How to Choose an SIE Study Guide (2026)
Prices checked September 27, 2026; confirm on the provider's site. By the PrepPass team. We sell one of the options below, and it is marked “Our book”.
FINRA itself gives you two free things: the SIE content outline, which lists every topic and how many of the 75 scored questions come from each section, and a free 75-question practice test. Everything else is a choice between an online course with a question bank (Achievable, Kaplan, STC, Knopman Marks, PassPerfect), with or without live classes, and a study guide you read on your own. The PrepPass guide is one of the study-guide options: PDF + EPUB, 81 pages, $14.99 one time, with 75 practice questions inside and 470 more free on this site.
Start with what the exam body gives you
FINRA
SIE Examination Content Outline (opens FINRA's page in a new tab)
Free
- Every topic that can be tested, section by section
- Section weights: capital markets 16%, products and risks 44%, trading and accounts 31%, regulatory framework 9%
- 75 scored questions in 1 hour and 45 minutes
Use it whatever else you choose: it is the list every other resource is written to.
FINRA
SIE practice test (opens FINRA's page in a new tab)
Free
- 75 multiple-choice questions similar to the exam's
- Untimed, with feedback at the end
Take it early to see where you stand, or near the end as a check. It is one test, not a question bank.
How to choose
No finance background
Most of the exam is products and risks (44%) and trading and accounts (31%), which is a lot of new vocabulary. A course that explains and then quizzes you, such as Achievable's adaptive app or a course with lectures, carries more of the load. A study guide works if you are comfortable learning from reading.
Keeping the cost down
FINRA's outline and practice test are free, and so is the PrepPass question bank. After that, on the day we checked, the lowest-priced course on this page was Achievable at $99, and the PrepPass guide is $14.99. Live classes cost more: STC Premier Plus at $293.00 and Knopman Marks Platinum at $495.
Exam in two or three weeks
Spend the time on questions, not lectures. Take FINRA's free practice test first to find your weakest section, read only those chapters, then work practice questions daily. A book you can read in a few sittings plus a question bank fits this better than a long video course.
You want a teacher
Choose a course with live classes: STC Premier Plus, Kaplan Premium, Knopman Marks Platinum or PassPerfect Pass Promise. A book, including ours, cannot answer your questions.
SIE study options side by side
| Option | Format | Price | What's included | Fits if |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| From the exam bodySIE Examination Content Outline (opens FINRA's page in a new tab)FINRA | Topic outline (PDF) | Free |
| Use it whatever else you choose: it is the list every other resource is written to. |
| From the exam bodySIE practice test (opens FINRA's page in a new tab)FINRA | One online practice test | Free |
| Take it early to see where you stand, or near the end as a check. It is one test, not a question bank. |
| AlternativeAchievable SIE (opens Achievable's page in a new tab)Achievable | Online textbook with adaptive quizzes | $99, one-time payment, one year of access |
| Fits if you want to read on your phone and have the app decide what to review next. |
| AlternativeKaplan SIE study packages (opens Kaplan Financial Education's page in a new tab)Kaplan Financial Education | Textbook and question bank, with OnDemand or live online classes in the top tier | Premium Instruction $169.15 (OnDemand) or $194.65 (Live Online), as shown on the day we checked; self-study tiers: see Kaplan's site |
| Fits if you want a textbook-and-question-bank package with the option of scheduled live online classes. |
| AlternativeSTC SIE packages (opens STC's page in a new tab)STC | Online course; higher tiers add a printed manual and live virtual classes | Digital E-Course $129.00 · Premier $141.00 · Premier Plus $293.00 |
| Fits if you want a printed manual to write in, or scheduled virtual classes, at a mid-range price. |
| AlternativeSIE Gold, Platinum and Diamond (opens Knopman Marks's page in a new tab)Knopman Marks | Self-study course with live classes and one-to-one advising in higher tiers | Gold $265 · Platinum $495 · Diamond $895, one year of access |
| Fits if you want live teaching or a personal advisor and the budget allows. |
| AlternativePass Plus, Pass Plus Pro and Pass Promise (opens PassPerfect's page in a new tab)PassPerfect | Online course with a study guide; top tier adds a live virtual review | Pass Plus $109 · Pass Plus Pro $162 · Pass Promise $270 |
| Fits if you want a course with a downloadable eBook and, at the top tier, a live review before the exam. |
| Our bookFINRA SIE — Complete Study Guide (2026)PrepPass (this site) | Downloadable study guide (PDF + EPUB) | $14.99, one time |
| Fits if you read well on your own and want a short, printable guide at a book price. |
From the exam body
SIE Examination Content Outline (opens FINRA's page in a new tab)
FINRA
- Format
- Topic outline (PDF)
- Price
- Free
- What's included
- Every topic that can be tested, section by section
- Section weights: capital markets 16%, products and risks 44%, trading and accounts 31%, regulatory framework 9%
- 75 scored questions in 1 hour and 45 minutes
- Fits if
- Use it whatever else you choose: it is the list every other resource is written to.
From the exam body
SIE practice test (opens FINRA's page in a new tab)
FINRA
- Format
- One online practice test
- Price
- Free
- What's included
- 75 multiple-choice questions similar to the exam's
- Untimed, with feedback at the end
- Fits if
- Take it early to see where you stand, or near the end as a check. It is one test, not a question bank.
Alternative
Achievable SIE (opens Achievable's page in a new tab)
Achievable
- Format
- Online textbook with adaptive quizzes
- Price
- $99, one-time payment, one year of access
- What's included
- Online textbook with narrated audio
- 2,000+ quiz questions and 35+ full-length practice exams
- 32+ short videos on key topics
- Fits if
- Fits if you want to read on your phone and have the app decide what to review next.
