Best SIE Exam Prep Courses for 2026: Our Top Picks
Last updated: June 24, 2026 | Reviewed by Ran Chen, EA, CFP
Looking for the best SIE exam prep course? We compared the major FINRA Securities Industry Essentials providers on price, access period, question banks, pass guarantees, and learning technology, then matched each to the type of candidate it serves best. Prices below are current as of June 2026 and shown as ranges because providers change tiers and run promotions; always confirm on the provider's own site before buying.
| Rank | Course | Price (approx.) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Open Exam Prep | Free | Free AI-powered prep + practice questions |
| 2 | Achievable | ~$99 / year | Best paid value with pass guarantee |
| 3 | Kaplan | ~$99-$599 | Live instructor-led classes |
| 4 | Securities Training Corp (STC) | ~$129-$293 | Tutoring and instructor hotline |
| 5 | Knopman Marks | ~$260-$885 | Employer-sponsored / Wall Street hires |
| 6 | ExamFX | ~$129-$249 | Bundling SIE with insurance licensing |
Quick answer: Want free? Start with Open Exam Prep and its AI tutor. Want the best-value paid course with a pass guarantee? Achievable (~$99/year). Want live classes? Kaplan. Many candidates pair a free question bank with one paid course.
How We Evaluated SIE Prep Courses
We compared each provider across six factors:
- Price and access period - total cost and how long access lasts (months vs. a full year)
- Content accuracy - alignment with the current FINRA SIE content outline
- Practice questions - bank size, quality, and explanations
- Pass guarantee - whether a refund or extension applies if you fail, and on which tiers
- Learning technology - genuine adaptive question selection, mobile access, AI help
- Who it fits - self-paced learners, live-class learners, or employer-sponsored hires
A note on "pass rates": FINRA does not publish an official SIE first-time pass rate, and most providers' advertised rates are self-reported marketing figures. We report them as claims, not verified data.
1. Open Exam Prep - Best Free SIE Study Materials
Price: Free
Open Exam Prep offers genuinely free SIE preparation: a full study guide mapped to the four FINRA sections, practice questions with explanations, a financial-terms glossary, and an AI tutor you can ask questions in plain English. Free accounts include up to 10 AI tutor questions per day, which is plenty for working through tricky concepts like accrued interest, options basics, or settlement rules.
What's included (free):
- Complete SIE study guide covering all 4 topic areas
- AI-powered tutoring and Q&A (10 questions/day on the free tier)
- Financial-terms glossary with explanations
- Practice questions with detailed answer explanations
- Mobile-friendly, no app install required
Pros:
- 100% free - no credit card required
- AI tutor explains concepts on demand
- Modern, clean interface
- Regularly updated to the current FINRA outline
Cons:
- No pass guarantee (it's free)
- Smaller question bank than the largest paid providers
- No live instruction
Best for: Career changers, students, and anyone who wants quality SIE prep at no cost - and as a free supplement alongside any paid course.
2. Achievable - Best Paid Value (~$99/year)
Price: about $99 for a full year of access
Achievable is the standout paid value: one price for a full year (most rivals sell 5-6 month windows), a textbook-style course, 2,000+ review questions, 35+ full-length practice exams, an adaptive engine that resurfaces your weak topics, and a pass guarantee. Achievable advertises a 95%-plus pass rate among students who reach exam day - a self-reported claim, but among the more credible in the category given its review volume.
What's included:
- Online textbook covering the full FINRA outline
- 2,000+ review questions
- 35+ full-length practice exams
- Adaptive learning engine
- Bonus videos and narrated audio
- Pass guarantee
Pros:
- Full year of access at a low price
- Genuine adaptive question selection
- Clean, distraction-free interface
- Pass guarantee
Cons:
- No live classes
- Online-only (no printed book)
- Newer brand than Kaplan or STC
Best for: Self-paced learners who want strong technology and a long access window at the lowest paid price.
3. Kaplan Financial Education - Best for Live Classes (~$99-$599)
Price: roughly $99 (self-study) up to about $599 (premium with live instruction)
Kaplan is the most recognized name in FINRA licensing prep. Tiers share the same core - the License Exam Manual, on-demand videos, and the SecuritiesPro QBank - and differ mainly by access length, practice volume, and instructor access. Self-study sits at the low end; OnDemand and live-instruction tiers cost more. Most independent candidates land in the rough $179-$249 range; budget extra if you want office-hours-style instructor support.
What's included (higher tiers):
- License Exam Manual textbook
- On-demand video lessons on the FINRA outline
- SecuritiesPro QBank with performance tracking
- Live online classes (top tier)
- Printed-material options
Pros:
- Live instruction available
- Most established brand
- Comprehensive QBank
- Print and digital materials
Cons:
- Top tiers are expensive
- Access windows are measured in months, not a year
- No SIE pass guarantee on standard packages
Best for: Candidates who learn best with live, instructor-led structure and want a trusted brand.
4. Securities Training Corporation (STC) - Best Tutoring Support (~$129-$293)
Price: roughly $129 to $293 for about 6 months of access
STC has trained securities professionals for decades and is strong on human support: an instructor hotline, study planning, and 24/7 tech support, with a pass guarantee available across tiers. It's a frequent pick for firms and for candidates who want a person to ask when they get stuck.
What's included:
- Exam simulator and question bank
- Video lectures
- Personal study planner
- Instructor hotline and support
- Pass guarantee
Pros:
- Long track record
- Instructor hotline and tutoring support
- Pass guarantee across tiers
- Corporate-training pedigree
Cons:
- Access measured in months
- Interface less modern than Achievable
- Premium tiers add up
Best for: Learners who want responsive instructor support and a pass guarantee, including corporate programs.
