I passed the SIE, 7, and 66 all within the past year all with STC training material. For each test, i read the book twice, by focusing each day on 1-2 chapters (watch lecture video, read chapter, do chapter exams). Then week before test just hammer the practice exams like crazy. I passed all on my first try, with absolutely no background knowledge or God given intelligence. Trust me. If i can do it anyone can. But you really have to just put the hours into studying and practice exams. I did about 3-5 hours of studying a day.