Important CFA Exam Dates 2018 and 2019 (Don’t Miss the Deadline!)

The CFA Exam dates and deadline are pretty much the same every year: exam is scheduled every June for all levels, and every December for Level I only.

The June exam in 2018 was held 3 weeks later than normal – June 23 instead of the first Saturday of the month.

In any case, the CFA exam opens its registration a year before, and early bird closes 9 months before the exam date.

December 2018 CFA Exam Dates

The next available exam will be held in December. This is applicable to Level 1 exam only:

• 24 January, 2018: opens for registration
• 14 March: first deadline: must register by this date
• Mid August: mock exams available
• 22 August: second deadline: must pay fee by this date
• 1 September: deadline for exam awareness scholarship application
• 12 September: final deadline to register for the exam
• October: deadline for test center change request
• November: exam admission ticket becomes available
• 1 December: Exam Day!
• Dec to Jan 2019: exams graded
• Late Jan 2019: exam results become available

Should You Take the CFA Exam in December?

There are a few points to consider. For example, do you have enough time to study for Level 2 next June? You won’t know the Dec exam results until late January.

June 2019 CFA Exam Dates

The exact schedule is not out yet, but based on historical data, this is the expected time table:

Note on CFA Registration Deadline

1) Mid August, 2018: Opens for Registration

• Applications may register for the exam as early as 12 months before the exam.
• You can choose to take the sample exam upon registration. This is optional and it will cost US$40 for two sets of exams.

2) Late September: CFA Early Registration Deadline

• First deadline for registration
• CFA program applicants are required to pay a one-time enrollment fee as well as the exam registration fee. Level I retakers and Level II/III takers only need to pay the exam fee.
• If you register and pay by this date, you get an early bird discount (save US$280 from regular registration).
• Please click here to see how much the CFA title will cost you.

3) January 2019: Mock Exam Available

• Unlike the sample exam, mock exam is available for free for each registrant. Please click here for more details.

4) Mid February 2019: Regular CFA Registration Deadline

• The fee is $280 higher than early registration, but still $450 lower than the last deadline in March.

5) Mid March 2019: Late CFA Registration Deadline

• Last chance to apply for the CFA exam for this window.

6) Mid April 2019: Deadline for Test Center Change Request

• You can log in to make the changes online before this date.

7) May 2019: Admission Ticket Available

• The ticket is available online only.
• Please remember to print a copy of this ticket on clean, unused paper and bring it on the exam day.
• If you do not have online access you can request for a fax copy.

8) 15-16 June, 2019: Exam Day

• Effective 2019, the CFA exam will be held in two to three days:
  • 15 June for all candidates in US and EMEA, and Level 2 and 3 candidates in Asia Pacific;
  • 16 June for Level 1 candidates in Asia Pacific, and religious alternate exam takers in US and EMEA;
  • 17 June for all religious alternate exam takers in Asia Pacific

9) Jun – August 2019: Grading and Results

• Grading is done in June and July
• Results are available in late July for Level 1 and 2, and a month later in August for Level 3.
• You can learn about the historical pass rates here.

Frequently Asked Questions from Readers

1. What is the CFA Level 1 exam date?

The CFA level 1 exam is held on the second or third Saturday in June, and the first Saturday in December. In other words, you have two chances to take this level each year.

2. How about the CFA Level 2 and 3 exam date?

It’s the same as the CFA level 1 exam date in June. You can only take Level 2 and 3 once a year.

Summary in Video Format

For Your Further Reading

• How to become a CFA
• Frequently asked questions on CFA exam
• CFA Institute information on schedules and fees