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Guide · All three exams

How to Pass the CySEC Exam First Time

The CySEC exams reward steady, structured preparation more than last-minute reading. This guide covers seven study habits that help, based on what the Advanced, Basic and AML exams test, and the common mistakes to avoid.

By the ExamPass CY editorial team · Last reviewed October 2026

Know what the exam actually tests

The three CySEC exams at a glance
CySEC AdvancedCySEC BasicCySEC AML
QuestionsCySEC Advanced: 70, multiple choiceCySEC Basic: 50, multiple choiceCySEC AML: 40, multiple choice
TimeCySEC Advanced: 90 minutesCySEC Basic: 60 minutesCySEC AML: 60 minutes
Pass markCySEC Advanced: 70% (49 of 70)CySEC Basic: 70% (35 of 50)CySEC AML: 70% (28 of 40)
ChaptersCySEC Advanced: 14CySEC Basic: 8CySEC AML: 8
Heaviest chaptersCySEC Advanced: 2, 3 and 9 (24 of 70)CySEC Basic: 2, 3 and 5 (28 of 50)CySEC AML: 2 and 6 (19 of 40)

All three exams test how EU and Cyprus financial rules apply, not only their definitions. Questions can be phrased in a way you have not seen, so memorising wording is not enough: you need to understand the rule well enough to apply it.

7 tips to pass first time

Habits that make your preparation count, whichever exam you sit.

  1. Start with the heavy chapters

    Advanced: Chapters 2, 3 and 9 carry 8 questions each: 24 of the 70 (34%). Basic: Chapters 2, 3 and 5 carry 28 of the 50 questions (12, 8 and 8; 56%). AML: Chapters 2 and 6 carry 19 of the 40 questions (8 and 11; 48%). Master these first.

  2. Study one chapter, then immediately test yourself

    Do not read the entire syllabus before attempting questions. After finishing each chapter, practise its questions while the material is fresh. Gaps caught early are quick to fix; gaps found the night before the exam are much harder to close.

  3. Aim above the pass mark in practice, not at it

    The pass mark is 70%, but exam-day conditions such as time pressure, unfamiliar phrasing and nerves can cost you marks. Before you sit the exam, aim to score clearly above the pass mark in your mocks.

  4. Read every answer option before selecting one

    Questions often include two plausible answers, and the difference can be a single word or qualifier. If you stop reading as soon as you find an answer you like, you make avoidable errors.

  5. Understand why the correct answer is correct

    After every practice question, right or wrong, read the explanation. If you cannot explain in your own words why the correct answer is correct, you have not learned it yet. Before you answer, a hint helps in the same way: it points you to the principle behind the question, not to the answer.

  6. Do not ignore the low-weight chapters entirely

    The lightest chapters still carry questions: Advanced Chapters 6 and 12 (2 each); Basic Chapter 8 (2); AML Chapter 8 (2). A couple of questions can be the difference between passing and failing, so a light pass through each low-weight chapter is worth the time.

  7. Take a full mock exam under exam conditions at least once

    Sit a full mock with no breaks and without looking anything up. Our mocks have no timer, so time yourself: Advanced 90 minutes for 70 questions, Basic 60 for 50 and AML 60 for 40. Time pressure feels different from relaxed practice, so do this at least once before your exam date.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Studying theory without testing: reading without practising questions gives false confidence.
  • Aiming for the bare pass mark: targeting 70% in practice leaves no room for exam-day variance.
  • Skipping the EU framework: it is easy to know the Cyprus-specific rules and miss the EU rules behind them, such as MiFID II and EMIR.
  • Leaving mock exams until the last day: a mock exam is diagnostic, not revision. Take it early enough to act on what you find.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to prepare for the CySEC Advanced exam?

Plan for 4–8 weeks of structured study; if you already work in a regulated firm, 3–4 weeks may be enough. The key variable is not hours spent, but whether you are testing yourself regularly throughout.

What score do I need to pass the CySEC exam?

70% in all three exams: Advanced 49 of 70, Basic 35 of 50 and AML 28 of 40. Aim for a clear margin above that in practice.

Is the CySEC exam hard?

It is not designed to be tricky, but it is comprehensive. The 14-chapter Advanced syllabus covers a wide range of EU financial regulation. Systematic, chapter-by-chapter preparation that builds understanding of the material, rather than memorisation, is the approach this guide recommends.

Can I pass the CySEC exam without a preparation course?

Yes. Self-study with the official CySEC workbook and a question bank can be enough. What matters is testing yourself with practice questions, not the format of your study.

What is the most common reason candidates fail the CySEC exam?

There are no published statistics on why candidates fail. Two avoidable gaps are worth guarding against: relying on recall of wording rather than understanding how a rule applies, and aiming only for the pass mark in practice instead of a margin above it.

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