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CFA® Program Level I Guides

Exam day for Level I of the CFA® Program: from check-in to the last question

By PreparaioEditorial team & sourcesUpdated

Level I of the CFA® Program is taken on a computer at proctored test centres run by Prometric, with British Council centres in some markets. The rules are strict, and most exam-day problems can be avoided with a little preparation.

This guide is independent educational content. Preparaio is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or reviewed by CFA Institute. Policies change; read the current exam-day and admission policies on the official CFA Institute pages.

Contents

Before the day: seat, route, documents

After registering and paying, you book a Prometric appointment before the scheduling deadline; seats are first come, first served. In Germany there are centres in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich and Stuttgart (Stuttgart from November 2026). Rescheduling within the same window costs USD 250 plus taxes, must be done by the deadline and cannot move you to another window. Plan your route so you can arrive early.

Passport and check-in

Bring your original, valid, machine-readable passport; your names must match your account exactly, and you need it at check-in for both sessions. Arrive 30 minutes before your appointment, because late arrivals may be refused and their fees forfeited. Expect checks of belongings, clothing and glasses, a metal-detector wand and video monitoring, repeated after every break. The exam clock starts only when the exam is launched.

What may be on your desk

Keep the list short; everything else stays outside the testing room. Scratch paper or a whiteboard is provided.

  • Approved calculator, calculator case, keystroke cards and loose batteries.
  • Your passport and eyeglasses without a case.
  • Water in a clear container with the label removed, plus some personal-care items.

What stays out of the room

The personal belongings policy is detailed. Check it before the day, especially for jewellery and accessories.

  • Food and drinks other than water, wallets and any bag, including clear bags and passport covers.
  • Study materials, your own pens or scratch paper, calculator manuals.
  • Phones, wearables, smart glasses and any watch or timer.
  • Jewellery other than wedding or engagement rings, ornate hair accessories, tie clips and cufflinks.

The schedule on screen

The whole appointment takes about four and a half hours. It begins with a 19-minute introduction containing the Candidate Pledge and a software tutorial; watch for the end of the tutorial so you do not end the exam by accident. Then come Session 1 (135 minutes), an optional break of about 31 minutes, Session 2 (135 minutes) and a short survey.

How breaks work

Besides the scheduled break you may take up to two unscheduled breaks, but the exam clock keeps running. During breaks you may use the designated restroom and, with permission, take water, food or medication from your belongings. Phones and study material stay off-limits, and you may not leave the test centre.

During the exam and afterwards

Clear your calculator memory when instructed. If there is a disruption but testing can continue, continue; leaving forfeits any reschedule or deferral. After the exam, exam content stays confidential: you may say whether you found it hard, but not which questions, topics or formulas appeared.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take Level I online from home?

The official pages describe only in-person exams at proctored test centres and mention no remote option.

Can I bring a snack?

Not to your desk. During breaks you may take food from your belongings with permission.

May I wear a watch?

No. Any watch or timer is prohibited, including smartwatches.

What if I miss my appointment?

Your fees are forfeited. From February 2027 there is no paid deferral, so you would need to register again.

Sources & currency

Exam version
CFA® Program Level I, curriculum 2027 (from February 2027) (valid from )
Editorial check
Source check by the Preparaio editorial team ()
Author
Preparaio RedaktionEditorial team, fact-checking against official primary sources
Reviewed by
Source-checked by PreparaioSource comparison with the exam providers' own pages
Fact-check status
Checked against official primary sources ()
Content version
2026-10-28

How we check: Every exam-relevant fact is compared with the exam providers' official pages (g.a.s.t./TestDaF-Institut, BAMF, ETS, IELTS Partners, telc). The check is editorial, supported by AI and automated test gates; it is not a review by certified examiners.

The hard exam facts in this article were verified against the official primary sources linked below on the date shown. This is not a review by an examination body and does not replace information from your test centre. Fees, dates and local procedures are set by the test centres themselves.

Official primary sources

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