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According to the data, passing CFA level is getting easier

James Eagle's avatar
James Eagle
Jul 02, 2024
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I never completed the CFA. A week before my level two exam I was in a housefire. I lost all my notes, my textbooks and all my possessions. I still did the exam, but I wasn't in the right frame of mind. That was back in 2010. After that, I no longer felt the desire to complete the course. Life was too short and I had other interests. But I still have enormous respect for those who have gone on to become charterholders.

The pass rate for the first level of the CFA exam has risen to 44 per cent, surpassing its historic average. This is above the decade average of 40 per cent and marks a recovery from the lowest pass rate recorded in 2021, when exam performance was impacted by test-taking deferrals due to Covid-19.

Notably, first-time testers achieved a pass rate of 52 per cent, while those who delayed had a significantly lower rate of 28 per cent. I’m not sure what to make of this, but I think motivation probably has a huge impact on pass rates.

One piece of advice I would give is not to do this course for the status or assume it will boost your career. Do it for the love of learning. If you do this, you will pass.

Source: Bloomberg

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