Alternative
Kaplan SIE study packages (opens Kaplan Financial Education's page in a new tab)
Kaplan Financial Education
- Format
- Textbook and question bank, with OnDemand or live online classes in the top tier
- Price
- Premium Instruction $169.15 (OnDemand) or $194.65 (Live Online), as shown on the day we checked; self-study tiers: see Kaplan's site
- What's included
- License Exam Manual (textbook) and SecuritiesPro QBank
- Practice, checkpoint and mastery exams
- Instructor-led classes, OnDemand or Live Online (Premium)
- Fits if
- Fits if you want a textbook-and-question-bank package with the option of scheduled live online classes.
Alternative
STC SIE packages (opens STC's page in a new tab)
STC
- Format
- Online course; higher tiers add a printed manual and live virtual classes
- Price
- Digital E-Course $129.00 · Premier $141.00 · Premier Plus $293.00
- What's included
- Online study manual, chapter quizzes, progress and final exams
- Printed study manual (Premier and Premier Plus)
- Instructor-led live virtual classes (Premier Plus); enrollment valid for 6 months
- Fits if
- Fits if you want a printed manual to write in, or scheduled virtual classes, at a mid-range price.
Alternative
SIE Gold, Platinum and Diamond (opens Knopman Marks's page in a new tab)
Knopman Marks
- Format
- Self-study course with live classes and one-to-one advising in higher tiers
- Price
- Gold $265 · Platinum $495 · Diamond $895, one year of access
- What's included
- Video lectures, textbook, practice quizzes, benchmark exams and flashcards (Gold)
- Unlimited live classes (Platinum)
- A dedicated faculty advisor with weekly check-ins (Diamond)
- Fits if
- Fits if you want live teaching or a personal advisor and the budget allows.
Alternative
Pass Plus, Pass Plus Pro and Pass Promise (opens PassPerfect's page in a new tab)
PassPerfect
- Format
- Online course with a study guide; top tier adds a live virtual review
- Price
- Pass Plus $109 · Pass Plus Pro $162 · Pass Promise $270
- What's included
- Comprehensive study guide online (eBook in the two higher tiers)
- Instructor-led live virtual review class (Pass Promise)
- Course access for 7 months
- Fits if
- Fits if you want a course with a downloadable eBook and, at the top tier, a live review before the exam.
Our book
FINRA SIE — Complete Study Guide (2026)
PrepPass (this site)
- Format
- Downloadable study guide (PDF + EPUB)
- Price
- $14.99, one time
- What's included
- All four outline sections in 81 pages
- 75 practice questions in the book
- 470 free practice questions on PrepPass (separate from the book)
- Fits if
- Fits if you read well on your own and want a short, printable guide at a book price.
Other providers' prices and contents are as shown on each provider's own page on September 27, 2026. Prices change and sales come and go; confirm on the provider's site before you buy. Our book's price and contents come from our own catalog. Company and product names belong to their owners.
About the PrepPass guide, honestly
What you get
- All four outline sections in 81 pages
- 75 practice questions in the book
- 470 free practice questions on PrepPass (separate from the book)
What it does not do
- PDF + EPUB only: no video, audio or live classes
- No adaptive quizzing or practice-exam engine inside the book
- An independent study aid, not connected to FINRA
Questions people ask
Do I need a paid course to pass the SIE?
No course is required. FINRA publishes the content outline and a free 75-question practice test, and you can prepare on your own from a study guide and practice questions. A course is worth paying for if you have no finance background and want lessons and a set pace, or if you want a live teacher.
Is there a PDF SIE study guide?
Yes. The PrepPass SIE guide is PDF + EPUB, 81 pages, $14.99 one time, with a 14-day refund. PassPerfect's two higher tiers include an eBook, and Kaplan's packages include a printed License Exam Manual. FINRA's content outline is a free PDF, but it is a topic list, not a study guide.
How much does SIE exam prep cost?
On the day we checked: FINRA's outline and practice test are free; the PrepPass guide is $14.99; Achievable $99; PassPerfect $109–$270; STC $129.00–$293.00; Kaplan Premium $169.15–$194.65; Knopman Marks $265–$895. Prices change, so confirm on each provider's page.
Is the free FINRA practice test enough?
It is one test of 75 questions. It shows you the style and your weakest sections, but it is one test, not a question bank. For more practice, the PrepPass question bank has 470 free questions, and the courses above list larger banks (Achievable, for example, lists 2,000+).
What does the PrepPass SIE guide not include?
It is a book, so there are no lectures, live classes or adaptive practice exams, and it is not connected to FINRA. It covers the four outline sections with 75 practice questions.
Sources
- FINRA: SIE Examination Content Outline: https://www.finra.org/sites/default/files/SIE_Content_Outline.pdf (read September 27, 2026)
- FINRA: SIE practice test: https://www.finra.org/registration-exams-ce/qualification-exams/securities-industry-essentials-exam/practice-test (read September 27, 2026)
- Achievable: Achievable SIE: https://achievable.me/exams/finra-sie/prepare/ (read September 27, 2026)
- Kaplan Financial Education: Kaplan SIE study packages: https://www.kaplanfinancial.com/securities/securities-industry-essentials-sie (read September 27, 2026)
- STC: STC SIE packages: https://www.stcusa.com/securities/licensing/us/sie/ (read September 27, 2026)
- Knopman Marks: SIE Gold, Platinum and Diamond: https://knopman.com/sie-securities-industry-essentials-exam-prep (read September 27, 2026)
- PassPerfect: Pass Plus, Pass Plus Pro and Pass Promise: https://www.passperfect.com/sie (read September 27, 2026)
PrepPass is independent and is not affiliated with any exam body or provider named on this page.