
CFA 2026 is a globally recognized finance exam, and the Level 2 November 2025 result is now out. The February 2026 registration ran from April 29 to October 29, with Level 1 exams from February 2–8 and Level 3 from January 29–February 1.
The August 2026 registration started on November 11, 2025, with early registration until January 21 and closing on May 6, while the November 2026 early registration ends on April 15. Here also covers CFA eligibility, syllabus, exam pattern, and pass rates, helping students plan preparation and track important dates efficiently.
CFA 2026 refers to the Chartered Financial Analyst exam scheduled in the year 2026. The CFA exam is divided into three levels: Level I, Level II, and Level III. Each level tests different skills related to finance and investment.
The CFA course focuses on subjects like ethics, financial analysis, portfolio management, and economics. CFA 2026 is suitable for students who want long-term growth in finance-related roles such as financial analyst, investment banker, or portfolio manager.
CFA details also include the exam format. The exam is computer-based and conducted at test centers across many countries. Candidates must clear one level before moving to the next.
The CFA 2026 overview gives a quick and clear summary of the exam. It helps students understand key points such as exam levels, eligibility, registration mode, and syllabus at a glance.
|
Feature |
Details |
|
Exam Name |
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Exam 2026 |
|
Conducting Body |
CFA Institute |
|
Exam Levels |
Level I, Level II, Level III |
|
Exam Mode |
Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
|
Eligibility |
Final-year students, graduates, or candidates with approved work experience |
|
Career Scope |
Financial Analyst, Investment Banker, Portfolio Manager |
|
Exam Frequency |
Multiple exam windows each year |
|
Exam Duration |
135 minutes each for session 1 & session 2 |
|
Language |
English |
|
Exam Purpose |
To grant ‘CFA charter’ to investment and financial professionals |
|
Exam Helpdesk No. |
+000-800-100-4025 |
|
Exam Website |
CFA 2026 important dates details are given below, starting from registration and ending with the final exam window. It helps candidates track deadlines, exam schedules, and key result dates at a glance.
|
Event |
Date |
|
CFA 2026 Registration (Feb Level 1 & 3) |
29 Apr 2025 – 29 Oct 2025 |
|
CFA 2026 Early Registration Deadline (Feb Level 1 & 3) |
07 Jul 2025 |
|
CFA 2026 Invoice Payment Deadline (Feb Level 1 & 3) |
19 Sep 2025 |
|
CFA Level 2 2025 August Result |
09 Oct 2025 |
|
CFA 2026 Early Registration Last Date (Level 1 & 2 – May) |
14 Oct 2025 |
|
CFA Result 2025 Level 3 August Exam |
23 Oct 2025 |
|
CFA 2026 Scheduling Deadline (Feb Level 1 & 3) |
05 Nov 2025 |
|
CFA 2026 Registration (August Sessions) |
11 Nov 2025 |
|
CFA Result 2025 November |
Dec 2025 |
|
CFA 2026 Invoice Payment Deadline (Level 1 & 2 – May) |
03 Jan 2026 |
|
CFA 2026 Rescheduling Deadline (Feb Level 3) |
18 Jan 2026 |
|
CFA 2026 February Level 3 Rescheduling Deadline |
18 Jan 2026 |
|
CFA 2026 Early Registration Deadline (August Sessions) |
21 Jan 2026 |
|
CFA 2026 Rescheduling Deadline (Feb Level 1) |
22 Jan 2026 |
|
CFA 2026 February Level 1 Rescheduling Deadline |
22 Jan 2026 |
|
CFA 2026 February Level 3 Exam |
29 Jan 2026 – 02 Feb 2026 |
|
CFA 2026 February Level 1 Exam |
02 Feb 2026 – 08 Feb 2026 |
|
CFA 2026 Registrations (Level 1 & 2 – May) |
12 Aug 2025 – 12 Feb 2026 (Ongoing) |
|
CFA 2026 Level 1 & 2 May Scheduling Deadline |
18 Feb 2026 |
|
CFA 2026 Level 1 May Rescheduling Deadline |
01 May 2026 |
|
CFA 2026 Level 2 May Rescheduling Deadline |
08 May 2026 |
|
CFA 2026 May Level 1 Exam |
12 May 2026 – 18 May 2026 |
|
CFA 2026 May Level 2 Exam |
19 May 2026 – 23 May 2026 |
|
CFA 2026 August Level 1 Exam |
18 Aug 2026 – 24 Aug 2026 |
|
CFA 2026 November Level 1 Exam |
11 Nov 2026 – 17 Nov 2026 |
Before applying for CFA 2026, students must check the CFA eligibility rules carefully. The eligibility criteria are simple but important.
Candidates must have a valid international passport for registration and exam entry.
Applicants should have completed a bachelor’s degree or be in the final year of graduation.
Eligibility is also given to candidates with 4,000 hours of relevant work experience completed over at least 36 months.
