CFA Exam

The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program is the most highly respected designation for investment management professionals. It is the accepted benchmark for technical excellence in national and international financial markets, with networks across the world.  CFA is the globally recognized mark of distinction for measuring the expertise, experience and ethics of investment professionals.

Top Chartholder Careers   

Top careers include portfolio managers, research analysts, chief executives, consultants, relationship managers, corporate financial analysts, risk managers, and investment bankers.

CFA at BYU Marriott

The finance major is the best preparation for passing the CFA exam, as the core courses closely mirror the various sections of the CFA. Students can expect to average a total of three hundred hours of study time to prepare for the exam. The national passing average for the CFA Level 1 exam is forty-three percent. BYU Marriott’s CFA program participants average over seventy-five percent. Our passing rate is evidence that BYU Marriott’s support and preparation resources are helping students find success.  Additionally, if an applicant to the BYU Marriott finance program is pursuing or has achieved the first level of CFA certification, it will be noted positively by the admission committee. Students interested in receiving emails with more information about the CFA Program at BYU, please enter your information here

Book Orders

Kaplan Schweser Publishers has given BYU a discounted group rate on CFA books (for Levels 1, 2, and 3) and the Essential Self-Study Package (including the online Question Bank, which normally is an additional cost). These book sets are available to students for $299. Students ready to place a book order should reach out to finmajor@byu.edu to begin the ordering process. Please place your order as early as possible, as orders will be done in batches throughout the year. Orders will be charged to your BYU student account.

Exam Costs and Deadlines

For all exam registration costs and deadlines please visit the CFA website. The costs and deadlines change from year to year.

Scholarship Information

CFA Institute Scholarships – There are several scholarships made available to BYU through the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program. These scholarships waive the one-time CFA program enrollment fee (if applicable) and reduce the exam registration fee (including access to the curriculum eBook) to $350. Interested students can apply online. For your on-line application, you will need to attach a résumé and a cover letter outlining the following:

  • Reasons for wanting to take the exam, including a future career plan
  • A study plan to ensure passage of the exam
  • Other work experience or special needs

Applications open September 1 and applicants will be selected on a rolling basis. A panel of professors will review the materials and choose the scholarship recipients. If your résumé and cover letter is not attached to the application, you will not be considered for the scholarship.

Please note that in previous years, students that passed any level of the CFA Exam as a BYU student would be eligible for a full reimbursement of the exam cost. However, if you took the exam after December 2023, this will no longer be a financial aid option.