SIE Passing Score: What You Need to Pass
You need a 70 to pass the SIE, on a scale of 0 to 100. That's a fixed bar, not a curve — so you can miss about 22 of the 75 scored questions and still pass. A passing result is valid for 4 years.
The SIE passing score is simple to state and easy to misread, so let's be precise: 70 out of 100, fixed, every test date. It isn't 70 questions and it isn't graded against the rest of your testing group. Here's exactly how the score works, how much room for error you have, and how long a pass lasts.
What score do you need to pass the SIE?
You need a 70. Scores are reported on a 0–100 scale, and 70 is the passing line FINRA sets for the SIE. Note the distinction that trips people up: the 70 is a score, not a raw question count and not a percent of all 80 questions on screen. It maps to getting roughly 70% of the 75 scored questions right. The other 5 questions are unscored pretest items that don't move your number.
How is the SIE scored?
On a fixed 0–100 scale with a fixed passing point. The SIE is not curved — your result depends only on your own answers, not on how hard your particular question set felt or how other candidates did that day. Pass or fail is determined the moment your 70 is or isn't met; there's no committee, no rounding-up, no "close enough." That predictability is good news: a 70% target on your practice questions maps cleanly to the real bar.
How many questions can you get wrong?
About 22. You need 70% of the 75 scored questions correct — that's roughly 53 right, leaving a margin of about 22 misses. A few things to keep in mind:
- The 5 pretest questions are unscored — but you can't tell which ones they are, so answer all 80 as if they count.
- The margin is comfortable, not a license to skip a domain — questions span four weighted areas, and ignoring the big Products section (44%) can quietly erase your cushion.
- There's no penalty for guessing — never leave an answer blank; a guess can only help.
When do you get your SIE results?
The SIE is a computer-based exam, so the result is known right after you submit — you'll learn whether you met the 70. Beyond that immediate outcome, the exact way your official result is delivered and confirmed can depend on FINRA's current process, so check finra.org for the latest before you sit. Either way, you'll know your standing quickly — there's no weeks-long wait for a number.
How long is a passing result valid?
Your SIE pass is good for 4 years. Within that window you can combine it with a qualifying top-off exam — most commonly the Series 7 — to earn a full registration, without re-sitting the SIE. If four years pass without using it toward a registration, you'd need to take the SIE again. For most candidates this is plenty of runway, but it's worth knowing the clock exists.