THE PREP MUST GO ON, EVEN DURING COVID!

We know that the pandemic has been deeply disruptive. To support Exam Success CFA Program students during these tough times while prioritizing health, we’ve moved Exam Success' in-person prep for the CFA exams to an online on-demand learning model.

While the pandemic has forced certain practical adjustments, it has also motivated the Exam Success team to get even more innovative. Since taking our in-person programming virtual in March of 2020, students and Exam Success staff have been making amazing progress and discoveries with amazing results, all at a safe distance and commute-free!

Thank you to all of our CFA Program prep students who have been so game to try new things with us!

Free Access Extensions:

The pandemic and stay-at-home orders brought an abrupt and frustrating end or delay to many of the approved exam sittings around the world.

Due to the uncertainty around future CFA exam schedules, and being mindful of the concerns we've been hearing from candidates, we are providing free extended online access for any Exam Success CFA Program prep course purchase that was made for a 2021 CFA exam sitting that is cancelled/postponed or rescheduled by CFA Institute or it's computer-based test partner due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

NOTE: You must contact us in writing and provide a copy of your original test center appointment confirmation as well as your re-scheduled test center exam appointment confirmation with your Exam Success extension request.

Prometric is CFA Institute's primary test center collaborator worldwide. British Council is CFA Institute's test center collaborator in India and Africa.

Prof. Brian Gordon, CFA, CFP, CIM, MBA, FCSI, company founder and one of the most experienced and esteemed CFA Program exam prep designers and educators in the profession, is personally involved in every aspect of Exam Success' operation — from course development and writing content to teaching the lessons and providing support.

WHO SAYS EXAM PREP HAS TO BE BORING?

Brian's unique blend of expertise, experience and entertaining teaching style sets Exam Success way ahead of the rest. And since we believe it is crucial that you prepare using actual CFA curriculum content, all Exam Success content is aligned with the CFA Program curriculum LOS. So whichever Exam Success study solution you prepare with for your CFA exam, you can feel confident that the energy, teaching style, activities and substance, remains consistent. It's no wonder Exam Success students remain engaged and motivated, frequently laugh out loud, and come away with a deeper understanding of the material and how to apply it — because they actually enjoy learning with us!

Content updates are made in accordance with each new curriculum release to ensure that our students are studying the most current information on the exam. When updates to our online resources are made, they are noted for all to see on our online site’s course dashboard.

Yes! Exam Success provides quality no-nonsense options that can be used together with other Exam Success prep products or as a complement or full replacement to the original texts or other providers' offerings. If you are looking for a one-stop CFA Program prep shop, consider our Plus Package. It provides the most comprehensive preparation we offer for the CFA exam. And, like all our other study solutions, Plus is based on CFA Institute's Text Books, follows the Learning Outcome Statements (LOS), and is best suited to CFA candidates who already have a basic understanding of the topics.

That said, we always encourage Plus students who are using Exam Success as their primary study source to reference the CFA curriculum directly should they have any knowledge gaps to fill.

Lots!  With Exam Success, you can be more than halfway to a pass before you even start!

On average, Exam Success Plus study package students prepare to pass in just 120 hours, while the average typical successful candidate spends 303 study hours

(Source: 2019 CFA Institute Survey Level I candidates).

Or think of it like this: Assuming you pass each exam level on the first try, your total time-savings would be 540 hours (183 hours saved per exam x 3 exams) or nearly 1 year at a part-time job.

That's some serious study time Exam Success can help to free up.

Prof. Gordon launched Exam Success and our flagship CFA Program prep course at the University of Toronto back in 1999. Two decades later, still headquartered in downtown Toronto, we work worldwide in more than 30 countries. 

In-Person Classroom Learning

While we have been offering online CFA Program courses and materials for several years, all with great success, it wasn't until March 2020, as a practical adjustment to the COVID-10 pandemic, that we shifted our CFA Program prep programming entirely online.   

Asynchronous Learning

Originally, the switch away from in-person CFA Program classroom learning was expected to be temporary but after receiving so much positive student feedback, and experiencing first-hand the many amazing and unique beneficial outcomes of going exclusively online, Exam Success has made asynchronous e-learning our ‘new normal’. 

