Why did CFA Institute create the sample and mock exams?
CFA Institute wants to give candidates every opportunity to adequately prepare for the CFA exam using current CFA Program curriculum content. The sample and mock exams were created in response to requests from CFA candidates.
Why should I take a sample or mock exam?
Sample and mock exams can provide a realistic assessment of your mastery of the CFA Program curriculum. And, they provide valuable experience by mimicking the format and difficulty of the actual CFA exam.
What do the sample and mock exams offer?
These exams expose you to the question formats and level of difficulty you will encounter on the actual exam.
| The sample exams help you assess your preparation and target areas for further study. Taking multiple versions of the sample exams helps you identify topical strengths and weaknesses as the actual exam date approaches. | The mock exam helps you assess your preparation and target areas for final review before exam day. |
When will the sample and mock exams be available?
The tentative dates of exam availability for December 2009 candidates are:
| Sample exams − Available now | Mock exams − Available now |
The tentative dates of exam availability for June 2010 candidates are:
| Sample exams − 1 March 2010 | Mock exams − 3 May 2010 |
When should I take the exams?
|
You should take the sample exam after working through the complete CFA Program curriculum at least once. Taking multiple sample exams helps you identify topical strengths and weaknesses and determine areas for further study. |
You should take the mock exam close to the actual exam date. The exam is meant to assess your readiness after you have gone over the curriculum and possibly taken one or more sample exams. |
When is the last day you can take the exams?
The sample and mock exams will be available through the day before the actual CFA exam.
How many exams are currently available?
|
There are three sample exam versions at each level. |
There is one mock exam available at each level. |
How up-to-date is the material on the sample and mock exams?
All material is directly sourced from the current CFA Program curriculum and presented in the same manner as actual CFA exam questions.
How are the sample and mock exams like the actual CFA exams?
Each exam is designed to reflect the question formats, topics, length, and level of difficulty that candidates will experience on the actual exam. Please note that the sample and mock exams are intended only as a representation of the actual exams and do not mirror all possible question types or formats. Performance on a sample or mock exam should not be used in any way to predict performance on the actual exam.
What is on each exam?
To see a full listing of level-specific details,
| Visit the sample exam details page | Visit the mock exam details page. |
Who can take the sample and mock exams?
Only currently registered candidates can take the exams.
How much do the sample and mock exams cost?
| One sample exam is included in the exam registration fee (December 2009 candidates). Each additional sample exam costs US$40. | The mock exam is included in the exam registration fee at each level. |
How do I purchase a sample exam?
Registered candidates may pay online by credit card. Go to the exam site to purchase your exams.
How do I access my free sample exam (December 2009 candidates)?
Visit the exam site to access your free sample exam.
How do I access my mock exam?
Mock exams are generally available by the first business day of May for June exams and November for December exams. Once available they are provided as PDF files that can be downloaded from the Mock Exam page and printed.
How do I purchase a sample exam if I do not have a credit card?
You may purchase a sample exam by sending a wire transfer via Western Union to the TesTrac administrator:
Douglas B. Odell
TesTrac.com, Ltd.
1409 Summit Oaks Drive
Burnsville, MN 55337
Phone: +1 (952) 953-6292
Fax: +1 (952) 432-6646
Will I get a receipt for my sample exam?
An e-mail receipt will be sent to you that lists our testing vendor, TesTrac, as the point of purchase. In addition, you may print your receipt on the exam site.
How many times can I take an exam?
You can take each exam only once.
Can I skip questions on the sample exam and come back to them later?
No. You must answer the questions in sequential order − no return to previous questions is allowed.
What happens if I get disconnected during the sample exam?
If you are disconnected from the exam session for any reason prior to completing the exam, you will have 48 hours from the time of disconnection to reconnect and complete the exam without additional charge. If you do not reconnect within 48 hours, you will not be able to complete this exam.
If I time out on the sample exam, can I still come back and finish it later?
No. Once you have timed out of a particular exam, you cannot re-access the exam.
What happens if I accidentally hit "review and finish" before I'm really finished?
If you accidentally score the exam by clicking "review and finish" prior to completing the exam, you will have only one opportunity for a prepaid (no additional charge) reset to be assigned.
Whom do I contact if I experience technical difficulty?
If at any time during the exam process you have difficulty with the testing site or using your assigned Online CFA Exam ID number or PIN, please click on the feedback button at the top right portion of the screen. This will allow you to e-mail a description of the problem you are having. You will receive a response to your e-mail on or before the next business day.
If you have concerns outside of normal business hours, you may e-mail your issues and/or questions by clicking on the feedback button (mailbox icon) provided in the upper right corner of the Online CFA Exam website. Our site administrator will handle these e-mail messages on or before the next business day.
You may also e-mail the site administrator or call +1 (952) 953-6292.
Will I be able to print the pages from the exam as I go so I can later reference them?
No. It is a violation of CFA standards to print or copy any of the questions from the sample exams. However, you will be able to print summary information at the end.
What kind of feedback do I get after each question?
|
After each question on the sample exam, you will receive feedback that indicates the correct response, references to the relevant assigned curriculum and learning outcome statements (LOS), and an explanation of the correct answer. You will not be able to print these pages. The feedback after each question is designed to help you understand the rationale for the correct answer before you move on to the next question. Please understand, however, that your test is being timed and reviewing your feedback does not stop the clock. |
Feedback is not given after each question on the mock exam. |
What kind of feedback do I get after completing the exam?
| After you complete the sample exam, you will receive printable feedback on your overall performance on the exam, a topic-level breakdown of your performance, a listing of the references and learning outcome statements for each question on the exam, and links to assist you in further preparation for the actual exam. Please note that the online sample exam is intended only as a representation of the actual exam. Performance on a sample exam should not be used in any way to predict performance on the actual exam. | With the mock exam you will receive a discussion of the solutions, a listing of page references to the relevant assigned curriculum, and learning outcome statements for all questions on the exam. Performance on a mock exam should not be used in any way to predict performance on the actual exam. |
How do I access the printable sample exam feedback?
You may print the feedback from the dashboard on the exam site.
What do the Recommended and Required score fields in the sample results mean?
For our sample exams, the two mean the same. In general, the required score is what you need to pass, and the recommended score is what you need to be confident that you know the material. For the sample exam, we recommend a score of at least 70% to be able to make a statement that your study has been effective.