2021 CFA® Exams – New Exam Dates and Registration Fees

Whether affected or infected, it is indisputable that the COVID-19 brought with it more harm than good. Among the many adverse effects of the disease include deaths, loss of jobs, slow businesses, movement restrictions, and decline in countries’ economies.

The coronavirus pandemic prompted CFA Institute to postpone and increase exam testing frequency and transform all levels of CFA exams from paper-based exams to computer-based exams.

New Exam Dates

Before the pandemic, with the exception of level I of the CFA exam, all the other CFA exam levels (Levels II and III) were being offered once a year, on the first weekend of June. Level I was being offered twice a year, on the first weekend of June and on the first weekend of December.

Effective in 2021, the changes have a provision for exam dates in each quarter of the year. Level I will now have four exam test dates in place of two. Levels II and III will each have two exam dates in place of one. Candidates can choose to attempt Level I exams in February, May, August, or November. They can then choose to attempt the level II exam in May or in August, and finally, Level III candidates can pick between May and November.

Candidates can, therefore, choose to have a minimum of 6 months, in place of one year, between their exam dates. A candidate that attempts level I of the CFA exam in December 2020 will not have to wait for a whole year before attempting level II. He/she can be able to attempt Level II in May 2021. The six-month minimum waiting period before attempting the next level ensures that candidates have ample study time by fulfilling the CFA Institute requirement of at least 300 hours of study time before attempting an exam. Therefore, a candidate who attempts Level I in February is not permitted to book the Level II May exam date. The earliest date that he/she can book is the August exam date.

The Institute has also increased the number of test locations from 87 to 400. By having more exam dates within a year and more test locations, CFA Institute plans to reach and test a larger number of people.

Computer-based Testing for CFA Exams

The December 2020 exams are the last of the paper-based exam series to be administered by CFA Institute. Candidates registered for the December 2020 exams and would wish to be among the computer-based exams series pioneers have until 20^th October to change their exam dates at no extra cost.

The change to the digitalized exam testing era is effective in 2021. Quoting the CFA Insitute website, “Exams will be delivered in proctored exam centers with robust security measures in place.” However, candidates will still be given writing materials and will have to bring their approved calculator (Texas Instruments BA II Plus or the Hewlett Packard 12C).

FRM Part I & Part II Complete Course

Registration Fees for CFA Exams

To sit for CFA exams, candidates have to pay an initial registration fee of USD 450. Afterward, they have to pay an extra USD 700 for early registration at each level, or USD 1000 for standard registration.

In addition to the fees mentioned above, candidates will be required to pay an additional $250 in case they wish to reschedule an exam.

Parting Shot

With that many more options in testing centers and exam dates, there is no reason not to attempt becoming a CFA charterholder. If you’re looking for video lesson, study notes, question banks, and mock exams for CFA exams offered by AnalystPrep, please consult the following webpage for detailed information:

All 3 Levels of the CFA Exam – Complete Course offered by AnalystPrep