The CFA Institute usually releases results for Level 1 and Level 2 within 6–8 weeks after the exam date, while Level 3 may take up to 90 days due to the written component. For the February 2025 exam cycle, the CFA Level 1 results was declared on April 3, 2025, and the CFA Level 3 results will be announced on April 22, 2025. These results will be sent directly to the candidates’ registered email addresses. You can also check your result using the CFA result login page on the official CFA Institute website. This article will help you understand everything about CFA results — when to expect them, how to check them, what your score means, what the CFA pass rates are, and what to do next in your CFA journey.
What is CFA?
Every finance student in India has heard about CFA. The CFA full form is Chartered Financial Analyst. The CFA Institute in the USA gives this certificate. It is one of the top programs in the finance field. CFA helps students build careers in jobs like:
- Investment banking
- Portfolio management
- Equity research
- Corporate finance
- Financial analysis
- Risk management
The CFA course has three levels: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. You must pass all three levels. After that, you need 4,000 hours of work in investment roles. Once you complete both, the CFA Institute gives you the CFA charter.
CFA Level 1 teaches basic concepts like ethics, accounting, and economics. CFA Level 2 teaches how to apply those ideas. CFA Level 3 teaches portfolio management and decision-making. CFA exams happen in different months of the year:
- Level 1: February, May, August, November
- Level 2: May, August, November
- Level 3: February, August
You must study for 300 to 400 hours for each level. Indian students usually take coaching or use study materials like Schweser, Wiley, or CFA’s content. The CFA exam is tough, and many students don’t pass on their first try. That’s why the CFA results matter so much. They tell you how you did and what to do next.
When are CFA Results Released?
CFA students wait eagerly after the exam. Everyone wants to know the CFA result date and the CFA result announcement time. The CFA Institute follows a clear schedule for releasing results. You can check it and prepare yourself for the result day.
CFA Result Dates for 2025
Here are the CFA results 2025 expected release dates. These are based on the CFA Institute’s official calendar:
| Exam Month | Level | Exam Dates (2025) | CFA Result Date |
| February | Level 1 | 17–23 February | 3 April 2025 (Confirmed) |
| February | Level 2 | — (No exam) | — |
| February | Level 3 | 13–16 February | 22 April 2025 (Confirmed) |
| May | Level 1 | 14–20 May | 2 July 2025 (Expected) |
| May | Level 2 | 21–25 May | 10 July 2025 (Expected) |
| May | Level 3 | — (No exam) | — |
| August | Level 1 | 20–26 August | 2 October 2025 (Expected) |
| August | Level 2 | 27–31 August | 9 October 2025 (Expected) |
| August | Level 3 | 15–19 August | 30 October 2025 (Expected) |
| November | Level 1 | 12–18 November | 8 January 2026 (Expected) |
| November | Level 2 | 19–23 November | 15 January 2026 (Expected) |
| November | Level 3 | — (No exam) | — |
These dates may shift by 1–2 days. However, the CFA result announcement is mostly on time.
CFA Result Time and Delay Possibility
- The CFA result is sent via email, typically between 9 AM to 10 AM Eastern Time (EST).
Most Indian students receive it around 6:30 PM IST on the result date. - If you don’t get the email on time:
- First, check your spam or junk folders.
- Then, log in to the CFA Institute website and check your candidate dashboard.
- In rare cases, the results may get delayed. The CFA Institute sends updates via email or social media if there’s a known delay.
- So, stay calm, be ready with your login credentials, and check regularly on the result day.
How to Check Your CFA Results Online?
Now that you know when the results come, let’s talk about how to check them. Many Indian students feel confused about the CFA result login process. But it is very simple. Once the CFA Institute releases the results, you can easily check your CFA Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 results online through the official website. The process is simple and takes only a few minutes. Here’s a step-by-step guide for Indian students and global candidates:
1. Check Your Registered Email First
- CFA Institute first sends the result to your registered email address.
