Want to pass your exams? Start preparing the right way.

My email is

& I’m preparing for

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

300Hours: CFA, ACCA & Finance Certifications Hub

cfa pass rates

CFA Pass Rates 2026: Latest Data & Historical Trends

Sophie Macon

24 Sep 2026

CFA, Exam Day & Results

Latest CFA pass rates (May & Aug 2026): Level 1 43%, Level 2 43%, Level 3 50%. Historical averages since 2014: L1 40%, L2 45%, L3 50%. Pass rates dropped dramatically during pandemic (L1 hit 22% low in July 2021) but are recovering toward pre-pandemic norms. First-time test takers pass at significantly higher rates than deferred candidates (typically 20-26 percentage point difference). Often branded the 'world's hardest exams', we often get questions from our readers on exactly how difficult the CFA ...