CFA Questions and KeyPoint Learning FAQs
Candidates tend to ask the same questions, about the CFA Program itself, about how preparation works, and about what's inside a KeyPoint Learning study package.
You'll find those answers here, grouped by topic, so the one you came for is easy to reach.
Compare Study PackagesFind Answers Before You Choose a CFA Prep Package
Choosing a prep package gets easier once your bigger questions are out of the way, so start wherever makes sense for where you are. If the CFA Program is new territory, the first group covers the basics.
If you're already weighing your options, the study package questions will be more useful, or you can head straight to the package comparison.
CFA Program Questions
The CFA Program is run by CFA Institute, not by prep providers like KeyPoint Learning, so these answers cover the program itself before anything product related.
The CFA Program is a graduate-level credential in investment management run by CFA Institute. Earning the charter means passing three exams, Levels I through III, and completing 4,000 hours of relevant work experience.
Our CFA Program guide walks through the full picture.
There are three, Level I through Level III, and you sit them in order. Each one tests something different.
- Level I focuses on your knowledge of investment tools
- Level II asks you to apply that analysis
- Level III moves into portfolio management
Level I, always.
The levels run in a fixed order, so the real choice isn't where to start. It's which exam window to aim for and how much runway to give yourself, and that's where a structured study plan earns its keep.
Plan on a serious commitment. CFA Institute reports that successful candidates average more than 300 hours of preparation per level, and finishing all three levels typically takes three to four years.
If you're studying around a full-time job, that usually means starting five to six months ahead of your exam window.
No. CFA Institute does not endorse, promote, or warrant the accuracy or quality of the products or services offered by KeyPoint Learning Inc. CFA and Chartered Financial Analyst are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute. KeyPoint is an independent prep provider that helps candidates prepare for the exams.
CFA Exam Prep Questions
Preparation looks different for every candidate. These answers cover how it usually works, and when a prep provider actually earns a place in your plan.
With a strong finance background, enough study time, and the discipline to build and follow your own plan, the official curriculum can carry you through.
Where a provider earns its place is when time is tight. A set study order, condensed materials, and practice that shows where you stand take the planning work off your plate, and that planning work is what derails a lot of self-study attempts.
Yes, and some candidates pass that way. The trade-off is volume.
The official curriculum runs to thousands of pages, and you carry the full job of deciding what to prioritize, when to review, and how to test yourself. Prep materials exist to compress that work, not to replace what the curriculum teaches.
A complete course gives you structured lessons that cover the curriculum, materials you can review efficiently, practice questions that match the exam style, mock exams for timing and stamina, and progress tracking so you know where to focus.
If realistic practice or any way to measure progress is missing, you'll end up supplementing elsewhere, which defeats the point of buying a course.
Mock exams give you the most reliable signal, since they test you under exam timing across the full topic range. Consistent mock scores and weak areas that shrink rather than repeat are both signs you're trending the right way.
Our study planning resource covers how to schedule mocks into your final weeks.
KeyPoint Learning Questions
A quick look at who we are and how we approach CFA prep.
KeyPoint Learning is a CFA exam prep provider with study packages for Levels I, II, and III. Each package brings structured lessons, study materials, practice quizzes, mock exams, and progress tracking together in one place, built for candidates preparing around work or university.
There's more on our About page.
All three. Each level has its own packages, because the exams test different skills and formats, and your prep should reflect that.
All materials in this platform are designed by CFA charterholders.
KeyPoint is built around the time you actually have, not an open calendar.
The study path tells you what to cover and when, the practice mirrors the real exam format, and progress tracking points your next session at whatever needs work. Fewer decisions, less wasted study time. That matters most when you're preparing around a full schedule.
CFA Study Package Questions
Whether you're choosing between packages or wondering what's inside them, start here.
Structured lessons, study materials, practice quizzes, and progress tracking come standard in every package. Higher tiers add more support and practice, and the exact breakdown for your level lives on that level's comparison page.
Start with your CFA level, then weigh the packages for that level against your exam date, your budget, and how much structure or support you want. A lower-support package may be plenty if you already have a solid plan, while candidates who want more guidance and practice tend to fit the higher tiers.
