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.
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: 400 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
Four Full 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.
Try Before You Buy
Experience our interactive learning tools — right here, right now
Which of the following is a primary characteristic of common stocks? (Scenario 3)
Who Is This For?
Frequently Asked Questions
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
CISI CME-3A Certificate in Securities
Course Features
Student Reviews
Verified purchases from actual professionals preparing for their CISI exams.
Recent Reviews
Scarily similar mocks!
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Top notch 3a prep
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Fundamental analysis
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Bond pricing finally clicks
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Flashcards for the win
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Yield calcs made easy
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