CFA Exam Dates 2026 (OUT); Know When is CFA Exam, Dates, Registration, Scheduling
Chartered Financial Analyst Exam 2026 ( CFA Exam )
CFA 2026 May Level 1 Exam
12 May '26 - 18 May '26
CFA exam registrations for year 2026 started in April 2025. Those who are planning to appear for the CFA exam 2026 must know CFA exam dates and events. Read article below to know more.
When is CFA Exam 2026: Students appearing for CFA exam 2026 should know important dates and events for CFA 2026. CFA exam registration 2026 for May session started on August 12, 2025. Last date of CFA registration Level 1 May 2026 exam is February 12, 2026. Early registration deadline for August session exams is January 21, 2026.
Professional finance course, Chartered Financial Program, is conducted and offered by CFA Institute. It is a graduate level programme divided into three levels; Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3. Each level of CFA exam has different exam windows. CFA exam is conducted four times a year, i.e. in February, May, August and November. Students can take CFA exam twice a year, but exam windows should be 6 months apart. Exam windows cannot be consecutive.
In this article, we have shared complete CFA 2026 exam schedule, events, application fee, etc. for each CFA exam level. Read below to know more.
- CFA Exam 2026 Timeline
- CFA Level 1 Exam Dates 2026
- CFA Level 2 Exam Dates 2026
- CFA Level 3 Exam Dates 2026
CFA Exam 2026 Timeline
This year, the CFA Institute will conduct the CFA exam 2026 in the following months:
| CFA exam Level | Months |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | February, May, August and November |
| Level 2 | May, August and November |
| Level 3 | February and August |
Also Read: Career After CFA
Commonly asked questions
CFA application fee is:
| Levels | CFA program fee 2025 | CFA program fee 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| CFA One-Time Enrollment Fee | USD 350 | USD 0 |
| CFA Level 1 Early Bird Registration Fee | USD 990 | USD 1,140 |
| CFA Level 1 Registration Fee (Standard) | USD 1,290 | USD 1,490 |
No, candidates cannot change their pathway in the middle of the CFA registration process. If the candidate is taking the CFA Level 3 exam for the second time, then they have the option of changing their specialised pathway. The content for all the three pathways are available online for CFA preparation.
CFA Level 1 exam is considered very tough and challenging. The average pass rate for Level 1 CFA exam stands at just 41% indicating the difficult nature of the exam.
- Go to CFA Institute website, cfainstitute.org
- Log in to candidate portal using username and password.
- Go to section for downloading admit card and click on admit card link
- Download admit card in PDF format and print it out.
Candidates should bring a coloured copy of CFA admit card to exam centre on the exam day.
CFA Level 1 Exam Dates 2026
Knowing the CFA exam dates in advance is important for students appearing for the exam, as it will give them the right amount of time to plan their CFA preparation. Check out the important CFA level 1 exam dates 2026 below.
CFA Level 1 February 2026 Exam
Check out the important CFA Level 1 exam dates 2026 below.
