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CME-1A: CISI International Introduction to Securities & Investment
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The Saudi CME-1A exam is the international technical half of the CME-1 qualification. It is aligned with the CISI International Introduction to Securities & Investment (IISI) and tests the foundations of financial services, markets, investment products, regulation, ethics and financial advice.
Quick answer: Passing CME-1A does not by itself complete the Saudi CME-1 certificate. Candidates must also pass CME-1B: Saudi Capital Market Rules and Regulations (General Chapter).
Official-source check — 16 August 2026: The Financial Academy currently lists CME-1A as a 60-minute examination with a passing score of 35, a fee of SAR 1,100 and Arabic and English availability. Verify the live details on the official CME-1A examination page before booking.
How CISI IISI Maps to Saudi CME-1A
The International Introduction to Securities & Investment provides the technical, internationally focused knowledge used for CME-1A. The local regulatory knowledge is assessed separately through CME-1B.
| Saudi paper | Main purpose | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| CME-1A / CISI IISI | International technical foundation | Financial services, economics, equities, bonds, derivatives, funds, regulation, ethics and advice |
| CME-1B | Saudi regulatory foundation | The Saudi capital market, securities business, authorisation, regulatory requirements, AML/CTF, prohibited conduct and controls |
The Financial Academy states that passing both papers is required to obtain the complete Certificate in Introduction to Securities and Investment (CME-1). Candidates should therefore plan CME-1A and CME-1B as two related but distinct study projects.
Current CME-1A Exam Format
| Item | Current official detail |
|---|---|
| Assessment | Computer-based multiple-choice examination |
| Scored questions | 50 |
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Passing score | 35 out of 50 (70%) |
| Languages | Arabic and English |
| Fee shown on 16 August 2026 | SAR 1,100 |
CISI’s multiple-choice examination policy notes that some exams may include a small number of unscored trial questions. When that happens, candidates receive additional time, and the trial questions do not contribute to the result.
What the CISI IISI / CME-1A Syllabus Covers
The current international syllabus builds a broad foundation across ten areas:
- The financial services sector.
- The economic environment.
- Equities and shares.
- Bonds and fixed-income securities.
- Other investments and markets.
- Derivatives.
- Investment funds.
- Financial services regulation and ethical principles.
- Other financial products.
- Financial advice.
This is different from CME-1B, which focuses on the rules and institutions of the Saudi capital market. Do not prepare for both papers from one blended set of notes.
Free CISI IISI / Saudi CME-1A Exam Preparation Practice Questions & Exam Preview
Try 15 CISI IISI / Saudi CME-1A Exam Preparation practice questions from Equities and Stocks
Practice CISI IISI / Saudi CME-1A Exam Preparation exam questions with answers and explanations. The full course includes 5 mock exams and complete syllabus coverage.
Exam Preview
In the context of financial markets, what distinguishes a primary market from a secondary market?
Flashcards
What is the primary function of the financial services sector?
Focus Learn
- Distinction between wholesale and retail sectors
- Functions of Equity, Bond, FX, and Derivatives markets
- Types of Commercial Lending (Lines of credit, Unsecured loans, Term loans)
- Characteristics of Private and Digital/Crypto markets
- Role of Investment Banks in M&A, finance raising, and proprietary trading
- Key functions of Custodian banks (safekeeping, settlement, asset servicing)
- Definition of a financial conglomerate by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS)
- Concept of mutual societies and the demutualization process
- Distinction between P2P lending and Crowdfunding forms
- The role of Insurance Companies and Pension Funds as major market investors
Financial Markets Overview
The financial services sector links organizations seeking capital with those with capital available to invest. The wholesale/professional sector includes Equity markets (trading shares on regulated exchanges with indices like S&P 500, FTSE 100), Bond markets (debt instruments for raising capital, influenced by interest rates and credit risk), Foreign Exchange (decentralized OTC trading of currencies for trade, speculation, and hedging), Derivatives (trading options, swaps, futures based on underlying assets like interest rates, mostly OTC but moving to exchanges), Insurance (management of personal/corporate risk, dominated by entities like Lloyd's and large reinsurers like Munich Re), Commercial Lending (business loans, term loans, unsecured loans, lines of…
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How to Prepare for CME-1A
- Use the current official workbook. Check its final examination date and replace older editions before building your study plan.
- Study by syllabus objective. Track each learning objective rather than revising only the most familiar asset classes.
- Practise calculations and interpretation. Bonds, returns, risk and investment products require application as well as recall.
- Complete timed question sets. The scored paper allows about 72 seconds per question before any additional trial-question time.
- Review every distractor. Explain why each incorrect option is wrong; this is more valuable than memorising an answer letter.
- Prepare separately for CME-1B. Use the current Saudi regulatory material after—or alongside—the international technical syllabus.
Try the CME-1A practice course before committing to a final revision schedule.
What CME-1A Means for Your Saudi Qualification Route
CME-1A demonstrates a foundation in international investment concepts. Together with CME-1B, it supports the CME-1 route used for many registrable Saudi capital-market functions. The precise requirement still depends on the role, so candidates and employers should confirm the current CMA and Financial Academy route for the intended job category.
This page intentionally focuses on the international CISI IISI-to-CME-1A relationship rather than duplicating another general CME-1 guide. Broad CME-1 exam and certificate intent should be handled by a dedicated two-paper qualification guide.
Official Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
1 Is CISI IISI the same as Saudi CME-1A?
CME-1A is the Saudi Financial Academy route for the international technical paper aligned with the CISI International Introduction to Securities & Investment (IISI). It forms the technical half of the Saudi CME-1 certificate.
2 How many questions are in the CME-1A exam?
The current CME-1A syllabus is assessed through 50 scored multiple-choice questions. CISI policy allows some multiple-choice examinations to contain a small number of unscored trial questions with additional time.
3 What is the CME-1A pass score?
The Financial Academy currently lists a passing score of 35 for CME-1A, equivalent to 70% of the 50 scored questions.
4 Do I need CME-1B after passing CME-1A?
Yes, if your goal is the complete Saudi CME-1 certificate. The Financial Academy states that candidates must pass both CME-1A and the Saudi regulatory CME-1B paper to complete CME-1.
5 Is CME-1A available in Arabic and English?
Yes. The Financial Academy currently lists CME-1A in Arabic and English. Choose the required language when booking and prepare with the corresponding current workbook.
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