The study of CAPE® Financial Services Studies will assist in the formal preparation and certification of Caribbean persons to access an untapped market space and contribute to the development of more competent international financial services experts in an area which is poised for high profitable growth across the Region. This programme will contribute to a Caribbean person who is more aware of the international importance of the financial services industry and the impact of international financial policies on the Caribbean. This will lead to a better quality of life for present and future generations while providing wealth creation through new and innovative job opportunities and other economic possibilities including entrepreneurship.

1. The study of CAPE® Financial Services Studies will assist in the formal preparation and certification of
Caribbean persons to access an untapped market space and contribute to the development of more
competent international financial services experts in an area which is poised for high profitable growth
across the Region.
This programme will contribute to a Caribbean person who is more aware of the international
importance of the financial services industry and the impact of international financial policies on the
Caribbean. This will lead to a better quality of life for present and future generations while providing
wealth creation through new and innovative job opportunities and other economic possibilities including
entrepreneurship.
THE CARIBBEAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL IS PLEASED TO INTRODUCE
THE CARIBBEAN ADVANCED PROFICIENCY EXAMINATION (CAPE®)
FINANCIAL SERVICES STUDIES SYLLABUS.
FINANCIAL
SERVICES STUDIES
AIMS
THE SYLLABUS AIMS TO:
1. promote an awareness of the international importance
of the financial services industry;
2. create awareness of the impact of offshore financial
service policies on the Caribbean;
3. help students understand the impact of globalisation
and the global financial industry on the Caribbean;
4. help students understand the value of the customers and
information systems in the financial services industry;
5. develop the capacity for critical thinking, creativity,
problem-solving, leadership and management, positive
cooperative behaviours, emotional intelligence,
entrepreneurial skills and technological competence
through authentic learning experiences; and,
6. integrate information, communication and technology
(ICT) tools and skills.
SYLLABUS STRUCTURE
The syllabus is organised in two (2) Units. A Unit comprises
three (3) modules each requiring fifty (50) hours. The total time
for each Unit, is therefore, expected to be one hundred and fifty
(150) hours with at least thirty (30) percent of the time dedicated
to practical work.
Each Unit can independently offer students a comprehensive
programme of study with appropriate balance between depth
and coverage to provide a basis for further study in this field.
UNIT 1
CONCEPTUAL ISSUES IN FINANCIAL SERVICES
Module 1 – Introduction to Financial Products and Services
Module 2 – Portfolio Management and Investment
Module 3 – Governance, Regulations, and Ethics
UNIT 2
CUSTOMER VALUE, INFORMATION SYSTEM
AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
Module 1 – Financial Services Environments
Module 2 – Compliance, Legislation and Statutes
Module 3 – Financial Reporting

2. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
The Pro Registrar – Caribbean Examinations Council
Caenwood Centre, 37 Arnold Road, Kingston 5, Jamaica
t: +1 (876) 630-5200 f: +1 (876) 967-4972
e: cxcwzo@cxc.org w: www.cxc.org
ASSESSMENT
Each Unit of the syllabus will be assessed separately. The same
scheme of assessment will be applied to each Module in each Unit.
Grades will be awarded independently for each Unit. Candidates’
performance on each Unit will be reported as an overall grade
and a grade on each Module of the Unit. The assessment will
comprise two components, one external and one internal (School-
Based Assessment).
EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT
(80 per cent)
Paper 01
This paper comprises forty-five compulsory, multiple-choice items,
fifteen based on each Module.
Paper 02
This paper comprises two sections, Section A and Section B.
Section A consists of three compulsory short answer questions,
one from each Module in the Unit. Section B consists of three
compulsory essays, one from each Module in the Unit.
SCHOOL-BASED ASSESSMENT (20 per cent)
Paper 03/1
A research paper of approximately 1,500 words, exclusive of appendices.
The research paper must address an issue relevant to their society, and be
based on any topic covered in any one, two or all three Modules of the Unit
being assessed. The School-Based Assessment for each Unit requires that
the project, which candidates undertake, must demonstrate the candidate’s
skills in research, presentation, analysis, and evaluation of qualitative and or
quantitative data as appropriate to the field of financial services.
Candidates must complete the School-Based Assessment for the first Unit
for which they register. Candidates may opt to carry forward their School-
Based Assessment mark to the second Unit. Such candidates are not
required to complete the School-Based Assessment component for the
second Unit.
Candidates who, in the same year, register for both Units of CAPE® Financial
Studies may opt to:
(a) submit a separate School-Based Assessment assignment for each Unit;
or
(b) submit a single School-Based Assessment assignment from either Unit
01 or Unit 02, to be considered for both.
Candidates who opt for (b) must indicate from which Unit the School-Based
Assessment assignment was selected.
If a candidate is repeating a Unit, the moderated School-Based Assessment
score obtained for that Unit may be used for both Units taken at the same
time.
Paper 03/2
Private candidates are required to write an Alternative paper – Paper 03/2.