Format at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exams | 2 (Exam 1 and Exam 2) |
| Questions | 100 multiple choice per exam |
| Time | 2 hours per exam |
| Pass mark | 60% on each exam |
| Attempts | Up to 3 per exam within your enrolment |
| Where | Remote proctoring or a test centre |
Exam 1 topic weights
| Topic | Weight |
|---|---|
| The Canadian securities marketplace | 15% |
| The Canadian economy | 13% |
| Common and preferred shares | 13% |
| Features of fixed-income securities | 12% |
| Pricing and trading fixed income | 11% |
| Equity transactions | 10% |
| Derivatives | 10% |
| Corporations and financial statements | 8% |
| Financing and listing securities | 8% |
Exam 2 topic weights
| Topic | Weight |
|---|---|
| Fundamental and technical analysis | 18% |
| The portfolio approach | 18% |
| Alternative, managed and structured products | 16% |
| Mutual funds | 14% |
| ETFs | 10% |
| Institutional clients | 10% |
| Fee-based accounts and retail clients | 8% |
| Canadian taxation | 6% |
See where you stand in 10 minutes
Take the free CSC Exam 1 practice test. 15 questions, every answer explained.
A 6-week plan
- Weeks 1–2: Exam 1 marketplace, economy and fixed income; flashcards daily.
- Week 3: shares, equity transactions, derivatives and financial statements; first timed Exam 1 mock.
- Week 4: write Exam 1 when your mocks are consistently above 70%.
- Week 5: Exam 2 analysis and portfolio approach (36% of the exam).
- Week 6: funds, ETFs, alternatives and tax; mistakes bank and two timed Exam 2 mocks.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the CSC exam?
Each of the two exams has 100 multiple-choice questions and a 2-hour time limit.
What is the CSC pass mark?
60% on each exam.
Is the CSC still worth it in 2026?
For mutual fund dealer and exempt market dealer representatives, and as a finance credential, yes. New investment dealer representatives now write the CIRE instead.
How many attempts do I get?
CSI allows up to three attempts per exam within the enrolment period.
Official sources
Practice tests for these certifications
Canadian Securities Course (CSC) Exam 1
The first of the two CSC exams covers the marketplace, the economy, bonds, shares, derivatives, financial statements and how companies raise capital.
Canadian Securities Course (CSC) Exam 2
The second CSC exam turns from products to advice: analysing companies, building portfolios, mutual funds and ETFs, alternative and structured products, Canadian investment taxation, fee-based accounts and institutional clients.
This guide is general information, checked October 2026, not legal advice. CSI or CIRO rules change; confirm with CSI or CIRO before you apply.
