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🇸🇦 Securities & Markets
CME-1A: International Introduction to Securities & Investment (KSA)
Master the fundamentals of the global financial industry. Replace boring manuals with an interactive, mentor-led prep system for the CISI International Introduction to Securities & Investment exam.
250 Practice Questions Detailed Study Notes Realistic mock exams
Course syllabus information reviewed for 2026. Always check the awarding body’s latest official syllabus and candidate updates before booking or sitting your exam.
Exactly what is included
- New AI Weak Spot · learns from every mock and builds focused practice as mastered questions drop away
- 250 practice questions across 5 mock exams · unlimited retakes
- Focus Learn · key areas, pitfalls, exam traps & key numbers
- Flashcards · fun, fast and effective recall
- Exam cheat sheet · key facts, rules and numbers by chapter
- Audio Learning · every chapter in audio
- AI Analyzer & Mentor · pinpoints your weak areas
- Study Mode Exams · learn while you train
- AI Chat trained specifically for this exam
- Study material organised by syllabus
AI Audio Summaries New
Listen to course modules on the go. Perfect for studying while driving or commuting.
🎧 Audio
* This is a chapter sample. All audio is available in the full version.
Syllabus
Module 1: Introduction: The Financial Services Sector 3 marks out of 50
🎧 Audio
The role of financial services in the economy and the functions of various institutions.
- • Role of financial markets and participants.
- • Investment institutions and retail banks.
- • Insurance companies and pension funds.
- • Financial infrastructure and payment systems.
Module 2: The Economic Environment 4 marks out of 50
Macroeconomic factors and their impact on financial markets.
- • GDP, inflation, and unemployment.
- • Monetary policy and interest rates.
- • Fiscal policy and government spending.
- • Business cycles and international trade.
Module 3: Equities 9 marks out of 50
Share ownership, corporate actions, and equity investment risks.
- • Ordinary and preference shares.
- • Dividends and capital gains.
- • Rights issues and bonus issues.
- • Stock market indices and valuation.
Module 4: Bonds 7 marks out of 50
Fixed income securities, government debt, and corporate bonds.
- • Government bonds (Gilts/Treasuries).
- • Corporate bonds and credit ratings.
- • Yields, prices, and interest rate sensitivity.
- • Redemption and coupon payments.
Module 5: Other Markets and Investments 5 marks out of 50
Cash, foreign exchange, property, and alternative investments.
- • Cash deposits and money markets.
- • Foreign exchange (FX) markets.
- • Commercial and residential property.
- • Commodities and alternative assets.
Module 6: Derivatives 4 marks out of 50
Introduction to hedging, speculation, and derivative instruments.
- • Futures and forwards.
- • Options: Calls and Puts.
- • Swaps and their uses.
- • Derivatives in risk management.
Module 7: Investment Funds 6 marks out of 50
Collective investment schemes and fund management.
- • Unit Trusts and OEICs.
- • Investment Trusts.
- • Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs).
- • Active vs. Passive management.
Module 8: Financial Services Regulation 5 marks out of 50
The regulatory framework, financial crime, and professional standards.
- • International regulatory principles, including the UK FCA/PRA example.
- • Anti-Money Laundering (AML) rules.
- • Insider dealing and market abuse.
- • Ethical behavior and codes of conduct.
Module 9: Other Financial Products 4 marks out of 50
Pensions, borrowing, mortgages and life assurance.
- • Pensions: DB vs. DC schemes.
- • Life assurance and protection.
- • Loans, mortgages and Islamic home finance.
- • Retirement and estate planning basics.
Module 10: Financial Advice 3 marks out of 50
The process of providing professional financial advice.
- • Fact-finding and client goals.
- • Analyzing client needs and suitability.
- • Making recommendations and implementation.
- • Reviewing and monitoring the plan.
Student Reviews
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Based on 21 reviews
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Real Reviews, Real Results
From finance professionals who prepared and passed their CISI exams.
Recent Reviews
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Anonymous learner
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CISI IISI
Platform offers 5 fulls mocks which are pretty close to the exam content. Additionally and a plus was the chat bot feature that helps explain the core concepts as well as give guidance on questions you have regarding the correct answer.
A
Anonymous learner
Exams Academy learner feedback
CME-1A
This is a lifesaver.
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Noura M.
VERIFIED · Aug 4, 2026
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Highly recommend
I tried reading the official book but it was too dense. These questions are challenging and the detailed feedback for every answer makes learning so much faster.
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Noura M.
VERIFIED · Aug 4, 2026
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Trustpilot
Passed with confidence
Helped a lot to clear my doubts and gain more confidence before the actual exam day. The progress tracker kept me accountable.
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Layla H.
VERIFIED · Jul 30, 2026
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Trustpilot
Great value and clear explanations
Great practice tool. The AI mentor helped me spot my weak areas instantly, which saved me so much time during my final revision week.
