CFA Level I exam-day guide
CFA Level I · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid, unexpired international travel passport
This is the primary ID for CFA Program testing. The name on the passport must match the name on your CFA Institute account exactly; if it does not, update your account before test day. A driver's license or national ID card is not a substitute. Confirm the current ID policy in your appointment confirmation.
Appointment confirmation / confirmation number
Have your confirmation number and test-center address available, ideally both printed and saved on your phone (the phone stays in your locker). Check the address the day before, since test centers can differ from what you expect.
Approved calculator (and spare if you own one)
Only the Texas Instruments BA II Plus (including Professional) and the Hewlett-Packard 12C (including Platinum and 12C Prestige) are permitted. No other models, no phone or computer calculators. Confirm the current approved list before test day and check batteries beforehand.
Spare batteries / small screwdriver for your calculator
Permitted items vary by center, so check what the provider allows in the testing room. At minimum, verify your calculator works and consider replacing the battery in the days before the exam.
Know that scratch paper and writing instruments are provided
Test centers supply writing materials; you generally may not bring your own paper, notes, or pens into the room. Confirm the current policy for your location, and note that materials may be collected and replaced between sessions.
Leave prohibited items at home or plan to locker them
Phones, smart watches and all watches, fitness trackers, headphones, study notes, and bags are not allowed in the testing room. Most centers provide a small locker; plan to switch devices off and store them before you are seated.
Plan arrival at least 30 minutes before your appointment time
Check-in involves ID verification and a security screening. Candidates who arrive late may be refused admission or have their appointment cancelled without refund. Confirm the exact arrival window with your test center, as it can vary.
Light snack and water for the break
Food and drink are not allowed in the testing room. Store a snack and water in your locker for the scheduled break so you do not lose break time looking for them.
Review the testing-room rules and candidate pledge
You will be asked to agree to the exam-day and confidentiality terms. Read them once beforehand so nothing on the screen surprises you.
Confirm your session structure so you can pace yourself
Level I is delivered in two sessions, each about 2 hours and 15 minutes with 90 multiple-choice questions, plus an optional break between them. Verify the exact timings in your appointment confirmation.
Plan your route and backup transport
Know the building entrance, parking or transit options, and allow buffer time for traffic or security lines. Being early costs you nothing; being late can end your exam.
Plan the day
Stop adding new material. Rework your error log and formula sheet, do one or two timed half-sessions, and lock in your exam-day logistics (center address, transport, ID check, calculator battery). Shift your sleep schedule toward your appointment time.
Re-read your appointment confirmation for arrival time, permitted items, and break rules. Confirm the name on your passport matches your CFA Institute account exactly; fixing a mismatch on exam day is usually not possible.
Do a light review only: ethics framework, key formulas, and your personal weak-spot list. Pack your ID, confirmation, calculator, spare battery, and snack. Check the weather and transit. Set two alarms. Aim for a full night's sleep rather than a late cram session.
Eat a normal meal, hydrate moderately, and avoid heavy caffeine if you are not used to it. Arrive at least 30 minutes early. Put your phone and watch away before entering. Bring nothing into the room except what the provider permits.
Present your passport and confirmation number, complete the security screening, store personal items in your locker, and take your seat. Listen carefully to the proctor's instructions about the testing software and the timer.
Budget roughly 1.5 minutes per question across 90 questions in about 2 hours 15 minutes. Answer every question - there is no penalty for a wrong answer - and flag uncertain ones to revisit. Do not let one long calculation consume five minutes.
Take the optional break: eat, drink, use the restroom, and stretch. Keep it short so you return before your break time expires. Do not discuss the exam with anyone at the center. Re-check your calculator and materials before re-entering.
Reset your pacing, expect fatigue, and keep moving. Answer every item, revisit flagged questions only if time remains, and use the last few minutes to confirm no question is left blank.
Submit, collect your belongings, and leave the testing area. Do not reproduce or discuss exam questions with anyone. Note that results are released on a published schedule - confirm the date and delivery method with the provider rather than relying on rumor.
Rules to check
Identification: you must present a valid, unexpired international travel passport whose name matches your CFA Institute account exactly. Without acceptable ID you will not be admitted and your fee is generally forfeited - confirm the current ID policy before test day.
Calculator: only approved models (TI BA II Plus / BA II Plus Professional and HP 12C family) may be used. Bringing any other calculator, or using a phone or computer calculator, is a testing violation.
Prohibited items: phones, watches of any kind, smart devices, headphones, notes, and study materials must be stored outside the testing room and switched off. Unauthorized items in the room can void your exam.
Breaks: the break between sessions is optional; leaving the room at other times is generally supervised and may count against your time. Food, drink, and study materials are not permitted in the testing room. Confirm break specifics with your test center.
Scoring: all questions are equally weighted and there is no penalty for incorrect answers, so never leave a question blank. The passing score is set by the provider after each administration and is not published in advance.
Conduct and confidentiality: you agree not to record, reproduce, or discuss exam content before, during, or after the exam. Attempting to copy questions, use unauthorized aids, or communicate with other candidates during the session is a violation that can lead to cancellation of your result and possible suspension.
Timing and admission: arriving late may result in refusal of admission or cancellation without refund, and your session timer does not pause for late arrival or technical delays on your part. Arrive early and follow proctor instructions immediately.
Materials: scratch paper and writing implements are provided by the test center and may be collected and refreshed between sessions; bringing your own is generally prohibited. Confirm the allowed-materials list in your appointment confirmation.