The CIDA exam will be administered in a multiple choice format (200 questions) and will have an established time limit of four hours. The exam content will be divided into two distinct sections:

• Understanding the Investment and Derivative Structures
• Auditing the Risks and Controls of Investment and Derivative Activity

The exam will cover the United States and International Securities. Questions can pertain to numerous industries (i.e., financial, commodity). Additionally, CIDA candidates should keep abreast of current market conditions as emerging issues can be a testing category on the CIDA exam.

The exam is offered twice a year. The 2024 CIDA exam date is October 28, 2024. 

To help CIDA candidates understand the question format of the CIDA exam, sample questions are published on our website. Other sample questions can be obtained by purchasing the study guide or by attending the CIDA Review Course.

The CIDA exam will be a non-disclosed examination, which means that current or past exam questions and answers will not be published or divulged. Candidates’ question booklets must be turned in with their answer sheets at the conclusion of the examination.

A non-programmable six-function calculator with only addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, square root and percentage function can be used during the examination. Candidates must supply their own pencils and calculators. Note paper will be supplied by the proctor and will be collected after the exam session.