Level III—the Finish Line is in Sight
You’ve already come a long way in your CFA charter journey. Now it’s time to finish strong. The Level III exam will test your ability to apply everything you learned in Levels I and II to practical, real-life situations.
Previous Knowledge
The knowledge you need to possess prior to preparing for the Level III CFA exam is the same knowledge you’ve acquired to this point in preparing for the first two exams. Your exam preparation for Level III will prepare you to complete more complex item sets and also master the constructed response (essay) portion, which is exclusively a part of the Level III exam.
Tips and Tools
Looking for additional tips to help you prepare for the Level III CFA exam?
Look no further.
- Start your exam prep early. Develop a routine, and stick to it.
- The tools in your review package work best when used together as designed.
- Check out these free resources specifically designed for Level II candidates.
How to Study
The Kaplan Way is a three-phase learning strategy: Prepare • Practice • Perform®. Using this methodology, we have built the most comprehensive study packages available for Level III of the CFA exam, designed to help you make the most of the time you spend preparing for the exam.
How Long it Takes to Study
CFA Institute recommends that you spend an average of 300 hours preparing for each level of the CFA exam. According to a 2019 survey, Level III candidates spent an average of 344 hours preparing for the exam.
CFA Level III Exam Details
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:
- April 22, 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:
- July 20, 2021
Scheduling Deadline:
- August 15, 2021
Rescheduling Deadline:
- October 23, 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
In 2022, there will be two Level III exam windows each year—the first in May and the second in November. For 2021 only, CFA Institute added an additional window in August.- Format: Vignettes/item sets with multiple choice or constructed response questions.
- Questions:
- Session 1: Constructed response (essay) format. 8–11 essay questions with multiple parts per question.
- Session 2: Item set format. Each item set will be followed by 4 or 6 multiple-choice questions. 44 total questions.
- Each session is approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes long
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
Here are the topic weights for the 2021 Level III exams:
- Ethical and Professional Standards: 10–15%
- Economics: 5–10%
- Equity Investments: 10–15%
- Fixed Income: 15–20%
- Derivative Investments: 5–10%
- Alternative Investments: 5–10%
Portfolio Management and Wealth Management: 35–40%
Here are the topic weights for the 2022 Level III exams:
- Economics: 5–10%
- Derivatives: 5–10%
- Fixed Income: 15–20%
- Equity Investments: 10–15%
- Alternative Investments: 5–10%
- Portfolio Management : 35–40%
- Ethical and Professional Standards: 10–15%
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:
- Approximately 10 weeks after the exam window has closed
August 2021 Exam:
- Approximately 10 weeks after the exam window has closed
November 2021 Exam:
- Approximately 10 weeks after the exam window has closed
May 2022 EXAM:
- Approximately 10 weeks after the exam window has closed
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.
