Browse Exams — Mock Exams & Practice Tests

PMT FAQ — Common Questions (Portfolio Management, Operations, Reporting)

Frequently asked questions for CSI Portfolio Management Techniques (PMT®): exam format, official topic weightings, what to prioritize, and how to practice efficiently.

On this page

What is the official PMT exam format and structure?

CSI publishes PMT exam structure on the official Exam & Credits page:

  • Exam format: Proctored (remote or in-person at a test centre)
  • Exam duration: 3 hours
  • Question format: Multiple Choice
  • Questions per exam: 100
  • Passing grade: 60%
  • Attempts allowed: 3

Source: https://www.csi.ca/en/learning/courses/pmt/exam-credits

What are the official topic weightings?

From CSI’s official weighting table (PMT has 100 questions, so % ≈ target questions):

  • Regulation and Ethics — 10%
  • The Institutional Portfolio Management Process — 8%
  • Portfolio Management Organization and Operations — 16%
  • Managing Equity Portfolios — 16%
  • Managing Fixed Income Portfolios — 19%
  • Permitted Use of Derivatives in Mutual Funds — 5%
  • Creating New Portfolio Management Mandates — 10%
  • Alternative Investment Management — 11%
  • Client Portfolio Reporting and Performance Attribution — 5%

Source: https://www.csi.ca/en/learning/courses/pmt/exam-credits

Do I need the official CSI materials?

Yes. Use this hub as a study map + practice layer, but rely on CSI’s official materials for the canonical reading.

What should I prioritize first?

Start with the “high surface-area” domains:

  • firm operations (front/middle/back) and the trade lifecycle
  • portfolio techniques for equity and fixed income (styles, duration/curve concepts, implementation tools)
  • permitted derivative use and the risk controls language
  • performance reporting concepts (time-weighted vs money-weighted, attribution vocabulary)

Then tighten with timed mixed sets.

How should I practice?

Short drills per topic, then a weekly mixed set. Review every miss and write a one-sentence rule:

“Given this mandate constraint, the first correct step is … because …”

Where do I find official policies (fees, timing, retakes)?

Use the official CSI links in Resources. Policies can change, so we avoid hard-coding beyond the published exam structure and weightings.

Practice
Resources