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Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) is a globally recognised designation provided by the CFA Institute. To attain this certification, candidates are required to pursue the CFA course, which comprises a total of three levels of exams. It assesses students on a varied range of concepts, be it Financial, Accounting-related, or Mathematical. By completing the CFA course, you can choose from various prospects available in the Finance and Investment sector globally. If you are planning to study this program, here is a comprehensive blog that details the key essentials of CFA Level 1, what it comprises, as well as its exam pattern and marking scheme.
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What is the CFA Exam?
The CFA exam is bifurcated into three parts: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. Quite similar to the CA course, candidates need to clear all three levels of this exam to qualify for the certification of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). The CFA Level 1 mainly evaluates a candidate on their basic knowledge of investment tools. Moving to the next level, the complex analytical concepts and understanding of asset valuation are examined. Then, for level three, the advanced level concepts of Finance and Investment are assessed, including portfolio management and wealth planning, amongst others.
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | Chartered Financial Analyst Exam |
| Level of Exam | National |
| Conducting Body | The Chartered Financial Analyst Institute |
| Duration of CFA Level 1 Exam | Two equal sessions of 2.15 hours each make up a total length of 4.5 hours. |
| Frequency of Exam | Four Times in a Year: February, May, August, and November |
| Mode of the Exam | Online |
| Language of Exam | English |
| Enrollment Fee | USD 350 (INR 28,897) |
| Official Website | www.cfainstitute.org |
What is the CFA Level 1 Exam?
The Level I test is divided into two 135-minute sessions with 180 multiple-choice questions (session times are approximate). Between sessions, there is an optional break. Candidates must take both sessions to receive an exam result.
- 90 multiple-choice questions covering ethical and professional standards, mathematical methodologies, economics, and financial reporting and analysis in the first session (2 hours, 15 minutes).
- 90 multiple-choice questions covering corporate finance, equities, fixed income, derivatives, alternative investments, and portfolio management in the second session (2 hours, 15 minutes).
Exams for the CFA are currently held across India, with capacity limitations and other restrictions. Aspirants who missed the November test owing to the continuing pandemic can take the CFA Institute’s Online Proctored Test (OPT). Candidates will get further information about OPT through email.
CFA Level 1 Exam Syllabus
As the beginning step of the course, the CFA Level 1 mainly consists of basic concepts of the academic disciplines of Finance and Investment. The cutoff for different subjects can vary, and here is a table listing the various subjects of the level 1, general marking scheme, as well as the included topics.
| Subjects in CFA Level 1 | Percentage of Marks | Topics |
| Ethics | 15 | Global Investment Performance Standards Standard of Professional Conduct |
| Financial Reporting Analysis | 15 | Income statement Drafting Balance sheet Financial Reporting Mechanics and Standards |
| Equity Investment | 11 | Market Efficiency Security Market Indices Market Organization and Structure |
| Fixed Income Analysis | 11 | Fixed Income Markets Fixed Income Securities Introduction to Fixed Income Valuation |
| Quantitative Analysis | 10 | Discounted Cash Flow Applications Time Value of Money Statistical Concepts and Market Returns |
| Corporate Finance | 10 | Cost of Capital Capital Budgeting |
| Economics | 10 | Firm and Market Structure Demand and Supply Analysis Aggregate Output, Prices, Economic Growth |
| Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning | 6 | Basics of Portfolio Planning and Construction |
| Derivatives | 6 | Derivative Markets and Instruments |
| Alternative Investment | 6 | Mutual Funds Real estate |
Also Read: Short-Term Courses in Finance
Let’s look at the subjects for the CFA Level 1 Exam and understand them in detail.
Ethics and Professional Standards
The code of conduct, professional standards, and the Global Investment Performance Standards are all covered in this section (GIPS) with a weight of 15% to 20%. The subject has between 27 and 36 questions, and the Institute takes this component very seriously. If a candidate’s scores on all other topics are low or close to the minimum passing score, the score on this part may determine whether the candidate passes or fails. One advantage of studying ethics thoroughly is that it aids in the preparation for Level II and Level III exams.
