{"id":4365,"date":"2024-12-30T11:34:54","date_gmt":"2024-12-30T06:04:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thewallstreetschool.com\/blog\/?p=4365"},"modified":"2025-09-17T16:00:24","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T10:30:24","slug":"2025-level-1-cfa-exam-syllabus-in-detail","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thewallstreetschool.com\/blog\/2025-level-1-cfa-exam-syllabus-in-detail\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 Level 1 CFA\u00ae Exam in Detail"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Level 1 CFA Exam is your first step towards becoming a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), a prestigious global qualification for finance professionals. This exam is the foundation for a rewarding career in investment management, equity research, and more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The CFA Level 1 exam is well-structured, covering the basics of financial topics. With <\/span>CFA Level 1 exam dates 2025<\/span> announced, now is the perfect time to begin preparing. Each level has its syllabus, so the earlier you start the better you prepare.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We are here to guide you with the exam dates, exam format, syllabus, and pattern. Read on and make your journey to becoming a CFA smooth.<\/span><\/p>\n

CFA Level 1 Syllabus 2025<\/span><\/h2>\n

The <\/span>CFA Level I syllabus 2025<\/span> is divided into ten topics. Each topic has several learning modules. At the start of each module, you will find learning outcome statements. These outline what you need to learn. Below are the current topic outlines and their weights:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Topic<\/b><\/td>\nCore curriculum<\/b><\/td>\nExam weight (%)<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ethical and Professional Standards<\/span><\/td>\nFocus on ethics, decision-making frameworks, and the CFA Institute Code of Ethics, Professional Conduct, and GIPS standards<\/span><\/td>\n15\u201320%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Quantitative Methods<\/span><\/td>\nExplore descriptive statistics, probability theory, risk quantification, and techniques for financial analysis and investment decisions<\/span><\/td>\n6\u20139%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Economics<\/span><\/td>\nStudy supply and demand, market structures, macroeconomic principles, economic growth, and the business cycle\u2019s effect on economic activity<\/span><\/td>\n6\u20139%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Financial Statement Analysis<\/span><\/td>\nUnderstand financial reporting, and accounting standards, and analyze primary financial statements with alternative accounting methods<\/span><\/td>\n11\u201314%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Corporate Issuers<\/span><\/td>\nExplore corporate governance, investing, financing decisions, stakeholder management, and environmental\/social factors in investing<\/span><\/td>\n6\u20139%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fixed Income<\/span><\/td>\nStudy fixed-income securities, yield measures, risks, valuation, bond returns, credit analysis, and securitization of assets.<\/span><\/td>\n11\u201314%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Equity Investments<\/span><\/td>\nLearn equity investment characteristics, security markets, company analysis, and equity valuation models for long-term growth and diversification<\/span><\/td>\n11\u201314%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Derivatives<\/span><\/td>\nUnderstand basic derivatives like forwards, futures, swaps, and options, along with arbitrage and their pricing relation to underlying assets<\/span><\/td>\n5\u20138%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Alternative Investments<\/span><\/td>\nTalks about hedge funds, private equity, real estate, commodities, and infrastructure for diversification and higher returns<\/span><\/td>\n7\u201310%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Portfolio Management<\/span><\/td>\nLearn portfolio and risk management, return and risk measurement, and optimal portfolio construction using the capital asset pricing model<\/span><\/td>\n8\u201312%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

CFA Level 1 Format 2025<\/span><\/h2>\n

After you learn what there is in the <\/span>CFA Level 1 syllabus 2025<\/span>, it is time to understand the exam format. The exam has 180 multiple-choice questions, split into two 135-minute sessions for each. There is an optional break between the sessions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Question format:<\/b><\/p>\n

Each CFA Level 1<\/a> question has a stem (a question, statement, or table) and three answer choices (A, B, or C). There are two formats for the questions:<\/span><\/p>\n