CFA Program Survey
Insights from Charterholders and Candidates
CFA Program Survey Highlights
As the international gold standard for investment and finance professionals, the value of the CFA charter is undeniable.
Kaplan Schweser conducted a study that provides a unique look into the experiences and opinions of CFA candidates and charterholders at different points in their journeys. The study focused on:
How candidates prepare for their CFA exams
How passing their exams and earning the CFA charter has impacted their careers
Candidates’ thoughts on the value of employer support during the CFA exam process
Pursuit of other designations in addition to the CFA charter
Whether you’re on the path to becoming a CFA charterholder, already a charterholder, or an employer of charterholders, this report will give you new perspectives on the CFA charter specifically and the investment management industry in general.
About the Survey Respondents
Gender
75% of respondents are male.
Age
A variety of age groups responded, with 63% being under 35, 30% being between the ages of 35 and 54, and 7% being 55 or older.
Education
53% of respondents hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent with another 40% holding either an MBA (18%) or other master’s degree (22%). 4% hold a doctorate.
Resources Used to Prepare for the CFA Exam
Career Impact of the CFA Charter
Salary Increase
32% of surveyed CFA candidates received a salary increase after passing one of their exams or becoming a charterholder.*
Career Advancement
20% of surveyed CFA candidates were promoted after passing one of their exams or becoming a charterholder.†
Personal Satisfaction
60% of respondents were more satisfied with their career trajectory after passing their most recent exam or becoming a charterholder.‡
*32% Received a Salary Increase: Earnings increases are dependent on numerous factors other than, or in addition to, passing CFA exams, including specific employment conditions and individual experience. Kaplan Schweser does not guarantee any earnings increase resulting directly from such designation. These are the findings of a quantitative survey conducted by Kaplan between May 2 and May 27, 2024. For this survey, a sample of 728 CFA Level I, II, and III candidates was interviewed online, of which 709 were employed at the time of the survey.
†20% Received a Promotion: Promotions are dependent on numerous factors other than, or in addition to, passing CFA exams, including specific employment conditions and individual experience. Kaplan Schweser does not guarantee any promotions increase resulting directly from such designation. These are the findings of a quantitative survey conducted by Kaplan between May 2 and May 27, 2024. For this survey, a sample of 728 CFA Level I, II, and III candidates was interviewed online, of which 709 were employed at the time of the survey.
‡60% Were More Satisfied with Career Trajectory: These are the findings of a quantitative survey conducted by Kaplan between May 2 and May 27, 2024. For this survey, a sample of 728 CFA Level I, II, and III candidates was interviewed online, all of whom had passed at least the CFA Level I exam.
Most Recommended: This is one of the findings of a quantitative survey conducted by Kaplan between April 1 and October 31, 2023. For this survey, a sample of 272 CFA Candidates were interviewed online in English. The survey was fielded to subscribers of 300Hours.com.
Most Used Online Forum Hosted by CFA Exam Prep Providers: Based on Kaplan North America research for comparable CFA exam preparation programs as of February 2023.
95% Recommendation Rate: This is one of the findings of a quantitative survey conducted by Kaplan between April 1 and October 31, 2023. For this survey, a sample of 272 CFA Candidates was interviewed online in English. The survey was fielded to subscribers of 300Hours.com.
Helped 700,000+ Candidates Prep for Exams: Net purchases of study packages containing the printed SchweserNotes™ bookset from 2008 through winter 2024 (less 2020).
Only CFA Provider Offering In-Person Mock Exams at Actual CFA Test Centers: Based on Kaplan North America research for comparable CFA exam prep providers as of June 2023.
Leader in CFA Prep: These are the findings of a quantitative survey conducted by Kaplan between June 30 and August 30, 2021. For this survey, a sample of 313 U.S. CFA Level I and Level II candidates was interviewed online. The survey was fielded to subscribers of 300Hours.com and AnalystForum.com.
Only Online Forum with Content from CFA Faculty Experts: Based on Kaplan North America research for comparable CFA exam preparation programs as of February 2023.
PassProtection™: Terms and conditions apply. Visit www.schweser.com/cfa/pass-protection for more information.
Kaplan Schweser is a CFA Institute Prep Provider. Only CFA Institute Prep Providers are permitted to make use of CFA Institute copyrighted materials, which are the building blocks of the exam. We are also required to update our materials every year and this is validated by CFA Institute.
Our products and services substantially cover the relevant curriculum and exam and this is validated by CFA Institute. In our advertising, any statement about the numbers of questions in our products and services relates to unique, original, proprietary questions. CFA Institute Prep Providers are forbidden from including CFA Institute official mock exam questions or any questions other than the end of reading questions within their products and services.
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