CFA Exam FAQ: 50 Best Questions from Readers

Here is a list of CFA exam FAQ I got from fellow readers. If you have a question that you cannot find an answer to, drop us a note and we’ll do our best to respond as soon as we can.

CFA Decisions

1. Is the CFA Exam worth it

• What are the benefits as a CFA?
• 5 reasons why you DON’T want to be a CFA
• What does CFA stand for?

2. Can I make it?

• 10-year pass rate trends and what to learn from the stats
• How difficult compared to other exams

3. Cost (and how to save cost)

• Can my wallet handle these expenses?

4. Salary Potential

• What are CFA career prospects?
• What can CFA specialize in?
• Is CFA a global designation?

CFA Exam Process

1. Registration and requirements

• Becoming a CFA: The Beginner’s Guide
• Step by step guide on registration process
• What to consider when taking the December Level 1 exam

2. CFA exam format

• Level 1
• Level 2
• Level 3

3. CFA exam FAQ: when, where, how

• Schedule, important dates and deadline
• Where can I take the CFA exam?
• How is the exam graded?
• CFA approved calculators: my recommendations

Curriculum and Study Strategies

1. By level

• Level 1
• Level 2
• Level 3

2. By topic area

• Ethics
• Quantitative Methods
• Economics
• Corporate Finance
• Financial Reporting and Analysis
• Equity
• Fixed Income
• Derivatives
• Alternative Investments
• Portfolio Management

CMA Exam Preparation

1. Review courses

• CFA courses comparison and recommendation
• CFA level 1 book comparison
• Kaplan Schweser CFA pros and cons
• Wiley CFA pros and cons

2. General tips

• Should I read the CFA curriculum textbook in order?
• Does the topic area weighting affect my study strategies?
• CFA mock exam guide
• CFA Level 2 (and 3) item set tips
• CFA level 3 essay tips

3. Setbacks (and what to do)

• Should I reschedule? How to do it?
• I failed the exam. Can you help me?

4. Motivations

• CFA exam bloggers: follow the journeys of my readers
• CFA exam success stories!
• Do you have any good exam motivational quotes?
• Do you have other goodies to cheer me up?

What’s Next

1. What to expect after the exam

• All you need to know on CFA exam results (and interpretation)
• How to fulfill the CFA CPE requirements?
• How to verify your status using CFA charterholder lookup

2. Other Designations

• CFA vs CPA
• CFA vs MBA
• Any exemptions of other professional exams as a CFA?

Top 10 Countries Spotlight

How to become CFA in…

• UK
• Canada
• China/Hong Kong
• India
• Singapore
• Germany
• Australia
• Switzerland
• Russia

Ready for More Information?

To learn about how to study and pass the CFA exam in the most efficient manner, check out our e-course for CFA Level 1, which is completely free. You can learn about the e-course here or sign up directly below:

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study and pass your CFA exam… on your first attempt!