CFA Level 1 Exam Pattern 2025 - Mode, Weightage, Passing Score

CFA Level 1 Exam Pattern 2025 - Mode, Weightage, Passing Score

Edited By Sansar Singh Chhikara | Updated on Dec 30, 2024 11:22 AM IST | #CFA Exam
Ongoing Event
CFA Exam  Application Date : 12 Feb' 2025 - 05 Aug' 2025

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.

This Story also Contains
  1. Overview of CFA Level 1 Exam Pattern 2025
  2. CFA Level 1 Exam Pattern 2025
  3. Topics Wise Weightage of CFA Level 1 Exam
  4. CFA Level 1 Subjects 2025
CFA Level 1 Exam Pattern 2025 - Mode, Weightage, Passing Score
CFA Level 1 Exam Pattern 2025 - Mode, Weightage, Passing Score

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 2025

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.

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 2025

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.

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 2025

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 2025

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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the mode of CFA level 1 exam?

CFA exams are conducted in computer based mode.

2. How many times in a year can I appear in CFA level 1 exam?

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

3. Will there be any changes in the CFA level 1 exam fee due to changes in paper pattern?

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

4. What is the time duration of CFA level 1 exam?

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.

5. How long is CFA Level 1 exam?

CFA Level 1 exam is 4.5 hours long.

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