Pass Rate Explained | Inside the CFA Program

Deferrals and cancellations have upended CFA study plans again and again. Understand the reason for recent results and how to prepare for future exams.

[someonespeci]

The results for Nov 2021 CFA level 1 have been released (27%). The majority of the candidates who had their exams deferred had taken the exams already. It is becoming obvious that the pass rate is not going to go up anytime according to old normals.

Could you please explain why the pass rate is so low this year? The CFA institute has been publicly saying that low pass rate was due to the pandemic. But now, the pass rate has dropped for even first time exam takers. Why is this situation persisting?

[SachinGupta-otto]

It is Bunkum to say CFA institute is Nonprofit organisation, instead it is Butcher house.

[sadanandpadala]

This year the passing rate was low 22% and people criticize the institute i think that's why they are making this video

[melvinlee]

Everyone should stop taking the CFA exam as soon as possible! It won't take you where you wanna be or the time simply doesn't worth it. Under the current job market, if you spent the same 300 hours polishing your resume, learning about financial modeling, and applying for jobs, I am sure you will be able to find a front-office job. Like Equity Research or Investment Banking. I been through so many ER interviews and none of them requires or asks about CFA during the interview and I have three Equity Research Associate offers in hand. Taking this exam while working is torture as it takes away all your personal time, you won't have time to exercise, have dinner with your loved ones or attend gatherings. I really regret dumping over 600 hours into this and should stop immediately after taking level 1. If level 1 won't get you the job you want level 2 won't take you there as well, Stop taking the CFA, go to the real world, apply for jobs, meet people, you will get into the front office.

[Chinhhuy-]

Chris’ eyes are pretty blue and crystal, demonstrating a significant depth of wisdom.

[aalh]

“Don’t let the low scores discourage you” = Please keep paying exam fees and making us profitable. Lol.

[lavishporwal]

I have a very genuine question - there is a window of 4 days for giving exam. A student appearing on say 15th Feb 2024 will know exam questions of what have been asked and discuss with his friends who have his exams from 16th Feb to 18th Feb 2024. How CFA Institute addresses such things ? This would be to a disadvantage to the person appearing on 15th ? Please note while law says nothing exam topic should be discussed however who knows what is happening informally ? How students are judged if ques paper are different.

Should ideally this not happen on same day and time for all ?

[fiasamad]

That's a whole load of bullshit. CFA should provide figures with transparency. There should be more information on what the bar was and what our grades are being compared to.

[bobandhisarmy]

Hope they upload often. Would love to hear about the challenges facing CFA and how they come up with solutions.

[ravarusama]

Please put some light on the Access Scholarships for 2022 exams.

[AJ-iunw]

Transparency, that's an important theme in Ethics. I know this because it's in the curriculum, and it validates my studies when I can see the Institute practice it too. Thanks.

[omkar]

Then why did December 2020 exam had not seen decrease in pass rate....

[Andy-nozl]

I think the process is too complicated; illusion of control?. Why not have existing CFA candidates take the exam, and the lowest score should be the passing score?

CFA needs to talk more about the impact of CBT rather than just blaming the pandemic.

[mohamedamin]

If this is true why you guys don't put minimum pass score for example If u answerd 80% of the exam right u will succeed, maybe the world don't need financial analysts so that u keep them falling, let us see what we need to do in exam to be in the 22% or maybe make a discount and let us pay 22% of the fees cause of the pandemic, let's look at the passing rate in 1960 we talke about 90% pass rate cause the world needed more people in the stock market now let us throw the hard work and money of this young hardworking people who invested there money and effort to enhance there career's in the trash because the institute said so, my advice to delete the ethics book in the criculam cause no one is using it in the institute.

[Marioheavy]

I wish I can do CFA mock exam as the instructor suggests in the video. I am a candidate for the November level 2 exam and we do not have any digital mock exam as we had for level 1.

[rishimehta]

And what is that fixed bar, that you guys consider?

[bayanm.]

The exam is super hard I have level 3 exams since 2007 nothing like I have in may. Stop lies

[БолдбатЛХАГВАДУЛАМ]

So the minimum passing score has’t changed over the years, right?

[allforyou]

Thank you CFA for the explanation . We were hang over about the results .

[johnmaloney]

CFA is turning this into big business for them.