CFA - Level 1

I got a simple question but no specific answer. I´m a little bit confused since I red a few different replies on other forums. My worry is that some of these replies are outdated.

Is it possible to join the CFA-Level 1 exam during the first year of my bachelor?
I know, the official CFA website says that you can join the CFA Program only when you are in the final year of your bachelor, but I want to join only the level 1 and not the whole CFA program.

Best regards

RB

5 Comments
 

No, you are not allowed sign up until your final year (although some do the summer before they begin final year).

Literally you could sign up for it and lie, but it probably isn't a good idea to lie on your sign-up form.. It can come back and bite you in the ass when you actually do pass all three exams and apply for your charter since they review your profile.

 

You're in no rush to do the CFA if you're in your first year. The content will make you cry. I'm passing it in my final year (as we speak) but only because it's a part of my BSc. From experience, I'd say you will not find the time to revise properly for it. Also, no insult intended, but I've not met a year 1 bachelor student (coming out of high school) who has the work ethic to study for Level 1.

EDIT: Suggestion: Why not take your time in the next 2/3 years to go through all the material and understand it all properly alongside your studies? You'll be ready to sit the exam as soon as you're allowed to.

'Corruption? Corruption is government intrusion into market efficiencies in the form of regulations. That's Milton Friedman. He got a goddamn Nobel Prize.'
 

Excepturi sint a velit. Voluptas modi nisi deserunt placeat aperiam et facilis fugiat. Ea cum voluptatem dolores quibusdam consequatur odit voluptates veniam. Blanditiis rerum sint non sunt quis expedita numquam. Minima sit dolor cumque sit. Velit dolores magnam dolorum commodi. Doloribus velit qui sint voluptatem itaque sed nemo.

Stay calm

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”