Quantitative Methods
While the ethical component is more scenario-oriented and straightforward, the quantitative methods section may be scary to certain students. A Ph.D. in mathematics is not required to excel in quantitative approaches, but a foundation in statistics is advantageous. With a 6%-to-9% weighting, candidates should expect 15 to 22 quantitative method questions. The topics covered are designed to provide an understanding of the analytical tools and methodologies required for financial analysis and investment decision-making.
Economics
The economics component assesses understanding of fundamental micro and macroeconomic concepts. These include supply and demand analysis, oligopoly and monopoly market structures, aggregate output, prices, economic growth, and business cycles and their impact on economic activity. Economics accounts for 6% to 9% of the Level I test.
Financial Statement Analysis
With a weight of 11% to 14%, this is the second-largest section on the Level I exam. Financial reporting and analysis have a somewhat lower weight in the Level II course; therefore, it’s critical to devote adequate time to studying this topic to lay a good basis for following exams.
Candidates will be expected to evaluate and comprehend primary financial statements (balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement), as well as understand ratios and a variety of advanced topics such as revenue recognition, inventory analysis, long-term assets, and taxes.
Corporate Issuers
The part on corporate finance follows financial reporting and analysis and has a 6%-to-9% weight in the Level I exam. It introduces corporate governance as well as investment and financing decisions. This topic also emphasizes the growing importance of environmental and social factors in investing. Capital planning, cost of capital, leverage, and working capital management are all important concerns.
Portfolio Management
The Level I exam solely covers the fundamentals of portfolio management. The Modern Portfolio Theory and the Capital Asset Pricing Model are vital principles. This portion contains between 8 and 12 questions and serves as preparation for Levels II and III, which focus on the application of portfolio management expertise.
Equity Investments
The section on equities discusses equity markets and instruments, as well as valuation methods and techniques. Candidates should pay great attention to this subject because it establishes the groundwork for Levels II and III of study. The Level I exam has about 11% to 14% equity questions, with the majority of the questions focusing on evaluating and analysing companies.
Fixed Income
Following equities, the exam moves on to fixed-income markets and related instruments. Candidates must be familiar with the characteristics of various fixed-income instruments as well as how to price them. The yield measurements, duration, and convexity are all significant concepts. This section also covers structured instruments like mortgage-backed securities and collateralised mortgage obligations. Fixed income questions make up 11% to 14% of the exam.
Derivatives
Derivatives, like portfolio management, are only introduced in Level I. Candidates will be examined on the fundamentals of futures, forwards, swaps, options, and derivative hedging techniques. This area, like portfolio management, has a 5%-to-8% weight in the Level I test, which corresponds to between 9 and 15 questions.
Alternative Investments
Alternative investments covered in this section include real estate, private equity, hedge funds, infrastructure, and commodities. The Level I curriculum for alternative investments is introductory, with an exam weight of 7% to 10%; therefore, expect between 9 and 15 questions. Candidates should take this section seriously, given its increased importance in recent years and the fact that it has a somewhat larger weight in Levels II and III.
Must Read: CFA Syllabus
CFA Level 1 Exam Fee
A certain amount needs to be deposited for the CFA Level 1 exam. Here we have mentioned the fee for each step that the student should know.
| Particulars | Fees (USD) | Fees (INR) |
| CFA level 1 enrollment fee | 350 | 28,897 |
| Early registration fee | 900 | 74,308 |
| Standard registration fee | 1200 | 99,077 |
| Late registration fee | 1450 | 1,19,719 |
| Rescheduling Fee | 250 | 20,641 |
CFA Level 1 Exam Eligibility Criteria
As the commencing step of the CFA course, candidates need to meet the eligibility criteria of the first level to register for this exam. Here are the major prerequisites you need to fulfil to qualify for CFA Level 1:
- The candidate must have completed their undergraduate degree, and those who are in the final year of their graduation are also eligible.
- 4 years of work experience in a Finance-related career profile or a combination of their university education, as well as employment, should be a total of four years.
- The candidate needs to submit more than two reference letters from reputed and established professionals in the Finance and Investment industry.
