CAIA® Exam Details
About the CAIA® Program
Launched in 2002 and sponsored by CAIA Association®, the Chartered Alternative Investment AnalystSM (CAIA®) Charter is the only educational standard uniquely designed for individuals specializing in alternative investments.
With new retail products and structures, investments from insurance companies and pensions, and government investments in infrastructure and green technology, many companies are in need of alternative investing experience. Completion of the CAIA program demonstrates an understanding of alternative investments, including hedge funds, real assets, private equity, and structured products.
Select Your CAIA Exam Level
Body of Knowledge
With the Level I topics, you will learn the tools to analyze alternative investments. The Level I curriculum includes the following:
- Hedge Funds
- Introduction to Alternative Investments
- Private Securities
- Professional Standards and Ethics
- Real Assets
- Structured Products
View Level I Packages »
CAIA® Exam Format
The Level I CAIA exam is divided into 2 sections. Candidates are given 4 hours to complete the 200 multiple-choice questions with an optional 30-minute break between each section. Sections 1 and 2 each consist of 100 multiple-choice questions, which measure candidates’ knowledge of the CAIA Level I curriculum. Based on candidate surveys performed by CAIA Association, more than 200 hours of study are recommended to prepare. To best manage your study plan, it’s essential to know what is on the curriculum and how the topics are weighted.
Registration and CAIA® Exam Dates
September 2023 Exam:
- Registration Opens: April 10, 2023
- Early Registration Closes: June 5, 2023
- Registration Closes: August 14, 2023
- Level I Exam Window: September 4, 2023 through September 15, 2023
- Level II Exam Window: September 18, 2023 through September 29, 2023
Requirements to Earn the CAIA® Charter
- Pass Level I and Level II of the CAIA exam.
- Exams must be taken in separate exam cycles
- Exam cycles occur in March and September
- Meet one of the two requirements below:
- Obtain a bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, with a minimum of one year of professional experience
- Have a minimum of four years of professional experience
- Professional experience is defined as full-time employment in a professional capacity with the regulatory, banking, financial, or related fields
- Agree to abide by the terms and conditions of the CAIA Association® Member Agreement.
- Agreement renewal is required on an annual basis
- Provide two professional references.
- Establish and maintain membership in CAIA Association.
- Membership fees apply; renewed on an annual or bi-annual basis
- One-year membership $350; two-year membership $650
Give yourself the best chance to pass your CAIA Exam with Level I Study Packages.
Body of Knowledge
With the Level II topics, you will learn how to apply the tools learned in Level I to analyze and invest in alternative investments. The Level II curriculum includes the following:
- Accessing Alternative Investments
- Emerging Topics
- Ethics Regulations and ESG
- Due Diligence and Selecting Managers
- Institutional Asset Owners and Investment Policies
- Methods for Alternative Investing
- Models
- Risk and Risk Management
- Volatility and Complex Strategies
Master these concepts with a comprehensive Level II study package:
CAIA® Exam Format
The Level II CAIA exam is composed of 100 multiple-choice questions and three sets of constructed-response (essay-type) questions, which measure candidates’ knowledge of the CAIA Level II curriculum. Candidates are given 2 hours to complete the multiple-choice question section and 2 hours to complete the constructed-response section. Based on candidate surveys performed by CAIA Association, more than 200 hours of study are recommended to prepare. To best manage your study plan, it’s essential to know what is on the curriculum and how the topics are weighted.
Registration and CAIA® Exam Dates
September 2023 Exam:
- Registration Opens: April 10, 2023
- Early Registration Closes: June 5, 2023
- Registration Closes: August 14, 2023
- Level I Exam Window: September 4, 2023 through September 15, 2023
- Level II Exam Window: September 18, 2023 through September 29, 2023
Requirements to Earn the CAIA® Charter
- Pass Level I and Level II of the CAIA exam.
- Exams must be taken in separate exam cycles
- Exam cycles occur in March and September
- Meet one of the two requirements below:
- Obtain a bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, with a minimum of one year of professional experience
- Have a minimum of four years of professional experience
- Professional experience is defined as full-time employment in a professional capacity with the regulatory, banking, financial, or related fields
- Agree to abide by the terms and conditions of the CAIA Association® Member Agreement.
- Agreement renewal is required on an annual basis
- Provide two professional references.
- Establish and maintain membership in CAIA Association.
- Membership fees apply; renewed on an annual or bi-annual basis
- One-year membership $350; two-year membership $650
Give yourself the best chance to pass your CAIA Exam with Level II Study Packages.
Want a Free Trial?
Effective preparation requires a study schedule that covers the entire CAIA Charter curriculum and practice that resembles exam content. Our Packages create a study plan adaptive to your schedule and include integrated study tools that provide practice of key concepts of the curriculum.
