If you’re looking for a magic approach to your SIE exam learning, unfortunately there isn’t one. That said, there are strategic ways that you can ensure your knowledge stays fresh, and definitions, formulas, and regulations remain in lodged in your long-term memory.
Today, we discuss our tips and tricks for SIE Exam studying.
SIE Exam Learning: One at a Time
For many, studying for the SIE exam is like learning a new language. Many of the meanings behind the words that you learn, are quite simple. However, a translation is often required. And worse still, you may need to learn the definitions of the definitions. In short, many end up down a rabbit hold on Investopedia.
Starting out, we recommend that you first get through the textbook. Don’t spend too much time highlighting, underlining, or taking notes. This will simply slow you down, and you shouldn’t expect to remember a whole lot anyway. When is the last time that you read a 300 page novel, and could remember exactly what happened on pages 20 through 30? It just doesn’t happen so don’t sweat it.
The details are not super important initially, so just getting a sense of the material is best.
Once you’ve made your way through the textbook, start on your first full practice exam…immediately! You may not feel ready, but doing a practice exam right after you’re done reading will give you a sense of what you remembered, what you forgot, and what you didn’t understand.
Next, is where you will start taking notes. Write down on a flashcards, or a study sheet each and every definition you’ve got wrong. Start one at a time, and go from there.
Knowledge Builds on Itself
Learning is a continuous process, and it can feel overwhelming at the start. It’s important to realize that none of it will really make much sense when you start out. As you begin taking down definitions, notes, and formulas, try to learn a few each day, and review the ones from previous days.
Combine this with taking more practice exams, and writing out more notes on areas you are continuing to get wrong. Try to do a practice exam on Day 1, and use Day 2 and 3 to fill in any gaps. Then take another full practice exam on Day 4. After about four or five practice exams with this routine, you will notice a lightbulb or two start to go off.
Connecting dots is part of the learning process, and you can only do this if you have enough dots in your mind, so don’t stop.
The SIE exam, is a very broad based exam. There are no nuanced or very specific areas where you will find more than 10 questions tested. Therefore, we recommend that you take a broad stroke to studying this exam.
Work a lot on memorization, and keywords. We recommend STC as a textbook, and their practice questions are excellent too.
We hope this helps, even just a little. If you need any help, whether taking the SIE from home, or at the testing center, feel free to reach out! Good luck!