CSC (Canadian Securities & Investment) study plan

Map the Domain 1 and Domain 2 exam outlines into a one-page checklist of subtopics, marking each as strong, shaky, or unknown

Define the core portfolio return and risk measures (holding period return, arithmetic vs. geometric mean, standard deviation, beta) and compute each by hand on three sample data sets

Explain the difference between systematic and non-systematic risk and state which one diversification removes

List the main order types (market, limit, stop, stop-limit) and describe when each is appropriate and its main execution risk

Calculate expected return, variance, and covariance for a two-asset portfolio and interpret the correlation effect on portfolio risk

Compare the Capital Asset Pricing Model, arbitrage pricing theory, and Fama-French multi-factor models in terms of assumptions and inputs

Distinguish the Sharpe, Treynor, Jensen, and information ratios and select the correct one for a given mandate

Interpret duration, convexity, and credit spread effects on a bond portfolio's value

Describe the mechanics and pricing logic of forwards, futures, options, and swaps at an introductory level

Apply behavioral finance concepts (loss aversion, anchoring, overconfidence, herding) to investor decision scenarios

Build a client risk-tolerance assessment that separates willingness from ability to take risk and reconcile conflicts between them

Construct an investment policy statement containing objectives, constraints, asset allocation ranges, and rebalancing rules

Compute after-tax returns and identify which account type (registered vs. non-registered) suits which income profile

Calculate marginal and average tax rates and apply them to interest, dividends, and capital gains income streams

Explain the tax treatment of registered retirement savings plans, tax-free savings accounts, and registered education savings plans and match each to a client goal

Describe the structure, taxation, and estate treatment of mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, segregated funds, and principal-protected notes

Identify the tax-planning tools available at year end (loss harvesting, income splitting, contribution timing)

Distinguish term, whole, universal, and participating life insurance by cost structure, cash value, and suitability

Explain the underwriting concepts of insurable interest, material facts, utmost good faith, and the incontestability period

Compare disability, critical illness, and long-term care coverage on trigger definitions and benefit mechanics

Describe the roles of beneficiary designations, probate, powers of attorney, and trusts in estate transfer

Outline the steps of the financial planning process from engagement through monitoring

Segment clients by net worth, liquidity needs, and complexity, and match each segment to an appropriate service model

Explain the private banking value proposition, including credit and lending solutions, custody, and consolidated reporting

Describe the know-your-client, suitability, and anti-money-laundering obligations that apply to high-net-worth onboarding

Compare discretionary, advisory, and execution-only portfolio mandates on fee structure and fiduciary duty

Identify the key risks in concentrated single-stock positions and outline hedging or diversification strategies

Describe the retail deposit and lending product set (chequing, savings, term deposits, mortgages, lines of credit, credit cards) and the pricing drivers for each

Explain how a lender assesses mortgage affordability, including gross and total debt service ratios

Summarize the consumer protection and disclosure rules that govern retail account opening, fee disclosure, and complaint handling

Explain the role of deposit insurance and what it does and does not cover

Distinguish the branch, digital, and contact-centre channels by transaction type and cost to serve

Complete two full-length timed mock exams under exam conditions and record per-domain scores

Re-derive every formula on the sheet from memory and correct any that cannot be reproduced

Re-teach the five weakest subtopics from the week 1 diagnostic using fresh worked examples

Draft a one-page exam-day strategy covering time allocation, question triage, and flagging rules

Review all previously missed questions and write a one-line reason for each error type