CFA Program Main

FAQs: Online Sample Exams

 

 

 

How do I access my free online sample exam?

  • Go to the online sample exams site
  • Select Step 2 to input your last name and CFA candidate ID. You will be provided with your Testrac ID and pin number. Please print this page for future reference
  • Select Step 3 to enter the testing site
  • Select the prepaid (free) sample exam from the available exams
  • Proceed to take the free sample exam. You will not be charged
  • You have 2 available sample exams to purchase in addition to the free sample exams

  

Why did CFA Institute create the online sample exams?

CFA Institute wants to give candidates every opportunity to adequately prepare for the CFA exam using current CFA Program curriculum content. The online sample exams were created in response to frequent requests from CFA candidates.

 

Why should I take an online CFA Sample Exam?

Exams can provide a realistic assessment of your mastery of the CFA curriculum. You can use your performance on the sample exams to identify target areas for additional study. Aggregate data indicates that candidates who took one or more online sample exams had higher pass rates than those who did not take the online sample exams

 

What do the online CFA Sample Exams offer?

These online sample exams provide you an idea as to the question formats and level of difficulty you will encounter on the actual exam in a timed environment. The sample exams help you assess your preparation and target areas for further study. Taking multiple versions of the online sample exams helps you identify topical strengths and weaknesses as the actual exam date approaches.

 

How up-to-date is the material on the sample exam?

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 online sample exams like the actual CFA exams?

Each sample exam is designed to reflect the question formats, topics, and level of difficulty that candidates will experience on the actual exam. Please note that the online sample exam is intended only as a representation of the actual exam and does not mirror all question types or formats. Performance on a sample exam should not be used in any way to predict performance on the actual exam.

 

Who can take the online sample exams?

Only currently registered candidates can take the sample exams.

 

How much does it cost?

Each exam costs US$40. One free sample exam is included in the registration fee.

 

How do I sign up for an online sample exam?

Go to the sample exam site. Registered candidates may pay online by credit card (US$40 for each sample exam).

 

How do I purchase an online 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) 997-0641
Fax: +1 (952) 432-6646

 

Will I get a receipt?

An e-mail receipt will be sent to you, listing our testing vendor, Testrac, as the point of purchase. In addition, you may print your receipt from the testing options page on the testing site.

 

How many sample exams are currently available?

There are three sample exam versions at each level.

 

What is on each sample exam?

Level I

  • 60 multiple choice questions per sample exam
  • All assigned topics covered
  • Similar level of difficulty and weight per topic as on the actual exam
  • Immediate feedback after each question

 

Level II

  • 5 item sets per sample exam
  • 30 questions per sample exam
  • A range of assigned topics covered – not all
  • Similar level of difficulty as on the actual exam
  • Immediate feedback after each question

 

Level III

  • 5 item sets per sample exam
  • 30 questions per sample exam
  • A range of assigned topics covered – not all
  • Similar level of difficulty as on the actual exam
  • Immediate feedback after each question

 

What kind of feedback do I get after each question?

After each question, candidates 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. However, at the end of the exam you will receive a printable summary which includes a listing of the references and LOS for each question on the exam.

 

How can I analyze the feedback after each question if I'm being timed?

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. Reference information for further study on a question-by-question basis is available after you complete the exam at the results page.

 

What kind of feedback do I get after completing the exam?

After you complete the exam, you will receive feedback, which can be printed, 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.

 

How do I access the online sample exams?

From the online sample exam site at http://www.testrac.com/cfa, enrolled candidates may access tests available to them.

 

How many times can I take a sample exam?

You can take each sample exam only once, but you may purchase all versions of the appropriate level exam during your exam period. Multiple versions of all three levels are available for purchase. Aggregate data indicates that candidates who took one or more online sample exams had higher pass rates than those who did not take sample exams.

 

Can I skip questions and come back to them later?

You must take the sample exam 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.

 

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.

 

When should I take the sample exam?

You should take the sample exam after reviewing the curriculum at least once. The sample exam is meant to assess your readiness after you have gone over the material. Taking multiple online sample exams helps you identify topical strengths and weaknesses and determine areas for further study.

 

Will there be a discount if I buy multiple exams at once?

One free sample exam is included in your registration. There are two additional sample exams available for purchase at each level at a reduced price of $40 per sample exam.

 

Whom do I contact if I experience technical difficulty?

If at any time during the sample exam process you have difficulty with the testing site or using your assigned Online CFA Sample 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 Sample 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 your question(s) or call +1 (952) 953-6292.

 

If I "time out" can I still come back and finish the exam later?

No. Once a candidate has timed out of a particular exam, he/she cannot re-access the exam.

 

Will I be able to print the pages from the exam as I go so I can later reference them?

No. The print and copy functions have been disabled as a security measure for the exam. However, you will be able to print summary information at the end.

 

Previously, CFA Institute made sample exams available on its website for printing. Will the free sample exams continue to be available?

CFA Institute provides free sample questions for each exam level. Actual exam questions, with the exception of the Level III essay questions, are not released because the content and question formatting conventions are outdated.

 

When is the last day you can take the sample exams?

The sample exam testing site will be up through the day before the actual CFA exam.

 

When will the online sample exams be available?

A new set of sample exams will be available for June 2008 exam candidates in March 2008.

 

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