Preparatory Course for Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
About the Exams
- The CFA program requires you to pass 3 levels of exams sequentially - Level I, II and III
- Duration for each exam is 6-hours per level
- Each exam is 6-hours long and is split between morning and afternoon sessions (there is a 2-hour lunch break at the end of the morning session)
- Level I exam is held twice a year, in June and December
- Level II & III exams are held once a year, in June
- The fastest completion for the 3 exams is 2.5 years
- Candidates are not required to complete all 3 levels within a specified time frame
Exam Format
- Level I exam consists of 240 multiple choice questions
- Level II exam consists of 20 item set (or "mini case") questions
- Level III exam consists of essay questions in the morning and 10 item set questions in the afternoon session
Difficulty of the Exams
There is no doubt that the program is tough, stressful and challenging. It requires your commitment and dedication. The 250 hours of study time for each level are a minimum. (While taking a CFA® course at Kaplan Financial will enhance your understanding of the material, it is important not to underestimate your commitment to self-study.)
Exam Booking
To book your exam, apply direct to CFA Institute of registration and enrollment. You may register online at www.cfainstitute.org. CFA Institute will acknowledge your registration and enrollment via email. Please note that Kaplan Financial is not responsible for individual's exam registration and enrollment.
Exam Topics
Topic area weights for the CFA exam
|
Topic Area |
Level I |
Level II |
Level III |
|
Ethical and Professional Standards |
15 |
10 |
10 |
|
Quantitative Methods |
12 |
5-10 |
0 |
|
Economics |
10 |
5-10 |
0 |
|
Financial Reporting and Analysis |
20 |
15-25 |
0 |
|
Corporate Finance |
8 |
5-15 |
0 |
|
Investment Tools |
50 |
30-60 |
0 |
|
Equity Investments |
10 |
20-30 |
5-15 |
|
Fixed Income |
12 |
5-15 |
20-20 |
|
Derivatives |
5 |
5-15 |
5-15 |
|
Alternative Investments |
3 |
5-15 |
5-15 |
|
Asset Valuation |
30 |
35-75 |
35-45 |
|
Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning |
5 |
5-15 |
45-55 |
Note: These weights are intended to guide the curriculum and examination developments processes. Actual exam weights may vary slightly from year to year. Please note that some topics are combined for testing purposes.
