# 6 Best SIE Exam Prep Courses 2026: Ranked & Compared (Free Option)

> We ranked 6 SIE exam prep courses for 2026 (free AI option inside): Achievable, Kaplan, STC, Knopman & ExamFX.

- Canonical: https://open-exam-prep.com/blog/best-sie-exam-prep-courses-2026
- Published: 2025-12-30
- Updated: 2026-10-23
- Author: Ran Chen, EA, CFP
- Publisher: OpenExamPrep, free exam prep

## Key facts

- Open Exam Prep offers free AI-powered SIE study tools, practice questions, and a 10-question daily AI tutor limit at no cost.
- Open Exam Prep's free SIE tools include practice questions and an AI tutor; paid providers' prices are listed on their own sites.
- Paid SIE prep ranges from self-study options to live instructor-led classes; check each provider's site for current prices.
- The SIE exam costs $100 to take, after FINRA raised the fee from $80 in 2026.
- The SIE passing score is 70, and FINRA adjusts scores across exam forms rather than publishing a fixed number of correct answers.
- The SIE has 75 scored items, and FINRA scores the exam on a scaled basis with a passing score of 70.
- Most candidates study 40-60 hours over four to six weeks to pass the SIE exam.
- Securities Training Corp (STC) is a paid SIE option with instructor support; check its site for current pricing and terms.
- Knopman Marks SIE prep is widely used by Wall Street firms; check its site for current pricing training new hires.
- ExamFX is a paid SIE option focused on insurance-linked bundles; check its site for current pricing and terms.

## Best SIE Exam Prep Courses for 2026: Our Top Picks

*Last updated: June 24, 2026 | Reviewed by Ran Chen, EA, CFP*

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** | See provider | Self-paced paid option |
| 3 | **Kaplan** | See provider | Live instructor-led classes |
| 4 | **Securities Training Corp (STC)** | See provider | Tutoring and instructor hotline |
| 5 | **Knopman Marks** | See provider | Employer-sponsored / Wall Street hires |
| 6 | **ExamFX** | See provider | Bundling SIE with insurance licensing |

> **Quick answer**: Want free? Start with **Open Exam Prep** and its AI tutor. Want the paid course with self-paced practice? **Achievable** (see provider for current pricing). 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:

1. **Price and access period** - total cost and how long access lasts (months vs. a full year)
2. **Content accuracy** - coverage of topics from the current FINRA SIE content outline
3. **Practice questions** - bank size, quality, and explanations
4. **Pass guarantee** - whether a refund or extension applies if you fail, and on which tiers
5. **Learning technology** - genuine adaptive question selection, mobile access, AI help
6. **Who it fits** - self-paced learners, live-class learners, or employer-sponsored hires

A note on "pass rates": FINRA does not publish a current SIE 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:
- Study materials free; AI tools include a free limit of 10 questions per day - no credit card required
- AI tutor explains concepts on demand
- Modern, clean interface
- Regularly updated to the current FINRA outline

### Cons:
- 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.

[Try Open Exam Prep Free ->](https://open-exam-prep.com/study-guides/sie)

---

## 2. Achievable - Best Paid Value (see provider for current pricing)

**Price**: see provider for current pricing

### 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

### Pros:
- Self-paced study format
- Genuine adaptive question selection
- Clean, distraction-free interface

### 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 (See provider)

**Price**: see provider for current pricing

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. Budget for any extra support you want, such as 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

**Best for**: Candidates who learn best with live, instructor-led structure and want a trusted brand.

---

## 4. Securities Training Corporation (STC) - Best Tutoring Support (See provider)

**Price**: see provider for current pricing

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

### Pros:
- Long track record
- Instructor hotline and tutoring support
- Corporate-training pedigree

### Cons:
- Access measured in months
- Interface less modern than Achievable
- Premium tiers add up


---

## 5. Knopman Marks - Best for Employer-Sponsored Candidates (See provider)

**Price**: see provider for current pricing

Knopman Marks is widely used by Wall Street firms training new hires, with live instruction, faculty support, and access terms that vary. 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
- 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 (See provider)

**Price**: see provider for current pricing

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.
### 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:
- 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** | Free | See provider | See provider | See provider | See provider | See provider |
| **Access period** | Check provider | Check provider | Check provider | Check provider | Check provider | ~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) | Check provider | Check provider | Check provider | Check provider | Check provider |
| **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 (see provider for current pricing) if you:
- Want a self-paced paid option
- Prefer modern, genuinely adaptive technology
- Learn best through practice questions

### Choose Kaplan (See provider) 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 (See provider) if you:
- Want an instructor hotline and tutoring support
- 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
Plan for at least 40 hours of study. FINRA publishes no pass rates by study hours, so 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](https://www.finra.org/registration-exams-ce/qualification-exams/securities-industry-essentials-exam):

| Detail | Information |
|--------|-------------|
| Questions | 75 scored items |
| Passing Score | 70 (scaled; no fixed number correct is published) |
| Time Limit | 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Cost | \$100 (up from \$80 in 2025) |
| Prerequisites | None - anyone 18+ can take it; no firm sponsorship required |
| Result Validity | 4 years |
| Official Pass Rate | No current figure; Not published by FINRA |

**A 2025 format change worth knowing:**, 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:

1. **Free**: [Open Exam Prep](https://open-exam-prep.com/study-guides/sie) - AI-powered study guide and tutor, no cost
2. **Best paid value**: Achievable (see provider for current pricing) - adaptive practice engine
3. **Live classes**: Kaplan - instructor-led structure

Whatever course you choose, the highest-leverage habit is doing timed practice questions and reviewing every miss.
[Start Free SIE Practice ->](https://open-exam-prep.com/practice/sie)

## FAQ

### What is the best SIE exam prep course in 2026?

Free study with AI-powered tools and practice questions is available here at no cost. For paid options, compare current prices and access terms on each provider's site before buying. For live classes, compare Kaplan's current formats.

### Is free SIE exam prep enough to pass?

Yes, many candidates pass using only free resources. Open Exam Prep provides a free SIE study guide, practice questions, and an AI tutor. Consistent study of 40-plus hours plus full practice exams matters more than whether materials are free or paid.

### How much do SIE exam prep courses cost?

Open Exam Prep is free. Paid prices change often and vary by package, so check each provider's site for current pricing before you buy.

### Which SIE prep course has the highest pass rate?

FINRA publishes no current SIE pass rate, and provider pass-rate claims are self-reported and unverified. Compare providers on content, practice questions and access terms rather than claimed pass rates.

### Is Achievable or Kaplan better for the SIE exam?

Self-paced online learners often prefer lower-cost, app-based options. Learners who want live, instructor-led classes often look at Kaplan. Check each provider's current access terms, and confirm the content matches the current FINRA SIE outline.

### How long should I study for the SIE exam?

Most candidates study 40-60 hours over four to six weeks. Those with no finance background may need 60-80 hours. Aim for 80-percent-plus on full practice exams before scheduling your real SIE test date.

### How many questions is the SIE exam and what score do I need?

The SIE has 75 scored items. You have 1 hour 45 minutes and need a scaled score of 70 to pass; FINRA does not publish a fixed number of correct answers.

## Study free on OpenExamPrep

- SIE: [Practice questions](https://open-exam-prep.com/practice/sie) · [Study guide](https://open-exam-prep.com/study-guides/sie) · [Flashcards](https://open-exam-prep.com/flashcards/sie) · [Cheat sheet](https://open-exam-prep.com/cheat-sheet/sie)