Exam Day

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Exam Day
The exam day schedule below is followed at every test center. Remember:

What to Bring to the Test Center

There are two timed sessions on exam day:
If you don't sit for the morning session, you cannot sit for the
afternoon session.
If you only sit for the morning session, you will not receive your
exam result.
Instructions are given before each timed session begins.
Plan to arrive at your test center early so you are seated in time to
hear the instructions.
Listen for instructions from testing personnel, such as when you can
open your exam book and when you must stop writing.

Your valid international travel passport

Your exam admission ticket
An approved calculator
No. 2 or HB pencils (and pens, for Level III)
What not to bring!

Typical Exam Day Schedule

Exact times may vary.

Activity

Morning
Session

Afternoon
Session

Candidates begin check-in process.

8:00 a.m.

1:00 p.m.

8:30 a.m.

1:30 p.m.

9:00 a.m.

2:00 p.m.

Doors close and announcements begin.

Once doors close, you may not enter until the timed session
begins.
Timed session begins.
Passports and calculators are checked again.

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Candidates must remain seated for the duration of the session.

Timed session ends.
Exams collected and reconciled.
Candidates must remain seated. This may take 10-20 minutes.

11:30 a.m.

4:30 p.m.

12:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

12:20 p.m.

5:20 p.m.

Note: Candidates may take toilet and water breaks during the exam, except while exam books are being distributed or reconciled and while announcements are being
read.

Testing Rooms Without Clocks

In testing rooms that do not have clocks the timekeeper will mark time remaining on a chalkboard or flip chart in the following increments:
Every 30 minutes:
Less
Less
Less
Less

than 2.5 hours remain

than 2 hours remain
than 1.5 hours remain
than 60 minutes remain

Then every 15 minutes:

Less than 45 minutes remain
Less than 30 minutes remain (verbal announcement)
Less than 15 minutes remain (verbal announcement)

Did You Know?

Writing past the stop time is one of the most common exam-related actions which result in CFA Institute voiding a candidate's exam result. Learn more about
exam-related disciplinary actions.

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Exam Day Dress Code?

We suggest that candidates dress comfortably and wear soft-soled shoes to keep noise in the testing room to a minimum.

Testing Policies
Review the CFA Program testing policies you agree to when you register for the exam.
Learn more

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