NISM Series X-A: Investment Adviser (Level 1) — Complete Guide, Syllabus, Exam Fees & Career Scope

NISM Series X-A: Investment Adviser (Level 1) — Complete Guide, Syllabus, Exam Fees & Career Scope

Introduction

NISM Series X-A: Investment Adviser (Level 1) is a mandatory certification exam conducted by the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) under the regulation of SEBI. The certification builds the foundation for anyone aiming to become a registered Investment Adviser (IA) or planning to work in wealth management, investment advisory, or financial planning roles.

Financial markets are evolving fast, and investors today expect structured, ethical, and well-researched advice. This certification equips learners with the knowledge required to understand client goals, risk profiling, asset allocation, investment products, and financial planning.

Students, finance professionals, aspiring wealth advisors, mutual fund distributors, and even retail traders pursuing a professional advisory journey take this exam to build credibility and meet regulatory requirements.

CrackCertify.in supports aspirants with mock tests, complete study notes, topic-wise explanations, and high-quality preparation courses to make exam preparation structured and exam-oriented.

About NISM Series X-A Certification

The NISM Series X-A: Investment Adviser (Level 1) certification focuses on the knowledge base required for advisory services in India. This certification works as the first step toward becoming a SEBI-registered Investment Adviser.

Why this Certification Matters

· Mandatory foundation exam to register as a SEBI Investment Adviser

· Strong professional credibility in advisory and wealth management industry

· Builds technical skills like financial planning, client assessment, ethics, asset allocation

· Improves employability in finance & investment advisory roles

· Gateway to high-earning professional roles in financial services

Exam Highlights

Details	Information
Exam Name	NISM Series X-A: Investment Adviser (Level 1)
Conducted by	NISM (National Institute of Securities Markets) under SEBI
Mode of Exam	Online Computer-Based Test
Number of Questions	100 MCQs
Maximum Marks	100
Passing Marks	60% (60 marks)
Negative Marking	25% negative marking
Exam Duration	2 hours
Exam Fees	₹1500 + GST
Validity of Certificate	3 years

Eligibility Criteria

There are no mandatory formal qualifications to appear for the exam. Anyone interested in financial planning and advisory can apply, including:

· Students & finance graduates

· Aspiring SEBI-registered Investment Advisers

· Mutual fund distributors & stock market professionals

· Portfolio managers & wealth advisors

· CA, CFA, CFP, MBA finance aspirants

· Stock traders & retail investors seeking structured knowledge

Minimum age: 18 years
No prior work experience required for the exam.

Syllabus & Topics Covered

Detailed Topic-Wise Syllabus

Module	Topics
Investment Environment	Regulatory framework, SEBI rules, investor protection
Investment Products	Equity, debt, mutual funds, ETFs, derivatives basics
Risk Profiling and Assessment	Client profiling, risk tolerance, suitability
Financial Planning Concepts	Goal-based planning, inflation, compounding
Insurance Planning	Life, health, general insurance fundamentals
Retirement & Tax Planning	Income tax, capital gains, retirement structures
Asset Allocation & Portfolio Construction	Diversification, modern portfolio theory basics
Personal Finance Management	Budgeting, cash flows, emergency planning
Ethics & Investor Protection	SEBI code of conduct, fiduciary responsibility

Important Focus Areas

· Client risk profiling & suitability analysis

· Asset allocation strategies

· Mutual fund and ETF advisory basics

· Calculation-based topics (compounding, financial planning math)

· Ethics & regulatory standards

CrackCertify’s mock tests include chapter-wise quizzes, detailed explanations, calculators & real-exam simulation, helping you master every topic with ease.

Exam Pattern

· Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

· Total Questions: 100

· Total Marks: 100

· Passing Marks: 60

· Negative Marking: Yes (0.25 per wrong answer)

· Duration: 120 minutes

· Mode: Online at authorized testing centers

Smart Time-Management Strategy

· Allocate 1 minute per question

· Avoid blind guessing due to negative marking

· Prioritize conceptual & mathematical questions first

· Keep last 10–15 minutes for review

The test is conducted online at designated centers. Candidates receive results immediately after completion.

Registration Process

Follow these steps to register:

1. Visit the official NISM Certification Portal

2. Create/Login to your NISM account

3. Choose “NISM Series X-A: Investment Adviser (Level 1)”

4. Select test center & available slot

5. Pay exam fee online (₹1500 + GST)

6. Download admit card & appear for exam

Before booking your exam slot, practice with CrackCertify’s mock tests to build accuracy, confidence & timing.

Course Details — CrackCertify Offerings

When preparing for a competitive financial exam, structured guidance makes a massive difference. CrackCertify offers:

· ✅ HD video lectures

· ✅ Crisp PDF notes & topic-wise summaries

· ✅ Full-length mock tests (real exam interface)

· ✅ Chapter-based practice tests

· ✅ Instant score analysis & detailed solutions

· ✅ Revision formula sheets

· ✅ Lifetime access at affordable fee

· ✅ Free doubt support

This is a smart, exam-focused, and cost-effective approach vs traditional coaching.

Fees Structure

Item	Cost
Official NISM Exam Fee	₹1500 + GST
CrackCertify Study Pack	Starting ₹299 onwards
CrackCertify Full Course + Mock Tests	From ₹699 – ₹1499 (special launch offer)

Combo discounts available on multi-exam packs.

Career & Job Prospects

This certification opens doors to exciting roles in finance:

Job Roles

· Investment Adviser (Level-2 needed for final registration)

· Wealth Manager / Portfolio Assistant

· Financial Planner

· Client Relationship Manager

· Mutual Fund / Insurance Advisor

· Equity / Financial Product Analyst

Industries Hiring

· Brokerage Firms (Zerodha, Motilal Oswal, Angel One)

· Banks (HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Kotak)

· AMC & Mutual Fund Houses

· Wealth Advisory Firms

· Financial Planning Companies

· FinTech & Robo-Advisory Firms

Expected Pay Scale

Experience	Salary Range
Freshers	₹3 – ₹6 LPA
2–5 Years	₹6 – ₹12 LPA
Senior Advisors	₹12–₹30 LPA+ (performance-based)

Certification enhances credibility and builds trust in client advisory roles — a key edge in financial careers.

Preparation Tips

· Study 1–2 hours daily for 3–4 weeks

· Build strong fundamentals in personal finance & planning

· Practice all formulas and calculation-based questions

· Take at least 10 full-length mock tests

· Revise mistakes & maintain formula sheet

· Focus extra on risk profiling & ethics

CrackCertify mock tests simulate real-exam pressure — the fastest way to boost accuracy, speed & confidence.

FAQs

1. Is this certification mandatory?
Yes, required for individuals wanting to become SEBI-registered IAs (along with Level-2).

2. Can beginners take this exam?
Absolutely. No prior experience needed.

3. Can I retake the exam if I fail?
Yes, you can re-register and attempt again anytime by paying exam fees.

4. How long does preparation take?
Usually 3–4 weeks with focused study and mock tests.

5. What is the validity?
Certificate is valid for 3 years.

6. Do I need Level-2 also?
Yes, Level-2 is required after clearing this exam to complete the process to become IA.

Conclusion

This certification builds a strong base for a career in wealth management and advisory. It strengthens financial knowledge, ensures regulatory compliance, and opens future high-earning opportunities in the finance space.

Start preparation today.

Kickstart your NISM journey with CrackCertify’s premium mock tests & study packs. Get instant access & accelerate your success!