UK candidate context
CISI Global Securities Operations is an international qualification used by UK finance professionals; connect the global syllabus to UK roles while keeping the official CISI learning objectives as the exam boundary. Check current UK booking options in MyCISI and use pounds only for ExamsPrep UK course purchases; official CISI examination fees are separate.
- Questions
- 50
- Time
- 60 minutes
- Pass mark
- 70%
- Average pace
- 1.2 min/question
- Study range
- 30–40 focused hours
- Primary challenge
- securities-operations processes
How to use this mini test
- Set a timer based on the average pace shown above.
- Choose one answer before opening the explanation.
- For every error, write the rule or calculation step you missed.
- Retest the same concept with a different question after 24 hours.
Five free GSO practice questions
What is the main role of an inter-dealer broker?
- Issue securities
- Intermediate between dealers while preserving anonymity
- Safekeep retail assets
- Settle central-bank reserves
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. Intermediate between dealers while preserving anonymity
An IDB brings dealer or market-maker counterparties together, commonly without revealing their identities before execution.
What happens in a securities buy-in after a seller fails to deliver?
- The trade is cancelled without cost
- The buyer sources the securities elsewhere and charges the failing seller
- The registrar issues free shares
- The buyer waits indefinitely
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. The buyer sources the securities elsewhere and charges the failing seller
A buy-in obtains the missing securities in the market and allocates the additional cost to the failing party under the applicable rules.
A custodian charges 20 basis points on a $2m portfolio. What is the annual fee?
- $400
- $2,000
- $4,000
- $40,000
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. $4,000
20 bps = 0.20% = 0.002. Therefore $2,000,000 × 0.002 = $4,000.
What is the headline FATCA withholding consequence for specified non-compliance?
- A trading ban
- A 5% levy
- A 30% withholding tax on relevant US-source payments
- Automatic licence cancellation
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. A 30% withholding tax on relevant US-source payments
FATCA uses a 30% withholding mechanism on relevant US-source payments as a core compliance incentive.
What core principle did the original Basel capital framework establish?
- No capital for trading risk
- Capital should be held against risk exposure
- All securities settle T+1
- Every trade is reported to the IRS
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. Capital should be held against risk exposure
The framework links prudential capital to risk: greater exposure requires an appropriate capital buffer.
What your score means
| Score | Interpretation | Next move |
|---|---|---|
| 5/5 | Strong on this small sample | Take a timed mixed mock |
| 3–4/5 | Useful base with identifiable gaps | Drill the missed topics |
| 0–2/5 | Concept recall is not secure yet | Return to the relevant workbook objectives |
Five questions cannot predict a 50-question result. They are a diagnostic, not a pass guarantee.
Continue with the real demo engine
The free course demo uses the same maintained course data and exam interface as the full platform. You can practise under timed conditions, submit the paper and review explanations without creating a duplicate question bank on this article.
Open the free GSO mockSources and editorial method
Exam structure and chapter labels were checked against the Official CISI GSO syllabus. Candidates should also review the CISI Candidate Update before sitting the exam because workbook amendments and testing windows can change.
Our editorial team begins with the current syllabus and official candidate information, then separates verified exam facts from ExamsPrep UK study guidance. We use original examples rather than recalled or copied examination questions. Before an article is published, its key facts, internal links, visible FAQs and structured data are checked together so search summaries do not contradict the page. We also check that every recommended action is specific enough for a candidate to use in a real study session. When an official source changes, we update the affected fact without rewriting unrelated advice or changing a stable URL unnecessarily. Readers can use the source links above to verify the current position for their own booking and syllabus version.
Last fact-check: 4 August 2026. UK exam fees, test-centre or remote-delivery availability and booking policies can change; the live MyCISI flow is the final source of truth.
Frequently asked questions
Are these GSO questions free?
Yes. The five questions and explanations on this page are free, and the linked course demo provides a larger timed sample in the shared ExamsPrep UK engine.
Are these official CISI questions?
No. They are original syllabus-aligned practice questions. CISI does not endorse or provide these questions, and they should be used alongside the current official material.
How many questions are in the real GSO exam?
The real exam has 50 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes, with a 70% pass mark.
How many practice questions should I complete?
There is no magic count. Continue until unseen full-mock scores are consistently 80% or higher and no chapter remains below 70%.