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100+ Free HKSI LE Paper 3 Practice Questions

Pass your HKSI Licensing Examination Paper 3 - Regulation of Derivatives exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: HKSI LE Paper 3 Exam

40 questions

Paper 3 has 40 equally weighted multiple-choice questions

HKSI Institute - LE Examination Handbook

60 minutes

Time allowed to complete all 40 questions on Paper 3

HKSI Institute - LE Examination Handbook

70% pass mark

Required score to pass any HKSI Licensing Examination paper

HKSI Institute - LE Examination Handbook

HKD1,750

Examination fee for Paper 3 per attempt

HKSI Institute - LE Examination Handbook

Type 2 and Type 5

Regulated activities for which Paper 3 is the regulatory paper

HKSI Institute - LE Paper 3 syllabus

8 topics

Number of syllabus topics covered by Paper 3

HKSI Institute - LE Paper 3 syllabus

2 October 2024

Date from which Paper 3 questions are based on the current eStudy Guide

HKSI Institute - LE Paper 3 eStudy Guide

100

Free original practice questions in this bank

OpenExamPrep

HKSI Licensing Examination Paper 3 - Regulation of Derivatives is the regulatory paper for the SFC Type 2 (dealing in futures contracts) and Type 5 (advising on futures contracts) regulated activities, administered by the HKSI Institute. It is a computer-based examination of 40 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes, with a 70% pass mark and no negative marking; the fee is HKD1,750 per attempt. The syllabus has eight topics: regulatory framework, licensing and registration, client securities and money, conduct of business, record keeping and reporting, futures trading and settlement, OTC derivatives, and an overview of overseas futures markets. Examination questions have been based on the LE Paper 3 eStudy Guide since 2 October 2024. This 100-question bank provides original multiple-choice practice modelled on those eight topics.

Sample HKSI LE Paper 3 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your HKSI LE Paper 3 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under the Securities and Futures Ordinance (SFO), which type of regulated activity is 'dealing in futures contracts'?
A.Type 1
B.Type 2
C.Type 5
D.Type 9
Explanation: Schedule 5 to the SFO defines ten types of regulated activity. Type 2 is 'dealing in futures contracts', which is the core regulated activity for futures brokers in Hong Kong.
2Which statutory body is the principal regulator of the securities and futures markets in Hong Kong?
A.The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)
B.The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC)
C.The Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX)
D.The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau
Explanation: The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) is the independent statutory body that administers the SFO and regulates Hong Kong's securities and futures markets, including the licensing of intermediaries.
3A futures contract is best described as an agreement to:
A.Buy or sell an underlying asset at a fixed price on a future date
B.Lend money at a fixed rate of interest
C.Buy shares directly from a listed company at issue
D.Provide insurance against a fall in a share price
Explanation: A futures contract is a standardised, exchange-traded agreement to buy or sell a specified quantity of an underlying asset at an agreed price on a specified future date. Standardisation and exchange trading distinguish futures from forwards.
4Which two entities are the principal wholly owned subsidiaries of HKEX responsible for the futures market in Hong Kong?
A.The SEHK and the HKMA
B.The HKFE and the HKCC
C.The SFC and the HKMA
D.The SEHK and the SEOCH
Explanation: The Hong Kong Futures Exchange (HKFE) operates the futures market and the HKFE Clearing Corporation (HKCC) acts as the central counterparty clearing house for those contracts. Both are subsidiaries of HKEX.
5Which ONE of the following is NOT among the regulatory objectives of the SFC under the SFO?
A.To maintain and promote the fairness, efficiency and transparency of the markets
B.To set the monetary policy and interest rates of Hong Kong
C.To reduce systemic risks in the securities and futures industry
D.To protect members of the investing public
Explanation: Setting monetary policy and interest rates is a function of the HKMA, not the SFC. The SFC's objectives under the SFO include maintaining fair and transparent markets, protecting investors and reducing systemic risk.
6Where in the SFO are the types of regulated activity defined?
A.Part XIII
B.Schedule 5
C.Schedule 1
D.Part XIV
Explanation: Schedule 5 to the SFO sets out and defines the types of regulated activity, including Type 2 dealing in futures contracts and Type 5 advising on futures contracts.
7Which regulator supervises a bank (an authorized institution) that conducts Type 2 regulated activity as a registered institution?
A.The SFC alone
B.The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) as the front-line regulator
C.The HKFE
D.The Financial Reporting Council
Explanation: Banks that carry on regulated activities are registered institutions, and the HKMA is their front-line regulator for that conduct, although the SFC retains regulatory powers and sets the conduct standards.
8Which ONE of the following best distinguishes an exchange-traded futures contract from an over-the-counter (OTC) forward?
A.A futures contract is standardised and cleared through a central counterparty
B.A futures contract has no margin requirement
C.A futures contract cannot be settled in cash
D.A futures contract is privately negotiated between two parties
Explanation: Exchange-traded futures are standardised in terms of contract size, expiry and quality, and are cleared through a central counterparty such as the HKCC, which reduces counterparty risk. OTC forwards are bilaterally negotiated.
9The SFC's power to make rules, codes and guidelines under the SFO is intended primarily to:
A.Generate revenue for the government
B.Set out detailed conduct and competence standards for the industry
C.Replace the role of the courts
D.Fix the prices of futures contracts
Explanation: The SFO empowers the SFC to make subsidiary legislation, codes and guidelines that set detailed conduct, competence and operational standards for licensed and registered persons.
10A 'leveraged foreign exchange trading' business is which type of regulated activity?
A.Type 2
B.Type 3
C.Type 5
D.Type 7
Explanation: Type 3 is leveraged foreign exchange trading. It is distinct from Type 2 (dealing in futures contracts) even though both involve leverage, because the SFO classifies them as separate regulated activities.