- Look for an email from: [email protected]
- If it’s not in your inbox, check your Spam or Promotions tab.
2. Visit the CFA Institute Website
- Go to the official CFA Institute site: https://www.cfainstitute.org
3. Log In to Your CFA Account
- Click on “Login” (top-right corner).
- Use your registered email ID and password to access your account.
4. Go to the Candidate Dashboard
- After logging in, go to the “Candidate Resources” or Dashboard section.
- Click on “View Result” or “Exam Results” under the exam level you appeared for.
5. Download Your Scorecard
- You will see your official CFA result, pass/fail status, and performance by topic area.
- Download the result PDF for your records.
- Save a screenshot or print it for future use (for job applications, visa, etc.).
Important Tips
- Be ready with your login details before the result time.
- Avoid logging in from multiple devices at once; it may lock your account temporarily.
- If the website is slow or crashes, wait and try again after 15–30 minutes—this is common during result release hours.
When Should You Check?
- CFA result emails are usually sent between 9 AM – 10 AM EST, which is 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM IST in India.
- If it’s past that time and you haven’t received anything, go straight to the website.
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CFA Results: What Do Your Scores Mean?
When you see your CFA score report, it shows more than just Pass or Fail. You see how well you did in each subject. This helps you know your strong and weak areas.
How to Read the CFA Score Report?
CFA score reports are different for each level. But all reports show:
- Overall Result – Passed / Did Not Pass
- Topic Performance – Score bands like:
- ≤ 50%
- 51%–70%
- ≥ 70%
- Performance Graph – Shows your performance across topics.
If you scored ≥ 70% in most areas, you did great. If you scored ≤ 50%, that topic needs work.
CFA Result Analysis for Each Level
- CFA Level 1 results show your base understanding. Most Indian students score low in Ethics and Economics.
- CFA Level 2 results focus on case studies. Many struggle with Financial Reporting.
- CFA Level 3 results include essay questions. Students need to write clear answers and show good thinking.
You must read your CFA result analysis carefully. It will help you improve for the next exam.
CFA Exam Pass Rate Trends (Updated with 2024–2025 Data)
Understanding the CFA exam pass rate trends is very important for every candidate preparing for the Chartered Financial Analyst exams. The pass rate shows how many candidates successfully cleared each level in a given exam window. It also helps you understand the level of difficulty and how well-prepared most candidates were. Below is the latest data for CFA Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 exams, including actual pass rates from 2024 and early 2025.
CFA Level I Exam Pass Rate (Latest Trends)
CFA Level 1 is known as the filtering stage. It tests your basic knowledge of finance, accounting, economics, and ethics. Here are the latest pass rates for CFA Level 1:
| Exam Window | Pass Rate (%) |
| May 2024 | 46% |
| August 2024 | 44% |
| November 2024 | 43% |
| February 2025 | 45% |
- The pass rate is slowly improving after the record lows in 2021.
- A consistent range of 43%–46% shows stable exam difficulty.
- Candidates who focus on mock exams, ethics, and time management perform well.
CFA Level II Exam Pass Rate (Latest Trends)
Level 2 is considered the most analytical level. It includes case-based item sets that require deep understanding and application of concepts.
| Exam Window | Pass Rate (%) |
| May 2024 | 59% |
| August 2024 | 47% |
| November 2024 | 39% |
- The May 2024 pass rate of 59% is the highest in recent years.
- This means more candidates were well-prepared and benefited from structured study plans.
- However, the sharp drop in November (39%) shows the importance of consistent preparation.
- Indian candidates should focus on item set practice and conceptual clarity.
CFA Level III Exam Pass Rate (Latest Trends)
Level 3 is the final and most practical stage. It focuses on portfolio management and includes essay-type (constructed response) questions along with item sets.
| Exam Window | Pass Rate (%) |
| February 2024 | 49% |
| August 2024 | 48% |
- Level 3 pass rates remain stable near 48–49%, slightly higher than Level 1 or 2.
