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CFA Level 1 Exam Pattern 2025: The Chartered Financial Analyst Institute prescribes the CFA level 1 exam pattern on its official website. Candidates preparing for CFA level 1 exam should carefully look into the exam pattern and devise their study plan accordingly. Details such as mode of exam, number and type of questions asked, time duration of CFA level 1 exam, marking scheme and related are mentioned under the exam pattern of CFA level 1.
In recent times, significant changes related to the exam duration, number of questions asked in the exam pattern of CFA exams have been introduced by The Chartered Financial Analyst Institute. Read this article to understand the basic details concerning what pattern to adapt while preparing for the CFA level 1 exam.
Those candidates who have completed CFA registrations for upcoming sessions of CFA Level 1 exam can check the given table to have a better understanding of the CFA exam pattern 2025.
Particulars | Details |
---|---|
Frequency of the exam | Four times - February, May, August, and November |
Exam level | Post graduate |
CFA exam format | Multiple choice questions |
No. of questions asked | Total 180 MCQs
|
Time duration of CFA® Level 1 exam | Total 4.5 hours |
Sessions | Split into two sessions - each of 2 hours, 15 minutes |
Medium of exam | English |
Marking scheme | No negative markings |
As outlined in the above paragraphs, the CFA Institute has already given details related to the CFA level 1 exam pattern on its official website. Along with it, preparatory tips and tricks are also available on the website. The total appointment time is 5.5 hours; whereas the overall time duration of the CFA level 1 exam is 4.5 hours. Candidates have to take the CFA Level 1 exam in two sittings as shown in the table below. It is mandatory for candidates to appear in both sittings to receive the CFA level 1 result 2025.
Sitting | Time Duration | No. of Questions | Topics Included |
---|---|---|---|
Morning | 2 hours, 15 minutes | 90 Multiple choice questions |
|
Afternoon | 2 hours, 15 minutes | 90 Multiple choice questions |
|
Total | 4.5 hours | 180 Multiple choice questions | - |
30 minutes time allotted to pledge, tutorial, as well as survey
135 minutes for session 1 as mentioned in the above table
30 minutes for optional break
135 minutes for session 2 as mentioned in the above table
Total testing time is 4.5 hours
Total appointment time is 5.5 hours
Candidates preparing for the CFA level 1 exam can also refer to the previous year CFA level 1 question papers and study material to have better understanding of the paper pattern.
Given below are the topic wise weightage for the CFA level 1 exam. The CFA Level 1 exam covers the following 10 areas.
Topics | Weight% |
---|---|
Ethical and Professional Standards | 15-20% |
Financial Statement Analysis | 13-17% |
Equity Investments | 10-12% |
Fixed Income | 10-12% |
Corporate Issuers | 8-12% |
Quantitative Methods | 8-12% |
Economics | 8-12% |
Portfolio Management | 5-8% |
Derivatives | 5-8% |
Alternative Investments | 5-8% |
Along with the knowledge of the paper pattern, it is vital for candidates to carefully look into the CFA Level 1 syllabus which contains topics and subtopics included in the CFA level 1 exam 2025. Complete information related to the topics, subtopics and concepts covered in the paper are provided under the subjects of CFA institute on its official website. By having an insight of the syllabus, candidates can prepare for the exam and devise their preparation strategy accordingly.
CFA exams are conducted in computer based mode.
You can give the CFA level 1 exam twice in a year with a gap of 6 months between two consecutive attempts.
No, there is no changes in the CFA level 1 exam fee due to changes in exam pattern.
The overall time duration of the CFA level 1 exam is 4.5 hours. Candidates have to give the CFA Level 1 exam in two sittings of 2.15 hrs each. There will also be an optional break of 30 minutes between both sessions.
CFA Level 1 exam is 4.5 hours long.
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