CISI CME-3A Certificate in Securities
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.
Preview & See What You Will Get
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: 150 mock exam questions mirror the real exam format (50 questions, 70% pass mark, 1-hour time limit), while flashcards and cheat sheets ensure rapid recall of critical facts, thresholds, and calculations.
Key Benefits
Three Full Mock Exams
Practice under real exam conditions with three distinct 50-question exams.
- ✓ Standard Balanced: Covers all chapters proportionally.
- ✓ Scenario-Based: Applied questions with calculations.
- ✓ Comprehensive Mastery: Tricky edge cases and distinctions.
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.
Who Is This For?
Frequently Asked Questions
Syllabus
Module 1: The Financial Services Industry
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
CISI CME-3A Certificate in Securities
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Course Features
Student Reviews
Verified purchases from actual professionals preparing for their CISI exams.
Recent Reviews
Market microstructure interesting
"Order book dynamics, market makers, and execution venues — exam topics I found genuinely interesting."
Equity analysis content thorough
"P/E ratios, dividend yield, EPS — the fundamental analysis section is excellent."
Securities exam ready
"Bond pricing calculations and yield curve analysis are covered thoroughly. The practice tests mirror the actual exam format perfectly."
Top Prep for CME-3A
"The securities training is top-notch. The AI tutor explains complex bond yields so simply."
Fixed income calculations clear
"Duration, convexity, and yield curve analysis — the cheat sheet formulas were essential on exam day."
Solid Securities Course
"Flashcards for CME-3A are great for quick review during breaks. Really helped with formula recall."
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