A Self-Paced Study Programme For The ACI Dealing Certificate (Designed For Working Professionals)

You have plenty of material to cover but you need a learning plan.

Take a look at this schedule, which works for a course that is delivered through on-demand video + PDFs + quizzes + mock exams.

Recommended duration: 6–8 weeks (60–80 study hours)

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE (HIGH LEVEL)

Module	Topic	Outcome
0	Orientation & Exam Strategy	Understand exam & study method
1	Financial Markets Environment	Macro & market framework
2	Foreign Exchange	Spot, forwards, swaps
3	Rates & Money Markets	Interest rates & instruments
4	FICC Derivatives	Futures, swaps, options
5	Financial Markets Applications	Risk & market practice
6	Final Revision & Mock Exams	Exam readiness

MODULE-BY-MODULE BREAKDOWN

MODULE 0 – Orientation & Exam Strategy

(2–3 hours)

Lessons

• How the ACI exam really works

• Time management & guessing strategy

• Common failure patterns

• How to use this course effectively

Resources

• ACI exam checklist

• Study planner (fillable PDF)

• Formula overview sheet

Quiz

• 10-question exam-technique quiz

MODULE 1 – Financial Markets Environment

(8–10 hours)

Lessons

• How funds flow through the financial system

• Role of central banks & monetary policy

• Economic indicators & inflation

• Fiscal vs monetary policy

• Yield curves & expectations

Key Outcomes

✔ Understand macro drivers✔ Interpret yield curves✔ Spot exam trick wording

Resources

• Macro cheat sheet

• Yield curve quick guide

Quiz

• 20 MCQs (exam-style)

MODULE 2 – Foreign Exchange

(15–18 hours)

Lessons

• FX market structure & conventions

• Spot FX & settlement dates

• Reflecting interest rates in forwards

• FX swaps & liquidity management

• CLS & settlement risk

Key Outcomes

✔ Master base/terms currency ✔ Calculate forwards confidently ✔ Understand FX logic

Resources

• FX formula sheet

• Settlement date calendar

• FX exam traps PDF

Quiz

• 30 MCQs + calculations

MODULE 3 – Rates & Money Markets

(10–12 hours)

Lessons

• Money market instruments

• Repos explained simply

• Interest calculations & day count

• Bonds, yields & duration

• Yield curve interpretation

Key Outcomes

✔ Price simple instruments✔ Avoid day-count errors✔ Understand bond price logic

Resources

• Money market cheat sheet

• Day count reference card

Quiz

• 25 MCQs

MODULE 4 – FICC Derivatives

(10–12 hours)

Lessons

• Futures vs forwards

• Margin & mark-to-market

• Interest rate swaps

• Options basics & Greeks

• Commodity derivatives

Key Outcomes

✔ Know product differences✔ Understand risk transfer✔ Score easy derivative marks

Resources

• Derivatives comparison table

• Options quick-logic guide

Quiz

• 25 MCQs

MODULE 5 – Financial Markets Applications

(6–8 hours)

Lessons

• Market risk, credit risk & liquidity risk

• VaR, limits & stress testing

• Front, middle & back office roles

• Operational & settlement risk

• Regulation & compliance basics

Key Outcomes

✔ Clear risk definitions✔ Understand control frameworks✔ Pick fast theory marks

Resources

• Risk summary sheet

• Market structure diagram

Quiz

• 20 MCQs

MODULE 6 – Final Revision & Mock Exams

(10–12 hours)

Lessons

• Rapid syllabus refresh

• Calculation speed drills

• Exam-day execution plan

Mock Exams

• Mock Exam 1 (70 questions)

• Mock Exam 2 (70 questions)

• Mock Exam 3 (70 questions)

✔ 50% pass required in each section✔ Timed conditions✔ Detailed explanations

STUDY PATH OPTIONS (IMPORTANT)

Standard Path (8 weeks)

• 1 module per week

• Mocks in final 2 weeks

Accelerated Path (4 weeks)

• FX + Rates first

• Applications + Derivatives later