When it comes to important SIE Exam definitions, the sheer volume can seem overwhelming. I constantly hear from my students that the myriad of rules, regulations, and general jargon is a lot to remember. My best piece of advice is this: Don’t underestimate yourself.
In today’s post, I break down a few easy ways to effectively memorize the countless items needed to pass the SIE exam.
Important SIE Exam Definitions: You Know More Than You Think
Before you set out to memorize important SIE exam definitions, you should first figure out which ones you already know. The best way to get a sense of how much you know is to take a comprehensive practice exam. When you’re finished, take a quick look at what you got right, and what you got wrong. Be honest with yourself about what terms/concepts you already know. For example, although you might not have ever owned, or previously heard of a Revenue Bond, you might easily recall that a toll road can be financed by one.
In other words, some definitions come easier than others. A deep understanding of the products and rules is not necessary to get by, but at least some familiarity is necessary. If you know the definition, or can at least accurately spot it in a multiple choice line-up, then you don’t need to take up space on your flash cards, or study sheet with it. This will help keep your flash cards to a reasonable number, or your study sheet (assuming it contains a number of definitions) to a reasonable length. The smaller the better…and less overwhelming.
Your Study Sheet: What to Put On It?
As you review the SIE text, and take practice questions, keep a Microsoft Word document open on your computer (or notepad close by). Copy and paste (or take note) every definition, or rule/regulation that you get incorrect. Specifically you want to track the ones for which you had no clue, or consistently get incorrect. The SIE Exam difficulty level is totally dependent on your educational/employment background so be patient with yourself if you are just beginning.
Don’t be surprised if you’re study sheet gets to be 10+ pages (or about 200 flash cards). Most people end up with this much. If you put on too many, and end up with something like 30 pages, you are likely including definitions in which you are already familiar, and don’t need on there. Be careful of this because a large stack of flash cards, or a lengthy study sheet can intimidate you. If you keep it digestible, you can approach it in piecemeal fashion. When it comes to memory work, in my tutoring experience I have found this approach ensures students stick with it.
Waterfall Technique
As an SIE exam tutor, the most effective method that I’ve found is what I call the “Waterfall Technique.” It is a systematic approach to memorizing all important SIE Exam definitions. The technique is fairly simplistic, and all it requires is a little discipline. Here’s how it works:
Once you have your study sheet prepared, start by memorizing half a page. To do so, read over the first definition on the page then try to recall it without looking. Go to the second definition, read it, and then also try to recall it without looking at the page. Next, go back to the first definition and try to recall it again from memory (without looking at the page). Move on to the third definition, and continue to repeat this process until you know every definition by memory on half the page. This should take about 20 to 30 minutes for half a page (or for between 10 to 15 definitions on flash cards).
The next day, try implementing the same approach on the next half of the page (or for another 10 to 15 definitions). After memorizing the second half of the page, go back to the first 10 to 15 definitions that you memorized from the previous day, and try to recall them. On the third day, you should review the second, and first day’s definitions. Repeat this process until you can recall all definitions from the prior days.
Engaging in this daily mental exercise will solidify concepts, terms, and formulas to your long term memory and ensure the important SIE Exam definitions are indelibly etched into your mind.
All in all, memory work is necessary for the SIE Exam. Start with the right SIE study habits, and you’re halfway there. A thorough strategy for memorizing required content is ideal. Just remember that your brain can likely handle more than you think it can. Good luck!