The Certificate in Portfolio Management is Equalifi’s exam-based qualification for professionals who want to understand how investment portfolios are designed, implemented, monitored and evaluated. It recognises a sound understanding of investment objectives, asset allocation, diversification, portfolio construction, risk management and performance assessment.
The Certificate covers the portfolio-management process, investor profiling, investment policy statements, asset classes, capital-market expectations, strategic and tactical asset allocation, security and fund selection, portfolio implementation, rebalancing and performance reporting. It also addresses alternative investments, liquidity, behavioural biases, tax considerations, portfolio governance and professional ethics.
The Certificate is designed for investment and financial-services professionals rather than only specialist fund managers. It builds the knowledge needed to translate investor needs into portfolio decisions, assess investment products and managers, interpret portfolio risks and communicate investment outcomes.
The Certificate is assessed through a single MCQ examination, with knowledge, numerical, application and case-based questions drawn from practical investment situations.
Who should take the exam?
Investment analysts, wealth managers, financial advisers, financial planners, fund-selection and investment-product teams, family office professionals, relationship managers, risk and performance analysts, investment consultants, and graduates seeking a foundation in portfolio management.
Important
The Certificate in Portfolio Management is an educational qualification awarded by Equalifi. It does not constitute regulatory registration or authorisation to provide investment advice, manage client portfolios or undertake other regulated financial activities.
Passing the examination does not, by itself, satisfy any regulator’s prescribed qualification, certification, experience or registration requirements.
The Certificate focuses on portfolio-management knowledge, analytical interpretation and applied judgement. It does not, by itself, establish competence to independently manage discretionary client mandates or deploy complex trading strategies.
Exam details
Proposed administrative terms, subject to confirmation.
The examination is proposed to be delivered through an external, remote-proctored platform. Once registration and payment are confirmed, candidates will receive examination access and scheduling instructions by email.
Candidates may schedule and take the examination within one year of registration, subject to the platform’s requirements. A reliable internet connection and a computer with a working camera are required.
| Examination | Type of Questions | Duration | No. of Questions | Passing Criteria | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate in Portfolio Management | MCQ, including numerical and case-based questions | 2 hours | 100 | 60% | Deduction of 20% of the marks assigned to each incorrectly answered question |
Questions may include investor profiles, portfolio allocations, fund comparisons, risk measures and performance reports. Permitted calculators or other tools, if any, will be specified in the examination instructions.
Candidates should be comfortable with basic investment concepts, percentages, financial ratios and time-value-of-money calculations.
Validity
The Certificate in Portfolio Management is proposed to have no expiry date.
Certificate holders are encouraged to keep their knowledge current as markets, investment products, regulations and portfolio-management practices evolve.
Candidate audit
Equalifi may select applications for audit to verify information provided during registration. Candidates selected for audit will be notified by email and asked to submit supporting documentation within the specified period.
Candidates are responsible for providing accurate information and meeting the audit requirements before the certificate is awarded.
Falsification, misrepresentation, examination misconduct or failure to comply with applicable requirements may result in denial or cancellation of registration, withholding or revocation of the certificate, and other action under Equalifi’s published policies.
Fee details
Exam fee: INR 2,360, inclusive of GST.
Fee is inclusive of GST. The exam fee applies to each attempt.
Access Pass benefits
Fee waiver: Equalifi Chartered, Professional and Virtual Pass holders receive a 50% waiver on the exam fee.
Exam preparation
Candidates are encouraged to complement their preparation with relevant Equalifi executive education programs and masterclasses on investments, asset allocation, risk management, fund selection and performance evaluation, where available.
Applicable Access Pass benefits will be specified on the respective program pages.