CFA ® Exam Overview
What is the CFA® Charter
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A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) charter is a designation given to those who have completed the CFA® Program and completed acceptable work experience requirements.
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The CFA Program is a three-part exam that tests the fundamentals of investment tools, valuing assets, portfolio management, and wealth planning.
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Charter Holders often find the CFA® to both expand their knowledge and advance their career.
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97% of charter holders report an improved investment understanding according to a June 2017 Candidate Survey from the CFA Institute.
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Charter Holders gain access to a global community of investment professionals with CFA® local societies in nearly every major city worldwide.
![man giving cfa overview](https://www.princetonreview.com/cms-content/exam-overiew-pic.jpg?preview=1)
A Real Return on Investment
The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) Exam is administered in three levels, by the CFA Institute in over 170 cities worldwide. The CFA® curriculum prepares candidates to be effective and ethical investment management professionals.
In addition to passing the three exam levels, the CFA® institute has a diverse set of requirements including:
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Holding a bachelor’s degree
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Four years of professional work experience
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Own an international travel passport
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Able to take the exams in English
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Meet the professional conduct admission criteria
For those who are curious, we have outlined the 2022 curriculum.
2022 CFA® Program Curriculum by Level
![CFR weighted chart of topics](https://www.princetonreview.com/cms-content/mobile-chart-cfa-overview.jpg?preview=1)
Enrollment Criteria and Requirements for CFA Program
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Meet One of the Following Enrollment Requirements
Bachelor's Degree
Complete a bachelor's program or equivalent program and have received a degree from the college/university. If you are not sure if your program is comparable, consult your college or university.
Undergraduate Student
Your selected exam window must be 11 months or fewer before your graduation month for your bachelor’s degree or equivalent program. Understand that you must complete your degree program prior to the date of sitting your Level II exam.
Professional Work Experience
Have a combination of 4,000 hours of work experience and/or higher education that was acquired over a minimum of three sequential years and achieved by the date of registering for the Level I exam.
The dates of education and professional work experience cannot be overlapping. If you have a combination of work experience and higher education to achieve the minimum hours and years, assume that higher education takes 1,000 hours per year. -
Have an International Travel Passport
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Be Prepared to Take Exams in English
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Meet the Professional Conduct Admission Criteria
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Live in a Participating Country
For details, please visit www.cfainstitute.org