Straight answers about the CFA Program, checked against CFA Institute's own pages and dated, so you know how fresh each figure is.
What the CFA charter is, who awards it, the three exams, the 4,000 hours of work experience and what it costs, checked against CFA Institute in October 2026.
CFA Level I in one page: 180 questions, two 135-minute sessions, the 2026 and 2027 topic weights, exam windows and recent pass rates from CFA Institute.
How CFA Level II works: 22 item sets and 88 questions in two 132-minute sessions, topic weights, 2026 to 2027 windows and recent pass rates from CFA Institute.
CFA Level III explained: the three pathways, item sets and essay sets, topic weights, the 2027 windows, fees and recent pass rates from CFA Institute.
An honest look at whether the CFA is worth it: USD 3,520 to 4,570 in exam fees, about 900 hours of study, pass rates near 40-50%, and the careers it fits.
CFA exam fees for 2026 to 2027 (USD 1,140 to 1,590 per level), early registration deadlines, who can enroll and how to register, from CFA Institute.
Every CFA exam window from November 2026 to November 2027 for Level I, II and III, with registration and scheduling deadlines, from CFA Institute's calendar.
CFA pass rates by level and window for 2025 and 2026, the ten-year averages, and how the minimum passing score works, from CFA Institute data.
CFA Institute says successful candidates report over 300 hours per level. What that means in weeks at 10, 15 or 20 hours a week, and when to start.
A week-by-week CFA Level I study plan: 300 hours over 20 weeks, weighted by the 2027 exam outline, with review and mock exam weeks.
CFA vs FRM compared: who awards each, exams, study hours, work experience and the careers each suits, from CFA Institute and GARP pages read in October 2026.
CFA vs MBA: a specialist investment credential against a general business degree. Cost, time, study style and the careers each one fits.
CFA vs CMA compared: investment analysis against management accounting. Exams, requirements, timelines and career fit, from CFA Institute and IMA pages.
CFA vs ACCA: an investment analysis credential against a professional accountancy qualification. What each leads to, how they are earned and how to choose.
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