life circumstances shape how you approached prep?

The simple fact of having to jump back into studying 10 years out of college while also caring for my family and home seemed daunting. But the more I accomplished, the more I realized it was possible.

What advice would you give to someone just starting?

You have gone through harder things in life than the challenge of passing a securities exam. Take one faithful step each day to learn and be a student, and you will find extreme reward in your ability to learn something. Then, you can prove to yourself and the world that you've got it and can crush whatever is ahead of you. It's not as hard as it seems, just force yourself to believe you can do it, and don't move on until you do.

How did you balance studying with other responsibilities?

I didn't hit a rhythm until 6 months into my attempt to study. I finally just committed to myself the need to execute and get it done. I set aside an hour each night to accomplish this. I had to sacrifice for a season, but reminding myself that it was just a season helped me persevere.

How did you feel going into test day?

Honestly, I was completely anxious. I wasn't achieving the test scores I felt were necessary to pass the test. One of my colleagues assured me the night before that the practice exams are harder than the real thing, and told me to just go in confident that I'm able to execute at a passing level and to just do it. This was very helpful.

What role did Achievable play in your prep?

Achievable was the MVP in this process. It provided a study schedule and reviews and helped all along the way. Seeing where I was struggling helped me focus and sharpen what was otherwise lacking.

Looking back, what would you do differently, if anything?

I would've started sooner. I would've ensured I understood and grasped all concepts before moving on to the next section (section quizzes help measure this). I would've studied every day consistently. I would've taken more practice tests. I procrastinated for 22 months on my SIE. I bought the material in January 2024 and took my test in October 2025. Achievable tracks how many hours are spent studying. I spent 66 hours studying for my exam. If I had studied every night when I bought the exam nearly two years earlier, I'd be done with all of my exams by now.

What’s next for you now that you’ve finished the exam?

I'm excited and motivated to move on to my next exam, the Series 7. Once I complete my exams and become a registered representative, I look forward to becoming a more vital part of the team I work for and an asset to serving our clients.

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!