CFA Level 1 Exam Format
Before detailing the CFA Level 1, let’s take a look at the general format and structure of the three levels of this course.
| Level | No. Of Questions | Types of Questions | Duration |
| CFA Level 1 | 240 | Multiple Choice Questions | 6 hours |
| CFA Level 2 | 120 | Combination of Questions and Essays | 6 hours |
| CFA Level 3 | 120 | Essays | 6 hours |
How To Prepare For the CFA Level 1 Exam
Giving oneself ample time to study is one of the most significant approaches to preparing for the CFA Level I test. Candidates can tailor their preparation for the CFA Program to their requirements and circumstances. The data below should be taken into account while devising a study strategy for the CFA Level I test.
- The average successful applicant reported preparing for the Level I test in June 2019 for 303 hours.
- Because the CFA Level I test is self-paced, applicants will devote varied amounts of time to prepare for it, depending on how close their exam date is. For example, if a candidate spent a year studying for the CFA Level I test, he or she would have spent around 25 hours each month studying.
- On average, it takes 4–5 years for a candidate to pass all three tests. Successful applicants report studying for each level for roughly 300 hours, with the CFA Level I test taking 303 hours, the CFA Level II exam 328 hours, and the CFA Level III exam 344 hours.
CFA Level 1 Exam Recommended Books
Here are the recommended books for the students who want to pass the CFA Level 1 exam. These books will help you to ace this exam.
| Book Names | Authors |
| Investment Banking: Valuation, Leveraged Buyouts, and Mergers & Acquisitions | Pearl and Rosenbaum |
| The Handbook of Fixed Income Securities | Frank J. Fabozzi |
| Strategic Value Investing: Practical Techniques of Leading Value Investors | Stephen M. Horan, Robert R. Johnson and Thomas R. Robinson |
| 2022 CFA Level I | Kaplan Schweser |
| CFA Level I | Bhupesh Anand |
Must Read: CFA Level 2
Tips for Passing the CFA Level 1 Exam
By following certain tips, you can increase your chances of passing the Level CFA exam. Here we have mentioned the tips to pass the CFA Level 1 exam for the students.
- Unless otherwise stated, exam questions about financial statement analysis are based on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The question will make it clear if it is based on U.S. GAAP.
- Be at ease using your calculator. Verify that you are familiar with how to use the calculator’s features so you can respond to the learning outcome statements (LOS).
- Respond to all inquiries. Incorrect answers are not penalised in any way.
- Don’t overdress. There is no set attire, but layering is recommended for comfort.
Candidates may require proctor assistance at any point during the exam’s normal course. Proctors will arrive at workstations as soon as they can to offer assistance. If possible, we advise candidates to finish their exams before a proctor arrives. To ensure that candidates still have enough time to answer all questions, the exam writers designed the test to account for brief pauses or interruptions.
FAQs
CFA exams are not easy, and Level 1 is just the start. Commonly cited as one of the world’s hardest exams, CFA Level 1’s difficulty is comparable to a diploma level and gets harder from then on.
The Level I exam consists of 180 multiple-choice questions, split between two 135-minute sessions (session times are approximate). There is an optional break between sessions. Candidates must take both sessions to receive an exam result.
Successful Level I candidates spend roughly 300 hours preparing for the exam. The best strategy is to leave at least four months (approximately 17 weeks) to finish all the reading material.
CFA and JEE are different. JEE is more math and logic-based, while CFA demands financial knowledge and practice. For non-commerce students, CFA can feel more challenging initially.
After clearing CFA Level 1, you can earn INR 4–6 LPA in India as a fresher in finance roles like equity research or analyst jobs. Salary improves with experience and further levels.
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| Certified Management Account (CMA) Jobs in Australia | Career in Finance |
| 15 Highest Salary Jobs for Commerce Students | MS in Data Analytics in Canada for International Students |
Thus, we hope that this blog provides you with the key essentials of the CFA Level 1 and what it entails. If you are planning to pursue a professional program in Finance or Accounting in India or you want to study abroad, our Leverage Edu experts are here to guide you throughout the process of finding an ideal course and university that aligns with your interests and career aspirations.
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