CFA® 2020 Exam and Curriculum Changes in 2021

As a result of the postponed June 2020 and cancelled December 2020 CFA exams, candidates have several concerns. The interruption to the curriculum results from COVID 19 effects and following government restrictions and respect for the safety of the candidates.

Some of these concerns include whether the curriculum will change and if the exam format will remain. In this article, we will address these concerns.

CFA exam changes in 2020 and 2021

The CFA Institute announced the following changes to the exam schedule starting 2021.

• The June exam window will no longer be available
• All the CFA exams will be computer-based.
• Two additional exam windows for CFA level I and one extra window for CFA level II and III in 2021 accommodate the postponements and allow for safety precautions.
• An additional July exam window for all CFA exam levels

The new exam windows as announced by the CFA Institute for level I are:

• February 16^th to March 1^st, 2021 for the February exam window
• May 18^th to May 24^th 2021 for the May exam window
• August 24^th to August 30^th, 2021, for the August exam window
• November 16^th to November 22^nd, 2021 for the November exam windows

The new CFA level II exam windows are;

• May exam window dates are May 25^th to June 1^st, 2021
• August exam window dates are August 31^st to September 4^th, 2021.
• The CFA Institute will announce the November exam window dates soon.

The new CFA level III exam windows are;

• The May exam window dates are May 25^th to June 1^st, 2021
• November exam window dates are November 23^rd to 25^th, 2021
• The CFA Institute will announce the August exam window dates soon.

The CFA curriculum changes in 2020 and 2021

The CFA institute announced a curriculum freeze on April 6^th, 2020. As a result, the 2020 curriculum will extend into 2021, and the exams based on the current 2020 curriculum.

A program freeze will minimize the impact of the changes on the students. For example, a new curriculum could disrupt transitioning students, cause confusion and stress. The CFA Institute announced that they would release the 2021 curriculum as refresher readings since the curriculum was evolving in 2020.

Expected curriculum changes in 2022

The curriculum freeze brought changes to the 2020 curriculum to a halt. As a result, we expect substantial changes to the 2022 curriculum since it will incorporate 2020 and 2021 changes.

The CFA Institute will release these curriculum changes and the new Candidate Body of Knowledge in 2021 when registration for the 2022 exam window opens. The first exam registration window for 2022 exams expected to open in May 2021, and the curriculum for the other levels expected when the other registration periods open.

Tips to help you pass the postponed CFA exams

Set up a study routine and adhere to it

To pass your exams, you need to understand the material and have the skills to apply this knowledge. The exam will test how to apply what you learned to different scenarios.

Setting up a study routine will help you attain this high level of understanding and application skill, and starting a study routine as early as possible will go a long way in helping you achieve this.

You should adhere to the set study routine as much as possible and develop a study strategy to ensure that you maximize the time you have in each session. You can start by reading or listening to lectures and understanding the information, then learn to apply the knowledge through practicing with examinations.

Pay attention to the core areas of study and expected learning outcomes

There are some core areas of the curriculum that you need to master in CFA. During your study sessions, you should pay more attention to these topics to master them.

Specific learning outcomes refer to what you should be able to do by the end of your CFA curriculum. It is the actual knowledge, skills, and abilities that the lecturer or instructor intends for you to learn or develop.

Specific learning outcomes are measurable and tested, for example, asking you to explain, identify or analyze a concept. The CFA Institute from the Candidate Body of Knowledge designs these learning outcomes, which are the core knowledge, skills, and abilities generally accepted and applied by investment professionals globally.

Paying close attention to the core areas of study and understanding the expected learning outcomes will help you have a more focused study session.

Relate your knowledge to real situations

To pass the CFA tests, you should know the material and the skill to apply that knowledge to real life. It would be best if you studied to gain the skills to use the information in real scenarios.

It would be best to keep in mind that you will need to use the material you learn to work in the real world. You can make your learning material simpler to remember by relating it to real-life situations.

Practice taking the exam using mock tests

You must be familiar with the terms used in the tests and how to answer the questions effectively. Practice using mock examinations as many times as possible leading to your scheduled test.

Taking mock examinations will enable you to identify any knowledge gaps and adjust your study sessions. You will also understand the terms used during testing, the calculations required, and how to apply the knowledge to solve problems. The CFA Institute gives you a mock exam.

Enrolling in study packages from Analystprep.com will give additional study resources. We offer practice questions and mock exams to help you identify weak areas that you should improve on. Contact us and start your journey to success.