CISI CME-3A Certificate in Securities (KSA)
Master the CISI Certificate in Securities (CME-3A) with our interactive study platform. Covers equities, bonds, markets, settlement, accounting analysis and investment management. Fully updated for the latest standards.
Updated for 2026. 100% matching with the latest official workbook revisions.
Certificate in Securities with Smart Practice
This is a complete exam simulation system for the CISI CME-3A Certificate in Securities. Covering all 9 syllabus chapters from the Financial Services Sector to Investment Management, our platform turns the dense 384-page workbook into an interactive, high-retention learning experience.
Each module is designed for maximum exam readiness: 1000+ mock exam questions mirror the real exam format (100 questions, 70% pass mark, 2-hour time limit), while flashcards and cheat sheets ensure rapid recall of critical facts, thresholds, and calculations.
Preview & See What You Will Get
Key Benefits
Unlimited Mock Exams
Practice under real exam conditions with four distinct 100-question exams.
- ✓ Standard Balanced: Covers all chapters proportionally.
- ✓ Scenario-Based: Applied questions with calculations.
- ✓ Comprehensive Mastery: Tricky edge cases and distinctions.
- ✓ Final Assessment: Test your readiness for the real exam.
Quick-Reference Cheat Sheet
28 critical facts you MUST know on exam day — timelines, thresholds, and key rules.
- ✓ BIS DvP Models and settlement cycles.
- ✓ Credit rating scales and investment grade thresholds.
- ✓ Yield calculations and day count conventions.
- ✓ Liquidation hierarchy and accounting rules.
50 Active Recall Flashcards
Master key concepts with spaced repetition across all 9 chapters.
- ✓ Covers asset classes, markets, settlement, and accounting.
- ✓ Track mastery progress with the built-in tracker.
- ✓ Focus on the facts most likely to appear in exams.
Chapter Summaries with Exam Tips
Concise summaries highlighting examinable areas and common exam traps.
- ✓ Examinable areas ranked by importance.
- ✓ Common pitfalls that catch students out.
- ✓ CISI-specific exam tricks and distinctions.
AI-Powered Study Mentor
Get instant explanations and guidance on any topic from your AI tutor.
- ✓ Ask questions in natural language.
- ✓ Get detailed explanations with examples.
- ✓ Covers all 9 chapters of the syllabus.
Syllabus
Module 1: The Financial Services Industry 3 marks
Understanding the structure and participants of the financial services industry.
- • Retail vs professional/wholesale sectors
- • Key participants: banks, pension funds, insurance companies
- • Investment banks, fund managers, brokers, custodians
- • Equity, bond, and FX market overview
Module 2: Asset Classes 27 marks
Comprehensive coverage of equities, bonds, yields, FX, CISs, and structured products.
- • Ordinary and preference shares (cumulative, convertible, redeemable)
- • Bond yields: flat yield, GRY, NRY, modified duration
- • Government bonds by country (gilts, Treasuries, bunds)
- • Credit ratings and investment grade thresholds
- • Collective investment schemes and ETFs
- • Foreign exchange markets and day count conventions
Module 3: Markets 2 marks
Primary and secondary market characteristics and governing authorities.
- • Primary market: IPOs, capital raising
- • Secondary market: liquidity, HFT, algorithmic trading
- • Governing authorities: FCA, SEC, CSRC
Module 4: Primary Markets 14 marks
How securities are brought to market through various types of offerings.
- • Types of offer: subscription, sale, placing, introduction
- • Bookbuilding, underwriting, and stabilisation
- • Greenshoe options and clawback mechanisms
- • Bond offerings and the role of the DMO
Module 5: Secondary Markets 15 marks
Trading mechanisms, order types, and market structure.
- • Order-driven vs quote-driven vs hybrid systems
- • Order types: market, limit, stop, iceberg
- • Dark pools, MTFs, and systematic internalisers
- • Key equity indices: FTSE 100, S&P 500, DJIA
Module 6: Corporate Actions 7 marks
Events initiated by issuers that affect their securities.
