 |
1. Short Description Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) is a professional designation offered by the CFA Institute (formerly known as AIMR) to financial analysts who complete a series of three examinations and work for at least four years in the investment decision making process. CFA charter holders are also obligated to adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and Standards governing their professional conduct. The basic requirements for participation in the CFA program include holding or being in the final year of four-year university degree (or international equivalent) or having four years of qualified, professional work experience in an investment decision-making process. The program focuses on portfolio management and financial analysis, and provides a generalist knowledge of other areas of finance. 2. Governing Body Governing body for CFA Examination is CFA Institute which was formerly known the Association for Investment Management and Research (AIMR). Contact Details: CFA Institute
3. Registration and Fees Fees vary with respect to the time when candidate pays for the exam. Early payments receive discount. Beginning in 2008 all candidates will be required to purchase CFA Institute's Curriculum. Returning candidates don't pay program enrollment fee.
Returning Level I candidates pay only the exam registration fee.
Returning Level I candidates pay only the exam registration fee. Level II
Level III
Back
4. Deadlines PHP Section 5. Exam Structure Candidates on each level are required to have comprehensive knowledge of the CFA Candidate Body of Knowledge: CFA Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK) I. ETHICAL AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS However the weights put on each topic are different on each exam level:
All three exams are administered on paper, on a single day. Each exam consists of two three-hour sessions. Level I is multiple choice - all information required to answer the question is contained in the question. Level II is item set - a vignette followed by selected response questions. To answer each question, the candidate must refer to the vignette as there is insufficient information in the question stem. Level III consists of a session of short-answer questions and a session that is item set. On the multiple-choice/item set sections, there is no penalty for wrong answers. 6. Preparation It is believed that candidates need to commit to a minimum of 250 hours reading and reviewing the curriculum and taking online sample exams to master the material (CFA Program Curriculum, Level I 2007 If you think you need refreshment of basic knowledge you should read "CFA Fundamentals
Mastery of the CBOK is the major purpose of the CFA Program. This mastery is achieved by using: Most of CFA candidates participate in CFA reviews. Review sessions are offered by a number of third party companies: Other relevant study material: CFA 2007 Schweser Study Notes Level 1 to 6 books
7. Forum If you have any question about the CFA you may ask it on our CFA Forum. 8. Links
|
). This recommendation, however, may substantially underestimate the hours needed for appropriate exam preparation depending on individual circumstances and academic background. 
" book by Bruce Kuhlman:
- CFA Approved Exam Calculator