A full-length CIRE mock exam is a 110-question, 120-minute timed simulation of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Examination, run under conditions that match the real test as closely as possible. Ciroexam offers two complete mocks, Mock A and Mock B, with zero question overlap between them. Together they cover 220 unique exam-grade questions. Each submission returns a pass-probability score plus a per-element breakdown showing exactly where you lost points.
Why exam-day rehearsal requires a full simulation
Practice questions build knowledge. A mock exam tests whether that knowledge holds up under time pressure.
The gap is real. Most candidates who score 72 to 75 percent on untimed topic drills drop to 62 to 65 percent on their first full-length timed simulation. The CIRE gives you 110 questions in 120 minutes. That is roughly 65 seconds per question, answered by a brain that has been working for nearly two hours. Concentration fatigue is a genuine variable on a two-hour exam, and no amount of topic drilling trains you to manage it.
A mock exam done properly means:
- No pausing the timer
- No looking anything up mid-session
- No breaks outside what CIRO permits on the real exam
- Reviewing every answer explanation immediately after submission
If you want a realistic prediction of your exam-day score, you need a simulated score. That is what Mock A and Mock B give you.
Mock A and Mock B: the no-overlap design
Most prep providers offer one mock exam and recommend repeating it after studying. Repeating the same mock causes answer memory. The second run, your score inflates because you recall which option was correct, not why it was correct. You walk into the real exam overconfident.
Ciroexam's two mocks solve that problem by drawing from entirely different question pools. Mock A contains 110 unique questions. Mock B contains 110 different unique questions. Zero overlap between them.
| Mock | Questions | Overlap | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mock A | 110 unique | None with Mock B | Benchmark after full element coverage |
| Mock B | 110 unique | None with Mock A | Final simulation 3-5 days before exam |
| Combined | 220 unique | N/A | Full pre-exam rehearsal bank |
The practical workflow for most candidates:
- Take the free 25-question diagnostic to establish a baseline
- Study for three to four weeks using element-targeted practice questions
- Sit Mock A under full exam conditions
- Review every explanation, target the weak elements, drill for one more week
- Sit Mock B as the final simulation before booking your exam date
Between the diagnostic, the practice bank, and both mocks, you will have seen questions from every CIRE blueprint outcome multiple times before sitting the real exam.
The 120-minute timer and how scoring works
Both mocks run on a live 120-minute countdown. The timer does not pause. If you submit early, the clock stops at that point. The interface mirrors the Fitch Learning delivery environment as closely as a browser-based tool can.
After you submit, you receive:
- A raw score out of 110
- A pass, near-pass, or below-pass probability rating
- An element-by-element breakdown showing your percentage in each of the nine CIRE elements against the 60 percent passing threshold
- Explanation text for every question, including the CIRO rule section being tested
The pass-probability rating is a calibrated estimate, not a guarantee. Use it to decide whether you are ready to schedule your real exam. Candidates who score comfortably above 60 percent on Mock B report much better outcomes than candidates who book their exam date after only completing untimed drills.
Reading your per-element breakdown
The CIRE covers nine elements, and they are not weighted equally. Doing poorly on a high-weight element costs more than doing poorly on a low-weight one. A candidate who scores 85 percent on marketplaces but 45 percent on regulatory framework will fail, regardless of how healthy the combined score looks.
| Element | What it covers |
|---|---|
| 1. Regulatory framework | CIRO structure, dealer rules, registration categories |
| 2. Prospective client relationships | KYC, suitability, account opening |
| 3. Recommendations and trades | Order types, trade execution, dealer obligations |
| 4. Account types | RRSP, TFSA, FHSA, corporate, trust, margin |
| 5. Products | Equities, fixed income, mutual funds, ETFs, derivatives |
| 6. Marketplaces | Exchange rules, ATS, UMIR, order handling |
| 7. Ethics | Conflicts of interest, conduct standards |
| 8. Supervision | Branch supervision, principal review, reporting |
| 9. Retail-specific regulation | Retail protections, complaint handling, fees |
After your mock result, return to the CIRE study guide for any element where you scored below 60 percent. Run targeted drills from the practice bank before sitting Mock B.
The CIRE syllabus page lists the full element weighting from the CIRO blueprint if you want to know exactly where to invest remediation time.
When to sit each mock
Timing matters as much as completing the mocks.
Too early: Sitting Mock A in your first week of preparation is demoralising and not predictive. You have not covered the material. A low score tells you nothing you did not already know.
Too late: Sitting Mock A two days before your real exam leaves no time to act on what it reveals.
The right window for Mock A is after you have covered all nine elements at least once. For most candidates following a 30-day plan, that falls around day 21 or 22.
Mock B should be taken three to five days before your scheduled exam date. That leaves one day for targeted review of any remaining weak elements and two days to rest before exam day.
Exam-day logistics: what a mock session teaches beyond content
The CIRE is administered by Fitch Learning at authorized testing centres or via online proctoring. The online proctoring environment requires a clean workspace, webcam, stable internet, and no materials on your desk. Your mock session is also a rehearsal of your physical setup if you plan to test remotely.
Use your mock to answer these questions before exam day:
- Can you concentrate for 120 minutes without interruption? If you feel the need to stop at minute 90, build a strategy now.
- Do you tend to second-guess correct first answers? Time how long you spend reviewing flagged questions and decide in advance whether you will override your first instinct.
- Which elements do you feel least confident about? Plan to skip those questions on first pass and return to them with remaining time.
These habits only surface during a full-length timed run. They do not appear in topic-drilling sessions.
CIRE mock exams and the CSC transition
The CIRE replaced the CSC on January 1, 2026. Old CSC mock exams from previous prep providers are not suitable for CIRE preparation. The question format is similar, but the regulatory content changed significantly when IIROC and MFDA merged into CIRO. CIRE mock questions reference CIRO Dealer Member Rules and the new supervision and ethics elements that did not exist in the CSC.
Using a CSC mock to predict your CIRE score gives a false reading. For context on what changed, see CSC vs. CIRE. For the full CIRE preparation path, see the CIRE parent page.
What Ciroexam costs
Ciroexam costs CAD 29.99 per month or CAD 249 per year. That covers Mock A and Mock B, the full 1,000+ question practice bank, the free diagnostic, and access to all other exams in the CIRO Proficiency Model. Almost every CIRO registration category requires the CIRE plus at least one role-specific exam. One subscription covers both.
Fitch Learning's preparation packages run approximately CAD 895 to 1,200 and cover course materials for the CIRE only. See the CIRE cost breakdown for a side-by-side comparison.
Frequently asked questions
How is Mock A different from Mock B?
Mock A and Mock B each contain 110 unique questions with zero overlap. The design eliminates the answer-memory problem that comes from repeating a single mock. Use Mock A to benchmark your readiness after covering all nine elements, and Mock B as your final simulation three to five days before exam day.
Does the mock exam predict whether I will pass the real CIRE?
The mock returns a pass-probability rating calibrated against real exam outcomes. It is the best predictor available before you sit the real thing. Candidates who score well above 60 percent on Mock B consistently report better pass rates. Candidates who score below 55 percent and sit the exam within a few days report much higher failure rates.
Can I pause the mock exam timer?
No. The timer runs continuously to mirror real exam conditions. Building the discipline to sit for 120 minutes without interruption is part of what mock exam practice develops.
What if I score below 60 percent on Mock A?
Review every explanation in your results. Identify the elements where you fell short of 60 percent and run targeted drills from the practice bank. Re-run the free diagnostic if you want a quick re-baseline. Most candidates who fail Mock A and do focused remediation for one to two weeks pass Mock B.