CFA Institute Investment Foundations^® Exam Details

There are no education or experience requirements needed for the CFA Institute Investment Foundations^® certificate program, so anyone from Human Resources to Operations to Marketing and Sales can benefit from the program.

By completing the program and earning your certificate, you will accomplish the following:

• Gain a fundamental framework and knowledge of the investment industry
• Stand out from the crowd in a competitive global job market
• Improve your job performance by gaining an understanding of common global industry standards
• Gain a better understanding of how your role impacts the rest of the business
• Feel more confident working with your colleagues and clients

The CFA Institute Investment Foundations^® certificate program involves the following:

• Approximately 100 hours of self-study
• A certificate of knowledge awarded to everyone who passes the exam

To earn the designation, you will take two exams and must score 70% or higher on each.

The Course of Study consists of 20 chapters, organized into seven modules:

• Module 1: Industry Overview – 5% topic weight
• Module 2: Ethics and Regulation – 10% topic weight
• Module 3: Inputs and Tools – 20% topic weight
• Module 4: Investment Instruments – 20% topic weight
• Module 5: Industry Structure – 20% topic weight
• Module 6: Serving Client Needs – 5% topic weight
• Module 7: Industry Controls – 20% topic weight

Administered in English and online, candidates will take a two-hour, computer-based multiple-choice exam consisting of 120 questions, within 6 months of registering. Preliminary results are provided instantly.