Securities Markets Foundation
The best starting point if you are new to the markets. Not required by any regulation — it teaches how shares, bonds, mutual funds and exchanges actually work. No negative marking.
Exam pattern
- Duration
- 120 min
- Total marks
- 100
- Pass mark
- 60% (60)
- Negative marking
- None
There is no negative marking, so never leave a question blank — an uncertain guess costs you nothing.
Syllabus and chapter weightage
Weightages are taken from the official syllabus table published in the NISM workbook, so you can see exactly where the marks are.
- 1Understanding Securities Markets and Performance10%
- 2Securities: Types, Features and Concepts of Asset Allocation and Investing20%
- 3Primary Markets20%
- 4Secondary Markets20%
- 5Mutual Funds20%
- 6Derivative Markets10%
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Every chapter explained in plain English, then tested at three levels, with mock exams that use this paper’s real marking rules.
Create a free accountFrequently asked questions
- What is the passing mark for NISM Series XII?
- You need 60% to pass NISM-Series-XII: Securities Markets Foundation. On a 100-mark paper that is 60 marks.
- Is there negative marking in NISM Series XII?
- There is no negative marking, so never leave a question blank — an uncertain guess costs you nothing.
- How long is the NISM Series XII exam?
- The exam runs for 120 minutes and carries 100 marks in total.
- How long is the NISM Series XII certificate valid?
- NISM certifications are generally valid for 3 years from the date of passing, after which they must be renewed. Confirm the current position on nism.ac.in before your certificate lapses.