Chewing gum is generally not allowed in the CFA exam testing room, as it falls under the restriction of food and prohibited personal items. While 300Hours suggests some may have tried, official Prometric regulations and CFA Institute policies strictly prohibit food and substances. Only water in a clear, container with the label removed is allowed in the room.
Chew gum during the actual exam
If you've had a look at our CFA exam day checklist, you'll see that although the CFA Institute is pretty strict on items allowed into the exam hall, you can bring sweets and chewing gum with you. Use this to your advantage!
You must remove bottle labels before entering. Any bottles containing anything other than water or with labels on will be taken away from you. Chewing gum and sweets (including cough sweets) are not allowed. If the alarm sounds, remain silent and listen to the instructions given to you by the invigilator.
Calculator cases, keystroke cards, and loose batteries. Eyeglasses (without the case) Additional personal items allowed in the test center (PDF) Valid international passport.
The CFA Institute and Prometric provide a laminated sheet or whiteboard for you to use during the exam. You will not be allowed to bring your own writing utensils, eraser, or scratch paper into the exam room.
Average Age of CFA Candidates
Although many candidates are in their late twenties or early thirties, the Program has a wide age range. Many begin at 35, 40, or even 50. Some of the most thoughtful, determined candidates are the ones who start later. Experience is not a burden.
The 10th and 90th percentiles were removed from the report because we have added scale scores. Scale scores add more precision to your results interpretation. The 10th and 90th percentiles only provide a comparison of your result against other candidates in the same administration.
No, Kim Kardashian has not yet passed the main California Bar Exam, failing her first attempt in July 2025, but she did pass the California "Baby Bar" (First-Year Law Students' Exam) in 2021 after several tries, which is a key step in her non-traditional law path. She has publicly shared her disappointment but remains determined to keep studying and retake the main exam, vowing to succeed, as seen on The Kardashians and her social media.
Chewing gum can boost your test scores? Although it's definitely not the only factor in success, research has found that chewing some gum while studying can boost performances during exams.
For decades, it has been a standard school rule that no gum is allowed. These adults have argued that students don't dispose of gum properly and chewing can be a distraction.
The CFA Level 1 passing score is not fixed every year, but it usually stays between 65% and 70%. CFA Institute does not publish an official cut-off, but this range is considered the minimum benchmark to pass.
Each candidate is allowed up to six total attempts per exam level. Candidates who are unsuccessful after six attempts at the same level are no longer eligible to register —this applies to attempts under both existing and newly created accounts.
Yes, you absolutely can. Many charterholders succeeded by following a structured CFA study plan for working professionals that prioritized high-yield topics and steady progress. AnalystPrep's study tools are tailored to help you pass the CFA while working.
CFA Exams Pass Rates
The CFA exams are perhaps the most challenging exams out there. They are often referred to as “bar none” the toughest exams—even harder than medical school or law school exams—with pass rates that hover around 50% and were much lower during the recent pandemic.
Three months can be enough time, but typically it takes a candidate at least six months to prepare for the CFA Level 2 exam.
Depending on your testing center, you may be provided with an erasable writing tablet instead. To get additional scratch paper, you must use all available sides on the one previously provided to you. These items must be returned at the end of the exam (not at the break).
The night before an exam should be spent getting in the right mindset. However, students often fall into these common mistakes: not having dinner, drinking too much caffeine, re-reading over their notes, cramming and not getting enough sleep. All these mistakes can result in them not performing their best the next day.