CIPM Exam Explained: What Aspirants Should Know Before Applying

Are you familiar with the CIPM exam? It is a certificate program that is gaining more and more popularity. You must be thinking about taking it up at some time. But the thought of another certification could evoke the same friction in your mind before you even consider it: Is this going to actually be worth my time and effort? Will it be an addition of value, or is it merely an update to my resume?

Before you even think about the syllabus and the procedure of filing your application, you should know everything about the CIPM exam. CIPM stands for Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement. It is conducted by the CFA Institute, primarily focusing on measuring and evaluating investment performance. You will get to learn ethical ways to calculate returns, compare portfolios, and report results using GIPS standards.

You may have heard mixed opinions about it. Some say that it may help your career. Some may warn that it involves a very serious commitment that will not yield immediate outcomes. After all this, you must be left wondering if the efforts meet your long-term objectives, your present position, and the overall industry standards. Check out all the details of CIPM exam to make an informed decision.

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Is CIPM Exam Worth It? Who Should Apply and Who Shouldn’t

Whether the CIPM exam is worth it or not depends entirely on where you see yourself in finance. Honestly, this certification is not about easy wins or adding another line to your resume. It is for those who are genuinely interested and will go out of their way to get it! Also, it is not a general finance certification; it’s a specialised one. Therefore, in case you need to know whether to apply or not to apply it, check whether:

• You are interested in the performance of investment, portfolio analysis, or fund evaluation.
• You like operating with figures, reports, and performance data.
• You are a finance professional, already informed on investment principles, and desire to boost your credibility.
• You see yourself in roles like performance analyst, portfolio analyst, or investment research support.
• You are intending to take the CFA Course or already hold the CFA designation, as both follow CFA Institute’s ethical framework and analytical depth.

At the end, we think that the CIPM exam can be especially useful if you want to stand out in niche investment roles, rather than competing only through finance degrees. Nonetheless, the CIPM exam is not a suitable option for all people. The CIPM exam syllabus can be quite technical and challenging for an individual with no experience in the field of finance or investments. It is also not ideal when all you need is a general finance certification or a quick resume update.

CIPM Exam Structure and Levels

Having known the fundamentals of the CIPM exam, you should be aware that it is a structured two-level exam. It is made up of Level I and Level II exams. To understand better, see the table given below:

CIPM Exam Eligibility Criteria: Are You the Right Fit?

After making your decision to apply for the CIPM exam, the first thing that you should do is to confirm whether you are eligible to take the exam or not. The requirements for the CIPM exam are not very complicated or rigorous. Check below:

Also Read BA Economics or BSc Statistics: Which Leads to More Jobs in Finance?

After you have confirmed that you meet the CIPM exam eligibility criteria, there is one more thing you have to do before applying. Spend some time reading the official CIPM exam syllabus. This can help you understand the depth of topics and whether they interest you or not. Once you have fully decided that the CIPM certification fits into your long-term career goals, you can move forward to the application process!