CFA® Exam Details
The CFA® Program consists of a series of three examinations (Levels I, II, and III) that must be taken in succession.
A minimum of 300 hours of preparation per CFA Program exam level is recommended, although some candidates will need more or less time, depending on their individual backgrounds and experience. There is no limit to the number of times you can take each exam, and you can take as much time as you need to complete the program.
The CFA Program curriculum is dynamic and changes annually to meet the nature and complexity of the global investment profession.
Select Your CFA Exam Level
Registration and CFA® Exam Dates
February 2021
Level I February Computer-Based Exam Dates:
- February 23–March 1, 2021
Registration and Scheduling Windows Open:
- June 16, 2020
Early Registration Deadline:
- August 13, 2020
Registration Closes:
- December 7, 2020
Scheduling Deadline:
- December 14, 2020
Rescheduling Deadline:
- January 25, 2021
Registration and CFA® Exam Dates
May 2021
Level I May Computer–Based Exam Dates:
- May 18–24, 2021
Registration and Scheduling Windows Open:
- August 20, 2020
Early Registration Deadline:
- November 3, 2020
Registration Closes:
- February 2, 2021
Scheduling Deadline:
- March 25, 2021
Rescheduling Deadline:
- April 16, 2021
Registration and CFA® Exam Dates
July 2021
Level I July Computer-Based Exam Dates:
- July 18–26, 2021
Registration and Scheduling Opens:
- January 19, 2021
Early Registration Deadline:
- March 10, 2021
Registration Closes:
- April 20, 2021
Scheduling Deadline:
- May 11, 2021
Rescheduling Deadline:
- June 22, 2021
Registration and CFA® Exam Dates
August 2021
Level I August Computer-Based Exam Dates:
- August 13–30, 2021
Registration Opens:
- August 20, 2020
Scheduling Opens:
- November 3, 2020
Early Registration Deadline:
- February 11, 2021
Registration Closes:
- May 4, 2021
Scheduling Deadline:
- May 23, 2021
Rescheduling Deadline:
- July 22, 2021
Registration and CFA® Exam Dates
November 2021
Level I November Computer-Based Exam Dates:
- November 16–22, 2021
Registration Opens:
- August 20, 2020
Scheduling Opens:
- February 2, 2021
Early Registration Deadline:
- May 4, 2021
Registration Closes:
- August 10, 2021
Scheduling Deadline:
- August 25, 2021
Rescheduling Deadline:
- October 14, 2021
Body of Knowledge
The Learning Outcome Statements and core concepts in the CFA® Program are built on the Candidate Body of Knowledge™ (CBOK), a practice-based curriculum that is determined by thousands of CFA charterholders from around the world.
Level I
Candidates concentrate on the tools and concepts related to investment valuation and portfolio management, as well as an overview of how these processes fit within the guidelines of the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.
Master these concepts with a comprehensive Level I study package:
Exam Format
2021 Level I
- Format: Computer-based and multiple-choice
- Questions:
- 180 equally weighted questions
- Morning session: 90 questions
- Afternoon session: 90 questions
- Each session is 2 hours and 15 minutes long
Learn more about the 2021 CFA exam changes »
Our Level I study packages are built to replicate the exam, leaving no surprises on exam day. Begin your preparation today.
Topic Weights by Level
Level I
- Ethical and Professional Standards: 15%
- Quantitative Methods: 10%
- Economics: 10%
- Financial Reporting Analysis: 15%
- Corporate FInance: 10%
- Equity Investments: 11%
- Fixed Income: 11%
- Derivatives: 6%
- Alternative Investments: 6%
- Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning: 6%
These topic weights were used to develop a Level I study plan you can follow to ensure complete coverage of the material. The study plan is included in all of our packages.
Exam Results Available:
December 2020 Exam:
- January 28, 2021
February 2021 Exam:
- April 13, 2021
May 2021 Exam:
- Within 60 days of the exam
July 2021 Exam:
- Within 60 days of the exam
August 2021 Exam:
- Within 60 days of the exam
November 2021 Exam:
- Within 60 days of the exam
CFA® Exam Requirements
Candidate Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to enter the CFA® Program, you must accomplish the following:
- Have a U.S. bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree
- or select an exam window that is 11 months or fewer before your graduation month for your bachelor’s degree or equivalent program. Understand that you must complete your degree program prior to sitting for level II.
