How to get ahead with The SIE and Series 66 Exam

It’s going to take work, but it will put you ahead of your peers

Mar 24, 2025

How to Get Ahead with the SIE and Series 66 Exams

There are over 4,000 universities in the U.S., and at nearly every, you’ll find ambitious students vying for a future in wealth management. It’s a competitive space. If you want to stand out, you need to find a way to differentiate yourself and the good news is, you can. But it starts with putting in the work now.

The Basics

You might not have heard much about licensing exams yet, so let’s break it down.

Securities Industry Essentials (SIE): The SIE is an intro-level exam administered by FINRA. It covers:

Capital markets

Industry regulations

Trading concepts

Customer accounts

Regulatory frameworks

This is the foundation of everything in the finance industry. If you’re serious about breaking into the space, the SIE is your starting line. You’ll walk away with a strong grasp of industry basics that most students don’t get in a classroom.

Series 66 (Uniform Combined State Law Exam): The Series 66 qualifies you to become both a securities agent and an investment adviser representative (IAR). It covers:

Basic economics

Investment products

Client recommendations

Laws and regulations

You can take and pass the Series 66 on your own no firm or sponsor required. But it won’t become active until you also pass the Series 7 (General Securities Representative Exam), which does require firm sponsorship.

What’s Sponsorship?

Sponsorship means a FINRA member firm is backing you to take certain licensing exams. For example, you must be sponsored to take the Series 7.

No sponsorship needed for:

Series 66

Sponsorship required for:

Series 7 and other representative-level exams

You can take the SIE and Series 66 while you're still in school before you're hired. That’s a game-changer.

Exam Details

SIE Exam

Time Limit: 1 hour 45 minutes

Questions: 85 (75 scored, 10 unscored)

Format: Multiple choice

Passing Score: 70% (53/75)

Series 66

Time Limit: 2 hours 30 minutes

Questions: 100 (90 scored, 10 unscored)

Format: Multiple choice

Passing Score: 73%

Getting Started

Start by preparing for the SIE it’s your entry point. There are tons of test prep providers out there. I personally used Kaplan, and it worked well for me, but you should do your own research and find the right fit.

For the SIE, expect to study for 2–4 weeks.
For the Series 66, plan on 3–6 weeks.

How to Register

You don’t need a sponsor, so you can register yourself online:

SIE Registration: FINRA

Series 66 Registration: Same process

Schedule the actual exam through Prometric after registration.

Exam Tips

I followed this exact process, and it helped me pass both:

Tip #1: Create a Dedicated Study Routine

I studied 7 days a week, about 3 hours a day. That pace worked for me, but consistency is more important than volume. Block time each day when you won’t be distracted.

Tip #2: Read Once, Then Drill Practice Questions

Read through the textbook once, then dive into practice exams and questions. Make sure you're understanding concepts not just memorizing.

Tip #3: Don’t Burn Out

The stress can add up. Build in time for breaks, workouts, or something that helps you reset.

Common Questions

Do I have to be a finance major? Nope. The SIE is designed for beginners. You’ll build your knowledge as you go.

How long should I study?

SIE: 2–4 weeks

Series 66: 3–6 weeks

And the best part? You avoid the pressure. Most firms give you only a few months to pass once you’re hired and if you don’t, you’re out. Passing these exams before you’re on the clock eliminates that risk.

Why do this now?
Because most candidates won’t. Top firms are flooded with applicants and many won’t even look at you if you haven’t passed the SIE. Having both the SIE and Series 66 before applying gives you a huge edge.

Got Questions?

Feel free to reach out via email, LinkedIn, or drop a comment. Happy to help however I can.