Synchronous Learning

We continue to offer Private Tutoring which Prof. Gordon delivers live online, which provides a more personalized and highly flexible virtual exam prep experience. For more information, visit our Private Tutoring page. 

Your access is unlimited all the way to the exam-window date that corresponds with your purchase and, if you've purchased our Plus Package, our most comprehensive CFA Program prep course, even beyond. All Exam Success products are for your personal use and are non-transferable.

Note: If you purchased a PDF resource, it is yours to save, print, use and re-use.

Yes, if you upgrade within 30 days of your initial order, you will enjoy the applicable package savings. To upgrade, just email us and we will send the special registration link.

Becoming a CFA charter is an acheivement that can be very rewarding. Considered the global gold-standard in the Investment Management Industry, The CFA designation is as much a marketing credential as much as it is an investment credential. It can unlock improved job prospects, improve income and security all of which in turn can lead to an improved quality of life. According to 2019 CFA Institute study of charterholders worldwide, 83% of charterholders said the designation boosted their careers.

Awarded by the American-based CFA Institute, the first charter was given in 1963; and today, The Chartered Financial Analyst designation (CFA) is held by more than 178,000 professionals worldwide in more than 160 markets. Each year, nearly 200,000 candidates from more than 90 countries enroll in the CFA Program and take the exams in test centers all over the world.

Completing the CFA Program is one of the steps required to becoming a CFA charterholder.

Careers for CFA Charterholders

Finance professionals seek the CFA charter because it typicially offers the promise of better jobs and earning power. Earning the CFA designation however is not going to turn you into an expert investor nor is it going to automatically get you a job. It’s not a magic potion. What it can do however, is prove you have a basic to intermediate understanding of finance and the knowledge and skills that are up to the latest in international standards. It also connects you to a network of CFA professionals employed in the world's top organizations. Being a CFA charterholder demonstrates that you have the ability, the desire, and the commitment to work in financial markets.

There are varied career options you can choose from once you become a CFA charterholder. CFA charterholders earn their salary across a wide range of sectors and corporate finance roles (Source: CFA Society Canada):

Typical Employment Sectors for CFA Charterholders




• Asset Management
• Investment Banking
• Equities
• Research and Wealth Management.
• Private Wealth Management
• Commercial Banking
• Investment Banking
• Insurance
• Fintech




Typical Job Functions for CFA Charterholders




• Portfolio Manager
• Research Analyst
• Chief Executive
• Consultant
• Risk Manager
• Corporate Financial Analyst
• Financial Advisor
• Trader/Sales
• Accountant/Auditor

Compensation for CFA Charterholders*

Entry-Career (< 5 year experience): CAD 95,922

Early-Career (5-9 years of experience): CAD 157,486

Mid-Career (10-30 years of experience): CAD 216,713 - 506,294

Late-Career (30 years of experience): CAD 538,284 - 694,243 

*Mean Total Compensation by Experience. (Source: CFA Society Canada National CFA® Charterholder Compensation Study 2015)

To become a CFA charterholder, there are 4 criteria:

1. Pass the Level 1, 2 and 3 CFA Program exams.
2. Achieve qualified work experience.
3. Submit supporting membership application reference letters.
4. Join CFA Institute with a regular membership.

Source: https://www.cfainstitute.org/programs/cfa/charter

The minimum time needed is 18 months; it may take longer depending on your other time commitments, such as a full-time job, etc.

The average time to complete the 3 exams is between 4 and 5 years. According to CFA Institute on average, candidates spend about 300+ hours preparing for exam level of the CFA exam (assumes you pass on the first attempt). Exam Success’s goal is to help make it easier for you to pass your exams by minimizing your study time commitment, struggles and stress.

Source: CFA Institute Candidate Survey (2019)

Yes!

The CFA exams are considered to be very tough, probably the most difficult you’ll ever write.

Here are key points to consider:

• 1. The CFA curriculum is voluminous. It's nearly as much content as what is covered in 5 or 6 university business courses.
• 2. The CFA exam preparation time committment can be very taxing. On average a successful candidate dedicates between 303 and 344 hours of study time per exam. Level I: 303 hours; Level II: 328 hours; Level III: 344 hours respectively. Source: 2019 CFA Institute Survey.
• 3. The CFA exam pass rates are low. Pass rates vary between 43-56% (Source: 2021 CFA Insitute).

