Your 2025 CFA Exam Results Guide

The moment you submit your last answer on the CFA exam, a new kind of waiting game begins. It’s a mix of nervous anticipation, hope and sometimes, dread.

You’ve spent months reviewing ethics, valuation, portfolio management and a mountain of other topics. But now you’re stuck asking yourself the same question over and over: When do CFA results come out?

Let’s clear the fog.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about your 2025 CFA exam results. That includes when to expect them, how they’re delivered, what your CFA exam result email means and what steps to take next whether you pass or not.

We’ll also focus on frequently asked questions and decode what to do with your CFA test results once they land in your inbox.

When Do CFA Results Come Out?

CFA exam results don’t show up instantly. They never have. The CFA Institute has a structured, meticulous grading and quality review process before releasing any CFA exam result. That’s why there’s usually a waiting period of five to seven weeks depending on your exam level.

So, how long does it take to get CFA results exactly? It depends on whether you sat for Level I, Level II or Level III.

• Level I and Level II results generally arrive within 6 weeks of your exam date.
• Level III results take slightly longer. The written response section needs more thorough evaluation, so expect to wait closer to 7 or even 8 weeks.

No matter which level you take, the CFA Institute sends out an email alert when your results are ready. That message won’t include your detailed performance breakdown, but it will clearly state whether you passed or not.

CFA Exam Results Dates for 2025

CFA exam results dates aren’t posted months in advance, but we can estimate them pretty accurately based on historical patterns. Here’s a breakdown of when you can expect your 2025 CFA results based on your exam window:

Keep in mind, CFA results are released based on the last day of the exam window, not the day you sat for your exam. So even if you tested on day one of the window, your results will still be released at the same time as everyone else.

How Long Do CFA Results Take to Be Released?

Still wondering how long to get CFA results or how long do CFA results take on average? The quick answer is between five to seven weeks, depending on your level. Here’s a breakdown:

• For Level I exam results, expect to wait about 6 weeks.
• CFA Level II results release date falls in that same general window.
• For Level III, you’ll need a little more patience. The CFA Level 3 results date typically stretches to 7 to 8 weeks after the test.

CFA Institute invests significant time reviewing the data to ensure fairness and accuracy. Given the global scale and significance of the exam, that wait time is par for the course.

How Are CFA Results Delivered?

Your CFA test results won’t be posted on the portal right away. Instead, you’ll get a formal email notification from the CFA Institute.

Here’s how it works:

• You’ll receive the email around morning or early afternoon, depending on your local time zone.
• The email subject line will read something like “Your CFA Exam Result.”
• Inside the email, your pass or fail status is front and center.
• The message includes a secure link to the CFA Institute Candidate Portal, where you’ll be able to access your complete performance breakdown.

This breakdown includes your scores by topic and a percentile chart showing how you performed relative to other candidates.

What’s in the CFA Exam Result Email?

When the email finally arrives, brace yourself. It’s short, direct and to the point. Here’s what to expect:

• The very first sentence gives you your pass/fail status. There’s no beating around the bush.
• You’ll find a link to log into your Candidate Portal, where the detailed CFA exam results await.
• Inside the portal, your performance is broken down into topic areas, giving you insights into where you excelled and where you struggled.

No, the email doesn’t tell you your exact score. In fact, CFA Institute doesn’t disclose exact scores at all. But you will see your relative percentile and whether you were in the top, middle, or lower band of performers.

What to Do After You Receive Your CFA Results

So, what happens next? Let’s break it down based on your result.

If You Passed

Big congratulations are in order. You’ve cleared one of the most respected and challenging exams in finance.

• If you passed Level I, it’s time to shift your focus to Level II. That’s where things get a bit more analytical and application-heavy.
• Passed Level II? Now you’re one step away from the finish line. Level III is all about portfolio management and essay-style responses.
• If you passed Level III, you’re ready to submit your work experience and apply for the CFA charter. You’re almost there.

Keep the momentum going. Use the high of your success to bounce right back into preparation. AnalystPrep offers comprehensive CFA study packages designed to keep you moving forward with confidence.

If You Didn’t Pass

This is tough, no doubt. But it happens. In fact, plenty of successful charterholders didn’t pass on their first try.

• Start by reviewing your Candidate Performance Report to identify weak areas.
• Reflect on your study strategy. Did you practice enough questions? Did you rely too much on memorization?
• Create a new plan. Consider leveraging AnalystPrep’s retake strategy resources, including focused video lessons, question banks and mock exams.

Your first result isn’t the final word. Many candidates pass on their second attempt with better structure and smarter prep.

Frequently Asked Questions About CFA Exam Results

1. How long to get CFA Level 1 results?
CFA Level 1 exam results typically arrive around 6 weeks after the exam window closes.

2. What’s the CFA results release date for 2025?
While exact CFA results release dates aren’t confirmed far in advance, historical trends help us estimate:

• February Level I: early April
• May Level II: early July
• August Level III: mid-October
• November Level I: late December or early January

3. How are CFA exam results delivered?
CFA Institute sends a results notification via email. The message includes your pass/fail status and a link to view your full report in the Candidate Portal.

4. Do CFA test results show exact scores?
No. CFA Institute does not release exact scores. Instead, you get a performance band and topic-level breakdown.

5. How long does it take to get CFA results across levels?

• CFA Level 1 exam results: 6 weeks
• CFA Level 2 results: about 6 weeks
• CFA Level 3 results: up to 7 or 8 weeks

6. What is the CFA result date for Level 2 in 2025?
For the May 2025 window, the CFA Level 2 results date is expected in the first week of July.

7. What if I want to appeal my CFA exam result?
You can request a score retabulation, but this only checks for clerical errors. It does not involve re-grading.

8. What’s the next step after receiving my CFA exam results?
If you passed, register for the next level while your study momentum is still strong. If not, use your report to refocus and prepare for a successful retake.

Conclusion

CFA results day can feel like a make-or-break moment. But no matter the outcome, it’s just one step in your journey. Whether you’re riding high on a pass or regrouping after a setback, what you do next is what truly counts.

Keep your head up, stay focused, and use the resources available to you. AnalystPrep is here to help, whether you’re moving to the next level or coming back stronger for a retake.

Your CFA journey is still unfolding. Let your next chapter be your best one yet.