CIMA Self Study Texts

Candidates should anticipate the need for obtaining access to and studying relevant textbook resources. The following list contains a variety of texts categorized by primary subject matter that cover topics in the CIMA Detailed Content Outline. If such texts are used, they will be helpful for candidates preparing for the Certification Examination.

In order to meet the Institute's impartiality standards, we neither recommend nor require any specific text.

• A text on investments (e.g., Bodie, Kane, and Marcus, Essentials of Investments, or Gitman and Joehnk, Fundamentals of Investing)
• A text on behavioral finance (e.g., Nofsinger, The Psychology of Investing)
• A text on asset allocation (e.g., Gibson, Asset Allocation, Marston, Portfolio Design: A Modern Approach to Asset Allocation (Wiley Finance))
• A text on investment management consulting (e.g., Shein, Investment Planning Answer Book)
• Readings or textbook chapters on regulations (e.g., Haas and Howard, Adviser Regulation in a Nutshell, Hazen, Securities Regulation in a Nutshell; Hallman and Rosenbloom, Private Wealth Management; The Institute's Code of Professional Responsibility)
• Text or textbook chapters on investment policy development (e.g., Boone and Lubitz, Creating an Investment Policy Statement; Burroughs, Investment Policy Guidebook for Trustees)
• Text or textbook chapters on manager search and selection (e.g., Travers, Investment Manager Analysis: A Comprehensive Guide to Portfolio Selection, Monitoring, and Optimization)
• Text or textbook chapters on performance measurement (e.g., Lawton and Jankowski, Investment Performance Measurement: Evaluating and Presenting Results)