CFA Exam Pattern

The qualifying criteria for CFA Level I remain largely unchanged under the new exam pattern implemented in February 2024. Here's a quick summary:Minimum Education:Bachelor's degree or equivalent: This includes recognised degrees like BTech, BCom,  BBA, etc., or completed professional qualifications like CA, CS, CMA.In the final year of your bachelor's program: You can still register for the exam and complete the degree before taking it.Work Experience (Optional):4 years of relevant work experience: This can be in any field, but finance-related experience is preferred.Combination of education and work experience: You can qualify with a combination of education (1 year = 1,000 hours) and work experience (1 year = 2,000 hours) totaling at least 4,000 hours.

The qualifying criteria for CFA Level I remain largely unchanged under the new exam pattern implemented in February 2024. Here's a quick summary:Minimum Education:Bachelor's degree or equivalent: This includes recognised degrees like BTech, BCom,  BBA, etc., or completed professional qualifications like CA, CS, CMA.In the final year of your bachelor's program: You can still register for the exam and complete the degree before taking it.Work Experience (Optional):4 years of relevant work experience: This can be in any field, but finance-related experience is preferred.Combination of education and work experience: You can qualify with a combination of education (1 year = 1,000 hours) and work experience (1 year = 2,000 hours) totaling at least 4,000 hours.

If you fail a level of the CFA exam, you have the opportunity to retake that specific level in future exam windows. You need to register again to take the same exam in the subsequent exam window. The CFA Level I exam is offered twice a year (in February and August). You will ne required to pay the registration fee again for the level you are retaking.It's advisable to use the time between your failed attempt and your retake to further prepare and strengthen your understanding of the exam material. Many candidates who initially fail use this period to study more intensively, seek additional resources, and address their weaknesses.There is no limit to the number of times you can retake a specific level of the CFA exam. You can keep attempting the same level until you pass. Remember that the CFA exams are known for their difficulty, and it's not uncommon for candidates to fail at least one level before ultimately passing. Many successful CFA charterholders faced initial setbacks but persevered through the process. With dedication, effective study strategies, and a commitment to improving your knowledge in areas of weakness, you can increase your chances of success in retaking and passing the exam level you previously failed.

Chartered financial analyst designation is a professional credential that is offered by the CFA institute to the financial and investment professionals. The designation of the Chartered Financial Analyst or CFA Charter is the most recognized and respected credential in the field of investment banking. It is a globally recognized credential. There are three levels in CFA Program that students will have to go through. Based on the historical data, pass rate for the CFA examination is about 40 percent.There is a wide range of topics related to investment management, stocks, derivatives, financial analysis which give you great understanding of everything you need in order to become a better Financial Analyst/Investment banker.CFA Level I Exam: This is the first examination that students will have to go through. In level one, students will have to focus on the concepts and tools that are applied to investment management and valuation. The CFA Level 1 exam is conducted in two sessions, each 3 hours long. It consists of 240 multiple-choice questions in two sessions of 120 questions each. The questions are designed based on the topic weightages given in the CFA Level 1 Exam Syllabus, with very slight deviation.CFA Level II Exam: This is the second examination that students will have to go through after passing the CFA level I Exam. In Level II, students will have to deal with the assets valuation. Students must have the ability to apply the concepts and tools that they have learned in level I. There are total 20 item set questions, split in two sessions. The morning and evening sessions have 10 item set questions each. The total number of questions in the CFA Level II exam is 120. The duration of the exam is 360 minutes. Some of the CFA level II topics are covered only in the morning session and other topics are covered only in the evening session.CFA Level III Exam: This is the last CFA exam that students will have to pass to become a CFA charterholder. In the level 3 examination, students will have to go through portfolio management in depth. CFA Level I and CFA Level II revolved around basic financial knowledge, investment valuation comprehension and the application of both. CFA Level III exam focuses on portfolio management and wealth planning. All the best.