CFA: Course Details, Level 1, Exam, Certification, Eligibility and Fees in India
CFA® is a globally recognized credential that helps you demonstrate mastery over advanced investment analysis & real-time portfolio management.




CFA Course Details
The full form of CFA is Chartered Financial Analyst. CFA® is a globally recognised credential that helps you demonstrate mastery over advanced investment analysis & real-time portfolio management. If you are an investment professional and want to take your studies further to get a designated job, CFA course is at your doorstep. Chartered Financial Analyst is the most enviable choice for investment and financial professionals. CFA course is a postgraduate professional programme that is offered internationally by the CFA Institute.
Completing the three levels of the CFA increases the Probability of landing a high-paying, reputable job in finance and investment management. The CFA course encompasses a wide range of subjects, including advanced investment probability theory, analysis, fixed income, derivatives, corporate finance, statistics, alternative investments, and portfolio management.

CFA Exam Levels: Level I, II and III
Level I | Level II | Level III | |
---|---|---|---|
Types of Questions | Multiple Choice Questions | Multiple Choice Questions | Multiple Choice Questions |
Sessions | 2 sessions with an optional break | 2 sessions of 2 hours 12 mins. | 2 sessions of 2hrs 12mins. |
Exam Duration | 135-minute session | 4hrs 24mins | 4hrs 24mins |
Question Format | A question, a statement, and/or a table | 22 item sets of vignettes with 88 multiple-choice questions. | Item sets and constructed response (essay) sets |
Negative Marking | No negative marking | No negative marking | No negative Markings |
CFA Exam Structure and Subject Weightage
Topics and Structure | Level I | Level II | Level III |
---|---|---|---|
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 Planning and Weight Management | 8-12% | 10-15% | 35-40% |
CFA Exam Eligibility Requirements
- To fulfill the CFA eligibility requirement, you must have a bachelor's or equivalent degree.
- If you are not sure that your degree is equivalent to a bachelor's, you can contact your college or university.
- Candidates who are undergraduates but have enrolled for graduation can take the CFA Level 1 exam.
- If you are within 11 months of graduation, you can sit for the Level 2 exam.
- You need a graduation degree in finance, banking, or a related field to take the CFA Level 3 exam.
- Working professionals must complete 4000 working hours in 36 months to be eligible to apply for the CFA exam.
- Qualified hours should be directly related to the investment decision-making process.
- Any full-time, part-time or remote work will also act as work experience.
- Candidates must also meet the professional conduct admission requirements.
- Candidates who wish to apply must also have a passport.
Roadmap to earning the CFA charterholder VGLD
Pass 3-level CFA® exam
Passing the exam for all three levels is a requirement to obtain the CFA® charter.
Achieve Qualified Work Experience
You must have at least 4,000 hours of experience, completed in a minimum of 36 months
Submit Reference Letters
To support your membership application, you need 2-3 professional references.
Apply for the CFA® Charter
Submit your membership application to CFA® Institute. Once approved, you will earn the letters "CFA" after your name
Advantages of CFA membership
- It is the most prestigious certification course in the world of finance and management, and it boosts your CV with great credentials.
- On completion of the CFA course, the probability of getting a job with a higher salary increases.
- CFA membership opens the gateway for many career paths and endless opportunities in investment decision-making careers, commercial banking, consulting, etc.
- CFA membership is globally accepted and recognized, not just in the US and Canada but also in Europe and Asia, which increases one's chances of moving and settling abroad.
- The value of CFA charter holders has increased with the expansion of the finance and investment industry.
- Once you become a CFA Charter holder, it shows the employer that you have the knowledge and are ready to evolve and grow continuously in the investment industry.
- You will earn an easily shareable digital badge that can display your achievement in your networks.
CFA Course Fees
Programme | Level I | Level II | Level III | Who to pay |
---|---|---|---|---|
CFA exam fees | USD 1,290 | USD 1,290 | USD 1,390 | CFA Institute |
One-time registration fees | USD 350 | - | - | CFA Institute |
CFA Exam Format and Dates
Level I | Level II | Level III | |
---|---|---|---|
Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions | Item set questions (case studies with multiple questions) |
Constructed response (essay) and item set questions |
Passing Rate | 41% | 45% | 52% |
Exam Windows |
February May August November |
May August November |
February August |

CFA exams are now online
With VGLD, choose a CFA® study plan tailored to your needs.
10 Year Average Pass Rate
Level I
Level II
Level III
Exam Format and Dates
Be fully prepared for exams with VGLD CFA® mock-up exams that have the same interface as the real computer-based tests.
Level I
Multiple choice questions
Exam Windows
- FEBRUARY
- MAY
- AUGUST
- NOVEMBER
Level II
Multiple choice questions
Exam Windows
- MAY
- AUGUST
- NOVEMBER
Level III
Multiple choice questions
Exam Windows
- FEBRUARY
- AUGUST

Course offering from VGLD
VGLD is a candidate’s proven path to success!
Offerings | Level I | Level II | Level III |
---|---|---|---|
100 + hours of recorded lectures | |||
30-45 minutes bite-sized videos | |||
1000 practice Questions | |||
Review Mock Exams | |||
Printable notes/material | |||
Exam assistance | |||
Life time access | |||
Career Paths and Jobs for CFA® Charterholders
A global gold standard for the investment management profession, the CFA® designation is valued by employers for roles and functions in every sector of the worldwide finance industry, including portfolio management, analysis, private wealth and consulting. You can get many opportunities and even be placed at top companies like JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, UBS group, BlackRock, PwC, TD Bank Financial Group, etc.
Investment Management Sectors
- Private Wealth Management
- Commercial Banking
- Investment Banking
- Asset Management
- Insurance
Jobs For CFA Charterholders
- Risk Analysis and Risk Management
- Portfolio Management
- Investment Strategy
- Consulting
- Research
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Disclaimer
CFA Institute do not endorse, promote, review, or warrant the accuracy or quality of the products or services offered by VGLD. CFA Institute, CFA®, and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.