The pass rate for the CFA Level 1 August 2025 exam was 43%. This figure represents a slight decrease from the 45% pass rates recorded in the February and May 2025 sessions. The 43% result reflects the performance of 26,192 candidates who sat for the exam.
The statistics from the CFA Institute make this very clear. For example, the August 2025 Level I exam had a pass rate of 43 percent. Over the past ten years, Level I pass rates have fluctuated between 39 and 45 percent. Level II averages around 46 percent, while Level III historically reaches 50 to 55 percent.
Overview of CFA Pass Rates Since 2014. The latest CFA pass rates are: 43% for Level 1 (Nov 2025) 42% for Level 2 (Nov 2025)
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.
Absolutely. With its global recognition, high demand, and strong salary prospects, the CFA remains one of the most valuable finance credentials in 2025.
CFA Institute, the global association of investment professionals, announces that of the 26,192 candidates worldwide who sat for the Level I CFA® Program exam in August 2025, 43 percent have 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.
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.”)
Here are the hardest CFA Level 1 topics to watch out for:
Apparently only 8 in a 1000 students pass all of CIMA exams in the first try? Archived post.
The CFA Institute released the August 2025 CFA Level I results on October 7, 2025. What Was the Official CFA Level 1 Pass Rate for 2025? The overall pass rate was 43 percent, while first-time candidates achieved a 50 percent pass rate.
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.
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.
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.
Listing CFA Level One in the education section of the resume
Write "Chartered Financial Analyst." Include a hyphen and "Passed Level 1" next to it with the year you earned the qualification.
Yes, you can get a job once you clear CFA Level 1, as it shows your strong financial reporting, quantitative, corporate finance, and income-based skills to employers.