- or have a combination of 4,000 hours of work experience and/or higher education that was acquired over a minimum of three sequential years and achieved by the date of registering for the Level I exam.
- Meet the professional conduct admission criteria (during the application process, you will be asked to sign statements of Professional Conduct and Candidate Responsibility)
- Be prepared to take the exams in English
- Have a valid international travel passport (required for enrollment and exam registration)
Enrollment and Exam Fees
To enter into the CFA Program, candidates must pay a one-time registration fee of $450 in addition to the required enrollment fees for each Level. CFA Institute reference material and a partial mock exam are both included with candidate registration and enrollment.CFA Program exam fees range from $700 to $1,000, depending on your CFA Program exam level and when you register.
Registration and CFA® Exam Dates
May 2021
Level II May Computer-Based Exam Dates:
- May 25 – June 1, 2021
Registration and Scheduling Windows Open:
- August 20, 2020
Early Registration Deadline:
- November 3, 2020
Registration Closes:
- February 23, 2021
Scheduling Deadline:
- March 25, 2021
Rescheduling Deadline:
- April 16, 2021
Registration and CFA® Exam Dates
August 2021
Level II August Computer-Based Exam Dates:
- August 31 – September 4, 2021
Registration and Scheduling Windows Open:
- August 20, 2020
Early Registration Deadline:
- February 2, 2021
Registration Closes:
- May 4, 2021
Scheduling Deadline:
- May 23, 2021
Rescheduling Deadline:
- July 22, 2021
Registration and CFA Exam Dates
November 2021
Level II November Computer-Based Exam Dates:
- November 26 – 30, 2021
Registration and Scheduling Windows Open:
- February 2, 2021
Early Registration Deadline:
- May 4, 2021
Registration Closes:
- August 10, 2021
Scheduling Deadline:
- August 25, 2021
Rescheduling Deadline:
- October 14, 2021
Body of Knowledge
The Learning Outcome Statements and core concepts in the CFA® Program are built on the Candidate Body of Knowledge™ (CBOK), a practice-based curriculum that is determined by thousands of CFA charterholders from around the world.
Level II
Candidates are expected to demonstrate a greater depth of understanding of the tools and techniques that were introduced in the Level I curriculum, in addition to applications in asset valuation within the context of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.
Master these concepts with a comprehensive Level II study package:
Exam Format
Level II
Beginning in 2021, there will be two Level II exam windows in each year; the first in May and the second in August. For 2021 only, CFA Institute added an additional exam window in November.
Additionally, all CFA exams in 2021 and beyond will be offered in a computer-based format.
- Format: item set or “mini-cases” - Each item set contains a vignette (with an average length of 1.5 pages)
- Questions:
- 21 item sets or “mini cases”
- Morning Session: 10 item sets; Afternoon Session: 11 item sets
- 18 item sets will have 6 multiple-choice questions and 3 item sets will have 4 multiple-choice questions
- Exam is graded for 360 points, corresponding to the number of minutes on the exam
Our Level II study packages are built to replicate the exam, leaving no surprises on exam day. Begin your preparation today.
Topic Weights by Level
Level II
- Ethical and Professional Standards: 10–15%
- Quantitative Methods: 5–10%
- Economics: 5–10%
- Financial Reporting Analysis: 10–15%
- Corporate Finance: 5–10%
- Equity Investments: 10–15%
- Fixed Income: 10–15%
- Derivatives: 5–10%
- Alternative Investments: 5–10%
- Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning: 10–15%
These topic weights were used to develop a Level II study plan you can follow to ensure complete coverage of the material. The study plan is included in all of our packages.
Exam Results Available:
December 2020 Exam:
- January 28, 2021
May 2021 Exam:
- Within 60 days of the exam
August 2021 Exam:
- Within 60 days of the exam
November 2021 Exam:
- Within 60 days of the exam
CFA® Exam Requirements
Candidate Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to enter the CFA® Program, you must:
- Have a U.S. bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree
- or select an exam window that is 11 months or fewer before your graduation month for your bachelor’s degree or equivalent program. Understand that you must complete your degree program prior to sitting for level II.
- or have a combination of 4,000 hours of work experience and/or higher education that was acquired over a minimum of three sequential years and achieved by the date of registering for the Level I exam.
- Meet the professional conduct admission criteria (during the application process, you will be asked to sign statements of Professional Conduct and Candidate Responsibility)
- Be prepared to take the exams in English
- Have a valid international travel passport (required for enrollment and exam registration)
Enrollment and Exam Fees
To enter into the CFA Program, candidates must pay a one-time $450 registration fee in addition to the required enrollment fees for each Level. CFA Institute reference material and a partial mock exam are both included with candidate registration and enrollment.
