CISI IISI Passing Score & Exam Format 2026: Everything You Need to Know
The CISI IISI exam is 50 multiple-choice questions in 1 hour with a 70% passing score and graded results. Here is exactly how the exam is structured, how questions are distributed, and what to expect on test day.
Before you start studying, you need to understand exactly how the CISI International Introduction to Securities & Investment (IISI) exam is structured. Knowing the format, the passing score, the grade bands, and how questions are distributed lets you build a study plan that targets the right chapters.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about the IISI exam format.
📊 Quick Summary: CISI IISI Exam Format
- Questions: 50 multiple-choice questions
- Duration: 1 hour
- Passing Score: 70% (35 out of 50 correct)
- Grades: Pass with merit (46–50), Pass (35–45), Fail (0–34)
- Level: Qualifying Level 3
- Delivery: CISI test centre or online with remote invigilation
- Results: Online within 24 working hours via MyCISI
What Is the Passing Score?
The passing score for the CISI IISI exam is 70%. With 50 multiple-choice questions, that means you need at least 35 correct answers to pass.
Unlike many exams, the IISI grades your result in bands rather than a simple pass/fail:
- Pass with merit: 46–50 marks
- Pass: 35–45 marks
- Fail: 0–34 marks
Only around 53% of candidates pass. The 70% threshold demands solid, consistent knowledge across all 10 chapters — and because the syllabus is so broad, weak spots are easy to accumulate. For a deeper look at why so many candidates fall short, see why the IISI exam is trickier than it looks.
How the 50 Questions Are Distributed
CISI spreads the 50 questions across 10 chapters. Understanding this weighting is the single most useful piece of exam-planning information you have:
| Chapter | Topic | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction: The Financial Services Sector | 3 |
| 2 | The Economic Environment | 4 |
| 3 | Equities / Stocks | 9 |
| 4 | Bonds | 7 |
| 5 | Other Markets and Investments | 5 |
| 6 | Derivatives | 4 |
| 7 | Investment Funds | 6 |
| 8 | Regulation and Ethics | 5 |
| 9 | Other Financial Products | 4 |
| 10 | Financial Advice | 3 |
Equities, Bonds and Investment Funds alone account for 22 of the 50 questions — 44% of the exam. If you are short on time, these are the chapters that move the needle most, and the right study materials let you weight your practice the same way.
ExamPrep.ae's instant feedback and explanations help you understand each concept and improve your score.
Attempt Every Question
You have 50 questions and 60 minutes — about 72 seconds each. There is no benefit to leaving a question blank, so if you are unsure, eliminate the options you know are wrong and make your best choice. If you are running out of time, fill in an answer for every remaining question rather than leaving it empty.
ExamPrep.ae's Practice by Chapter mode lets you drill each of the 10 IISI chapters individually.
Calculations Are Part of the Exam
The IISI includes a fair number of calculation questions — bond yields, fund premiums and discounts, and similar. These test whether you understand the logic behind a formula, not just whether you can recall it. Being comfortable with the core calculations under time pressure is one of the clearest dividing lines between a pass and a fail.
ExamPrep.ae's Performance by Chapter mode tracks your accuracy per chapter so you know exactly where you stand against the 70% pass mark.
Exam Delivery
You can sit the exam at a CISI test centre or online using remote invigilation, whichever suits you. If you choose remote invigilation, check the technical requirements in advance.
When Do You Get Your Results?
For the computer-based MCQ exam, results are available online within 24 working hours and can be accessed through your MyCISI account. Not booked yet? Our step-by-step IISI registration guide covers the fees, the included workbook, and choosing a test centre or remote invigilation.
💡 Know the format? Now practise it.
Understanding the format is step one. Passing requires drilling realistic questions under the same 50-question structure — including the calculations — until you consistently clear 70%.
👉 Start CISI IISI PracticeYour Next Steps
- See the full study strategy — Read our complete guide to passing the CISI IISI exam
- Understand the difficulty — Learn why the IISI pass rate is only 53%
- Try free questions — Test yourself with our free CISI IISI mock questions
Understanding the format is your foundation. Build on it with focused, chapter-by-chapter practice — and plenty of calculation drills — and you will give yourself the best possible chance of passing on your first attempt.
Frequently Asked Questions About the CISI IISI Exam Format
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By The ExamPrep.ae Team
The UAE's leading CISI exam preparation platform, helping candidates pass their financial services and regulatory exams on the first try.