CFA

CFA Exam Day Checklist: What To Bring To CFA Exams

Want to pass the CFA exam? Start preparing the right way.

This is the only CFA exam day checklist you need: what to bring, what to expect, what to wear, and everything else – updated for the latest pandemic-related procedures and computer-based exams.

Here is our definitive list of things to bring to the exam, how the exam day will be like, and any other questions you might have about CFA exam day.


CFA exam day: how the day is like

With the new computer-based testing (CBT), CFA exam days are now different compared to paper-based exams given the different scheduling windows/times.

With the reduced exam length of 2 hours and 15 minutes per session, here is what happens time-wise on your exam day:

30 minutesPledge, tutorial and survey
135 minutesSession 1 exam
30 minutesOptional break
135 minutesSession 2 exam
4.5 hoursTotal testing time
5.5 hoursTotal appointment time

That said, CFA Institute recommends that it is best to arrive at least 30 minutes early, as the check in process does take time.


COVID-specific CFA exam rules

In addition to usual exam procedures, CFA Institute will be implementing these additional COVID procedures:

  • Social distancing: Candidates will be seated approximately 6 feet (1.8 meters) apart – adjusted according to local requirements
  • COVID form and/or testing: Depending on local rules, you may need to fill in a questionnaire about COVID-19 exposures, symptoms or related questions. You may also need to have your temperature tested.
  • ID and calculator inspection: You will be asked to hold your ID and calculator(s) for the proctor to inspect. Testing personnel will not touch your belongings. You will be required to briefly remove your face covering during ID verification so proctors may compare your face to your passport photo.
  • Dismissal: Candidates will be dismissed by room or section to minimize the (frankly insane) crowds that happen at the end of every CFA exam. Procedures will be in place to maintain social distancing.

What to bring into the CFA exam test room

​In addition to the usual exam items, there are some additional COVID-related items to consider:

Face mask (optional)As of 1st May 2022, Prometric will no longer require candidates or test center personnel to wear masks unless required to do so by building management or local government mandates.

That said, Prometric continues to allow and encourage the wearing of masks regardless of mandate or vaccination status

You will be required to briefly remove your face covering during ID verification.

CFA Institute/Prometric will not be supplying face masks – so please remember to bring your own if you prefer to wear one.
Additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE, optional)If you’d like to bring gloves, face shields or any additional PPE, go ahead.

It’s not clear if CFA Institute will allow a use of a face shield instead of a face mask, so if you do decide to bring a face shield please still bring a face mask.
Sanitizing gear (optional)You can bring hand sanitizing gel or wipes as well.

Prometric has also highlighted additional location-specific COVID-19 measures, so check the latest test-center specific requirements here.


Items allowed in the CFA exam room

There is no longer any CFA exam ticket needed, unless your test provider requests that you print a confirmation email with your appointment confirmation number in it. For most, all you need is your passport ID and calculator for the exam.

Here’s the exact list of what you are allowed to bring inside the CFA computer based testing room:

  1. Your CFA exam calculator (including the case, loose batteries and keystroke cards)
    • Only two calculators are allowed in the CFA exam:
    • What if you run out of batteries? Try borrowing or buying a second identical calculator as a backup. You can bring loose batteries in the testing room, but you’ll likely need a screwdriver to change your calculator batteries, so it’s not quite a practical option anyway since screwdrivers are not allowed. As a last resort, you can leave your screwdriver in the locker, and a proctor will accompany you to your locker to get it if you need to.
    • Practice how to set your calculator settings (here’s how to do it for BA II plus and HP12C), just in case a proctor resets it. We have heard reports from some candidates that the proctor reset their calculator prior to the exam, but this doesn’t happen to everyone.
  2. Valid international travel passport
    • Lost or forgotten passports are the second-most frequent problem candidates have on exam day (the first being a lost or forgotten calculator).
    • CFA Institute only accepts valid international passports as identification, so please renew your passport if you have to.
    • Also ensure that the name on your exam ticket is EXACTLY the same as it is on your passport – if it isn’t, notify CFA Institute immediately.
  3. Eyeglasses (without the case)
  4. Additional personal items allowed in the test center (if applicable, e.g. ear plugs, medication)

Items NOT allowed in the CFA exam room (computer-based test)

  • Food or drinks
  • Wallet (money purse)
  • Baggage of any kind, including transparent bags, backpacks, handbags, tote bags, briefcases, luggage, carrying cases, passport covers, hat or eyeglass cases
  • Study materials, including notes, papers, textbooks, or study guides
  • Writing utensils, scratch paper, or calculator manuals. Candidates will be provided with a laminated sheet OR erasable writing tablet for use during the exam. With computer based exams, pencils are now not allowed (nor necessary).
  • Mobile phones, cameras, headsets, computers, tablets, wearable technology (such as Fitbit or other fitness tracking devices), smart watches, or any Bluetooth-enabled or any remote communication or photographic devices
  • Any type of desk clock or timer, including wristwatches
  • Weapons of any kind
  • Jewellery (other than wedding or engagement rings), ornate hair clips, headbands, combs, barrettes, tie clips, or cufflinks

At the test center, there will be an area designated for personal belongings to place items not allowed in the test room.


