CFA Level 1 Tutors

CFA Level 1 is the first of three exams in the Chartered Financial Analyst programme, overseen by the CFA Institute. It tests your knowledge of key financial concepts, tools, and ethical standards that form the foundation of the investment profession. Passing Level 1 is the first step towards one of the most respected qualifications in global finance, recognised by employers across investment banking, asset management, equity research, and risk management.

To register for CFA Level 1 you must either hold a bachelor’s degree, be in the final year of an undergraduate programme, or have at least 4,000 hours of relevant professional work experience. There is no requirement for your degree to be in finance or a related subject, and candidates from non-quantitative backgrounds regularly sit and pass the exam with the right preparation.

CFA Level 1 consists of 180 multiple choice questions divided across two 135-minute sessions of 90 questions each. Every question has three answer choices (A, B, or C) and there is no penalty for incorrect answers, so every question should be answered. Candidates are advised to allow approximately 90 seconds per question. The exam is computer-based and sat at approved test centres worldwide.

Level 1 covers ten topic areas, each carrying a specific exam weighting:

• Ethical and Professional Standards: 15-20%
• Financial Statement Analysis: 11-14%
• Equity Investments: 11-14%
• Fixed Income: 11-14%
• Portfolio Management: 8-12%
• Alternative Investments: 7-10%
• Quantitative Methods: 6-9%
• Economics: 6-9%
• Corporate Issuers: 6-9%
• Derivatives: 5-8%

Ethics carries the highest single weighting and is a topic many candidates underestimate. A strong performance in Ethics can be the difference between a pass and a fail, particularly for candidates who are borderline on the quantitative topics.

The global pass rate for CFA Level 1 sits at around 40%, making it a genuinely demanding exam. The challenge is not the depth of any single topic but the breadth of all ten combined. Candidates are expected to understand and apply concepts across a wide range of disciplines within a tight time constraint. The CFA Institute recommends over 300 hours of study to prepare adequately for Level 1.

CFA Level 1 is offered four times a year, in February, May, August, and November. Candidates can register and schedule their preferred sitting date through the CFA Institute website, and it is advisable to book your test centre slot early as availability is on a first-come, first-served basis.

You must bring a valid international travel passport and an approved calculator, either the Texas Instruments BA II Plus or the Hewlett Packard 12C. No other calculators are permitted. Results are typically released within 5-7 weeks of the exam date.

Most successful candidates begin preparing 4-6 months before their sitting date, giving enough time to work through all ten topic areas, complete regular practice questions, and sit timed mock assessments. Candidates with non-quantitative backgrounds or less prior exposure to finance may benefit from starting earlier, building the mathematical and analytical foundations before moving into the core curriculum.