Before your exam

The CISI has a variety of tools and information available to help you in the preparation for sitting your exam.

On the day

On the day of your exam there are a few things you need to remember. This section aims to highlight all of the key information that will enable you to be prepared on the day.

After your exam

So what next? In this section we will cover all the questions you may need answering after your exam, from receiving your results to taking further qualifications.
Before Your Exam

The CISI has a variety of tools and information available to help you in the preparation for sitting your exam.

These tools range from CISI workbooks to sample exam papers to online learning modules, and aim to equip you gain the knowledge you need to achieve success in your examination.

If you are sitting your exam via remote invigilation, please ensure that you review the ‘Remote Invigilation’ tab on the ‘On the Day’ section.

 
 
 
 
 

Sample papers & related materials

Sample papers contain exam standard questions which are designed to replicate a live exam and give you an indicator of the style and format of exam questions. However, although they are exam standard, these particular questions will not feature in the exam. We encourage you to take the sample paper under test conditions after completion of revision, to test your learning and identify areas for further revision ahead of your actual exam.

Sample papers comprise the same number of questions as a live test but will exclude trial questions. Instructions can be found in each paper.


 

Revision Express

Revision Express is an online study tool designed to be used alongside CISI workbooks to help you prepare for your exam and can be purchased for between £35 - £50 (depending on exam). Whilst CISI workbooks are the core source of knowledge for exam preparation, Revision Express can be used to revise elements of the syllabus through exercises and questions. As well, you can access an extensive glossary of terms and find useful associated website links.

To purchase please contact our Customer Support team.

Log into Revision Express

Professional Refresher

Professional Refresher is a training solution to help you remain up-to-date with industry developments, maintain regulatory compliance and demonstrate continuing learning. This popular online learning tool allows self-administered refresher testing on a variety of topics, including the latest regulatory changes.

Professional Refresher modules are designed to help you develop your wider knowledge around a subject.

Find out more Start using Professional Refresher

 



Study resources

Exam Details

Pass Mark / Pass Rate

The current pass rate for this exam is and the pass mark is . The exam grades are as follows:

Policies & Procedures

Please ensure you have familiarised yourself with our examination polices & procedures before booking your exam.

Special requirements

The CISI is committed to ensuring that all candidates receive equality of opportunity and appropriate access to assessment. No candidate shall be subject to unlawful discrimination (directly or indirectly) or treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or pregnancy and maternity.

Our Equality Policy extends to all areas of qualification and assessment design, delivery and training support. The CISI policy is to ensure that there are no unnecessary barriers to assessment that prevent candidates from effectively demonstrating their competence. At the same time, we have to ensure that candidates requiring special examination arrangements are not given any unfair advantages.

Candidates with conditions such as dyslexia or sight impairment must notify the CISI in writing (by letter or email) when making their examination booking if reasonable adjustments need to be made. Please refer to the CISI Reasonable Adjustment Policy and Application Form for further information.

Study tips and techniques

  • Study the material: Although this is obvious, the importance of going through the course book thoroughly cannot be overstated. It can be dull at times, but the exams are so broad, and questions can touch on some of the smallest parts of the syllabus.
  • Practise: Do as many past papers as you can and review the Chief Examiner reports. Some of the exams are quite short time-wise, so good exam technique can be just as important as depth of knowledge.
  • Keep up to date: The exams tend to have a few questions inspired by recent developments in regulation or in the market. Keeping up to date with all of this news should give you an advantage on the day.
  • Don't just read, think about the issues and use your own practical experiences.
  • Whenever possible, read round the subject - particularly current press coverage - to broaden your understanding.
  • If examiner's reports are published, read them carefully as you could learn from the mistakes of others. (Applicable to narrative exams only)
  • Read the question carefully and think before you answer.
  • Remember you only have about 1 minute for most Level 3 exams and 1.5 minutes for Level 4 exams to answer each question.
  • Do not make assumptions about the question, answer the question as it is written.
  • Questions are not designed to trick candidates. Questions will use 'normally' to ensure you that you understand .
  • The bank of questions for an exam will include progressively difficult questions up to the level set for that exam. This means you will receive a random mixture of relatively easy questions and what may seem harder questions in any order.
  • Avoid making last- minute panic changes to answers as this can sometimes result in a correct answer being replaced by a wrong one.
MCQ Exams Only
  • Make sure you answer all the questions.
  • If, as you go through the exam, and you are unsure about a particular question, we recommend you select an answer, flag the question, and review your flagged questions at the end of the exam.
  • Flagging/Unflagging your answers will in no way affect your results.

Successful ways to study while working

Unsurprisingly, students are affected by mental health problems just as frequently as professionals and adults. 82% of students deal with stress and anxiety, often dropping out of their courses if the right support is not found.

Take a look at our Mental Health portal

Hear from previous candidates

I found doing one practice question everyday really useful to keep the momentum of studying going, especially with a full time job. I also found the small pocket book ideal for revising on my commute, and certainly less bulky than the textbook.

Hayley Brown ACSI, Senior Client Relationship Manager, Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment, recently completed the Investment Operations Certificate
Take the time to read the textbook thoroughly, although it is hard to find time between work. The material covers a wide range of knowledge in the financial industry and will help in obtaining a holistic understanding.

Joice Tjen, Analyst – Agency Commercial, Royal Bank of Scotland, recently completed the Investment Operations Certificate
Once you start heading into the revision phase, start trusting yourself that you know the subject, instead of being worried about not remembering the subject word-for-word. Try to relate topics and subjects with events that interest you. For example, if you like cricket, think of regulators as the umpires who are the decision makers, have powers to "out" a player and can impose penalties. The more you relate, the easier it is to remember.

Samrat Chitrao, Assistant Operations Manager – EMEA Transfer Agency, BNY Mellon International Operations (India) Private Limited, recently passed UK Financial Regulation (Investment Operations Certificate)
I would advise candidates to try to apply what they are learning to their current day-to-day roles at every available opportunity. The real value corporate finance advisers can add is not just possessing the technical knowledge but in being able to spot the situations in which this knowledge might apply and advising clients accordingly.

Steve Wagner, Corporate Strategy Manager, Lamprell PLC, recently completed the Diploma in Corporate Finance (Corporate Finance Strategy & Advice)