About the HKSI LE Paper 3 Exam

HKSI Licensing Examination (LE) Paper 3 - Regulation of Derivatives is a regulatory paper of the Licensing Examination for Securities and Futures Intermediaries, administered by the Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute (HKSI Institute) and recognised by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC). It is the local regulatory framework paper required for the SFC Type 2 (dealing in futures contracts) and Type 5 (advising on futures contracts) regulated activities. The paper tests the Securities and Futures Ordinance (SFO) framework for derivatives, licensing and registration of corporations and representatives, the treatment of client securities and money, the Code of Conduct and other conduct-of-business requirements, record keeping, contracts limits and position reporting, HKFE participantship, clearing and margin and settlement, and the reporting, clearing, conduct and margin obligations for OTC derivative transactions. It also covers an overview of major overseas futures exchanges and clearing houses. The combination most commonly used to complete the HKSI Institute Practising Certificate - Derivatives is LE Papers 1, 7 and 9, while Paper 3 satisfies the regulatory competence requirement for futures-related regulated activities.

Assessment

40 multiple-choice questions, all carrying equal marks, drawn from eight syllabus topics: regulatory framework; licensing and registration; client securities and money; conduct of business; record keeping, contracts limits and reporting; futures trading and settlement; OTC derivatives trading, reporting and clearing; and an overview of major overseas futures exchanges and clearing houses.

Time Limit

60 minutes to answer all 40 questions. Some questions require selecting a combination of correct statements, which makes elimination strategies less effective.

Passing Score

70%. Results are pass or fail only, with no grades assigned and no negative marking.

Exam Fee

HKD1,750 per attempt, payable to the HKSI Institute on enrolment. (Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute (HKSI Institute))

HKSI LE Paper 3 Exam Content Outline

12%

Regulatory framework

Definition of derivatives and futures contracts, the Securities and Futures Ordinance (SFO) and subsidiary legislation, the statutory objectives and powers of the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), the role of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) and its subsidiaries HKFE and HKCC, and other relevant regulators.

16%

Licensing and registration

Licensing and registration requirements under the SFO, the ten types of regulated activity with focus on Type 2 (dealing in futures contracts) and Type 5 (advising on futures contracts), fit and proper criteria, licensing of corporations and representatives, responsible officers, executive directors, temporary licences and activity reports.

12%

Client securities and money

General requirements and the Securities and Futures (Client Securities) Rules and (Client Money) Rules: segregation of client assets in trust or segregated accounts, permitted uses, standing authorities, treatment of margin and the consequences of breaches.

18%

Conduct of business

The Code of Conduct for Persons Licensed by or Registered with the SFC, market integrity, know-your-client and suitability obligations, risk disclosure for derivatives, senior management responsibility, the Management Supervision and Internal Control Guidelines, anti-money laundering, unsolicited calls, market misconduct and enforcement actions.

