SIE Practice Test 2026 — Free SIE Exam Prep Questions
The SIE is FINRA's entry-level exam covering basic securities industry knowledge, and it is a corequisite for representative exams such as the Series 7. Our practice questions follow FINRA's four-section SIE content outline: capital markets, products and their risks, trading and customer accounts, and the regulatory framework. Every answer choice comes with an explanation.
Which statement about individual retirement accounts is accurate for 2026?
SIE format, scoring & key facts
Computer-based, through Prometric, at a test center or online with a remote proctor. Any SIE candidate with an open enrollment window can test online.
| Questions | 80 total: 75 scored and 5 unscored pretest items (cut from 10 pretest items on Oct 27, 2025) |
|---|---|
| Time | 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Passing score | 70 on a 0–100 scale |
| Cost | $100 |
| Sections | Capital Markets 16% (12), Products & Risks 44% (33), Trading/Accounts/Prohibited Activities 31% (23), Regulatory Framework 9% (7) |
| Eligibility | Age 18+, no firm sponsorship needed |
| Valid for | 4 years after passing |
| Testing | Prometric test center or online with a remote proctor |
Facts last verified Oct 17, 2026. Source: www.finra.org/registration-exams-ce/qualification-exams/securities-industry-essentials-exam. Always confirm details with FINRA before your exam.
When can you take the SIE?
The SIE is offered year-round at Prometric test centers and online. You must test within the 120-day window that opens when you enroll.
Plan backwards from your exam date
What the SIE covers
Every PrepBanq SIE test mirrors the official domain weights.
Domain distribution
% of the exam| Content domain | Weight | ≈ Questions on exam | Our practice questions |
|---|---|---|---|
Knowledge of Capital MarketsRegulators and market participants, market structure, economic factors and securities offerings. | 16% | ~12 | 24 questions → |
Understanding Products and Their RisksEquity, debt, options, packaged products, municipal fund securities, DPPs, REITs, hedge funds, ETPs and investment risks. | 44% | ~33 | 66 questions → |
Understanding Trading, Customer Accounts and Prohibited ActivitiesOrders, returns, settlement, corporate actions, account types and registrations, AML, records, and prohibited practices. | 31% | ~23 | 46 questions → |
Overview of the Regulatory FrameworkRegistration and continuing education, Forms U4/U5, employee conduct and reportable events. | 9% | ~7 | 14 questions → |
How to register for the SIE
- 1Create a FINRA accountSet up an account and request SIE enrollment on FINRA's site. A firm can instead enroll you through Form U4 or Web CRD, or you can use a voucher.
- 2Pay and enrollPay the $100 fee by credit card, ACH or voucher. Enrollment opens a 120-day window in which you must test.
- 3Request accommodations if neededGet FINRA's accommodation approval before you book; it can't be added later.
- 4Schedule with PrometricBook a test-center or online appointment within your 120-day window, online or by phone.
- 5Test dayBring a valid photo and signature ID that matches your enrollment and arrive 30 minutes early. You have 1 hour 45 minutes for 80 items.
- 6Get your resultYou see pass/fail immediately. A score of 70 passes, and the pass stays valid for 4 years toward a representative-level registration.
Eligibility
Open to anyone 18 or older. You don't need a broker-dealer affiliation or sponsorship, and you don't need to be a U.S. citizen. Passing the SIE alone doesn't qualify you for registration; you also need a representative-level exam (such as the Series 7) and firm association.
What to bring
- At a test center, one valid, unexpired government-issued ID with your photo and signature (for example a driver's license, passport or military ID). The name must exactly match your enrollment, and copies aren't accepted. Arrive 30 minutes early. The center provides a four-function calculator and an erasable note board, and personal items go in a locker.
Retake policy
You wait 30 days after a first or second failed attempt, and 180 days after a third consecutive failure within two years and between each later attempt. From January 19, 2027 these drop to 15 days and 60 days (FINRA Regulatory Notice 26-18). Waiting periods apply only to the exam you failed.
Testing accommodations
Submit FINRA's Testing Accommodations Request Form before scheduling. Part One is completed by the candidate (or firm) and Part Two by a qualified professional, with documentation no more than 5 years old. Processing takes about 10 business days, and approved accommodations are free. Book only after approval, because accommodations can't be added to an existing appointment. Most accommodations are available only at test centers, though extra time can be granted online.
Score release
Your pass/fail result appears on screen shortly after you finish, and you get a printed report. Passing reports show no score details. Failing reports show your overall score and performance by section.
Credential renewal
4 years from the date you pass. After that the SIE must be retaken unless you have been registered as a representative within the past 4 years.
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SIE FAQ
How many questions are on the SIE?
The SIE has 80 questions (75 of them scored) and you have 1 hour 45 minutes to finish. Question types: Multiple choice with four answer choices each. 75 scored items plus 5 unidentified, unscored pretest items placed randomly through the exam. There is no penalty for guessing..
How long is the SIE exam?
Testing time for the SIE is 1 hour 45 minutes.
What is the passing score for the SIE?
SIE passing standard: 70. Score range: 0–100 (scores are equated to a common scale).
How much does the SIE cost?
The SIE registration fee is $100. Check the official site for current fees before you register.
What is on the SIE?
The SIE covers Knowledge of Capital Markets (about 16%), Understanding Products and Their Risks (about 44%), Understanding Trading, Customer Accounts and Prohibited Activities (about 31%), Overview of the Regulatory Framework (about 9%).
Who administers the SIE?
The Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Exam is administered by FINRA. Delivery: Computer-based, through Prometric, at a test center or online with a remote proctor. Any SIE candidate with an open enrollment window can test online..
Can you retake the SIE?
You wait 30 days after a first or second failed attempt, and 180 days after a third consecutive failure within two years and between each later attempt. From January 19, 2027 these drop to 15 days and 60 days (FINRA Regulatory Notice 26-18). Waiting periods apply only to the exam you failed.
Is there a free SIE practice test?
Yes. PrepBanq has 15 free SIE practice tests with 150 exam-style questions in the real SIE formats, and every answer is explained. No credit card is needed.
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