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Nadia K.
VERIFIED · Jul 22, 2026
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Trustpilot
Much better than the workbook
The official CISI text is incredibly dry. This interactive dashboard actually made studying enjoyable. Highly recommend for the IISI certificate.
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Omar S.
Jul 16, 2026
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Legacy learner review
Played a major role in my success
I passed my exam, and the course played a significant role in my success. The portal provided complete and well-structured learning materials, supported by a team that genuinely cared about learners.
Response from Exams Academy
Congratulations, Omar. We are delighted that the structured materials played an important part in your exam success.
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Arjun C.
VERIFIED · Jul 13, 2026
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Google
IISI passed first try
The mock exams are perfectly calibrated to the actual difficulty level. Finished the real test in 40 minutes with total confidence.
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Nadine S.
Jul 10, 2026
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Legacy learner review
Useful CISI Level 3 preparation
Extremely useful material for anyone preparing for a professional exam. I used the platform for my CISI Level 3 exam. The content is organized, easy to understand, and supported by plenty of practice questions.
M
Mohammed H.
Jul 9, 2026
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Legacy learner review
Manageable Level 3 Securities preparation
I used the online portal to study for the CISI Level 3 Securities exam. The high-quality materials broke the syllabus into manageable sections and presented the content in an easy-to-understand way.
Response from Exams Academy
Thank you, Mohammed. We are pleased that the portal helped break your Level 3 Securities syllabus into manageable sections.
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Sophie M.
VERIFIED · Jul 7, 2026
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Clutch
Perfect intro to finance
I had zero finance background before starting IISI. The platform breaks down equities, bonds, and funds so simply. The bite-sized quizzes are perfect.
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Sarah J.
VERIFIED · Jun 13, 2026
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Trustpilot
Amazing interactive training
Leaving this review for Exams Academy you guys did an amazing job with the interactive training. It works very fast on mobile, so I just train during the day. My exam is in 2 weeks! :)
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Chris W.
VERIFIED · May 24, 2026
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Clutch
Flashcards were clutch
Used this alongside my company's training and the flashcards were clutch for memorizing the regulatory stuff. Definitely recommend.
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Tom B.
VERIFIED · May 21, 2026
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Google
Very close to the real exam
The actual exam was surprisingly similar to the mock tests here. Really glad I didnt just rely on the official book.
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Sarah J.
VERIFIED · May 17, 2026
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Trustpilot
Passed on 2nd attempt
Failed my first attempt just reading the workbook. Used this for 2 weeks straight and passed easily. Don't skip the mock exams. Found this from a Reddit thread and so glad I did.
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Elena R.
VERIFIED · May 15, 2026
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Good platform
Good platform. The progress tracker kept me motivated. Cleared it with a decent score.
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Fatima Z.
VERIFIED · Apr 5, 2026
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Google
Passed IISI in 2026!
Easiest way to pass IISI in 2026 ngl. The interactive questions are way better than reading the PDF over and over. Would definitely suggest this.
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Sofia G.
VERIFIED · Feb 15, 2026
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Google
IISI passed finally!
IISI text is so dry... This made it possible to stay awake and pass. Mocks are very close to real thing.
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Rachel T.
VERIFIED · Nov 2, 2025
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Trustpilot
Wished there were more questions
The mock exams are decent but I ran through all of them in a week. Would have liked a bigger question bank for the price. The explanations for wrong answers are good though.
Response from Exams Academy
We appreciate the honest feedback. We're always working to improve the study experience — please reach out to support@exams.academy if you need anything.
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Adel H.
VERIFIED · Aug 24, 2025
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Clutch
Best ai interactive tutor
Asked it about the difference between open and closed ended funds and got a better answer than my textbook! Saved me so much time in revision.
Response from Exams Academy
Appreciate the kind words, Adel. Congrats on passing!
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William K.
VERIFIED · Jun 2, 2025
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Trustpilot
IISI success
IISI exam is broad but the mocks here are calibrated perfectly to the real thing. Got 80% first attempt today.
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Noura X.
VERIFIED · May 18, 2025
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Clutch
So much better than the dry PDFs
so much better than just reading those long PDFs. The feedback you get when you get an answer wrong is literally the fastest way to learn... Passed with 78%!!
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Omar F.
VERIFIED · May 20, 2024
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Google
CME-1A success!!
Put in about 3 weeks of solid study and passed 1A first try. The summaries for the securities sections are pure gold. Saved me so much time.
Interactive preview
Free CME-1A: International Introduction to Securities & Investment Practice Questions & Exam Preview
Try 15 CME-1A: International Introduction to Securities & Investment practice questions from Equities and Stocks
Practice CME-1A: International Introduction to Securities & Investment exam questions with answers and explanations. The full course includes 5 mock exams and chapter study tools.
