Raise your hand if you're interested in finance and investment.
Do you feel you have a firm grasp of the financial world? Are you able to explain the differences between securities, mutual funds, and alternative funds in the context of Canada?
If you answered 'no' to either of these questions, you might want to consider taking the Canadian Securities Course.
In this article, we will delve deep into the Canadian Securities Course (CSC) in terms of these points:
- The topics covered under the CSC syllabus
- The cost of CSC and its expenses
- Tips to ace the CSC exams
- Pros and cons of taking the CSC
- How a private tutor can help you during CSC exam preparation
What Is The Canadian Securities Course Syllabus?
Before we go into the topics covered under the CSC, let's take a look at the brief overview and learning outcomes of this course.
The Canadian Securities Course is a basic financial service credential designed for individuals who want to work in finance or investment roles in Canada.
Once learners have completed the course, they will develop the skills to serve their clients better in securities, mutual funds, and alternative funds in many financial services roles.
The course syllabus centres around these eight sections:
The Canadian Securities Course exam structure requires candidates to pass two exams— Exam One and Exam Two both consisting of 100 multiple-choice questions.
The test duration of each paper is 2 hours and candidates can either sit for the exams in person at a test centre near them or sit for it remotely. Either way, every exam will be proctored.
The passing grade for each exam is 60%. Candidates who score below this grade for the first round are allowed to take the exam two times (maximum 3 attempts).
How Much Should You Budget For The CSC Exams?
Once you've reviewed the course syllabus, the next step is to dive into the costs and figures that will shape your CSC preparation.
CSC Exam Registration
As the Candian Securities Institute (CSI) is the exclusive provider for CSC, every candidate must register and enrol through their platform to access the relevant course materials and exams.
In terms of course formats, candidates can decide between these courses:
| Course Bundle | Price |
|---|---|
| CSC® Value Pack Combo (inclusive of study tools) | $1620 |
| CSC Online, Interactive Version with Online PDF, eBook and Hard-Copy Textbook | $1320 |
| CSC Online, Interactive Version with Online PDF and eBook Textbook | $1220 |
On the other hand, individuals who are planning to enhance their financial knowledge and learn more about the financial services industry without taking any exams can opt for the Canadian Securities Course (CSC®) for Investors.
This package is currently priced at $550, where no certificates will be issued upon the course completion.
CSC Exam Policies
Besides the fees of exams and studying tools, we also recommend candidates review the potential hidden costs when it comes to exam cancellation, the retaking and remarking of exams, the CSC course extension, and the shipping costs of course materials.
For instance, each candidate can only sit for each exam three times, and every time you retake the exam, you need to pay an additional $300.
Cost-Saving Tips For CSC
Whether you are a student or a working adult, you can always check if your higher learning institutions or finance corporations have agreements with CSI to enjoy discounts upon CSC registration. Don't be surprised that some employers even offer partial or full-time subsidies for the course too.
Occasionally, the CSI also offers an early bird discount of 10% upon registration.
If you find the studying tools and bundles too costly, you can look for free online resources like mock exams or YouTube tutorials. Furthermore, you can also purchase second-hand studying materials from someone who has passed the CSC exam.
For those seeking external learning assistance, we highly recommend finding an affordable private finance tutor rather than enrolling in another CSC study program.
Ways To Score Well For The CSC Exams
Now that you have sorted the numbers game, it's time to get down to business — passing your CSC with flying colors. Here are some tips to ace the two papers.
First and foremost, you need to know the specific topics and their respective weightage that will be tested on each CSC exam paper.
CSC Exam 1
- The Canadian Investment Marketplace — 15%
- The Economy — 13%
- Features and Types of Fixed-Income Securities — 12%
- Pricing and Trading of Fixed-Income Securities — 11%
- Common and Preferred Share — 13%
- Equity Transactions — 10%
- Derivatives — 10%
- Corporations and their Financial Statements — 8%
- Financing and Listing Securities — 8%
CSC Exam 2
- Investment Analysis — 18%
- Portfolio Analysis — 18%
- Mutual Funds — 14%
- Exchange-Traded Funds — 10%
- Alternative Investments, Other Managed, and Structured Products — 16%
- Canadian Taxation — 6%
- Fee-Based Accounts and Working with the Retail Client — 8%
- Working with the Institutional Client — 10%
While it appears that these finance concepts deal hugely with numbers and values, we assure you that it has nothing to do with complex math concepts like trigonometric formulas like cot, cos, sine, tan or cotangent but rather the opposite. It is how those figures can impact one's income and business funds or the financial service provider for example.