- The main challenge is the essay section, which many Indian students are unfamiliar with.
- Practicing essay writing and time-bound simulations is very important for success
Next Steps After Receiving Your CFA Results
Once your CFA exam results are released, your journey either continues to the next level or gives you a second chance to come back stronger. Whether you passed or didn’t, both outcomes require careful planning and a positive mindset—especially for Indian students balancing studies, jobs, or family responsibilities.
What to Do If You Passed the CFA Exam?
Congratulations! Passing any CFA level is a huge achievement. But your journey is not over yet. You need to quickly plan for the next step to maintain momentum.
If You Passed Level 1
- Register for CFA Level 2 as soon as possible.
- Choose a study plan (self-study or coaching).
- Understand the item set format used in Level 2.
- Allocate 5–6 months of preparation with daily consistency.
- Buy CFA curriculum or prep provider materials early.
If You Passed Level 2
- Begin preparing for Level 3, the final and most applied stage.
- Learn the essay-style format (constructed response).
- Practice portfolio management cases early on.
- Join essay workshops or mock exam groups.
- Stay focused—this is your final push.
If You Passed Level 3
- You’re eligible to become a CFA Charterholder!
- Apply for the charter by:
- Logging into your CFA Institute account.
- Filling out the professional work experience form.
- Confirming at least 4,000 hours of qualified work over 36 months.
- Getting professional references and submitting your application.
- Once approved, add “CFA” to your name professionally and start applying for CFA-aligned roles!
What to Do If You Did Not Pass?
Failing a CFA exam can be disappointing—but it’s not the end of your journey. Many candidates pass on their second or even third attempts. Remember: this is a marathon, not a sprint. Step-by-Step Plan to Bounce Back:
- Read Your CFA Score Report Carefully
- Understand how you performed in each topic.
Identify which areas were below 50%, between 50–70%, and above 70%.
- Understand how you performed in each topic.
- Focus on Your Weak Areas
- Make a topic-wise improvement plan.
- Give more time to subjects where you performed poorly (e.g., Quant, FRA, Ethics).
- Make a New Study Plan
- Build a realistic schedule around work or college.
- Include 3–4 months of core learning and 1 month of review + mocks.
- Join a Coaching Class or Study Group (if needed)
- For Indian students, live coaching or online mentorships like FinTree, Sanjay Saraf, or EduPristine can be helpful.
- Book Your Next Exam Early
- Take advantage of early registration discounts.
- Book your preferred center and date before slots fill up, especially in India.
- Stay Motivated and Positive
- Read success stories of people who passed after multiple attempts.
- Stay active on CFA forums, Telegram groups, or Reddit for support.
CFA Results FAQs
1. When will I receive my CFA exam results?
You usually get your CFA exam results 6–8 weeks after your exam window closes. For example, for the February 2025 exam, results are expected by mid-April 2025. CFA Institute will email your results and make them available on your candidate portal.
2. How do I read my CFA exam results?
Your CFA result includes a pass/fail status, your performance by topic area, and a percentile comparison. It also has a performance band chart that shows how your scores compare to others. This helps you understand where you did well or where you need improvement.
3. What does a CFA exam results chart look like?
The chart shows your score as a line, along with a band that represents the minimum passing score (MPS). It also shows 90th percentile and 10th percentile benchmarks. It’s a visual way to assess if you passed and how strong your performance was compared to other candidates.
4. When will Level 3 CFA exam results be announced?
Level 3 results take a bit longer. Typically, CFA Level 3 results are released 8–10 weeks after the exam. If you sat for Level 3 in February 2025, expect results in late April or early May 2025.
5. Should you share your CFA exam results?
Sharing CFA results is a personal choice. However, CFA Institute allows you to share your pass/fail status and your level, but not your exact score. Many candidates choose to share their pass status on LinkedIn or with employers, especially after passing Level 3.