Exam Preview
Equities and Stocks
Which statement about public and listed companies is correct?
1 / 15
Flashcards
Card 1 of 10The Financial Services Industry
Question
What is the primary function of the financial services sector?
Tap to reveal answer
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
Introduction
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…
Unlock all Focus Learn
Open every chapter’s key areas, pitfalls, exam traps and key numbers.
Adaptive study tools
Focus weak topics, learn with feedback, then switch to exam conditions.
Adaptive practice
Turn on AI Weak Spot Mode
Keeps weak and due topics in your practice queue.
Turn it on to filter 200 question families and keep what needs your attention.
Adaptive practice groups similar questions into families so repeats do not count as new mastery. Family counts differ from the total authored questions.
Introduction
6% exam weight
Economic Environment
8% exam weight
All question families are visible
Practice modes
Learn first. Then prove you’re ready.
Learn with feedback, then switch to exam conditions.
Exam Mode
Realistic exam simulation
Use the timer, keep answers hidden, then review your result.
Exams Academy vs. Traditional Training
| Feature | Exams Academy | Traditional Providers |
|---|---|---|
| Access Period | Lifetime Access | 30 - 90 Days |
| Practice Exams | Unlimited Retakes | 1 - 2 Static Mocks |
| Study Support | Instant 24/7 AI Tutor | Email Support |
| Cost | $151 (One-Time) | $300+ (Recurring) |
Preview & See What You Will Get
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. This course provides online practice for the CME-1A technical examination. CME-1B covers the separate Saudi rules and regulations unit.
The CME-1A examination has 50 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes. You need 35 correct answers (70%) to pass. Book the Saudi examination through the Financial Academy and follow its current booking instructions.
Yes — IISI is specifically designed as an entry-level qualification. It provides a broad overview of financial markets, products, and regulation. Many graduates and career changers start with IISI before progressing to more specialised exams.
IISI covers the financial services industry including equities, bonds, derivatives, collective investments, economic environment, financial regulation, taxation of investments, and settlement processes.
All content is created from the official CISI workbooks and compiled with input from finance professionals who have passed the IISI exam. We combine their study notes, exam tips, and feedback into a focused revision system.
No — IISI is designed for complete beginners. Our materials explain every concept from the ground up, and the AI tutor is particularly helpful for answering questions when you encounter unfamiliar financial terminology.
We do not guarantee a pass — success requires reading the official CISI workbook and using our materials for active revision. Most students using our platform are exam-ready within 2-4 weeks of focused study.
You get lifetime access from the moment of purchase. Study at your own pace with no time limits or recurring fees.
Yes — CISI recommends the official workbook. Our course is designed as a revision companion that turns the workbook content into flashcards, summaries, and mock exams for more effective study.
Yes! Test your knowledge and review detailed explanations with the free CME-1A: International Introduction to Securities & Investment Mock Exam Preview below. It contains 15 exam-style questions from one named topic; the full course provides complete mock exams and syllabus coverage.
No. CME-1A is the international technical unit in the Saudi CME-1 pathway. Saudi examination requirements and any exemptions depend on the registered function and the candidate's circumstances; confirm the applicable combination with the employer and the Capital Market Authority framework. Confirm the requirement with the employer and regulator before booking.
Book CME-1A through its Financial Academy examination page. The page lists Arabic and English options, 50 multiple-choice questions, 60 minutes and a pass score of 35 out of 50.
The Financial Academy listed the official CME-1A examination fee as SAR 1,100 when checked on 30 August 2026. Exams Academy course access is a separate US-dollar purchase and does not include the official examination or workbook fee.
Key Benefits
AI Audio Summaries New
Listen to course modules on the go. Practice anytime, anywhere - even while driving or commuting.
- ✓ Studio-quality AI voice narration.
- ✓ Perfect for auditory learners.
- ✓ Maximize your study time during daily commutes.
Listen to a sample
Five Full Exam Simulators
Build exam-day confidence with simulations that mirror the real CISI environment.
- ✓ Timed Mode: Practice under real exam pressure.
- ✓ Chapter Drills: Master Equities, Bonds, or Derivatives.
- ✓ Adaptive Learning: Focuses your effort where it's needed most.
High-Quality Practice Questions
High-quality questions designed to match the logic and style of the official exam.
- ✓ Detailed Explanations for every single answer.
- ✓ Coverage of all 10 syllabus chapters.
- ✓ Real-time feedback on your strengths and weaknesses.
Interactive AI Chat Tutor
Your personal tutor, available 24/7 to explain complex financial concepts.
- ✓ Instant clarification of jargon and rules.
- ✓ Simplified explanations of macroeconomic factors.
- ✓ Personalized guidance through the trade lifecycle.