12%

Record keeping, contracts limits and reporting

Records to be kept by intermediaries under the Keeping of Records Rules, contract notes, statements of account and receipts, and the Securities and Futures (Contracts Limits and Reportable Positions) Rules governing prescribed limits and large open position reporting.

14%

Futures trading and settlement

Hong Kong Futures Exchange (HKFE) participantship categories and continuing obligations, the central counterparty role of the HKFE Clearing Corporation (HKCC), margin and the daily mark-to-market and variation margin process, and the settlement of exchange-traded futures and options.

10%

OTC derivatives trading, reporting and clearing

Reporting and record-keeping obligations and the mandatory reporting regime to the HKMA trade repository, mandatory clearing of standardised OTC derivative transactions through designated central counterparties, conduct requirements, and margin requirements for non-centrally cleared OTC derivatives.

6%

Overview of major overseas futures exchanges

Major international futures exchanges and their products, international futures clearing houses, principal differences in overseas regulatory systems, and the practical considerations of dealing in international futures markets for Hong Kong intermediaries.

How to Pass the HKSI LE Paper 3 Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%. Results are pass or fail only, with no grades assigned and no negative marking.
  • Assessment: 40 multiple-choice questions, all carrying equal marks, drawn from eight syllabus topics: regulatory framework; licensing and registration; client securities and money; conduct of business; record keeping, contracts limits and reporting; futures trading and settlement; OTC derivatives trading, reporting and clearing; and an overview of major overseas futures exchanges and clearing houses.
  • Time limit: 60 minutes to answer all 40 questions. Some questions require selecting a combination of correct statements, which makes elimination strategies less effective.
  • Exam fee: HKD1,750 per attempt, payable to the HKSI Institute on enrolment.

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

HKSI LE Paper 3 Study Tips from Top Performers

1Learn the ten types of regulated activity cold, and be able to distinguish Type 2 (dealing in futures) from Type 5 (advising on futures) and from the securities equivalents Type 1 and Type 4.
2Memorise the conduct-of-business numbers that examiners love: the 70% pass mark, two responsible officers per regulated activity, and key Code of Conduct duties such as suitability and risk disclosure for derivatives.
3Practise combination questions ('I and III only') by judging each statement true or false independently before matching to an option, because elimination alone is unreliable on this paper.
4Map the SFO subsidiary rules to what they protect: Client Securities and Client Money Rules protect client assets, Contracts Limits and Reportable Positions Rules manage large futures positions, and Keeping of Records Rules govern documentation.
5Understand the HKFE clearing chain: HKFE for trading, HKCC as central counterparty, daily mark-to-market and variation margin, so you can answer margin and settlement questions quickly.
6Use the current LE Paper 3 eStudy Guide, since examination questions have been based on it from 2 October 2024 and include the OTC reporting, clearing and margin regime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which SFC licence does HKSI Paper 3 cover?

Paper 3 - Regulation of Derivatives is the local regulatory framework paper required for the SFC Type 2 (dealing in futures contracts) and Type 5 (advising on futures contracts) regulated activities. It is paired with practical Paper 9 for Type 2 work.

How many questions are on HKSI Paper 3 and how long is the exam?

Paper 3 has 40 multiple-choice questions and you have 60 minutes to complete it. All questions carry equal marks and there is no negative marking.

What is the pass mark for HKSI Paper 3?

The pass mark is 70%. Results are reported strictly as pass or fail, with no grades assigned. You would need at least 28 of 40 questions correct.

How much does HKSI Paper 3 cost?

The examination fee is HKD1,750 per attempt, payable to the HKSI Institute when you enrol through the Online Portal. Study guides and manuals are purchased separately.

What topics does HKSI Paper 3 cover?

The eight-topic syllabus covers the regulatory framework, licensing and registration, client securities and money, conduct of business, record keeping and reporting, futures trading and settlement, OTC derivatives, and an overview of overseas futures exchanges.

Is HKSI Paper 3 a multiple-choice exam?

Yes. Paper 3 is a computer-based, multiple-choice examination offered in English and Traditional Chinese. Some questions ask you to choose the correct combination of statements, such as 'I and III only'.