Topic Area Weights for the CFA Exam
Note: These weights are intended to guide the curriculum and exam development processes. Actual exam weights may vary slightly from year to year. Please note that some topics are combined for testing purposes.
Topic Area | Level I | Level II | Level III |
Ethical and Professional Standards (total) | 15 | 10 | 10 |
Quantitative Methods | 12 | 5-10 | 0 |
Economics | 10 | 5-10 | 0 |
Financial Reporting and Analysis | 20 | 15-25 | 0 |
Corporate Finance | 8 | 5-15 | 0 |
Investment Tools (total) | 50 | 30-60 | 0 |
Equity Investments | 10 | 20-30 | 5-15 |
Fixed Income | 12 | 5-15 | 10-20 |
Derivatives | 5 | 5-15 | 5-15 |
Alternative Investments | 3 | 5-15 | 5-15 |
Asset Classes (total) | 30 | 35-75 | 35-45 |
Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning (total) | 5 | 5-15 | 45-55 |
Total | 100 | 100 | 100 |