SII Certificates

SII Certificates FAQs

Exam specific

• Which exam board administers the Securities & Investment Institute Certificate examinations and can you book me on my exam?
  The Securities & Investment Institute administers the CBT examinations. Enrolling on one of our SII Certificate in Investments courses does not mean you are registered for your exam. To register for your exam, you need to contact the Securities & Investment Institute direct on telephone +44 (0)20 7645 0680 or email clientservices@sii.org.uk

• Is the exam cost included in your course prices?
  No. The exams are an additional cost. For details of the latest costs for each Certificate examination, contact the Securities & Investment Institute direct on telephone +44 (0)20 7645 0680 or email clientservices@sii.org.uk

• When and how do I get my exam results?
  Your results are available on completion of your CBT examination.

• Where can I get a copy of the syllabus?
  The syllabli for the Securities & Investment Institute Certificates are available on the Securities & Investment Institute website.

• Am I exempt from any part of the SII Certificate in Investments exams?
  You need to check with the Financial Services Authority (FSA) on +44 (0)20 7676 1000 or your Compliance Officer for details on exemptions you may be entitled to.

• What are the pass marks for the SII Certificate in Investments exams?
  The official pass mark for all the SII Certificate in Investments examinations (except CertIM™) is 70%. 60-69% is a marginal fail. For CertIM™, the official pass mark is 65%.

• What calculators can be used in the exam?
  Scientific calculators are provided in the exam. No personal calculators can be taken into the exam room.

• What prior qualifications do I need to have before taking these exams?
  The SII Certificates in Investments are open to individuals both inside and outside the financial services industry. No prior qualifications are needed and the Securities & Investment Institute does not require you to become a student member of the Insitute before sitting the examination.

• How long does my qualification last before I have to register?
  You have at least 12 months in which to register from the day you took your exam.

• What is the history of these qualifications?
  Prior to 30 November 2002 (N2) the Securities & Investment Institute Certificates were the SFA exams, sometimes also known as the Registered Representative qualifications. Under the new regime, they are known as the Securities & Investment Institute Certificates in Investments examinations.

• What comparable alternatives are there to this qualification?
  The IMC is an alternative FSA approved qualification on a similar level to the Securities & Investment Institute Certificates. We provide classroom-based and distance learning courses for the full IMC and the Investment Practice and UK Regulation & Markets version of the exam.

• Will this designation help my employment prospects?
  Although not an essential requirement, it may look favourable to prospective employers if you have sat and passed a SII Certificates in Investments examination.

• Are actual past papers available?
  Historically, the Securities & Investment Institute have not released past papers. However, sample papers are available on their website at www.sii.org.uk.

• Do I have to sit and pass all the exams together?
  You can sit and pass Unit 1 - Financial Regulation or Unit 6 - Principles of Financial Regulation separately to your specialist unit. If you sit both on the same day but only pass one you can now keep your pass in that paper, but to get the Certificate you must pass both the regulatory and specialist papers.

  Before you book your exams, you should check with your Compliance Officer or Training Manager on your firm's policy - many require you to sit the regulatory and specialist papers together.

• How often can I take the exam?
  You can sit your exam as many times as you need to.