| Event |
Dates |
|---|---|
| CFA 2026 Registrations and Scheduling begin |
29-Apr-2025 |
| Early registration deadline |
07-Jul-2025 |
| Deadline to register with invoice payment option |
19-Sep-2025 |
| Last date of registration |
29-Oct-2025 |
| Scheduling deadline |
05-Nov-2025 |
| Rescheduling deadline |
22-Jan-2026 |
| CFA Level 1 2026 February exam |
02-Feb-2026 to 08-Feb-2026 |
| CFA Level 1 2026 Result |
19-Mar-2026 |
Also Read:
CFA Level 1 May Exam Dates 2026
The table below shows the important CFA Level 1 May 2026 exam dates:
| Event |
Dates |
|---|---|
| CFA 2026 Registrations and Scheduling begin |
12-Aug-2025 |
| Early registration deadline |
14-Oct-2025 |
| Deadline to register with invoice payment option |
03-Jan-2026 |
| Last date of registration |
12-Feb-2026 |
| Scheduling deadline |
18-Feb-2026 |
| Rescheduling deadline |
01-May-2026 |
| CFA Level 1 2026 May exam |
12-May-2026 to 18-May-2026 |
Also Read:
CFA Level 1 August Exam Dates 2026
The table below shows important CFA Level 1 August 2026 exam dates:
| Event |
Dates |
|---|---|
| CFA 2026 Registrations and Scheduling begin |
11-Nov-2025 |
| Early registration deadline |
21-Jan-2026 |
| Deadline to register with invoice payment option |
27-Mar-2026 |
| Last date of registration |
06-May-2026 |
| Scheduling deadline |
13-May-2026 |
| Rescheduling deadline |
07-Aug-2026 |
| CFA Level 1 2026 August exam |
18-Aug-2026 to 24-Aug-2026 |
Also Read: CFA exam admit card
CFA Level 1 November Exam Dates 2026
The table below shows important CFA Level 1 November 2026 exam dates:
| Event |
Dates |
|---|---|
| CFA 2026 Registrations and Scheduling begin |
11-Feb-2026 |
| Early registration deadline |
15-Apr-2026 |
| Deadline to register with invoice payment option |
02-Jul-2026 |
| Last date of registration |
11-Aug-2026 |
| Scheduling deadline |
18-Aug-2026 |
| Rescheduling deadline |
31-Oct-2026 |
| CFA Level 1 2026 November exam |
11-Nov-2026 to 17-Nov-2026 |
CFA Level 2 Exam Dates 2026
The Level 2 of CFA exam dives deeper into complex financial topics and tests the knowledge of the students. Check the tables below for CFA Level 2 exam date 2026:
CFA Level 2 May Exam Dates 2026
The table below shows the important CFA Level 2 May 2026 exam dates:
| Event |
Dates |
|---|---|
| CFA 2026 Registrations and Scheduling begin |
12-Aug-2025 |
| Early registration deadline |
14-Oct-2025 |
| Deadline to register with invoice payment option |
03-Jan-2026 |
| Last date of registration |
12-Feb-2026 |
| Scheduling deadline |
18-Feb-2026 |
| Rescheduling deadline |
08-May-2026 |
| CFA Level 1 2026 May exam |
19-May-2026 to 23-May-2026 |
Also Read: What to expect of CFA Level 2?
CFA Level 2 August Exam Dates 2026
The table below shows the important CFA Level 2 August 2026 exam dates:
| Event |
Dates |
|---|---|
| CFA 2026 Registrations and Scheduling begin |
11-Nov-2025 |
| Early registration deadline |
21-Jan-2026 |
| Deadline to register with invoice payment option |
27-Mar-2026 |
| Last date of registration |
06-May-2026 |
| Scheduling deadline |
13-May-2026 |
| Rescheduling deadline |
14-Aug-2026 |
| CFA Level 2 2026 August exam |
25-Aug-2026 to 29-Aug-2026 |
CFA Level 2 November Exam Dates 2026
The table below shows the important CFA Level 2 November 2026 exam dates:
| Event |
Dates |
|---|---|
| CFA 2026 Registrations and Scheduling begin |
11-Feb-2026 |
| Early registration deadline |
15-Apr-2026 |
| Deadline to register with invoice payment option |
02-Jul-2026 |
| Last date of registration |
11-Aug-2026 |
| Scheduling deadline |
18-Aug-2026 |
| Rescheduling deadline |
07-Nov-2026 |
| CFA Level 1 2026 November exam |
18-Nov-2026 to 22-Nov-2026 |
Also Read:
| CFA syllabus 2026 | CFA 2026 exam pattern |
Commonly asked questions
| Topic | Weightage |
|---|---|
| Ethical and Professional Standards | 5% |
| Quantitative Methods | 5% |
| Economics | 10% |
| Financial Reporting and Analysis | 5% |
| Corporate Finance | 5% |
| Portfolio Management | 15% |
| Equity Investments | 10% |
| Fixed Income | 10% |
| Derivatives | 10% |
| Alternative Investments | 10% |
The Level I exam covers:
- Ethics and Professional Standards: 15%
- Quantitative Methods: 10%
- Economics: 10%
- Financial Reporting and Analysis: 15%
- Corporate Finance: 10%
- Equity Investments: 11%
- Fixed Income: 10%
- Derivatives: 6%
- Alternative Investments: 6%
- Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning: 6%
- Quantitative Review: 1%
Passing score of CFA exam is also called the Minimum Passing Score (MPS). It is set by CFA Institute is set by CFA Institute Board of Governors after each exam. This ensures fairness to the candidates, and the difficulty level is taken into consideration when setting the minimum score.
