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CFA Level 1 Exam Overview (2026) | Everything You Need to Know!

Luke Kermode, CFA

13,577 views

Hey guys! Welcome back to the channel! 👋

In this video, I give a clear, high-level overview of the CFA Level I exam — covering the structure, key topic areas, difficulty level, and how the exam is actually tested!

If you’ve found this video helpful and want to support the channel, there’s a Buy Me a Coffee link below ☕️, totally optional as watching, liking, and subscribing already means a lot! https://buymeacoffee.com/lukekermode

Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction
0:52 Level 1 Exam Overview
3:16 Level 1 Exam Difficulty
6:37 Level 1 Topic Weightings
9:57 Level 1 Exam Structure
11:15 Level 1 Question Format
12:51 Level 1 Exam Day Tips
15:03 What Comes After Level 1?

12 Comments

@LukeKermodeCFA Creator 9 months ago Pinned

Hey guys 👋 thanks for watching — if you’ve found this video helpful and want to support the channel, there’s a Buy Me a Coffee link below ☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/lukekermode

@arwaeldaley6685 5 months ago (edited)

Thank you for this. Very helpful for my prrp

@musicmovesall 7 months ago (edited)

Great content, do post more videos. I have subscribed to your channel -starting this journey. We'll see where it goes.

@Second-Pass222 4 months ago

Pass rate is 40% for a 70% passing score....tough.....very tough....Need to study like hell now.

@KA-ig7oy 5 days ago

If i have a bachelor in IT can i switch careers to finance if i get this CFA1

@gaestef3152 8 months ago

Hi Luke, I have a question: do you suggest studying from the books or from the Learning Ecosystem? I read sometimes that LES is better because goes more straight to the point with respect to the books, but I am a bit afraid of missing out something by completely avoiding books…

@filippoclerici5706 1 month ago

Hi Luke and thank you so much for your video. Do you have any suggestion about how to get familiare with BA II Plus in a short time? Is there any tutorial that you suggest? Thank you!

@shh7440 4 months ago

Hi
Do you think 5 months are enough for cfa l1

@ABESWORLDlite 8 months ago

Thanks

@roshinimano2719 2 months ago

Hi Luke, what study materials did you use to study? Thanks!!!

@oxeley 5 months ago

i come from accounting background with 3 years of work experience. Do you think I should start my study prep with Financial statement analysis as first topic of study and Quant as second?