5. Knopman Marks - Best for Employer-Sponsored Candidates (~$260-$885)
Price: roughly $260 to $885 per year
Knopman Marks is widely used by Wall Street firms training new hires, with live instruction, faculty support, and a year of access. The content is well regarded, but for an individual paying out of pocket it is among the priciest options - it shines when an employer is footing the bill.
What's included:
- Comprehensive video and live instruction
- Question bank and full practice exams
- Detailed written materials
- Faculty support
- One-year access
Pros:
- Used by major financial firms
- High-quality content and instruction
- Strong faculty support
- Excellent for corporate accounts
Cons:
- Expensive for self-payers
- No advertised pass guarantee
- Geared toward institutional buyers
Best for: Candidates whose employer is paying, or new hires at large financial institutions.
6. ExamFX - Good for Bundling with Insurance Licensing (~$129-$249)
Price: roughly $129 to $249 for about 6 months
ExamFX is best known for insurance pre-licensing and offers solid SIE packages with video lectures, practice exams, and performance tracking. It's a sensible pick if you're already buying ExamFX for an insurance license. Note that, unlike Achievable and STC, ExamFX does not advertise an SIE pass guarantee.
What's included:
- Video lectures
- Practice exams and quizzes
- Study guides
- Performance tracking
Pros:
- Reasonable price
- Covers the full outline
- Convenient if bundling with insurance prep
- Multiple package options
Cons:
- No SIE pass guarantee
- Less adaptive technology than Achievable or STC
- Brand focus is insurance, not securities
Best for: Price-sensitive candidates, especially those already using ExamFX for insurance licensing.
SIE Exam Prep Course Comparison Table
| Feature | Open Exam Prep | Achievable | Kaplan | STC | Knopman | ExamFX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (approx.) | Free | ~$99/yr | ~$99-$599 | ~$129-$293 | ~$260-$885 | ~$129-$249 |
| Access period | Unlimited | 1 year | ~3-6 months | ~6 months | 1 year | ~6 months |
| Video lessons | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Live classes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| AI tutoring | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Pass guarantee | N/A (free) | Yes | No (standard) | Yes | No | No |
| Adaptive learning | No | Yes | Limited | Yes | No | Limited |
Question-bank sizes vary by provider and tier; we omit a single "questions" number because providers count chapter quizzes, exam items, and practice exams differently. Confirm specifics on each provider's site.
Which SIE Prep Course Is Right for You?
Use this decision guide to find your best match:
Choose Open Exam Prep (Free) if you:
- Want quality prep without spending money
- Are a self-motivated learner
- Like AI-powered learning tools
- Want a free supplement to pair with any paid course
Choose Achievable (~$99/year) if you:
- Want the best-value paid option with a full year of access
- Prefer modern, genuinely adaptive technology
- Want a pass guarantee
- Learn best through practice questions
Choose Kaplan (~$99-$599) if you:
- Want live, instructor-led classes
- Prefer the most established brand
- Learn best with structured sessions
- Have a higher budget for the top tiers
Choose STC (~$129-$293) if you:
- Want an instructor hotline and tutoring support
- Want a pass guarantee across tiers
- Are in a corporate training program
How Do You Pass the SIE Exam on Your First Try?
No matter which prep course you choose, these four strategies maximize your chances of passing:
1. Study 40-60 Hours Minimum
Candidates who study 40+ hours have an 85%+ pass rate. Don't rush your preparation.
2. Focus on High-Weight Topics
The SIE exam weights topics differently:
- Knowledge of Capital Markets: 16%
- Products and Risks: 44% (focus here!)
- Trading and Accounts: 31%
- Regulatory Framework: 9%
3. Take Practice Exams
Take at least 3-5 full practice exams before your test date. Aim for 80%+ on practice exams before scheduling your real exam.
4. Review Wrong Answers
Don't just see that you got a question wrong - understand why the correct answer is right.
What Are the SIE Exam Requirements in 2026?
Here are the essential facts about the SIE exam, per the current FINRA SIE content outline:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Questions | 75 scored + 5 unscored pretest = 80 total |
| Passing Score | 70% (53 of 75 scored questions correct) |
| Time Limit | 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Cost | $100 (raised from $80 in January 2026) |
| Prerequisites | None - anyone 18+ can take it; no firm sponsorship required |
| Result Validity | 4 years |
| Official Pass Rate | FINRA does not publish an official SIE pass rate |
A 2025 format change worth knowing: Effective October 27, 2025, FINRA reduced the SIE's unscored pretest questions from 10 to 5, so the total dropped from 85 to 80 questions. The 75 scored questions and the 1-hour-45-minute time limit did not change.
SIE Content Outline (Section Weights)
| Section | Weight | ~Scored Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge of Capital Markets | 16% | 12 |
| Understanding Products and Their Risks | 44% | 33 |
| Trading, Customer Accounts and Prohibited Activities | 31% | 23 |
| Overview of the Regulatory Framework | 9% | 7 |
Start Your SIE Exam Prep Today
Ready to start? We recommend:
- Free: Open Exam Prep - AI-powered study guide and tutor, no cost
- Best paid value: Achievable (~$99/year) - adaptive engine and pass guarantee
- Live classes: Kaplan - instructor-led structure
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Prep course on Achievable
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Study guide on Mometrix