Each level of the CFA exam has its own criteria and passing score. CFA institute sets a MPS which changes with each cycle for the newly registered candidates. Some years test takers will receive an overall CFA score of 65% and fail, and in some years they may receieve a score of 62% and pass. The scoring plays a role in deciding the overall pass score in CFA exam. In general, an overall score of 70% and above will help you pass the CFA exam.
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CFA Level 3 Exam Dates 2026
CFA Level 3 exam is usually considered the hardest of the three CFA levels. Check out the tables below to know the CFA Level 3 2026 exam dates:
CFA Level 3 February 2026 Exam
Check out the important CFA Level 3 exam dates 2026 below.
| Event |
Dates |
|---|---|
| CFA 2026 Registrations and Scheduling begin |
29-Apr-2025 |
| Early registration deadline |
07-Jul-2025 |
| Deadline to register with invoice payment option |
19-Nov-2025 |
| Last date of registration |
29-Oct-2025 |
| Scheduling deadline |
05-Nov-2025 |
| Rescheduling deadline |
18-Jan-2026 |
| CFA Level 3 2026 February exam |
29-Jan-2026 to 01-Feb-2026 |
| CFA Level 3 Result 2026 |
07-Apr-2026 |
Also Read: CFA Level 3 Specialised Pathways
CFA Level 3 August Exam Dates 2026
The table below shows the important CFA Level 3 August 2026 exam dates:
| Event |
Dates |
|---|---|
| CFA 2026 Registrations and Scheduling begin |
11-Nov-2025 |
| Early registration deadline |
21-Jan-2026 |
| Deadline to register with invoice payment option |
27-Mar-2026 |
| Last date of registration |
06-May-2026 |
| Scheduling deadline |
13-May-2026 |
| Rescheduling deadline |
03-Aug-2026 |
| CFA Level 3 2026 August exam |
13-Aug-2026 to 17-Aug-2026 |
Read More:
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a month ago
No, there is no age limit to take the CFA Level 3 exam. However, students should have completed their graduation and fulfil other exam criteria.
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
The following are the instructions for CFA exam admit card:
- The details mentioned on the admit card should be correct
- Arrive the exam centre at least an hour before the exam
- The details should march the ones mentioned in the passport
If any of the information mentioned above needs to be corrected or upd
R
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
CFA exam is conducted four times a year. It is conducted in the months of February, May, August and November.
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
Students looking for global investment management courses, CFA is the best choice. CFA offers higher salaries, and CA is best for students looking to build a career in taxation and auditing in India. Top tier MBA excel in corporate leadership and networking.
R
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
Candidates who are interested in investment analysis and portfolio management, want a global career or are ready to invest in further exams can opt for CFA. But if they wnat accounting and auditing, want a strong domestic career base and also value wide options of career options they can go for CA.
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Check the exam structure for Level 2 exam below:
| Structure | Details |
| Time Duration | Session 1: 2 hours 15 mins Session 2: 2 hours 15 mins Total: 4 hours 30 mins |
| Type of questions | MCQs and Item Sets with Vignettes |
| Number of questions | 88 MCQs 22 Item Sets |
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
Unlike the Level 1 exam, CFA Level 2 exam does not only have MCQs. It also consists of item set questions which will be comprised of vignettes.
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
No, CFA Level 1 exam only have 180 multiple choice questions. Students have to choose the correct option from the given options.
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
CFA Level 1 exam is conducted for a total of 4.5 hours. The exam is spread in 2 sessions. Each session duration is 2 hours and 15 minutes.
R
Contributor-Level 6
Saumya Jain is an English Literature graduate from the University of Delhi. She has over 8 years of editorial and content writing experience. At Shiksha.com, she has spent more than six years creating research, stud
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