About Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
The full form of CFA is “Chartered Financial Analyst.” It is a postgraduate professional certification programme provided by the CFA Institute in the United States. It’s considered one of the most respected and recognized qualifications in the field of finance. To earn the CFA charter, candidates must pass a series of three rigorous exams covering topics such as ethics, investment tools, portfolio management, and wealth planning. The program is known for its high level of difficulty and commitment, making it a mark of expertise in the finance industry. Many professionals pursue the CFA designation to enhance their career prospects in areas like investment management, financial analysis, and portfolio strategy.
CFA Exam Levels
Level-I | Level-II | Level-III |
Structure: The Level I exam consists of 180 multiple choice questions, split between two 135-minute sessions (session times are approximate). Duration: First session (2 hours, 15 minutes): 90 multiple choice questions, covering the topics of ethics & professional standards, quantitative methods, economics, and financial statement analysis
Time Schedule: The exam is conducted 4 times in a year – February, May, August, and November. | Structure: The CFA Level II exam consists of 22 item sets comprised of vignettes with 88 accompanying multiple-choice questions. Duration: The Level II exam will be 4 hours and 24 minutes, split into two equal sessions of 2 hours and 12 minutes, with an optional break in-between. Time Schedule: The exam is conducted 3 times a year in February, August, and November. | Structure: The Level III exam consists of item sets comprised of vignettes with accompanying multiple-choice items and constructed response (essay) questions. Duration: The Level III exam will be 4 hours and 24 minutes, split into two equal sessions of 2 hours and 12 minutes, with an optional break in-between. All questions must be answered based on the information in the vignette. Hence, the items are not free-standing, as in the CFA Level I exam. You will need to refer to the vignette before answering each item. Time Schedule: The exam is conducted twice a year in February and August. |
CFA Exam Syllabus and Difficulty Level
Topics and Structure | Weight Given in CFA Level I | Weight Given in CFA Level II | Weight Given in CFA Level III |
Ethical and Professional Standards | 15-20% | 10-15% | 10-15% |
Quantitative Methods | 6-9% | 5-10% | 0 |
Economics | 6-9% | 5-10% | 5-10% |
Financial Statement Analysis | 11-14% | 10-15% | 0 |
Corporate Issuer | 6-9% | 5-10% | 0 |
Equity Investments | 11-14% | 10-15% | 10-15% |
Fixed Income | 11-14% | 10-15% | 15-20% |
Derivatives | 5-8% | 5-10% | 5-10% |
Alternative Investments | 7-10% | 5-10% | 5-10% |
Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning | 8-12% | 10-15% | 35-40% |
CFA Level-I, II, III Fee
Projects
CRASH COURSE
₹25000/-
PER SUBJECT
Mock Tests, Study Notes, Online/Offline Live Classes, Small Batches, Practice Sessions, Demo Classes
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₹1500/-
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NOTE: 18% GST applicable on fees
CFA Admission Process
The CFA admission process involves several steps that candidates need to follow. Here is a general overview of the CFA admission process:
Meet Eligibility Requirements: Ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria set by the CFA Institute. Generally, this includes having a bachelor’s degree or being in the final year of your bachelor’s degree program, or having a combination of education and work experience that totals at least four years.
Register for the CFA Program: Create an account on the CFA Institute’s official website and register for the CFA program. You will be required to provide personal information, educational background, and work experience details.
Submit Application Documents: Prepare and submit the necessary application documents, which may include copies of your educational transcripts, proof of work experience (if applicable), and identification documents.
Pay Examination Fees: Pay the required examination fees to secure your spot for the CFA exams. The fees vary depending on the registration period and level of the exam.
Prepare for the Exams: Once registered, start preparing for the CFA exams. The exams are conducted in three levels, with each level building upon the previous one. Study the curriculum, practice exam questions, and utilize study materials provided by the CFA Institute or other reputable sources.
Schedule Exam Dates: Choose your desired exam dates and location for each level. The exams are held at designated testing centers worldwide.
Take the Exams: On the scheduled exam dates, attend the CFA exams and complete the multiple-choice questions and essay-type questions within the specified time limits.
Receive Exam Results: Wait for the exam results, which are typically released a few weeks after each exam session. You will be notified via email about your exam results.
Progress to the Next Level: If you pass the current level, you can proceed to register for the next level of the CFA program. Repeat the preparation and exam process for each level until you successfully complete all three levels.
CFA Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification: Candidates should have successfully completed a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent program from a recognized university or college, regardless of the field of study.
Final Year Candidates: Those in the final year of their bachelor’s degree program are eligible to register for the CFA course. However, they must complete their bachelor’s degree before registering for the CFA Level 2 exam.
Work Experience: Candidates must have a minimum of 4,000 hours of work experience, which can be acquired over a period of at least three consecutive years. Alternatively, a combination of work experience and higher education can fulfill this requirement.
Relevant Work Experience: Work experience in the investment market is not mandatory. However, candidates must demonstrate skills such as leadership, teamwork, business communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, time management, professional judgment, analytical skills, and adaptability.
Internships or Articleships: Internships, articleships, or self-employment can also be considered as work experience, provided candidates can demonstrate that they received compensation for their work.
International Passport: Candidates must possess a valid international passport.
English Language Proficiency: Proficiency in the English language is essential, as the study materials and exams are conducted in English.
Professional Compliance Statement: Candidates are required to submit a professional compliance statement, affirming their commitment to adhere to the CFA Institute’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.
CFA Course Fees
The enrollment fee for the CFA course is USD 350. In India, during the enrollment phase, the CFA course fee is INR 28,752. If you wish to reschedule the exam date, there is a fee of USD 250. The complete breakdown of the CFA course fees is provided below:
| Registration Type | CFA Course Fee (in USD) | CFA Exam Fees (in Rs.) |
| Early Registration | 900 | 73,933 |
| Standard Registration | 1,200 | 98,578 |
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