To significantly faciliate and shorten the CFA Program prep process many CFA candidates turn to Exam Success. We're Canada’s longest-serving independent CFA Program Prep Provider and the simplest path to a pass for CFA Program candidates everywhere.

You must register in the CFA Program directly with CFA Institute at: https://www.cfainstitute.org/en/programs/cfa/register.

There are 5 requirements for registration:

1. Education / Work Experience: You must be either a university of college Bachelor degree graduate or equivalent or your selected exam window must be within 11 months of your graduation date or have a combined work experience and/or higher education of 4,000 hours that was acquired sequentially over a minimum of 3 years (36 months). Candidates who are currently students may take the Level I exam but may not sit for the Level 2 CFA exam until they have received their degree (although they can register for Level 2 prior to graduation).
2. Identification: You must have a valid international passport.
3. Language Proficiency: You must be prepared to take exams in English.
4. Professional Code: You must meet the professional conduct admission criteria, sign statements of Professional Conduct and Candidate Responsibility.

Source: https://help.cfainstitute.org/s/article/CFA-Program-Enrollment-Requirements

CFA Institute is headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia and all fees paid to the organization are billed in USD. 

The minimum amount you will pay to CFA Institute for the CFA Program (all three exam levels) USD 2550. This total includes the one-time USD 450 enrollment fee and the lowest possible registration fee (early registration fee) for the 3 levels of the CFA exam. This total does not take into account any extra costs such as printing, supplementary study materials, prep courses, exam re-takes or rescheduling.

Yes. CFA Institute offers a variety of scholarships, allowing more aspiring CFA charterholders to participate in the CFA Program. You can view the full list of available scholarships and qualification requirements on CFA Institute's website  Here are just a few of the types of scholarships available:

Access Scholarship: For individuals who many not be able to afford CFA Program fees.  This scholarship reduces the exam fees by slashing the registration fee down to USD250. If you are awarded this Scholarship at each of the three levels of the CFA Program, you could reduce your total exam costs to just USD 750 USD (3 x USD 250), assuming you pass each exam on the first attempt.

Women's Scholarship: For women interested in earning the CFA charter, do not qualify for other CFA Institute scholarships, and have not yet registered for their next exam. This scholarship reduces the registration fee to USD 350. If you are awarded this Scholarship at each of the three levels of the CFA Program, your total exam costs may be reduced to just USD 1050 USD (3 x USD 350), assuming you pass each exam on the first go.

Student Scholarship: For students attending an affiliated academic institution and who have not yet registered for their next CFA exam. This scholarship reduced the exam registration fee to USD 350 USD. If you are awarded this Scholarship at each of the three levels of the CFA Program, your total exam costs may be reduced to just USD 1050 (3 x USD 350), assuming you pass each exam on the first go.

Source: https://www.cfainstitute.org/en/programs/cfa/scholarships

Registration for a CFA exam is done by the individual directly with CFA Institute. 

All CFA exams are administered through computer-based testing and you are required to create an account before you are allowed to register for the CFA Program.

 Registration is a 2-part process:

1. Enroll in and pay for the CFA exam through the CFA website (https://www.cfainstitute.org/en/programs/cfa/register).
2. Schedule your exam (select from available testing centers with dates and times by the scheduling deadline)

Source: https://www.cfainstitute.org/en/programs/cfa/exam/computer-based-exams

Historically, CFA Institute offered all three levels of the test in June and another opportunity to take the the Level I exam in December. Now that CFA Institute has transitioned from paper-based to computer-based testing (fully-digital format) as of 2021, there are more times throughout the year the exams will be offered.

The CFA exams in 2022 will be offered:

• Level I: February, May, August, November
• Level II: February, August, November
• Level III: May, November

The CFA exams in 2023 and beyond will be offered:

• Level I: February, May, August, November
• Level II: May, August, November
• Level III: February and August

Source: https://www.cfainstitute.org/en/programs/cfa/exam/computer-based-exams

The CFA Program curriculum is based on a Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK) established by CFA Institute. There are three exams that test the academic part of the CFA Program.

To view the key differences among the three CFA exams (Levels), including variations by curriculum topics and weightings, click here.