Students must meet the Professional Conduct Admission criteria set by the CFA Institute.
A basic to good understanding of the English language is required, as the exam is conducted in English.
The CFA registration process is fully online and involves two main steps: exam enrollment and exam scheduling. Candidates must complete both steps within the given deadlines to confirm their exam attempt.
CFA registration starts with online enrollment on the official CFA Institute website.
Candidates must fill in the application form and pay the required registration fee before the last date.
After enrollment, students must schedule their exam by selecting a test centre and exam date based on availability.
Exam scheduling must be completed before the official scheduling deadline.
Registration for each CFA level is usually opened about six months in advance.
This timeline allows students to register first, prepare for around six months, and then appear for the exam.
CFA 2026 exam dates have been announced for different levels and exam windows by the CFA Institute. As per the current schedule, CFA Level 1 exams are planned in February, May, August, and November 2026, while Level 2 exams are scheduled for May 2026.
Candidates must choose their exact exam date within the given window during the scheduling process and appear for the exam only on the selected date.
CFA 2026 admit card is available online after candidates complete their exam scheduling. At present, the CFA Institute does not issue a traditional printed admit card. Instead, candidates must log in to their CFA account to view exam details such as exam date and test center.
On the exam day, students are required to carry a valid international passport, which serves as the primary document for entry and identity verification at the test center.
The CFA 2026 syllabus is structured across three levels, gradually building knowledge from basic concepts to advanced application in finance and investment. Each level focuses on different skills to prepare candidates for real-world financial decision-making.
Level I: Covers fundamental concepts of finance, investment, ethics, and quantitative methods. The curriculum is now organized into smaller, easier-to-study lessons.
Level II: Builds on Level I knowledge, focusing on detailed analysis and application of financial tools and investment concepts. Minor updates have been added to improve clarity.
Level III: Emphasizes synthesizing knowledge from Levels I and II to make effective investment and portfolio management decisions. Minor adjustments have been made to reflect current industry practices.
Overall Design: The CFA curriculum is structured so that candidates gain deeper insights as they progress, moving from understanding basics to applying concepts in real-world scenarios.
The CFA Exam Pattern differs at each level, focusing on multiple-choice questions, item sets, and essays to test candidates’ knowledge and application skills. The exams are conducted in two sessions per day, with duration and question types varying for Level I, II, and III.
|
CFA Level |
Exam Type |
Number of Questions / Item Sets |
Duration |
Sessions |
|
Level I |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
180 MCQs |
135 minutes per session |
2 sessions |
|
Level II |
Item Set Questions |
22 item sets (44 MCQs) |
2 hours 12 minutes per session |
2 sessions (11 sets per session) |
|
Level III |
Item Sets & Constructed Response (Essay) |
Item sets with vignettes + essay questions |
4 hours 24 minutes total |
2 sessions |
CFA pass rates show how many students clear the exam in one attempt. The CFA exam is known to be challenging, and pass rates are usually moderate.
Below is a general idea of CFA pass rates based on past years. These numbers may change for CFA 2026 but help students understand the difficulty level.
|
CFA Level |
Average Pass Rate |
|
Level I |
35%–40% |
|
Level II |
40%–45% |
|
Level III |
45%–50% |
CFA pass rates depend on preparation quality, practice, and concept clarity. Regular study and revision can improve the chance of success in CFA 2026.
The CFA results are released online a few weeks after the exam window closes and indicate whether a candidate has passed or not. The result also provides a topic-wise performance summary, helping students understand strengths and areas to improve.
Steps to Check CFA 2026 Result:
Complete Practical Skills Module (PSM): Candidates must finish the PSM before they can access their CFA result.
Receive Result Notification: CFA Institute emails candidates when results are available, typically after 5–8 weeks, depending on the exam level.
Visit Official Website: Go to the CFA Institute website and log in to your account.
Navigate to Results Section: Click on the ‘Programs’ tab and select the results option.
Enter Credentials: Provide your registered email ID and password to access the result.
View and Download Result: The result will display ‘Pass’ or ‘Did Not Pass’ along with a detailed performance summary.
Print a Copy: Download and take a printout for future reference.
Expected Timeline: Level I & II results are generally available 8–10 weeks after the exam window, and Level III results are available around 10 weeks after the exam.
Effective preparation is key to clearing CFA 2026. Students should plan a consistent study schedule, practice regularly, and focus on understanding concepts thoroughly.
Start Early: Begin preparation well in advance to cover all topics without last-minute pressure.
Daily Study Routine: Study every day to maintain consistency and reinforce learning.
Follow the Syllabus: Read the CFA syllabus carefully and focus on important subjects like ethics, economics, and portfolio management.
Practice Questions: Solve questions regularly to improve problem-solving speed and accuracy.
Take Mock Tests: Mock exams help understand the pattern, manage time, and identify weak areas.
Focus on Ethics: Ethics is crucial at all levels and significantly impacts CFA pass rates.