Next, you should start gathering the relevant study materials for CSC. You could either purchase a number of physical textbooks or digital videos directly from the official Canadian Securities Institute website or look for other CSC resources online. For example, you can look for tutorials and worksheets that explain the definition of finance ratio, mutual funds, and the functions of different taxes.
Begin your studying and revision routine by planning a feasible study plan and also practice with the concept definition, math formula, topical questions and mock exam sets. Create a realistic study timeline by determining how many months you'll need to prepare for the CSC exam while balancing other commitments, such as studies or full-time work.
That being said, the CSI website offers a study planner for 3-month, 6-month, 9-month, and even 12-month timelines for your reference.
It's important to familiarize yourself with the actual test duration (2 hours) to reduce exam anxiety.
Last but not least, you can look for an experienced and reliable finance tutor to guide you throughout the CSC examination process.
Pros & Cons Of Taking The Canadian Securities Course
By now, you should know that taking the CSC requires a significant commitment. In terms of the course syllabus, it can be quite challenging, especially if you are from a non-finance background.
Before making this decision, you might want to weigh the pros and cons of obtaining the Canadian Securities Course certification and decide if it's really worth it.
The key function of the CSC is that it offers learners a comprehensive understanding of the foundational knowledge required for the financial services domain in Canada. After all, there are 27 chapters that you will learn under the syllabus.
This means that passing the CSC exam demonstrates your credibility in financial knowledge, which will help you in terms of career opportunities and career progression in the finance service or investment business industry.
Many financial institutions like banks and or an investment company that deals with mutual funds, and financial analysis in Canada often look for candidates who have CSC credentials.
On the flip side, preparing for the CSC requires you to set aside time and additional money. Candidates typically need at least 3 months to go through the entire syllabus, and the financial cost of the CSC is also significant.
Another thing that you should consider is that the Canadian Securities Course solely caters to the Canadian finance domain and revolves around the finance and investment industries.
If you have plans to become a finance professional in another field such as accounting in another country besides Canada one day, then the CSC is not a mandatory pathway.
Benefits of Hiring A Private Tutor To Prepare For CSC
Let's be honest. Preparing for the CSC exams can be challenging, whether you come from a finance or non-finance background. It’s a true test of both time and mental stamina.
An experienced finance tutor can help you approach the CSC exams with greater confidence and competence.
Think about it. You can have an efficient study process by focusing on the core concepts and exam-answering techniques for CSC under the guidance of an experienced tutor. Furthermore, your tutor can also offer you insights beyond the standard materials and help you connect the dots by sharing practical examples.
Additionally, private tutoring allows you to enjoy flexibility in terms of scheduling and study pace. You can choose between face-to-face lessons or online lessons at your preferred time and location.
Apart from that, your private tutor could also tailor their teaching angle according to your strengths and weaknesses, and advice you immediately in areas where you need help. For instance, you might be weak in terms of math formulas and calculations and have extra examples to learn with your tutor.
All along the way, you will have someone beside you to reinforce your study of the CSC topics while encouraging you so that you will be in your best condition during the exam days. Isn't that great?
At Superprof, you can find an experienced tutor from different subjects ranging from English (for grammar), Math (for trigonometry concepts like cosecant, and hypotenuse), and Finance (like the CSC). You can find a finance tutor who matches your preferences in terms of teaching qualifications, years of experience, teaching mode, teaching specialization, and also hourly rates.
You can easily adjust the maximum budget for your hourly rates and review the profiles of finance tutors who offer their lessons within that range.
Once you have read the basic information of the tutor, you can contact him or her directly and message them to finalize the details of your first lesson.
In just a few clicks, you are just a few steps away from mastering the CSC like a pro!
We hope you have gained some new insights on the Canadian Securities Course (CSC) through this article.
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