Last updated on February 7th, 2026 at 04:36 pm
For those aspiring to work in finance, the CFA Institute’s CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) certification is a highly desired international credential. There are three exam levels for the CFA. A candidate cannot become a CFA without passing every level. The CFA Level 1 is thought to be the most difficult.
This blog offers complete information about the CFA Level 1 exam dates for the sessions in 2026 and 2027, as well as registration and enrollment costs in India.
CFA Level 1 Exam Date: 2026
Applicants can view the full timetable for chartered financial analyst course in the table below. The CFA level 1 dates for the future sessions February 2026, May 2026, August 2026 and November 2026 have been announced.
| Events | Feb 2026 | May 2026 | Aug 2026 | Nov 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Registration Period Begins. | April 29, 2025 | August 12, 2026 | November 11, 2025 | February 11, 2026 |
| Scheduling Period Opens | April 29, 2025 | August 12, 2026 | ||
| Early Registration Closing Date | July 7, 2025 | October 14, 2026 | ||
| CFA Registration Closes on | October 29, 2025 | February 12, 2026 | May 6, 2026 | August 11, 2026 |
| Last Date of Scheduling | November 5, 2025 | February 18, 2026 | ||
| CFA Level 1 exam deadline rescheduling | January 22, 2026 | 1 May, 2026 | ||
| Dates of the CFA Exam | February 2-8, 2026 | May 12-18, 2026 | August 18-24, 2026 | November 11-17, 2026 |
CFA Level 1 2026 Exam Window
So CFA exam since the time, it has transitioned into a computer based testing actually has not one specific exam date. However there is an exam window of usually 5-6 days. You as a candidate get to decide which exact date you want to select. Below are the exam windows published for 2026 CFA Level 1 exams.
| Exam Session | Exam Window (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Feb 2026 | 2–8 Feb 2026 |
| May 2026 | 12–18 May 2026 |
| Aug 2026 | 18–24 Aug 2026 |
| Nov 2026 | 11–17 Nov |
Scheduling Your CFA Exam Date Appointment
When you register for the exam, you will need to schedule your CFA exam appointment within the given exam window. The exam window allows candidates flexibility in choosing a convenient date and time to sit for their exam. It is advisable to schedule your appointment as early as possible to secure your preferred slot. Rescheduling is possible but incurs a fee of USD 250, so plan accordingly to avoid additional costs.
Below is a step by step process on how you select and when you select the exam window:
Step 1: Registration (January): Paid The Fees
In January, the candidate:
- Logs into CFA Institute account
- Selects “August Level I” as the exam session
- Pays the exam fee (early/standard depending on timing)
At this stage:
- August attempt is locked
- No exam date or center is selected yet
Think of this as “reserving the exam month”, not the seat.
Step 2: Wait for Scheduling Window to Open
After registration, CFA Institute later opens exam scheduling via Prometric.
For August exams, scheduling typically opens around:
- April–May 2026
CFA Institute sends an email like:
“Scheduling is now open for your August CFA Level I exam.”
Step 3: Schedule the Exam Slot (April–June)
Now the candidate:
- Logs into the CFA account
- Clicks Schedule Exam
- Chooses:
- Exact exam date (e.g., 20 Aug)
- Test center city
- Time slot (morning/afternoon)
This is when the actual exam day is chosen.
Step 4: Sit for the Exam (August window)
- August window usually lasts 5–7 days
- Candidate appears on the selected date
Important Rules Regarding CFA exam dates
You should remember these important rules about the exam date selection to avoid any extra costs.
- You cannot schedule the exam immediately after paying
- Scheduling always opens later, even if you paid months earlier
- Seats are first-come-first-serve once scheduling opens
- Popular cities & weekends fill fast
- If you miss scheduling deadline → you forfeit the attempt
CFA exam Date section for Scholarship Students
If someone has applied for cfa scholarship route, then following is the way you can select the exam dates.
- Applies for Access Scholarship
- Gets approved
- Pays in (say) June for August
The same process applies:
- Register for August
- Then schedule when the scheduling window is open (or immediately if already open)
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing the right CFA Level 1 course is essential to developing your career. Given the clarity of the different course options, it’s critical to match your selection to your job goals, learning preferences, and skill level with Mentor me Careers. Keep in mind that spending money on a respectable course can pay off significantly in your career. As you follow this route, remember the dates of the upcoming CFA Level 1 exam. Make sure to register and plan to get the most out of your study time and chances of success.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What exactly are the CFA Level 1 fees in rupees?
Ans: Depending on the exchange rate and any applicable taxes or fees, the CFA Level 1 exam fees in rupees change. The fees were between 50,000 and 60,000 Indian rupees as of my last report. For the most recent details on fees in your local currency, it is advised to visit the official CFA Institute website.
Q2. 1. When is the last date to register for the August 2026 session of the CFA Level 1 exam?
Ans: The deadline for August 2026 registration is May 14, 2026, per the exam dates.
Q3. Is it possible for me to complete the CFA Level 1 registration form offline?
Ans: Only online registration is available for CFA Level 1.
