CAIA Level I Exam Prep

Find out when you need to register to sit for your CAIA Level I exam.

Register for the CAIA Exam

Exam Format

The CAIA Level I exam is divided into two sections.

• 4 hours to complete the 200 multiple-choice questions (optional 30-minute break between each section).
• Sections 1 and 2 each consist of 100 multiple-choice questions
• Based on candidate surveys performed by CAIA Association, 250–300 hours of study are recommended to prepare.

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Body of Knowledge

With the Level I topics, you will learn the tools to analyze alternative investments. The 2025 Level I curriculum includes the following:

• Professional Standards and Ethics
• Introduction to Alternative Investments
• Real Assets
• Private Equity
• Private Debt
• Hedge Funds
• Digital Assets
• Funds of Funds

Topic Weights

The topics are weighted as follows:

• Professional Standards and Ethics: 15–25%
• Introduction to Alternative Investments: 20–28%
• Real Assets: 11–17%
• Private Equity: 6–10%
• Private Debt: 10–15%
• Hedge Funds: 11–17%
• Digital Assets: 4–8%
• Funds of Funds: 2-6%

These topic weights were used to develop a Level I study plan you can follow to ensure complete coverage of the material.

Level I Study Packages

Requirements to Earn the Charter

To be eligible to earn the CAIA charter, you must accomplish the following:

1. Pass Level I and Level II of the CAIA exam.

   • Exams must be taken in separate exam cycles
   • Exam cycles occur in March and September
     
     

2. Meet one of the two requirements below:

   • Obtain a bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, with a minimum of one year of professional experience
   • Have a minimum of four years of professional experience
   • Note: Professional experience is defined as full-time employment in a professional capacity with the regulatory, banking, financial, or related fields
     
     

3. Agree to abide by the terms and conditions of the CAIA Association Member Agreement.

   • Agreement renewal is required on an annual basis
     
     
4. Provide two professional references
   
   

5. Establish and maintain membership in the CAIA Association

   • Membership fees apply; renewed on an annual or bi-annual basis
   • One-year membership fee is $350; two-year membership fee is $650
     
     

Give yourself the best chance to pass your CAIA Exam with Level I Study Packages.

CAIA^® Exam Fees

For CAIA exams, first-time candidates must pay a one-time $400 enrollment fee. This applies to anyone taking Level I for the first time, or to Stackable candidates taking Level II as their first CAIA exam. The exam registration fee starts at $995 during the Early Registration period and increases to $1,395 during Standard Registration. If you need to retake the exam, the registration fee is reduced to $795.