Blog & Study Guides
Expert tips, comprehensive study guides, and proven strategies to help you ace your NISM certification exams.
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NISM Series XVI Commodity Derivatives: preparation guide
Series XVI covers commodity derivatives. Candidates arriving from equity derivatives lose marks on delivery, warehousing and quality specifications.
Latest Articles
NISM Series XV Research Analyst: complete preparation guide
Series XV is broad rather than deep — accounting, valuation, economics and regulation in 120 minutes. What it covers and where candidates lose marks.
NISM Series VIII: what to study and in what order
NISM publishes no chapter weightings for Series VIII, so exact percentages are guesses. What the paper covers and the order to study it in.
How to register for a NISM exam, step by step
Registering for a NISM exam takes about twenty minutes. The process end to end, what to keep ready, and the two mistakes that cost you the booking.
Is NISM certification worth it? An honest answer
The honest answer turns on one thing: whether the certification is mandatory for your role. How to tell, what it really costs, and what it does not do.
NISM exam pattern: duration, marks and question types
NISM exams come in two formats: 120 minutes and 100 marks, or 180 and 150. The pattern for each, and why nobody can tell you the question count.
NISM exam centres in India: how to choose yours
NISM exams are sat at test centres across India. How centres are allocated, what to check before booking, and why the nearest is not always best.
NISM Series V-A syllabus and a 30-day study plan
Series V-A: 120 minutes, 100 marks, 50% to pass, no negative marking. What the syllabus covers and a four-week plan that fits around a job.
NISM syllabus 2026: what changed and how to stay current
NISM revises workbooks without announcing it. What has changed recently, how to confirm you have the current edition, and what to do mid-preparation.
NISM passing marks and negative marking, exam by exam
Not every NISM exam needs 60% — eleven of the 34 pass at 50%. The pass mark and negative marking for each certification, and the one exam to watch.
NISM exam fees 2026: what every certification costs
NISM exam fees run ₹885 to ₹3,000. What all 34 exams charge in 2026, what a re-attempt costs, and the two expenses candidates forget to budget for.
How to prepare for the NISM Series VIII Equity Derivatives exam
A comprehensive guide to clearing the NISM Equity Derivatives certification exam with effective study strategies and key topics to focus on.
Top 10 tips to pass any NISM exam in your first attempt
Proven strategies and tips from successful candidates to help you clear your NISM certification exam on the first try.
NISM Series V-A Mutual Fund Distributors: complete preparation guide
Everything you need to know about the NISM Mutual Fund Distributors certification - syllabus, exam pattern, and study strategies.
NISM certificate validity and renewal: how long it lasts and how to renew
Most NISM certificates are valid for three years. Here is how to check your expiry date, the two ways to renew, and what happens if you let it lapse.
NISM vs NCFM: which certification should you choose?
A detailed comparison between NISM and NCFM certifications to help you decide which one is right for your career goals.
Common mistakes to avoid in NISM exams
Learn about the most common mistakes candidates make in NISM exams and how to avoid them for a better score.