Free Practice Questions for CSI IFC Exam

Mutual fund registrants are expected to:

Act in clients’ best interests.

Provide advice to help achieve client financial goals.

A (circumventing rules) is illegal.

B (developing financial plans) may be part of the role, but the CSC stresses suitability and addressing client goals.

D (cross-selling) benefits the dealer, not the client.

✅ Correct = Addressing client goals.

A pension adjustment (PA) is the amount that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) assigns to your pension plan each year to reflect the value of the pension benefits that you earned. The PA reduces your registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) contribution room for the following year by the same amount. The PA ensures that all taxpayers have access to comparable tax assistance, regardless of the type of pension plan they participate in. You will receive a PA whether you are in a defined contribution or a defined benefit pension plan, but the calculation of the PA will differ depending on the type of plan. (Canadian Investment Funds Course, Chapter 8, Section 8.2)

Canadian Investment Funds Course, Chapter 8, Section 8.2: Retirement Savings Plans and Pension Plans

Investopedia: Pension Adjustment: Definition and Types of Plans1

PlanEasy: What Is A Pension Adjustment?2

Unused RRSP contribution room is the amount of RRSP contributions that you did not deduct in previous years and are available to deduct in the current year. Unused RRSP contribution room can be carried forward to future years indefinitely, until you use it up or reach the age of 71. You can find your unused RRSP contribution room on your notice of assessment or by logging into your Canada Revenue Agency account. References: What to do with unused RRSP, PRPP or SPP contributions

Current yield and effective yield are two ways of measuring the total return for money market funds. Current yield reflects the income earned on a money market fund for the most recent 14 day period, annualized. Effective yield incorporates the compounding effect of reinvesting the income earned on a money market fund over a year. Both current yield and effective yield are displayed in the performance reports of money market funds, as they provide different information to investors.

References = Canadian Investment Funds Course, Unit 5: Types of Investments, Lesson 4: Money Market Instruments, Section 5.4.3: Total Return for Money Market Funds1; CIFC prepkit, Chapter 5: Types of Investments, Question 5.4.3 2

To make a suitable recommendation, Solomon needs to identify how the proposed investment is in alignment with the investor’s profile and holdings. A suitable recommendation is one that meets the investor’s needs, goals, risk tolerance, time horizon, and personal circumstances. It also considers the investor’s existing portfolio and how the new investment would affect its diversification, performance, and risk. Therefore, option C is correct regarding what Solomon needs to do to make a suitable recommendation. The other options are not correct or sufficient to make a suitable recommendation. Option A is false because mutual fund costs are important regardless of the past fund performance, as they reduce the net returns and compound over time. Option B is false because relying on the risk rating of the mutual fund is not enough to offer an investment solution, as it does not reflect the investor’s return expectations, liquidity needs, tax situation, or personal preferences. Option D is false because matching the past rates of return of the mutual fund with what is the anticipated rate of return is not a reliable way to make a recommendation, as past performance does not guarantee future results and may not be consistent with the investor’s risk tolerance or time horizon. References: [Suitability | GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca], [Mutual Fund Fees | GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca], [Risk Rating | GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca]

The investment objective for the $10,000 currently sitting in Lucas’s RRSP is safety of principal, which means that he wants to preserve the value of his investment and avoid any loss of capital. Safety of principal is a suitable objective for Lucas because he plans to withdraw the money in two months for the LLP, which is a very short time horizon. He does not need to generate any income or growth from his investment, as he will use the money to pay for his education expenses. He also does not need to worry about tax-deferral, as the LLP allows him to withdraw money from his RRSP without paying any tax, as long as he meets the eligibility and repayment requirements1. Therefore, Lucas should invest his money in low-risk and liquid assets, such as money market securities or guaranteed investment certificates (GICs), that will protect his principal and ensure that he can access his funds when he needs them. References:

Canadian Investment Funds Course (CIFC) Study Guide, Chapter 6: Registered Plans, Section 6.4: Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP), page 6-132

Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) - Canada.ca1

Your body language would be the most important to create an impressive first impression on your potential client. Body language is the non-verbal communication that includes your posture, gestures, facial expressions, eye contact, and physical distance. Body language can convey your confidence, enthusiasm, professionalism, and trustworthiness. According to research, body language accounts for 55% of the impact of a first impression, while tone of voice accounts for 38% and words account for only 7%. The other statements are less important than body language. Volume of your voice is part of your tone of voice, which can affect how your words are perceived by your potential client. However, volume alone is not enough to create an impressive first impression; you also need to consider your pitch, pace, and intonation. Your words are what you say to your potential client, which can include your introduction, your value proposition, and your questions. Your words are important to convey your message and establish rapport with your potential client. However, your words have less impact than your body language and tone of voice on your first impression. Tone of your voice is how you say your words, which can include your volume, pitch, pace, and intonation. Your tone of voice can influence how your potential client feels about you and your message. However, your tone of voice has less impact than your body language on your first impression. References: Unit 10: Sales Process, [The Importance Of Body Language In First Impressions]

Capital gains are realized when an investor sells a fund at a profit. Selling units at $18.80 (purchased at $17.60) triggers a taxable capital gain in a non-registered account. The feedback from the document states:

"Capital gains are generated when an investor sells an investment for more than the price paid; for example, selling a stock at a profit will generate a capital gain. Capital gains are not realized when an investment goes up in price; a sale must occur."

A corporation’s charter specifies the maximum number of authorized shares it may issue. The Registrar (provincial securities administrator) ensures compliance so that a public corporation does not issue more shares than authorized.

Trustees oversee debt obligations.

Portfolio managers manage investments.

Distributors sell securities but do not regulate share issuance.

Thus, the responsible party is the Registrar.

The correct answer is B. Index-linked. The Investment Funds in Canada curriculum explains that index-linked GICs provide returns tied to the performance of an underlying equity index while still offering principal protection.

For investors who expect strong equity market performance but want to avoid direct market risk, index-linked GICs allow participation in market upside without risking principal loss. Laddered and cashable GICs emphasize liquidity and interest-rate management, not equity growth. Interest-rate-linked GICs respond to interest rate changes, not equity markets.

The CIFC text highlights index-linked GICs as suitable for investors seeking growth potential with capital protection, making them ideal when equity markets are expected to perform well. Therefore, Option B is the correct and fully CIFC-aligned answer.