Can I use a calculator during CFA Level 1?

Yes, you can use a calculator during the CFA Level 1 exam, but only specific models are allowed: the Texas Instruments BA II Plus (including Professional) or the Hewlett Packard 12C (including Platinum). You must bring one of these approved financial calculators, and it will be inspected by proctors for compliance before and potentially during the exam; unauthorized models (like Casios) will lead to disqualification, so mastering your approved calculator is crucial for complex calculations like TVM, bond valuation, and quant problems.

Is a calculator allowed in CFA level 1?

The CFA Institute permits only two calculators during the exam: the Texas Instruments BA II Plus (including the BA II Plus Professional) and the Hewlett Packard 12C (including the Platinum edition). Mastery of your chosen calculator can save valuable time and reduce errors on exam day.

Which calculator do you need for CFA level 1?

Only two calculator models are authorized for use during CFA® Program exams: Texas Instruments BA II Plus (including BA II Plus Professional) Hewlett Packard 12C (including the HP 12C Platinum, 12C Platinum 25th anniversary edition, 12C 30th anniversary edition, and HP 12C Prestige)

What to carry for the CFA level 1 exam?

Items to bring

• Valid international travel passport. Learn more about exam ID requirements.
• Approved calculator. Texas Instruments BA II Plus (including BA II Plus Professional), or. ...
• Face mask. ...
• Additional layers of clothing. ...
• Water. ...
• Additional personal care items.

Is 65% enough to pass CFA level 1?

A 65% score on CFA Level 1 is borderline and might pass, but it's risky, as the Minimum Passing Score (MPS) varies by exam, often hovering around 70%, though sometimes dipping lower (like 62-65%) when exams are harder; aiming for 70% or higher on mocks gives you a safer buffer, acknowledging that a 65% could pass if the exam was particularly difficult, but it's not a guaranteed pass. 

CFA Level 1 calculator tips

Is CFA level 1 harder than CA?

Is CFA tougher than CA? A: The CFA and CA (Chartered Accountant) qualifications have different focuses and challenges. While both are demanding, many find CA to be more rigorous due to its extensive practical training and exams.

How many people fail CFA level 1?

CFA Level I Pass Rate Stays at 43% for November Test

Candidates who put off taking the test have a smaller likelihood of success. Those who took the Level I exam in November with at least one deferral saw a 29% pass rate, compared with 49% for first-time candidates, the CFA Institute said.

What is the hardest subject in CFA Level 1?

Financial Statement Analysis, or FSA, is often regarded by students to be the most challenging topic in CFA Level 1, not just because of the subject's difficulty but also because of how heavily weighted it is on the exam (13–17%).

Can you chew gum in the CFA exam?

Water in a clear glass is allowed during testing; however, eating, smoking (including electronic cigarettes,) and chewing gum are prohibited.

Does CFA give scrap paper?

Then, you will be offered two pencils and scratch paper (front and back of two pages). Depending on your testing center, you may be provided with an erasable writing tablet instead. To get additional scratch paper, you must use all available sides on the one previously provided to you.

How math heavy is CFA level 1?

However, let's put things into perspective: the CFA Level 1 exam is not a math test. The CFA Institute has made it clear that calculations will account for no more than 30% of the questions on the exam. To put it in numbers, that's a maximum of 54 out of the 180 questions.

Is Casio FX 83 or 85 better?

The fx-83GT CW and fx-85GT CW are our entry-level scientific calculators and are identical in functionality, the only difference being that the latter offers solar power.

Is Excel allowed in the CFA exam?

I am writing level 1 in May. I have looked up this questions many times now. In the new readings for statistics in level 1, we are taught to use excel function for coming up with z and t values based off probabilities and degrees of freedom. Obviously, we can't use excel during an exam.

Is 67% enough to pass CFA?

A 67% score is generally considered strong and likely enough to pass a CFA exam, especially if you have strong scores in key weighted topics, but it's not a guarantee as the Minimum Passing Score (MPS) varies by exam difficulty, with experts recommending aiming for 69% or higher (e.g., 70%+) for a comfortable pass on Level 1 and Level 2 to be safe. While 67% is above the historical average for some levels (like Level 2's 66% average), the MPS can fluctuate, so focus on strong performance across all areas, especially weighted ones like Fixed Income or Ethics. 

What is the best calculator for CFA Level 1?

CFA Institute keeps it simple: you may bring only a TI BA II Plus (standard or Professional) or an HP 12C (Classic or Platinum). Show up with any other calculator, even a flashy graphing model, and the proctor will take it away.

Is 4 months enough for CFA level 1?

No, studying for any CFA exam in less than 6 months will not give you enough time to adequately prepare unless you have a relevant background in the curriculum. According to CFA Institute, candidates study on average 348 hours for the Level I exam, 364 hours for the Level II exam, and 365 hours for the Level III exam.

Is 60% enough to pass CFA level 1?

Yes, you can potentially pass CFA Level 1 with a 60% score, as the CFA Institute doesn't have a fixed percentage; the Minimum Passing Score (MPS) varies, sometimes allowing a pass around 60-65% when exams are tough, while other times requiring 70%+ for an easier exam, so aiming higher (68-70%+) is safer, but 60% isn't an automatic fail. 

Is 70 enough to pass CFA level 1?

The CFA Level 1 passing score is not fixed every year, but it usually stays between 65% and 70%. CFA Institute does not publish an official cut-off, but this range is considered the minimum benchmark to pass.

Is 35 too late for CFA?

Average Age of CFA Candidates

Although many candidates are in their late twenties or early thirties, the Program has a wide age range. Many begin at 35, 40, or even 50. Some of the most thoughtful, determined candidates are the ones who start later. Experience is not a burden.

Which is the 3 toughest exam in the world?

The three toughest exams globally often cited for their extreme difficulty, low pass rates, and high stakes are China's Gaokao (National College Entrance Exam) for its sheer scale and competitiveness, India's UPSC Civil Services Exam for its life-altering potential and minuscule selection, and India's IIT-JEE Advanced (Joint Entrance Exam) for its rigorous engineering entrance criteria, alongside prestigious UK fellowships like the All Souls Prize Exam, with difficulty varying by individual and goals. 

Is it normal to fail CFA level 1?

You're not alone, and this definitely isn't the end of your CFA journey. In fact, many candidates don't pass on their first try. According to historical data, the CFA Level 1 pass rate has hovered around 40%, meaning more than half of all test-takers have faced this exact same disappointment.

Is CFA harder than the bar?

CFA Exams Pass Rates

The CFA exams are perhaps the most challenging exams out there. They are often referred to as “bar none” the toughest exams—even harder than medical school or law school exams—with pass rates that hover around 50% and were much lower during the recent pandemic.

Is CFA level 1 enough to get a job?

Yes, you can get a job once you clear CFA Level 1, as it shows your strong financial reporting, quantitative, corporate finance, and income-based skills to employers.

Is CFA harder than CPA?

While both are tough, the CFA is generally considered harder due to significantly lower pass rates (around 13.5% for all levels) and much greater study time (300+ hrs/level vs. 80-120 hrs/section for CPA), requiring mastery of vast financial concepts, whereas the CPA (around 50% pass rate) focuses more on accounting principles and has fewer, though still demanding, sections (4 parts) with generally higher passing chances. The difficulty depends on your background: the CFA tests new, broad finance topics, while the CPA covers a breadth of accounting areas, making each challenging in different ways. 

How many times can I fail CFA level 1?

How many times can you retake the CFA? Candidates have six maximum attempts to pass each level of the CFA exam, and each level can be attempted only twice per year (at least six months apart).