Whether you’re looking to pass your SIE exam, one (or several) of the FINRA Series exams, or you’re looking to fulfill pre-licensing requirements for your state, Securities Training Corporation has a course for you. Including SIE exam prep, they have review courses for almost every Series exam: 28 of the 34 available.
But how do you know if their securities study program is your perfect fit?
I’m going to help you decide today. We’ll discuss pricing, tech, course content, instruction, textbooks, and more until you have all the information you need to invest in your next review course confidently.
Is STC Right For You?
✅ If you’re a visual learner, then STC’s interactive video lectures and experienced instructors will help you grasp complex securities concepts.
✅ If you value on-the-go learning, then STC’s iOS mobile app offers easy access to flashcards, lectures, and practice exams.
✅ If you need extensive practice material, then STC’s wide variety of quizzes, final exams, and greenlight tests will help boost your confidence.
✅ If you want extra support, then STC’s 24/7 tech support, instructor hotline, and live course options make it easy to get help whenever you need it, even while you’re learning.
⛔ If you prefer a modern, cutting-edge interface, then STC’s tech might not meet your expectations.
⛔ If you’re on a tight budget, then STC’s investment might be a concern, especially for packages with live instruction.
Securities Training Corporation Course Overview
STC is a staple in the securities training industry, and it has been since its inception over 50 years ago. Since then, they’ve served over 1.5 million professionals and earned the trust of the top 35 banks and broker-dealers—as well as over 3,500 corporate clients—across the globe.
To top it all off, STC boasts a 95% pass rate. While it’s important to consider that pass rates reported directly by prep companies may have bias and can’t take into account every student’s success, it’s a good indication that their classes effectively prepare students for their securities exams.
“I only used STC for the SIE and didn’t read the book; I just watched the videos and did the 8 practice finals and the 2 green lights. I was extremely prepared for the real thing and found it way easier than expected. So, from my experience, STC prepared me really well. … I was deciding between STC and Kaplan, too, and ended up really happy that I went with STC.”
⭐ Review: Source
Pros
- STC Pass Guarantee: One of the biggest selling points for STC courses is their pass guarantee. There are a few eligibility prerequisites, but you can receive a 100% refund if you fail your exam.
- Live Options: Most securities exam prep providers do not offer live instructors. However, many STC courses offer live classes, and some even offer live weekly Q&A sessions.
- Excellent Support: When students purchase a prep course, they also get 24/7 tech support and an instructor hotline where you can get your questions answered via phone or email.
- Mobile App: Many exam candidates value on-the-go learning. Though only available for iOS, STC’s mobile app lets students access their study manual, flashcards, lectures, and final exams.
- Practice Material Variety: STC offers dozens of different exams and quizzes to practice with, whether you are checking your progress or evaluating your last-minute knowledge.
Cons
- Higher Price Point: STC’s courses are higher priced than those of its competitors. However, most of the added cost occurs when you purchase packages with live instruction, which competitors lack.
Securities Training Corporation
Course Features
Now that you know what STC is all about, let’s explore their study materials and features more thoroughly.
Content and Structure
Regardless of your learning style, the Securities Training Corporation has study materials for you, whether that be their physical and digital textbooks, video lessons, live online classes, or their massive collection of practice questions and exams.
And when I say massive, I mean it. Depending on the package and the Series exam you’re studying for, you’re getting access to dozens of chapter quizzes, eight final exams customized to your needs, ten progress exams, and two “green light” exams to asses your exam day readiness.
“I used STC for SIE, 7 and 63. Passed them all on the first try. STC green lights and final exams are a lot like the real exam.”
⭐ Review: Source
Tech and Videos
Where STC lacks in cutting-edge tech (which, in all fairness, isn’t a rare flaw in the securities training space), they make up with their on-demand lectures. Typically, you can expect 10-25 hours of lectures, depending on the package you purchase.
These lectures are fantastic. They’re interactive and engaging, which makes it easier to pay attention and, well, learn! Plus, their instructors offer a combined 300+ years of experience, so you get to learn from people who actually know what they’re talking about—not just random people paid to read from a script.
“People seem to like on STC videos, but you may not need them to pass an exam. The videos are good for people who find it difficult to learn from the textbook.”
⭐ Review: Source
Value
One big problem for some students is they purchase the cheapest course they can find that looks “good enough” without taking into account how much more difficult the exam process will be with a low-quality course.
Exam fees can cost up to $300 per exam (as it is for Series 7), and if you fail, you have to pay the full fee again to retake it. Further, failing may interfere with your schedule, as there are mandatory wait times between failed exams from 30 to 180 days, depending on how many times you’ve failed.
As a result, paying more for quality is a smart strategy to save time and money (and no, I’m not just saying that—I truly mean it). Further, STC often adds value to their highest-priced packages with the inclusion of live instruction, from a one-off four-hour class on a specific topic to ~20 hours of a live online classroom experience.
Support and Access
Across every securities training prep course provider, the Securities Training Corporation has some of the best support and access features in the industry.
STC offers 24/7 tech support, email and phone support to ask your instructors questions directly, and a 6-month access period, regardless of the size of the package you purchase. Some competitors offer shorter access periods for shorter packages, and some close competitors like Kaplan only offer 5 months of access.
STC Promo Codes
Is STC right for you? Then don’t pay the full price! For a limited time, enjoy a discount on STC!
Final Verdict
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ultimately, courses from the Securities Training Corporation are a great investment for securities exam prep. From their engaging video lessons to their live instruction offerings, STC particularly appeals to students who learn best from video content. However, with their wide variety of study materials and high pass rates, most students can succeed with STC packages.
And yes, you’re paying more. As a result, however, you’re getting top-notch resources and a pass guarantee, so you can invest in your prep course with confidence. If you’re serious about passing your FINRA Series exams on your first attempt, give STC a try.
Good luck with your studies! You got this.
FAQs
Yes, STC USA has a mobile app that allows you to access study materials, quizzes, and progress tracking on the go. It’s available for both iOS and Android devices.
STC offers a pass guarantee for certain course packages, allowing you to retake the program or access additional support if you don’t pass your exam. Specific terms and conditions apply, so check their policy.
A greenlight exam is a comprehensive practice test designed to simulate the real exam. Scoring well indicates you’re ready to take the actual test with confidence.
Both are excellent, but Kaplan is often praised for its extensive question bank, while STC stands out for its structured learning paths. It depends on your learning style and preferences.
The Series 7 and Series 86 exams are widely considered the most difficult FINRA exams due to their broad range of topics and depth. However, the “most difficult” can vary based on a test taker’s individual strengths and background.
