Yes, a score of 70% or higher on the CFA Level 1 exam is widely considered sufficient to pass, as historical Minimum Passing Scores (MPS) generally fall below this threshold, often ranging between 62%-70%. Aiming for 70% or more in mock exams provides a safe margin, although some candidates may pass with scores as low as 65% depending on the specific, adjusted difficulty of the exam sitting.
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.
CFA Level 1 Passing Score
The CFA Institute Board of Governors sets the MPS for each level, and that changes with each cycle of new candidates. Some years test takers will receive a 65% overall score and fail, while in other years candidates have received a 62% score and passed.
Is CFA tougher than CA? A: The CFA and CA (Chartered Accountant) qualifications have different focuses and challenges. While both are demanding, many find CA to be more rigorous due to its extensive practical training and exams.
CFA Level I Pass Rate Stays at 43% for November Test
Candidates who put off taking the test have a smaller likelihood of success. Those who took the Level I exam in November with at least one deferral saw a 29% pass rate, compared with 49% for first-time candidates, the CFA Institute said.
CFA Level 1 is widely considered a very difficult exam due to its broad curriculum, demanding study commitment (often 300+ hours), challenging technical content, and typical ~40% pass rates, requiring strong discipline to learn and recall foundational finance concepts, though it's often seen as the most manageable of the three levels because it focuses on learning and describing rather than deep analysis. Success hinges on consistent study, mastering core topics like Ethics, FSA, and Investments, and effective exam technique, making it a significant hurdle for many.
The Institute considers a score of 70% or higher sufficient mastery of the topic, and a. candidate who scores above the 70% line on most topics can expect to pass the exam. Scores between 50% and 70% represent areas for light improvement, and below 50% areas for major improvement.
Many successful CFA charterholders failed Level 1 once or more before eventually passing. You're in good company. Give yourself a day or two to sit with the disappointment, then get ready to rise.
First-time candidates achieved a pass rate of 49 percent. Candidates testing after at least one deferral had a pass rate of 29 percent. Our data consistently shows that staying on schedule is one of the strongest predictors of exam success.” Successful Level I candidates may now progress to Level II of the CFA Program.
In-Depth Breakdown of the Most Difficult CFA Level 1 Topics & How to Tackle Them
Instead, a deep understanding of the principles is necessary to pass this level successfully. It would be safe to generalize that most CFA charterholders would call Level 2 the hardest of the CFA Exams. However, with patience, dedication, and practice, candidates can conquer the Level 2 Exam.
If you are currently a candidate in the CFA Program:
Include your participation in the CFA Program in the education section of your resume. (For example: “CFA® Program participant, CFA Institute.”) You may also list the levels completed. (For example: “Completed Level I in 2020.”)
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.
However, let's put things into perspective: the CFA Level 1 exam is not a math test. The CFA Institute has made it clear that calculations will account for no more than 30% of the questions on the exam. To put it in numbers, that's a maximum of 54 out of the 180 questions.
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.
CFA Charterholder vs.
MBAs are in a much broader field of careers than CFA Charterholders but where they do overlap can be in the fields of finance and management. Regardless, according CFA Institute, the average salary for a CFA is $180,000 and the average salary for an MBA is $107,000.
Here are the hardest CFA Level 1 topics to watch out for:
Yes, the answer to Is CFA easy for CA students is that many CA students find CFA easier. It is due to the rigidity of the CA exams, as it is considered the toughest of all the accounting and finance exams to crack.
The Vatican has the highest CFA charterholders per capita, followed by Cayman.