Investment management and finance professionals looking to broaden their career horizons often pursue the chartered financial analyst (CFA) charter program. The CFA Institute administers the CFA charter, a globally accredited and recognized professional designation for finance professionals.
Finance and investment professionals often pursue the CFA course online or offline depending on their professional engagements, time, etc. If you, too, are looking for a CFA course online, you’re at the right place. This guide delves into the chartered financial analyst online course details and everything you need to know before signing up for one.
Eligibility to enroll for the chartered financial analyst online course
To achieve the designation, you must first enroll for the CFA course, register for the exams, clear them, complete the required work experience, submit the reference letters, and become a charter holder.
To enroll in the CFA program, you have to meet specific criteria. They are as follows:
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Undergraduate students
- The selected examination should be 23 months or less before the graduation month (Bachelor’s degree).
- Ensure you are within 11 months of your Bachelor’s degree to appear for CFA Level II exams.
- To take the Level III exam, you must have completed your graduation or have at least 4000 hours of professional work experience.
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Bachelor’s degree
To enroll in the chartered financial analyst online course, you must be a graduate (have completed a Bachelor’s degree program) or have completed an equivalent program. If you are unsure about the equivalent program, consult your university or institute.
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Professional work experience
Enrolling for the CFA online course requires a minimum of 4000 hours of professional work experience or higher education for three sequential years.
Professional work experience can include paid internships and article ships and does not need to be related to investment.
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International travel passport
Candidates enrolling for the CFA online or offline course must have a valid international travel passport. Candidates without a valid passport will not be allowed to sit for the CFA examinations.
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Residing in a participating country
In some countries, the CFA Institute cannot work. Find out from the CFA’s official website if you reside in a participating country.
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English proficiency
CFA exams at all levels are offered only in English. Candidates must be proficient in English to read, understand, and formulate answers to various complicated financial scenarios.
Exam topics and curriculum of chartered financial analyst online course
The CFA program curriculum is constantly updated and upgraded to remain industry-relevant. From in-depth foundational knowledge to critical portfolio management skills and advanced investment analysis, the curriculum reflects financial practices in real-life scenarios.
Tabulated below are the exam topics in the CFA course and their topic-wise weightage at every CFA level examination:
Topic Name |
Level I Exam |
Level II Exam |
Level III Exam |
| Ethical and Professional Standards | 15-20 | 10-15 | 10-15 |
| Quantitative Methods | 6-9 | 5-10 | 0 |
| Economics | 6-9 | 5-10 | 5-10 |
| Financial Statement Analysis | 11-14 | 10-15 | 0 |
| Corporate Issuers | 6-9 | 5-10 | 0 |
| Equity Investments | 11-14 | 10-15 | 10-15 |
| Fixed Income | 11-14 | 10-15 | 15-20 |
| Derivatives | 5-8 | 5-10 | 5-10 |
| Alternative Investments | 7-10 | 5-10 | 5-10 |
| Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning | 8-12 | 10-15 | 35-40 |
CFA exam levels
CFA has three exams: Level I, Level II and Level III.
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Level I Exams
Level I exams are held four times yearly in February, May, August and November.
| Question format | Multiple choice questions
|
| Level requirement | Meeting enrollment criteria for the CFA program |
| 10 years average pass rate | 41% |
| Availability of exam results | Within 5-7 weeks of the Level I exam and completing the Practical Skills Module |
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Level II Exams
CFA Level II exams are conducted thrice yearly in May, August and November.
| Question format | Vignette-supported multiple-choice questions
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| Level requirement | Passing the Level I CFA Exam and meeting the enrollment criteria for the CFA program |
| 10 years average pass rate | 45% |
| Availability of exam results | Within 5-7 weeks of the Level II exam and completing the Practical Skills Module |
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Level III Exam
The final Level III CFA exams are conducted twice yearly, in February and August.
| Question format | Vignette-supported multiple-choice questions and essays. Choosing one of the three specialised pathways.
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| Level requirement | Passing the Level II CFA Exam and meeting the enrollment criteria for the CFA program |
| 10 years average pass rate | 52% |
| Availability of exam results | Within 6-8 weeks of the Level III exam and completing the Practical Skills Module |
CFA exam pass rates
The CFA Institute notifies candidates when the official exam results are available. After passing the Level I and Level II exams, candidates can appear for the Level II and Level III exams.
Mentioned below are the CFA exam pass rates for different levels in 2023 and 2024.
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CFA Level I pass rates
| Month & Year | Pass rate |
| February 2024 | 44% |
| November 2023 | 35% |
| August 2023 | 37% |
| May 2023 | 39% |
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CFA Level II pass rates
| Month & Year | Pass rate |
| November 2023 | 44% |
| August 2023 | 44% |
| May 2023 | 52% |
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CFA Level III pass rates
| Month & Year | Pass rate |
| February 2024 | 49% |
| August 2023 | 47% |
Summing it up
Finance and investment professionals can gain a strong foothold in the finance industry with the chartered financial analyst online course. The CFA designation is revered globally, and taking an online CFA course will prepare you for the rigorous exams and boost your confidence to face any challenges along the way.
The Wallstreet School India offers a comprehensive CFA program for students looking to explore their options in the field. This program enhances finance skills and strategies through industry-specific cases and well-researched study materials.
Whether you’re looking for online CFA or classroom learning, sign up today!
For more details, visit The WallStreet School or contact us via email or phone: +91-9999724852.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many hours of study are required to clear CFA exams?
The CFA Exam has three levels. Each level requires an average of 350-370 hours of study.
- What job opportunities are available for CFA?
Once you complete all three levels of the CFA examination, you become a Certified Financial Analyst. You will get employment as an investment and financial advisor in multinational companies, corporate houses, financial institutions, investment firms, etc.
- Is there an upper age limit for pursuing a CFA?
No, there is no upper age limit for pursuing a CFA program. However, the candidate must meet specific enrolment criteria to take the course and the CFA exams.
