CFA exams are not very easy

28 January 2009

1 minute read

Figures just out from the CFA Institute confirm what has long been known to be the case: the CFA Level 1 exam is no pushover.

A mere 35% of candidates who took the exam last December passed it, down from 39% in 2007.

Could it be that rather than succumbing to the dumbing down prevalent elsewhere in education, the CFA is actually making its exams harder? Or is it simply that more and more (low calibre) people are taking them?

We suspect it's the latter. Between 2007 and 2008 alone, the number of people sitting Level 1 rose 25% to 36k, and candidates have increased 45% since 2003. With so many more entrants, the pass rate needs to remain low if the CFA is to retain any cachet. Expect it to fall even further in future.

AUTHOReFinancialCareers UK

Insider Comment

Ke
Kev loves Morrissons
31 December 2010
I passed all 3 levels whilst reading these comments
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pi
ping
5 December 2010
all u ppl are retarded, u think working in front office makes u got but sorry sweety ure all ordinary. 95pc, 70pc, top mark in the country. you probably sit and study all day and entertain urselves at night, thats y you have to post ur marks on these forums. my suggestion- you all go get urselves laid to fill out the insecurities and need to impress ppl u have or will never meet. bye dolface
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bd
bd
15 September 2009
I've never seen such a pathetic string of comments... I passed level III this year and couldn't care less about my individual pass rates - what matters is the PASS when you look up the result! Or has any employer EVER asked you how you scored on every individual module and what your estimated pass rate was ???
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Al
Alan
23 February 2009
Sure I can spot a bunch arguing about nothing. Particularly you Xing who displays no ethics even after passing the exam.
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rg
rgr101
30 January 2009
To the above post:
please be informed that no shows are no included in the pass/fail calculation. It's been stated on the CFA institute website.
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