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CFA Level 1 Syllabus 2025: The Chartered Financial Analyst Institute provides complete details related to the CFA level 1 subjects 2025 on its official website - cfainstitute.org. CFA level 1 syllabus 2025 will covers 10 subjects from different areas of finance. Candidates desirous of appearing for the upcoming sessions of the CFA level 1 exam should familiarise themselves with the syllabus of CFA level 1.
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The CFA level 1 exam syllabus is divided into two parts to attempted in two sessions. There will be 90 CFA level 1 questions in each of the two sessions based on the 10 CFA level 1 subjects. The detailed CFA level 1 syllabus 2025, including topics, weightage and other important details are given in this article.
The CFA Institute has already specified that there are 10 core topics in the CFA Level 1 syllabus 2025. CFA Institute has also specified the weightage for each of the 10 sections that will be covered in the CFA Level 1 exam. The complete list of CFA Level 1 subjects and topic-wise weightage has been given in the table below:
Topic | Exam weight |
Ethical and Professional Standards | 15-20% |
Quantitative Methods | 6-9% |
Economics | 6-9% |
Financial Statement Analysis | 11-14% |
Corporate Issuers | 6-9% |
Equity Investments | 11-14% |
Fixed Income | 11-14% |
Derivatives | 5–8% |
Alternative Investments | 7-10% |
Portfolio Management | 8-12% |
The syllabus of CFA Level 1 includes topics from subject areas such as ethical and professional standards, economics, equity investments, corporate issuers and finance, quantitative methods, financial statement analysis, fixed income, derivatives, alternative investments, portfolio management and investment analysis.
Each CFA level 1 subject carries a different weightage in the exam. Candidates should have clarity in all the CFA level 1 subject areas and devote proper time to qualify in the CFA Level 1 exam. The detailed topic wise CFA Level 1 syllabus is given below.
CFA Syllabus Level 1 | Topics | Aim of Study |
---|---|---|
Ethical and Professional Standards |
|
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Quantitative Methods |
| Exploring about quantitative concepts and techniques used in financial analysis; investment decision making |
Economics |
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Financial Statement Analysis |
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Corporate Issuers/ Finance |
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Equity Investments |
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Fixed Income |
|
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Derivatives |
|
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Alternative Investments |
| Know about edge funds, private equity, real estate, commodities, and infrastructure |
Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning |
| Learn about the fundamentals of portfolio and risk management |
Know how to prepare for CFA level 1 exam
The Chartered Financial Analyst Institute made significant changes in the number of questions asked as well as the exam duration. In the CFA level 1 exams for 2025 session, the exam will be conducted in two sessions of 2 hours and 15 minutes each. As per the CFA level 1 exam pattern, candidates have to solve 180 multiple-choice questions (90 MCQs in each session). All the CFA level 1 questions will carry equal weightage and will be based on the 10 topics mentioned in the above table. As per the CFA level 1 exam pattern 2025, there will be no negative marking for wrong answers in the exam.
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 |
It must also be noted that with effect from 2021, the exam format of CFA exams has been changed from paper-based examination to computer-based exam. The Chartered Financial Analyst Institute now conducts the CFA level 1 exam in four sittings - February, May, August and November. To qualify, CFA level 1 study material provided by the institute should be referred to.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
CFA Level 1 has a total of 10 topic areas or subjects
There are total of 10 subjects under the CFA level 1 exam.
You should devote at least 300 hours to qualify the CFA level 1 exam.
Yes, study material provided by the institute is sufficient and quite extensive. It is always advisable to look for additional study notes and practice previous year question papers to get a better understanding.
No, there will not be any negative marking in CFA level 1 exam.
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