SIE exam-day guide
SIE · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid government-issued photo ID
Bring an unexpired driver's license, passport, or state ID with your photo and signature. The name must match your registration exactly. Confirm the accepted ID list with FINRA/Prometric before test day.
Appointment confirmation
Bring your confirmation number and know your appointment time, test center address (or remote-proctoring link), and arrival instructions.
Travel or login plan
Map the route and parking, or, if you are testing remotely, run the system and equipment check in advance. Plan to arrive or log in early rather than on time.
Plan for prohibited items
Phone, smartwatch, notes, and study materials cannot go into the testing room. Leave them at home or plan to use the locker the test center provides.
No calculator
The SIE generally does not allow or provide a calculator, so practice the arithmetic by hand. Confirm with the provider.
Scratch materials
Test centers typically supply a dry-erase board or scratch paper and marker; do not bring your own paper. Confirm what is provided at your site.
Light snack and water for before and after
Food and drink are usually not allowed in the testing room. Confirm the test center's policy before you rely on a snack break.
One-page review sheet
A condensed sheet of formulas, key numbers, and mnemonics to skim before check-in. It stays outside the testing room.
Timed practice results
Review your most recent full-length practice exam and note the two or three topic areas you most need to shore up.
Sleep and fuel plan
Protect a normal night's sleep and eat a normal breakfast. Avoid piling on caffeine you are not used to.
Plan the day
Confirm appointment time, location (or remote-session details), and that the name on your ID matches your registration. Take one final timed practice exam of 80 questions in 105 minutes, review the results, and write a short list of your weakest areas. Taper off new material.
Do targeted review of your two or three weakest sections using your own notes. Re-check travel time and parking, or run the remote system test. Confirm whether the test center requires anything beyond photo ID.
Light review only: skim your one-page sheet and key formulas. No new topics and no cramming. Pack your ID and confirmation, lay out clothes and a snack, set two alarms, and go to bed at your normal time.
Eat a normal breakfast and arrive at the test center about 30 minutes early (or log in early for remote proctoring). Leave your phone and notes secured and do a brief warm-up of a few easy questions rather than a full practice set.
Present your ID, store all belongings, follow the proctor's instructions, and confirm what scratch materials and breaks are allowed before the clock starts.
Budget about 1.3 minutes per question (105 minutes for 80 questions). Read each stem and every answer choice, flag anything uncertain, and never leave a blank because there is no penalty for a wrong answer.
Return to flagged questions, confirm every question has an answer, and submit rather than second-guessing answers you were confident about.
Collect your score report as directed by the test center and note any section-level feedback in case you need a retake.
Rules to check
Bring a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID with your signature, and make sure your name matches the registration exactly. Confirm acceptable forms of ID with FINRA or Prometric.
Store all personal items, including your phone, watch, notes, and bag, as the proctor directs. No study materials or electronics go into the testing room, and misuse can void your score.
The SIE has no scheduled break. If you leave the room, the clock generally keeps running, so confirm the break policy with your proctor before the test starts.
Answer every question. There is no penalty for incorrect answers, so a guess is always better than a blank.
You need 70% of the scored questions to pass. The exam has 75 scored questions plus 5 unscored pretest items, and results are usually available right after the exam. Confirm scoring and reporting details with FINRA.
Follow all proctor instructions. Prohibited behavior can invalidate your score or bar you from future testing.
If you do not pass, a waiting period typically applies before you can retake the exam. Confirm the retake rules and fees with FINRA before rescheduling.
Arrive on time or early. Late arrivals may be turned away and could forfeit the exam fee, so confirm the late-arrival policy with the provider.