- • Dividends: interim, final, ex-dividend mechanics
- • Scrip/bonus issues and stock splits
- • Rights issues: TERP and nil-paid value calculations
- • Share buybacks and notifiable interests
Module 7: Clearing and Settlement 8 marks
Post-trade processes including clearing, settlement, and custody.
- • Clearing vs settlement: definitions and processes
- • BIS DvP Models 1, 2, and 3
- • Custody, nominees (designated vs pooled)
- • CLS for FX settlement, stock lending
Module 8: Accounting Analysis 14 marks
Financial statements, key ratios, and accounting concepts.
- • Balance sheet: current/non-current assets and liabilities
- • Income statement: revenue to net profit
- • Cash flow statement: operating, investing, financing
- • Key ratios: EPS, P/E, dividend yield, ROCE, gearing
Module 9: Investment Management 10 marks
Risk and reward, diversification, and investment strategies.
- • Systematic vs unsystematic risk
- • Correlation, diversification, and hedging
- • Active vs passive management
- • ESG investing and bond strategies
- • Institutional investors and liquidation hierarchy
Try Before You Buy
Experience our interactive learning tools — right here, right now
Which asset class is considered to have the highest exposure to inflation risk, potentially eroding purchasing power over the long term?
Who Is This For?
Frequently Asked Questions
The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions that you must complete within 2 hours. You need to score 70% or higher to pass.
You get lifetime access from the moment you enrol. Study at your own pace and revisit the material whenever you need a refresher.
Yes, all content is aligned with the CISI latest standards. We update our material whenever CISI releases syllabus changes.
Absolutely. The platform is fully responsive and works on desktop, tablet, and mobile browsers. You can study on the go.
We go beyond the workbook with AI-powered tutoring, 150+ practice questions with detailed explanations, rapid-recall flashcards, and timed mock exams that simulate real exam conditions.
Our course is designed to be a comprehensive exam prep tool. While the official workbook is a useful reference, many students pass using our platform alone.
All content is created from the official workbooks and compiled with input from finance professionals who have studied for and passed the exam themselves. Their notes, insights, and exam feedback are combined into a focused, interactive study system.
We do not guarantee a pass — success requires reading the official workbook and using our materials for active revision. However, our system is designed around recall-based learning, which is proven to significantly improve retention and exam performance.
No previous qualifications or work experience are required. Our materials are structured to help both newcomers and experienced professionals looking to formalise their knowledge.
Yes — the official workbook is recommended for full exam preparation. Our course is designed as a powerful revision companion that distils the most exam-relevant content into flashcards, cheat sheets, and mock exams to accelerate your preparation.
Yes! You can test your knowledge and see our AI tutor in action with our free CISI CME-3A Certificate in Securities Sample Paper.
CISI CME-3A Certificate in Securities
Course Features
Student Reviews
From finance professionals who prepared and passed their CISI exams.
Recent Reviews
Scarily similar mocks!
Passed cme-3a last week! This was honestly my main study resource. The question bank is scarily similar to the actual exam topics... Worth every riyal for the confidence.
Thank you Ahmed! Great to know the study materials made a difference.
Really good 3a prep
Honestly, P/E ratios and EPS calcs are the worst... But the fundamental analysis section here is absolutely excellent. Passed cme-3a today!
Bond pricing finally clicks
Bond prices and coupons always confused me. The videos are great. Passed cme-3a on 1st try. Cheers guys!!
Flashcards for the win
Yield calculations, coupon rates, and clean/dirty pricing... The flashcards really helped drill the formulas into my head. Passed!!
Yield calcs made easy
Yield calculations always tripped me up. The video walkthroughs here are so really good. Finally get it now. Passed cme-3a.
Basic but does the job
Nothing fancy. No videos, no community, no live support during my exam week. But the mock exams were accurate and I passed. So I guess it works. Just dont expect a premium experience.
We appreciate the honest feedback. We're always working to improve the study experience — please reach out to support@cisi.academy if you need anything.
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