Taking the SIE from home? There are a few things to prepare for, and others to consider.
Today, we will take you through what you might experience taking the SIE Exam from home, at your office, or any remote location other than the testing center.
SIE From Home
First of all, many people like this option because it can reduce stress. Being in familiar surroundings, not having to wear a mask, and avoiding the stress of finding the testing center all have their benefits.
While it’s certainly a matter of personal preference, taking the SIE from home requires following some stringent rules. For this reason, we want to make sure that you know what you are signing up for.
What You Need to Know
FINRA has a great resources page on their website. This webpage details everything you need to know about taking the test online. We won’t repeat everything they say on that page, but here are a few key points:
- There will be a proctor watching you from a remote computer.
- You will be recorded over video and audio.
- You will have to download software and install an application to access the exam.
- A 360° tour of your testing environment will be required.
- No scratch paper or personal calculators are allowed (an online calculator is provided).
There are many more rules to know beyond the above. If you feel comfortable abiding by those rules, then taking your exam from home is it good idea, in our view.
Also, there is one more thing you should know.
The SIE Exam difficulty is the exact same whether you take it at home, or from a testing center. The reason we mention this is that occasionally we hear students have themselves heard rumors that the test is made intentionally harder at home. This is not true as far as we can tell.
Overall, taking the SIE Exam from home can be a great experience. The large majority of students we have tutored that take the exam from home have done quite well. For further reference, you can also take the Series 7 exam, and Series 6 exam online too. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out! Good luck!