Chartered Financial Analyst®

Exam specific FAQ's

• Which exam board administers the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) examinations and can you book me on my exam?
  CFA Institute administers all the CFA® examinations. Purchasing our study material, BPP Online™ and/or enrolling on one of our CFA courses does not mean you are registered for your exam.

  To register for your exam, you need to contact CFA Institute directly on 001 434 951 5499 or by emailing info@cfainstitute.org. Alternatively, you can download the CFA registration and enrollment pack from their website at www.cfainstitute.org. Please note that CFA Institute is based on the East Coast of America and is therefore 5 hours behind GMT.

  For further exam information and details of the various exam registration and enrollment deadlines, click here

• Is the exam cost included in your prices?
  No. The exams are an additional cost. For details of the latest costs for the CFA examinations, click here

• What is the deadline for booking on the exams?
  The final deadlines for registering for the CFA exams are available by clicking here.  The earlier deadlines incurr lower fees and therefore it is advisable to book as early as possible. For details of these deadlines and fees, click here

• When and how do I get my exam results?
  Your results are available on the CFA Institute website approximately 90 days after your exam. Your results will also be posted out to you shortly after they are available online.

• Where can I get a copy of the syllabus?
  There is no specific syllabus available. When your CFA registration and enrollment form are accepted by CFA Institute, you will be sent the CFA Institute study guide in which you will find the 'Learning Outcome Statements' (the equivalent to a syllabus). Once you've registered as a CFA exam candidate, you can also download the study guide from the CFA Institute website.

• Am I exempt from any part of the CFA exams?
  CFA Institute do not generally grant exemptions but if you need to check with CFA Institute, please call them on 001 434 951 5499 or email info@cfainstitute.org. Please note that CFA Institute is based on the East Coast of America and is therefore 5 hours behind GMT.

• What calculators can be used in the exam?
  Two types of calculators are approved by CFA Institute for the CFA examinations: Texas Instruments (TI) BAII Plus and Hewlett Packard (HP) 12C (including the HP 12C Platinum). BPP Level I Study Material Package delegates receive the Texas Instruments BAII Plus calculator free-of-charge. HP 12C calculators can be purchased from www.rms-marketing.co.uk, www.amazon.com, or www.wfsleath.co.uk.

• Will my exam fee be returned if I am unable to sit the exam?
  CFA Institute has a no refund policy for candidates unable to sit the exam. Enrolment fees can also not be carried forward or transferred to another delegate.

• Will this designation help my employment prospects?
  This is a globally sought after qualification. It demonstrates a commitment to learning, ethical behaviour and professional competence, revered and respected by employers, clients and co-workers alike.

• How long does the CFA Program take to complete?
  With the Level I exam held twice a year and the Level II and III exams held once a year, it takes a minimum of 2 1/2 - 3 years to complete the CFA Program.

• Do I need to take the IMC before the CFA?
  It is not essential to gain the IMC qualification before embarking on your Level I CFA studies. However, the IMC does provide a solid foundation and introduction to the CFA syllabus. CFA Level I takes the IMC topic areas (with the exception of UK Regulation) and examines them in more detail.

  As a general guide, if you are confident of your ability in areas such as quantitative methods, economics and accounting, you probably do not need to sit the IMC. If you are not confident of your abitlies in these areas we recommend you attend our Introductory Basic Skills course.