What to keep in your bag (if you decide to bring one)

It’s still useful to have some essential items for your break and after the exam. You’ll be allowed to keep stuff at a personal belongings area (outside the test room), so you can keep these items inside:

  1. Water: drinks are not allowed in the exam room, so best to bring some in for your break.
  2. Caffeine dose. A can of Red Bull or equivalent can come in handy, acting as insurance against possible mid-day lethargy. Dose accordingly to your caffeine tolerance – if you regularly have lots of coffee more Red Bull might be needed.
  3. Snack food. With just a 30 minute optional break, bring a light snack, something non-offensive – nothing that will give you gas or digestion problems. Nothing too spicy, greasy, or can’t be stored at room temperature for a few hours.
  4. Your mobile phone, switched off. Not silent mode, not flight mode (alarms and calendar reminders may still be active). That way you KNOW that if a mobile phone is ringing, it definitely isn’t yours.

CFA exam day checklist – FAQ

What should I wear to exam day? Is there a dress code?

There is no dress code, so wear what you’re comfortable in – within reason, of course. We recommend that you dress in layers so that you can adjust and keep comfortable as needed.

Contrary to any rumors you might have heard on Reddit, you do NOT need to wear a suit. (Redditors, we find it funny too, but we have to answer a lot of these!)

Should I use the optional 30 minute break? What should I bring for the break?

Yes, we think it is useful to have that break. You can use it to have a light snack, drink and use the toilet before heading in for the second session. It’s actually not a long break.

You won’t be allowed to eat snacks or drink during the exam itself, but you can and should bring your own light snack and water – something that keeps well in room temperature for your optional 30 minute break.

In fact, if you take into account the check-in time when you return from your break, you have just about 15-20 minutes actual break time to grab a drink, snack and/or go for a quick toilet break.

Going back in late for second session will eat into your exam time, so be mindful of this.

Will there be a place to keep things that I can’t bring into the exam hall?

Yes, there will be a personal belongings area with lockers at the CBT test centers.

​Can I share or borrow calculators during the exam?

No.

If you need to borrow a calculator (or anything else), you’ll need to do so before each exam sessions starts.

If you run into any issues during the exam, ask a proctor for advice before you do anything else.

Can I bring drinks into the test room? What if I need to go to the bathroom?

No, you cannot bring drinks into the computer test room, for a good reason.

During the exam, candidates are allowed 2 unschedule breaks, but the test time is not paused during these breaks. During these 2 breaks, you can use the bathrooms or access your personal belongings (only water, food or medical items) upon proctor’s approval.

Candidates are not allowed to leave the test centre during these breaks.

However, test takers should raise their hand for both breaks and questions during the computer-based test.

Can I leave the exam room early?

Yes you can with computer-based testing.

Again, just raise your hand to ask the proctor to confirm if you can do so.


Sitting for the CFA exams soon? We wish you the best of luck and hope these articles will help:

Zee Tan

View Comments

  • Cheat Sheets for L1 were extremely helpful for preparation. Thanks a lot!

    Currently, I am preparing for L2 exam, and honestly, I would love to have such amazing cheat sheets for L2 as well.

    Are you planning to work on those?

    • Hi Ara, thanks :) We are working hard on L2, but it is a huge step up in coverage, and hope to have them published as soon as we can.

  • My HP12c has directions for some calculator functions embossed in the back from the manufacturer. Is this allowed?

    • Hi Robert, that should be fine as embossed and part of the calculator. Not that you need to refer to it anyway! :) Good luck!

  • I see that the exam format was changed to digital, and seems to be that candidates are not allowed to bring any scratch paper - but received some earlier when the exam was in written format.

    But how about when it comes to calculating (complex) formulas and you need to write down some notes? Does the digital platform allows some "scratches"?

    • Andreas, you should be given either scratch paper or writing boards by the proctors for calculation workings, which have to be returned when the exam is finished.

    • You'll be able to find your candidate ID on your CFA Institute online account - the same one you use to access your CFA Institute mock and materials.

  • I have lost the case for my calculator. Do I have to have the case or can i just bring in the calculator itself?

  • Can I take the afternoon section early. For example, if I finish the morning section at 11a.m. Can I take the afternoon section at noon ?

    • not exactly, you can finish early, but you still only have a 30 min break, so if you finish at 11am, you would have until 11:30 to start your second session

  • I have my exam for L1 in November window. Can i take eyedrops and general medicines for fever with me? I assume these are not in category of medical equipments needed and are general medicines, so would I need to take approval on the exam day or I need to email the Institute for same?

    • According to Prometric, eye drops and pills are fine, but pills must be unwrapped without packaging. I would just email the Institute just in case.

  • Can I bring my home and car-key into the testing room and put it under my chair, like it was before CBT?

    • This could depend on the test center, but if they are following CFA Institute's guidance to the letter, keys are not allowed.

  • My exam time written on the appointment letter is 8:00 am this means I have to reach my centre at 7:30 am? And from 8 to 8:30 we have to watch the tutorial? and the exam officially starts at 8:30?

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Zee Tan

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