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    CFA Level 1 Exam Pattern 2026 - Mode, Weightage, Passing Score

    CFA Level 1 Exam Pattern 2026 - Mode, Weightage, Passing Score

    Sansar Singh ChhikaraUpdated on 27 Nov 2025, 04:19 PM IST

    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.

    This Story also Contains

    1. Overview of CFA Level 1 Exam Pattern 2026
    2. CFA Level 1 Exam Pattern 2026
    3. Topics Wise Weightage of CFA Level 1 Exam
    4. CFA Level 1 Subjects 2026
    CFA Level 1 Exam Pattern 2026 - Mode, Weightage, Passing Score
    CFA Level 1 Exam Pattern 2026

    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.

    Overview of CFA Level 1 Exam Pattern 2026

    Those candidates who have completed CFA registrations for the upcoming sessions of CFA Level 1 exam can check the given table to have a better understanding of the CFA exam pattern 2026.

    Exam Pattern of CFA level 1

    ParticularsDetails

    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

    • Session 1 - 90 MCQs

    • Session 2 - 90 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

    CFA Level 1 Exam Pattern 2026

    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. Candidates must appear in both sittings to receive the CFA level 1 result 2025.

    CFA level 1 exam schedule for both sessions

    SittingTime DurationNo. of QuestionsTopics Included

    Morning

    2 hours, 15 minutes

    90 Multiple choice questions

    • Ethics & professional standards

    • Quantitative methods

    • Economics

    • Financial Statement analysis

    Afternoon

    2 hours, 15 minutes

    90 Multiple choice questions

    • Corporate Issuers

    • Portfolio Management

    • Equity Investments

    • Fixed income

    • Derivatives

    • Alternative investments

    Total

    4.5 hours

    180 Multiple choice questions

    -

    Total CFA level 1 Exam Length

    • 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

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    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.

    Topics Wise Weightage of CFA Level 1 Exam

    Given below are the topic wise weightage for the CFA level 1 exam. The CFA Level 1 exam covers the following 10 areas.

    CFA level 1 Exam weightage 2026

    TopicsWeight%

    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%

    CFA Level 1 Subjects 2026

    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 2026. 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.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Q: What is the mode of CFA level 1 exam?
    A:

    CFA exams are conducted in computer based mode.

    Q: How many times in a year can I appear in CFA level 1 exam?
    A:

    You can give the CFA level 1 exam twice in a year with a gap of 6 months between two consecutive attempts.

    Q: What is the time duration of CFA level 1 exam?
    A:

    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.

    Q: How long is CFA Level 1 exam?
    A:

    CFA Level 1 exam is 4.5 hours long.

    Q: Will there be any changes in the CFA level 1 exam fee due to changes in paper pattern?
    A:

    No, there is no changes in the CFA level 1 exam fee due to changes in exam pattern.

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