CFA Exam Dates 2026: Complete Schedule
Planning your CFA exam requires knowing your testing windows well in advance. Here’s the full 2026 schedule across all three levels.
CFA Level 1 Exam Windows (2026)
Level 1 is offered four times a year — the most flexible level for candidates:
| Window | Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| February 2026 | Feb 2 – Feb 8, 2026 |
| May 2026 | May 12 – May 18, 2026 |
| August 2026 | Aug 13 – Aug 17, 2026 |
| November 2026 | Dates to be confirmed by CFA Institute |
CFA Level 2 Exam Windows (2026)
Level 2 is offered three times a year:
| Window | Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| May 2026 | May 19 – May 23, 2026 |
| August 2026 | Aug 13 – Aug 17, 2026 |
| November 2026 | Dates to be confirmed by CFA Institute |
CFA Level 3 Exam Windows (2026)
Level 3 is offered twice a year:
| Window | Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| February 2026 | Jan 29 – Feb 1, 2026 |
| August 2026 | Aug 13 – Aug 17, 2026 |
Upcoming Registration Deadlines
If you’re planning to sit for the August 2026 or November 2026 window, here’s what you need to know:
- August 2026 window: Standard registration deadline was May 6, 2026. If you’ve already registered, focus now on scheduling your Prometric test center appointment — slots fill up fast closer to the exam date.
- November 2026 window: Standard registration deadline is August 11, 2026. Early registration (lower fee) closes earlier, so register as soon as you’ve decided on your window.
Important: CFA Institute updates deadlines periodically. Always cross-check exact dates on the official CFA Institute website before finalizing your plans — this page is updated regularly but the Institute’s site is the final source of truth.
How CFA Registration Works (2-Step Process)
Many candidates miss this — registering isn’t a single step:
- Register and pay — Log into your CFA Institute account, choose your level and exam window, and pay the registration fee. This reserves your seat but does not confirm your test date.
- Schedule your Prometric appointment — Return to the CFA Candidate Portal and select your specific test date, time, and center. Popular centers and weekend slots fill up quickly — don’t delay this step.
What Happens If You Miss a Deadline?
If you miss the final registration deadline for your intended window, you’ll need to wait for the next available window — which can mean a 3-6 month delay depending on your level. For Level 3 candidates, missing a window is especially costly since it’s only offered twice a year (February and August).
You’ve Got Your Exam Date — Now Make Sure You’re Ready
Knowing your exam date is step one. Step two is knowing whether you’d actually pass if you sat the exam today.
Most candidates who fail don’t fail because they didn’t study enough — they fail because they never simulated real exam conditions: the time pressure, the question format, the mental fatigue of a multi-hour session.
That’s exactly what our CFA mock tests are built for.
- ✅ 5 full-length mock sets per level, ranging from confidence-building to exam-day-pressure simulation
- ✅ Detailed, step-by-step explanations — not just right/wrong answers
- ✅ Realistic question patterns matched to the actual CFA exam structure
- ✅ Affordable pricing — accessible practice without the cost of premium prep courses
→ Try CFA Level 1 Mock Tests → Try CFA Level 2 Mock Tests
With your exam date now locked in, the real question is: how many mock attempts stand between you and exam day? Start practicing now, while you still have time to close your knowledge gaps.