Rapid-Recall Flashcards
Memorize key facts, definitions, and thresholds faster using digital flashcards.
- ✓ Designed for quick revision on any device.
- ✓ Focuses on 'Must Memorise' exam content.
- ✓ Optimized for long-term retention.
High-Yield Cheat Sheets
The essential facts and 'Common Exam Traps' distilled into one easy guide.
- ✓ Rapid review of the five-stage advice process.
- ✓ Quick-reference for regulatory thresholds.
- ✓ Perfect for final revision before the test.
Exam Format & Details
| Assessment | 50 multiple-choice questions |
| Duration | 60 Minutes |
| Standard Pass Mark | At least 35 correct answers out of 50 |
| Recommended study hours | 80 hours |
International Introduction to Securities & Investment with Smart Practice
This is more than just a study guide. It’s a in-depth exam mastery system designed to give you a rock-solid foundation in the global financial services industry.
Our practice material is reviewed against recorded CISI sources and the published syllabus. The course focuses on the core concepts for International Introduction to Securities & Investment, with chapter revision and worked calculations.
Who Is This For?
✓ Investment operations professionals
✓ New entrants to the financial services industry
✓ Students pursuing the Investment Operations Certificate (IOC)
✓ Retail banking and wealth management staff
✓ Career changers looking for a solid financial foundation
✓ Compliance and support staff needing broad industry knowledge
Career Outlook & Value
Target Roles
Investment Operations SpecialistSecurities AnalystTrade SupportBack Office Manager
Salary Expectation
$60,000 - $110,000 (Global Average)
"The IISI is the globally recognized foundational benchmark for investment operations. Earning this certificate proves you understand the global financial infrastructure and is the critical first step to earning the full Investment Operations Certificate (IOC)."
Preparation centre
CME-1A: International Introduction to Securities & Investment Exam Guides
Use these connected guides for the syllabus, exam format, booking and revision strategy.
Exam guide
CISI IISI CME-1A Syllabus Breakdown and Key Topics for 2026
A detailed breakdown of the 2026 CISI IISI CME-1A syllabus weightings. Learn exactly which chapters to prioritize to pass your exam.
PracticeDemystifying the CISI IISI Exam: Format, Syllabus, and Practice Quiz
Everything you need to know about the CISI International Introduction to Securities & Investment (IISI) exam, including its format, syllabus, core calculations, and practice quiz.
Exam guideHow to Pass the CISI IISI CME-1A Exam on Your First Attempt
A detailed strategy to conquer the CISI International Introduction to Securities & Investment (IISI) CME-1A exam. Discover study plans and exam techniques.
Exam guideCME-1 vs CME-2: Which CMA Saudi Certification Do You Need?
Confused about the difference between the CME-1 and CME-2 exams? Discover the requirements, career benefits, and which Saudi CMA certification you should take first.
Exam guideSaudi CME-1 Exam & Certificate (2026): CME-1A & CME-1B Guide
Complete Saudi CME-1 guide covering CME-1A and CME-1B: official format, pass scores, fees, registration, study plan and free practice questions.
Exam guideUS CMA vs Saudi CMA CME-1: Clearing the Confusion
Discover the critical differences between the US Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and the Saudi Capital Market Authority (CMA) CME-1 exams to choose the right career path.
🇸🇦 Local market guide
International Introduction to Securities & Investment (CME-1A) in Saudi Arabia: pathway, booking and careers
Review how International Introduction to Securities & Investment (CME-1A) connects to regulation, qualification pathways, booking, currency and careers in Saudi Arabia before paying the official exam fee.
Regulator and qualification pathway
CME-1A is the international technical unit in the Saudi CME-1 pathway. Saudi examination requirements and any exemptions depend on the registered function and the candidate's circumstances; confirm the applicable combination with the employer and the Capital Market Authority framework.
Capital Market Authority and Financial AcademyBooking and official examination
Book CME-1A through its Financial Academy examination page. The page lists Arabic and English options, 50 multiple-choice questions, 60 minutes and a pass score of 35 out of 50.
View official CME-1A detailsCareer and employer context
CME-1A supplies foundation knowledge in financial services, markets and investment products for relevant Saudi capital-market roles. It is not a universal requirement for every finance job; the employing firm's compliance team should confirm the registered-function pathway and any available exemption.
Price and currency
The Financial Academy listed the official CME-1A examination fee as SAR 1,100 when checked on 30 August 2026. Exams Academy course access is a separate US-dollar purchase and does not include the official examination or workbook fee.
Market-specific reading
Understand the pathway before booking
Ready to Pass Your Exam?
Build accurate recall and exam-day confidence with syllabus-aligned study tools, realistic practice and a course-grounded AI tutor.
CME-1A: International Introduction to Securities & Investment
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$151 $440
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