Questions about Canadian Securities Course (CSC)

[neptune]

I'm considering getting an introductory certification in the financial industry.
This is just for my personal benefit and development and not related to my job.

I don't know too much about how the CSC testing works so here are some questions:

Is it necessary to enroll in a class or can I get a book to read and learn from instead of a attending formal course?
Are there books available at bookstores (Chapters, Amazon, etc.); any recommendations?
Where and how do I go for the exam (including pricing)?


I'll probably have more questions based on responses and anything else that comes to mind.

Your input is greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

[Jin-n-Juice]

I'm considering getting an introductory certification in the financial industry.
This is just for my personal benefit and development and not related to my job.

I don't know too much about how the CSC testing works so here are some questions:

Is it necessary to enroll in a class or can I get a book to read and learn from instead of a attending formal course?
Are there books available at bookstores (Chapters, Amazon, etc.); any recommendations?
Where and how do I go for the exam (including pricing)?


I'll probably have more questions based on responses and anything else that comes to mind.

Your input is greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

- Don't need to enroll in class. Just get the books
- When you register, you either have option with book (+$) or from web (.PDF are available from the website)
- www.csi.ca to enroll into CSC and book exam, etc

[neptune]

- Don't need to enroll in class. Just get the books
- When you register, you either have option with book (+$) or from web (.PDF are available from the website)
- www.csi.ca to enroll into CSC and book exam, etc

So where can I get the books from? Any bookstores have them?

The CSI website only has options for enrolling in the course, not to signup for exams. Where do you go to for that?

Thanks!

[Shaf]

https://www.csi.ca/student/en_ca/icb/services/exams.xhtml

[neptune]

Thanks for the link.

So, how do I get a student ID number without actually enrolling for the $880 course?

And where can I get some books?

[qster]

You can't buy the books for any bookstore. You can only buy them straight from csi.ca only!

Here's a quick tip for you... the pdf files you have access to on the website will always have the most up to date information (if any updates to the book are done). The only downside is you require a computer to view or require a lot of ink an paper to print out the equivalent of the book.

You do not require to enroll in the prep-course, but consider it if you are not in the industry or know little of the business sector.

Lastly.. you can only get a Student ID once you have enrolled for a course online and PAID for it.

[neptune]

You can't buy the books for any bookstore. You can only buy them straight from csi.ca only!

Here's a quick tip for you... the pdf files you have access to on the website will always have the most up to date information (if any updates to the book are done). The only downside is you require a computer to view or require a lot of ink an paper to print out the equivalent of the book.

You do not require to enroll in the prep-course, but consider it if you are not in the industry or know little of the business sector.

Lastly.. you can only get a Student ID once you have enrolled for a course online and PAID for it.

Well this sucks because:
- you can't purchase book only from csi.ca; you *must* enroll for a course
- you *must* enroll in a course in order to write an exam (because you need a student id)

I think thats pretty a horrible system.

Now you're looking at cost of a course + cost of exams.... well over $1000!

[neptune]

Are there any other training organizations that offer CSC, besides csi.ca?

[brunes]

Well this sucks because:
- you can't purchase book only from csi.ca; you *must* enroll for a course
- you *must* enroll in a course in order to write an exam (because you need a student id)

I think thats pretty a horrible system.

Now you're looking at cost of a course + cost of exams.... well over $1000!

Duuno if it matters in your decision but all these expenses should be considered tax-deductible. So your realized cost is likely a bit over half of that. You might not personally consider it a "career related designation", but the CRA can not make that consideration; for all they know you are switching careers.

[monty613]

Are there any other training organizations that offer CSC, besides csi.ca?

No. That's why it's the Canadian Securities Course offered by the Canadian Securities Institute. You can't pay a fee to write the exam and just get the books somewhere else.

[faken]

https://www.csi.ca/student/en_ca/icb/services/exams.xhtml

thanks for the link!

[qster]

Well this sucks because:
- you can't purchase book only from csi.ca; you *must* enroll for a course
- you *must* enroll in a course in order to write an exam (because you need a student id)

I think thats pretty a horrible system.

Now you're looking at cost of a course + cost of exams.... well over $1000!

Why is it some people spew out garbage before posting??? :confused: :confused: :confused:

Whats the point of allowing anyone to register for a student ID and if they aren't serious about the course. You need some form of control to prevent someone from just creating student ID's.
Are you able to get a student ID for a University or College if you aren't register???

You can buy just the book! at www.csi.ca its $90 (need to be a student registered in the CSC course).

Its pointless to buy the book if you plan do not plan on enroling in the course ,hence why the website prevents outsiders from just buying the book. Some students are just too cheap to buy the book the first time and just book the course/exam, then realize they should have paid the extra cash for the book (thats why the book only option is there).

If you work for a bank/financial company get them to pay for the course out of your educational fund.

If you are enrolled in a University or College, then enrol through your school for a 10-15% discount.

[neptune]

You can buy just the book! at www.csi.ca its $90 (need to be a student registered in the CSC course).


You can't simply just buy the book for $90... you *HAVE* to pay for the course. So thats about $1000.
Thus, my original point stands!

Its a ridiculous system.

Look at other professional certifications, especially in IT industry. Cisco, Microsoft, Juniper, etc. - none of them require you to take a course in order to write the exams, or to get the official printed books.

Anyway, my questions have been answered and there isn't much point in continuing this thread.

Thanks again everyone!