CFA Course: Fees 2025, Admission, Top Colleges & Course Details
Pragati SinghSenior Executive - Content
CFA course or Chartered Financial Analysts course has three levels – Level I, Level II, and Level III. Candidates who clear the first level of the exam are eligible to appear for the CFA level II exam. Similarly, candidates clearing the second level of the exam are eligible for the CFA level III exam. CFA charter is awarded to a candidate who passes all three levels of the course. One can enrol for the CFA level I after completing the bachelor’s degree course. Alternatively, candidates having a total work experience of 4,000 hours are also eligible.
CFA syllabus for all three levels is designed after compiling the topics under financial and investment analysis. Each CFA course level has specified weightage under the course curriculum. Scroll down to know more details about the CFA courses or CFA levels including the weightage of topics, duration, and more.
CFA Course: Highlights
The CFA course has been designed by the CFA Institute to make the charter holders industry-ready. After clearing the course, the charter holder gets recognised as an investment professional which benefits throughout the entire career. The CFA course curriculum is improved continually to ensure the topics are in sync with the current world of investments. CFA program imparts the foundational knowledge that an organisation expects. Additionally, the course helps in delivering the knowledge majoring in portfolio management and investment analysis.
Below is the syllabus covered in each CFA course or level along with the weightage of the topics at each course level:
CFA Course Structure
The Chartered Financial Analyst program by CFA Institute has three levels of courses. Passing these three levels of courses lead the candidate to obtain the charter. A CFA charter holder is globally recognised, therefore, gets jobs across the globe.
CFA level I exam is held quarterly. Candidates can appear for the level I exam based on his/her convenience. However, the CFA level 2 and CFA level 3 exams will be conducted thrice and twice respectively. The topics under the CFA course curriculum for all three levels are the same. However, the difficulty level and weightage of each topic vary across all three exam levels.
CFA Level I Course
Level 1 of the CFA program is the first stage towards availing the charter holder recognition. Candidates need to prepare themselves and appear for the exam either in June or in December. The structure for CFA Level 1 course is as follows:
| CFA Level 1 Course Topic |
Weightage in Exam |
|---|---|
| Ethical and Professional Standards |
15-20 |
| Quantitative Methods |
8-12 |
| Economics |
8-12 |
| Financial Statement Analysis |
13-17 |
| Corporate Issuers |
8-12 |
| Equity Investments |
10-12 |
| Fixed Income |
10-12 |
| Derivatives |
5-8 |
| Alternative Investments |
5-8 |
| Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning |
5-8 |
CFA Level II
Level 2 of the CFA program is the second stage towards charter holder recognition. Candidates who have passed the CFA level 1 course exam can take the level II exam. CFA level II exam is held once every year in the month of June. The structure for CFA Level 2 course is as follows:
| CFA Level 2 Course Topic |
Weightage in Exam |
|---|---|
| Ethical and Professional Standards |
10-15 |
| Quantitative Methods |
5-10 |
| Economics |
5-10 |
| Financial Statement Analysis |
10-15 |
| Corporate Issuers |
5-10 |
| Equity Investments |
10-15 |
| Fixed Income |
10-15 |
| Derivatives |
5-10 |
| Alternative Investments |
5-10 |
| Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning |
10-15 |
CFA Level III
Level 3 of the CFA program is the third and the last examination stage towards charter holder recognition. Candidates who have passed the CFA level 2 course exam can take the level III exam. CFA Level III exam is held once every year in the month of June. The structure for CFA Level 3 course is as follows:
| CFA Level 2 Course Topic |
Weightage in Exam |
|---|---|
| Ethical and Professional Standards |
10-15 |
| Quantitative Methods |
0 |
| Economics |
5-10 |
| Financial Statement Analysis |
0 |
| Corporate Issuers |
0 |
| Equity Investments |
10-15 |
| Fixed Income |
15-20 |
| Derivatives |
5-10 |
| Alternative Investments |
5-10 |
| Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning |
35-40 |
CFA Course Duration
CFA course duration shall depend on the candidate taking the exam. A candidate can take the test for all three levels of the CFA course in 16 months if he/she does not consider the preparation time and clears all three levels in the first attempt. The following timeline will help candidates complete the CFA course in 16 months:
- Candidates who fail the exam under any course level can retake the exam with a minimum of six months gap between the two takes.
- Between the exam for each level, CFA Institute maintains a minimum gap of 6-9 months.
- CFA level 1 exam is conducted quarterly, that is to say, four times in one calendar year
- CFA level 2 exam is conducted thrice in each calendar year
- CFA level 3 exam is conducted twice in each calendar year
CFA Course: Attempt Limits
There are three-course levels for which the candidates need to pass the exam. For each course level, candidates will have as many as six exam attempts. Failing any one level exam as many as six times will lead to disqualification of the candidate. Such candidates are not eligible for the subsequent course levels.
FAQs on CFA Courses
Q: What is the CFA course full form?
Q: What is a CFA course?
Q: What is CFA exam eligibility?
Q: What is the CFA course duration?
Q: Is the CFA course useful in India?
Q: Is CFA better than MBA?
Q: Is CFA better than CA?
Q: Can I take the CFA level II exam if I have not passed the level I course?
Q: What is the attempt limit for the CFA course exam?
Q: How many times is the CFA level I exam conducted in one year?
Q: What is taught under the CFA course?
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Jan 21, 2025
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 4 days ago
A defined path is necessary to earn a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), a highly regarded qualification in finance and investments. Candidates for the CFA programme must have significant professional job experience and pass three exam levels. You cannot, however, start the CFA programme right after
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Yes, a B.Sc. Biology graduate is eligible for CFA admission if you have a bachelor's degree or are in the final year. No specific field is required, but knowledge of finance and quantitative skills is helpful.
V
Beginner-Level 2
Answered a month ago
Some of the highest paid CFAs are as follows:
- Junior Analyst: INR 6 Lacs to INR 10 Lacs per year
- Chief Investment Officer: INR 40 Lacs to INR 1 crore+ per year
- Investment Banker: INR 10 Lacs to INR 30 Lacs per year
- Portfolio Manager: INR 18 Lacs to INR 40 Lacs per year
M
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a month ago
In India, CFAs earn better than CAs as average salary for CAs is INR 7 to 15 LPA, while for CFAs it is INR 9 to 40 LPA. However, it can vary based on the location, experience and designation.
R
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a month ago
CFA was earlier known as the Association for Investment Management and Research, CFA Institute (AIMR). Through its tests and certifications, the CFA Institute ensures that there are financial experts who have a high standard of excellence. The CFA Institute offers an Investment Foundations Program a
M
Beginner-Level 5
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