How hard is it to pass CFA Level 2?

The all-time average CFA Level II pass rate is only 46%, and 2023 pass rates have been even lower. People who are studying for the CFA charter are smart, driven, and want to pass just as much as you do. That means it is crucial that you have a study plan and adhere to it.

Is CFA Level 2 very difficult?

#1 – CFA Level 2 is more difficult than Level 1

CFA ​Level 1 can be easy for some especially if they have a good grounding in finance back in university, or because of the context of their work. A big mistake would be to assume Level 2 is a continuation of this. It's not.

Is passing CFA Level 2 a big deal?

After removing the effect of work experience, we found that on average: CFA candidates who passed Level 2 saw an increase of 34% in total compensation; CFA candidates who passed Level 3 or Charterholders earned 53% more than those who had yet to pass CFA Level 1 exams.

What percentage of people pass CFA Level 2?

The Level II all-time average pass rate is 46%. Recent results have varied, however the latest pass rate is similar to what we saw in 2022.

Can you pass CFA Level 2 with 60%?

CFA Level 2 passing scores 2012-2023 (estimated)

We estimated that CFA Level 2's MPS ranged from 60%-71% from 2012-2023, with an 10-year average of 65%. The latest estimated MPSs for CFA Level 2 are: Nov 2023 = 68%

How to Pass CFA Level 2 in 2023 | 90th Percentile Score

How many people pass CFA Level 2 first try?

Data from the Institute shows that about 20% of candidates who register for level 1 do not even show up to take it. Many of the candidates who fail level 1 the first time leave the program for good. Level 2: In the ten years ending February 2023, pass rates for the level 2 exam have averaged 45%.

How many people fail CFA Level 2?

Since 2014, the historical CFA pass rates for: Level 1 ranges from 22%-49%, with a 10-year average of 39%; Level 2 ranges from 29%-55%, with a 10-year average of 45%; Level 3 ranges from 39%-56%, with a 10-year average of 50%.

Why is CFA Level 2 the hardest?

Not only are Level II CFA concepts generally more complex, but the questions on the Level II exam also require more concentration. Compared to Level I, a candidate will need a higher level of preparation and skill to select the correct answer to a Level II question.

Is CFA harder than CPA?

As clearly seen in the passing rates CFA is more difficult in comparison to CPA. On an average about 50% of the registered candidates clear CPA exam whereas about 7% of the candidates clear all the 3 levels of CFA. In terms of course also, the course of CFA is much more lengthy and detailed in comparison to CPA.

What is the hardest part of CFA Level 2?

Meanwhile, CFA Level 2 most difficult topics are typically Financial Statement Analysis, Portfolio Management, Ethics and Derivatives.

Is CFA Level 2 or 3 harder?

Is the CFA Level III Exam Harder than Level II? Yes, the Level III exam is harder than the Level II exam because the Level III exam contains a constructed response section, and your knowledge in Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning makes up 35-40% of your score.

What is the hardest CFA level to pass?

Level 1. The Level 1 CFA Exam features questions over memorized definitions and formulas. This exam is really about information recall. While everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, this exam statistically has the lowest pass rate at around 41% or 42%.

Is 3 months enough for CFA Level 2?

How many hours do I need to study for CFA Level 2? Based on CFA Institute's June 2019 Candidate Survey, the average Level 2 candidate studied for 328 hours. However, based on our experience to increase chances of passing, studying for a minimum of 350 hours over 4-6 months is more common.

What is the hardest exam in finance?

The CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) exam is recognized as one of the most rigorous exams globally. Annually, more than 100,000 candidates undertake this comprehensive assessment.

Is CFA harder than the bar?

Considering their pass rates—approximately 50% for the CPA exams, around 13.5% for candidates completing all three levels of the CFA exams, and roughly 70% for the Florida bar—statistics would suggest that the CFA credential is in fact the hardest.

How long should I study for CFA Level 2?

How long do I need to study for CFA Level II? The CFA Institute reports that it will take around 328 hours spread across at least six months to prepare for the CFA Level II exam.

What pays more CPA or CFA?

CFA Charterholder vs. CPA Salary. Salaries can vary widely for both CFAs and CPAs based on location, experience level, and company size. That being said, according to Payscale the average salary for a CFA is $102,000 and the average salary for a CPA is $94,000.

What is more prestigious CPA or CFA?

Many consider the CPA to be the highest achievement across both accounting and finance—and the “gold standard” of the profession.

Is a CFA or MBA better?

Career aspirations: While there is certainly overlap in how business school graduates and charterholders apply their expertise, MBA programs are generally ideal for professionals who want to pursue management positions in any industry. A CFA designation suits professionals dedicated to working in the finance industry.

Is CFA Level 2 worth it?

The CFA is worth it.

In fact, Level 1 and Level 2 combined cover more material than the core courses of a traditional finance bachelor's degree. Additionally, the program includes some accounting and economics topics, providing a comprehensive understanding of finance.

Is CFA harder than college?

Oh, and I know you have heard this before, but CFA exams are a lot harder than you think, and not like college/university. And Level 2 and Level 3 are significantly harder.

Is CFA or MCAT harder?

Scoring high enough on the MCAT to gain admission to a U.S. medical school (MD program not DO) is more difficult than passing the CFA. For some candidates not schooled in finance, passing the CFA could be more difficult than a respectable MCAT score.

Why do people fail CFA Level 2?

At Level II, we find that numerous candidates underestimate the amount of work required to properly prepare for the exam. Those who studied considerably less than 300 hours at Level I and still passed because they had seen some of the topics before studying are most prone to making this error.

Why is the CFA pass rate so low?

So why are recent pass rates so low? Many professional exams have been disrupted by COVID-19, delaying enrollees for a few months. However, unlike other professional exam enrollees, CFA candidates have been disrupted since March 2020 when CFA Institute announced the cancelation of the June 2020 exams.

How many people pass CFA on first try?

Level I, II and III pass rates equaled 36%, 44%, and 48%, respectively. Since the CFA began administering the program in 1963, Level I, II, and III pass rates have averaged 41%, 46%, and 56%, respectively, with a total of 2.1 million, 963,594, and 543,322 separate exams taken at those respective levels.