The package comparison walks through that choice step by step.
Yes. Each level has its own comparison page showing every package side by side. One thing worth keeping straight, though: the levels aren't alternatives you choose between, since your current exam level decides which page applies to you.
The package comparison hub is the place to start, then select your level.
Yes, study materials come with every KeyPoint package. What changes between tiers is the depth of practice and support, not access to the core materials.
Practice, Mock Exam, and Progress Tracking Questions
How the practice tools inside the platform actually work.
Yes, practice quizzes come with every package. They're organized by topic, so you can test yourself as you finish each section rather than saving it all for the end.
Mock exams matter because they're the closest thing to exam day. They test your pacing and stamina across the full curriculum, not just whether you remember individual topics.
Yes. Progress tracking shows what you've covered, how you're scoring by topic, and where your weak areas sit, so each study session can go after what actually needs work instead of a guess.
Yes. The platform highlights the topics where your quiz and mock scores run lowest, and you can jump back into the lessons and practice for those areas directly. That matters most in your final weeks, when targeted review beats rereading everything.
Account, App, and Support Questions
Access, the mobile app, and how to reach us.
The form on our contact page is the fastest route. Choose the inquiry type that fits your question and we'll take it from there.
Send a message through the contact page and select Account support as the inquiry type. Including the email address on your account helps us find it quickly.
Yes, and we'd encourage it. If the comparison pages leave something unanswered, send your question through the contact page and mention which level you're preparing for. A relevant answer beats a generic one.
KeyPoint Learning has an app available for Android and iOS. Proceed to our Mobile App page for more information.
Billing and Access Questions
Purchases, payments, and access to your materials.
We accept Visa, Mastercard, AmEx, PayPal, ApplePay, and GooglePay.
We know preparation for the CFA exam can be overwhelming
We're here to help and answer your questions
The best way to prepare for the CFA Exam is to sign up for a CFA study prep course. In addition to finding a suitable CFA prep course, it's also crucial to ensure the necessary time is dedicated to studying. Utilizing all resources will improve changes of success on exam day.
| Topic | Level I | Level II | Level III | Functional Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Methods | 6 - 9% | 5 - 10% | - | Tools |
| Economics | 6 - 9% | 5 - 10% | - | |
| Corporate Issuers | 6 - 9% | 5 - 10% | - | |
| Financial Statement Analysis | 11 - 14% | 10 -15% | - | |
| Equity Investments | 11 - 14% | 10 -15% | - | Assets |
| Fixed Income | 11 - 14% | 10 -15% | - | |
| Derivatives | 5 - 8% | 5 - 10% | - | |
| Alternative Investments | 7 - 10% | 5 - 10% | - | |
| Portfolio Management | 8 - 12% | 10 -15% | - | Portfolio Management and Analysis |
| Ethical & Professional Standards | 15 - 20% | 10 -15% | 10 - 15% | Ethical and Professional Standards |
| Pathways | - | - | 30 - 35% | To Categorize |
| Derivatives & Risk Management | - | - | 10 - 15% | |
| Performance Measurement | - | - | 5 - 10% | |
| Portfolio Construction | - | - | 15 - 20% | |
| Asset Allocation | - | - | 15 - 20% |
According to a recent survey conducted by the CFA Institute the average study hours of CFA Candidates was as follows:
| Level | Average Study Hours |
|---|---|
| Level I | 303 |
| Level II | 328 |
| Level III | 344 |
| Level | Exam Sittings |
|---|---|
| Level I | February |
| May | |
| August | |
| November | |
| Level II | May |
| August | |
| November | |
| Level III | February |
| August |
- Create an account
- Register for a specific exam sitting
See the following link for a video outlining the full process: CFA Exam Registration Overview
- Bachelor's Degree
- Student in Final Year
- Complete Professional Conduct Statement
- BA II PlusTM
- BA II PlusTM Professional
- HP 12C
- Including the following similar models:
- HP 12C Platinum
- HP 12C Platinum 25th Anniversary edition
- HP 12C 30th Anniversary edition
- HP 12C Prestige
Still Have Questions?
If your question didn't come up here, send it through the contact form and we'll point you in the right direction.