NISM Series VIII mock test
Equity Derivatives Certification Examination
The practice paper
Before you start
- 100 questions, 120 minutes. 1 mark each, and 25% off for a wrong answer — the same rules the real paper uses, so a question you cannot narrow down is better left blank.
- Questions are drawn to the syllabus weightages we have derived, because NISM publishes none for this examination.
- You can flag a question and come back to it. The clock does not stop.
- Nothing is saved. Close the tab and the attempt is gone.
The real examination
A practice paper for the Equity Derivatives certification. It deducts a quarter mark for a wrong answer and passes at 60, exactly as the examination does, so a score here means the same thing a score there would.
- Questions
- 100
- Duration
- 120 min
- Pass mark
- 60/100
- Negative marking
- −25%
The certificate is valid for 3 years. Clearing this examination is a requirement for approved users and sales personnel of trading members in the equity derivatives segment.
Syllabus and weightages
Ten units, weighted as we have derived them — NISM publishes no weightage table for this examination. Basics of Derivatives alone is 14% of the paper — worth knowing before you decide where your week goes.
| Unit | Weight | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Basics of Derivatives | 14% | 14 |
| 2. Understanding Index | 13% | 13 |
| 3. Introduction to Forwards and Futures | 10% | 10 |
| 4. Introduction to Options | 8% | 8 |
| 5. Strategies using Equity futures and Equity options | 13% | 13 |
| 6. Trading Mechanism | 12% | 12 |
| 7. Introduction to Clearing and Settlement System | 10% | 10 |
| 8. Legal and Regulatory Environment | 12% | 12 |
| 9. Accounting and Taxation | 4% | 4 |
| 10. Sales Practices and Investors Protection Services | 4% | 4 |
Common questions
Is this the actual NISM examination?
No. It is a practice paper written by CAPITA1 from the syllabus NISM publishes. The real examination is conducted by NISM and can only be taken through them.
Does passing this get me certified?
No. Only NISM certifies, through its own examination. This tells you where you stand before you book it.
What score do I need in the real exam?
60 out of 100, which is 60%. A wrong answer costs 25% of the marks for that question, and an unanswered one costs nothing — so a guess you have no basis for is worse than leaving it.
Do I get the same questions each time?
No. A fresh paper is drawn from the bank each attempt, weighted to the same syllabus split.