Level I exam windows
| Window | Exam dates | Curriculum | Registration opens | Early deadline | Registration closes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 2026 | 11–17 Nov 2026 | 2026 | 11 Feb 2026 | 15 Apr 2026 | 11 Aug 2026 |
| February 2027 | 22–28 Feb 2027 | 2027 | 5 May 2026 | 7 Jul 2026 | 5 Nov 2026 |
| May 2027 | 11–17 May 2027 | 2027 | 12 Aug 2026 | 14 Oct 2026 | 10 Feb 2027 |
| August 2027 | 15–22 Aug 2027 | 2027 | 3 Nov 2026 | 20 Jan 2027 | 29 Apr 2027 |
| November 2027 | 13–19 Nov 2027 | 2027 | Not yet published | Not yet published | Not yet published |
After you register you book your own day and time inside the window, before the scheduling deadline. The window can vary slightly by test centre and region. All deadlines are 11:59 PM US Eastern Time.
Scheduling and rescheduling deadlines
| Window | Scheduling deadline | Rescheduling deadline |
|---|---|---|
| November 2026 | 18 Aug 2026 | 31 Oct 2026 |
| February 2027 | 10 Nov 2026 | 11 Feb 2027 |
| May 2027 | 16 Feb 2027 | 30 Apr 2027 |
| August 2027 | 6 May 2027 | 4 Aug 2027 |
| November 2027 | Not yet published | Not yet published |
Moving your appointment within the same window costs USD 250. If you miss your appointment and don't reschedule, the exam fee is lost: CFA Institute's fees are non-refundable and can't be deferred to another window. See how much CFA Level I costs.
Which window should you pick?
- Count back about 20 weeks. CFA Institute suggests around 300 hours of study per level; at 15 hours a week that is about 20 weeks. Our study plan shows how to split them.
- Register before the early deadline if you can. It is usually about ten months before the exam and saves USD 350.
- Mind the curriculum. 2027 windows test the 2027 curriculum, with less Ethics and more Quantitative Methods (what changed, topic weights).
- Book your test centre early. Seats are first come, first served, and popular centres fill up.
Exam dates FAQ
- When is the next CFA Level 1 exam?
- The next Level I window is November 2026, with testing from 11–17 Nov 2026. You book a day and time within the window at a Prometric test centre.
- How many times a year is the CFA Level 1 exam offered?
- Four times a year, usually in February, May, August and November. You can sit a CFA exam at most twice in a calendar year, and not in consecutive windows or in windows within six months of each other.
- When is the early registration deadline?
- For February 2027 the early deadline was 7 Jul 2026. Each window has its own, roughly ten months before the exam. Registering early costs USD 1,140 instead of USD 1,490.
- When do CFA Level 1 results come out?
- CFA Institute says results are typically available within 5–7 weeks after the exam date.
- Which curriculum do 2027 exams test?
- Every 2027 window, from February 2027, tests the 2027 curriculum. The November 2026 window is the last one on the 2026 curriculum.
Source: CFA Institute, CFA exam dates & fees, checked 12 Oct 2026. Always confirm your own deadlines there before you register.