CFA Program exam fees range from $700 to $1,000, depending on your CFA Program exam level and when you register.
Registration and Level III CFA® Exam Dates
May 2021
Level III May Computer-Based Exam Dates:
- May 25–June 1, 2021
Registration Opens:
- August 20, 2020
Early Registration Deadline:
- November 3, 2020
Registration Closes:
- February 23, 2021
Scheduling Deadline:
- March 25, 2021
Rescheduling Deadline:
- April 16, 2021
Registration and Level III CFA® Exam Dates
August 2021
Level III August Computer-Based Exam Dates:
- September 1–8, 2021
Registration and Scheduling Opens:
- January 19, 2021
Early Registration Deadline:
- February 11, 2021
Registration closes:
- May 4, 2021
Scheduling Deadline:
- May 23, 2021
Rescheduling Deadline:
- July 22, 2021
Registration and Level III CFA® Exam Dates
November 2021
Level III November Computer-Based Exam Dates:
- November 23–25, 2021
Registration Opens:
- August 20, 2020
Scheduling Window Opens:
- February 2, 2021
Early Registration Deadline:
- May 4, 2021
Registration closes:
- August 10, 2021
Scheduling Deadline:
- August 25, 2021
Rescheduling Deadline:
- October 14, 2021
Level III CFA Exam Body of Knowledge
The Learning Outcome Statements and core concepts in the CFA® Program are built on the Candidate Body of Knowledge™(CBOK), a practice-based curriculum that is determined by thousands of CFA charterholders from around the world.
Level III
Candidates are required to demonstrate a higher level of understanding of the materials tested at Levels I and II, as well as display effective knowledge of the entire portfolio management process.
Master these concepts with a comprehensive Level III study package »
Level III CFA Exam Format
Level III
Beginning in 2021, there will be two Level III exam windows each year—the first in May and the second in November. For 2021 only, CFA Institue added an additional window in August.
Additionally, all CFA® exams in 2021 and beyond will be offered in a computer-based format.
- Format: Essay, item sets, and multiple choice
- Questions:
- Morning Session: 8–12 essay questions
- Afternoon Session: 8 item sets with 6 multiple-choice questions in each and 3 item sets with 4 multiple-choice questions in each
- Exam is graded for 360 points, corresponding to the number of minutes on the exam
Our Level III study packages are built to replicate the exam, leaving no surprises on exam day. Begin your preparation today »
Level III CFA Exam Topic Weights
Level III
- Ethical and Professional Standards: 10–15%
- Quantitative Methods: 0%
- Economics: 5–10%
- Financial Reporting Analysis: 0%
- Corporate Finance: 0%
- Equity Investments: 10–15%
- Fixed Income: 15–20%
- Derivatives: 5–10%
- Alternative Investments: 5–10%
- Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning: 35–40%
These topic weights were used to develop a Level III study plan you can follow to ensure complete coverage of the material. The study plan is included in all of our packages.
Level III CFA Exam Results Available:
December 2020 Exam:
- February 17, 2021
May 2021 Exam:
- Within 90 days of the exam
August 2021 Exam:
- Within 90 days of the exam
November 2021 Exam:
- To be determined
Level III CFA Exam Requirements
Candidate Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to enter the CFA® Program, you must:
- Have a U.S. bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree
- or select an exam window that is 11 months or fewer before your graduation month for your bachelor’s degree or equivalent program. Understand that you must complete your degree program prior to sitting for level II.
- or have a combination of 4,000 hours of work experience and/or higher education that was acquired over a minimum of three sequential years and achieved by the date of registering for the Level I exam.
- Meet the professional conduct admission criteria (during the application process, you will be asked to sign statements of Professional Conduct and Candidate Responsibility)
- Be prepared to take the exams in English
- Have a valid international travel passport (required for enrollment and exam registration)
Enrollment and Exam Fees
To enter into the CFA Program, candidates must pay a one-time registration fee of $450 in addition to the required enrollment fees for each Level. CFA Institute reference material and a partial mock exam are both included with candidate registration and enrollment.CFA Program exam fees range from $700 to $1,000, depending on your CFA Program exam level and when you register.
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Effective preparation requires a study schedule that covers the entire CFA Program 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.
