IDSC FAQ — Common Questions (Supervision, Rules, Risk, Complaints)

What is the official IDSC exam format and structure?

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

• Exam format: Proctored (remote or in-person at a test centre)
• Exam duration: 2 Hours
• Question format: Multiple-choice
• Questions per exam: 75
• Passing grade: 60%
• Attempts allowed: 3

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

What are the official topic weightings?

From CSI’s official weighting table:

• Supervision Requirements and Skills — 19%
• Rules, Responsibilities, and Risk Management — 24%
• Account Opening and Documentation — 20%
• Supervision and Client Accounts — 22%
• Complaint Handling and the Consequences of Noncompliance — 15%

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

What should I prioritize first?

Prioritize the high-weight domains that also show up as scenarios:

• rules/gatekeeper + risk management + conflicts/disclosures
• account opening/documentation + vulnerable client cues
• supervision of client accounts (trade reviews and exception thinking)
• complaint handling and dealing with regulators (evidence preservation)

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.

How should I practice?

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

“Given this risk, 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.