CFA Level I May 2025 — Registration Deadlines, Costs and Exact Exam Dates
- Kateryna Myrko
- 51 minutes ago
- 5 min read
The May 2025 CFA Level I examination might look like a simple one‑week testing window, yet the real countdown starts nine months earlier. Missing even a minor deadline can mean higher fees, lost seat choices or—worst of all—no exam at all. Use the roadmap below to lock in registration, schedule the exact day you will test, budget for every fee, and build a month‑by‑month study routine that keeps momentum high right up to exam day.
1. Registration Deadlines: Three Moments That Matter
Key Step | Date (11:59 p.m. ET) | Why It Counts |
Portal opens | 8 Aug 2024 | Earliest moment you can enroll for the May window. Early birds get first pick of local test centers. |
Early‑registration cut‑off | 16 Oct 2024 | Last chance to secure the USD 990 exam fee—after today the price rises. |
Final registration deadline | 6 Feb 2025 | Registration closes and the fee jumps to USD 1,290. Miss this and you will wait until a later exam window. |
Pro tip: Popular urban centers can reach capacity weeks before the early‑registration date. Enroll as soon as the portal opens, even if you have not chosen your exact exam day yet.
2. Scheduling and Rescheduling Your Appointment
Book your seat by 11 Feb 2025Payment alone does not guarantee a time slot. You must log in and pick a specific day—anytime between 14 and 20 May—plus a morning or afternoon session. Fail to do so by 11 February and your registration fee is forfeited.
Change of plans? 14 Apr 2025 is the line in the sandShifting to a different day or test center inside the same window is allowed until 14 April for a USD 250 reschedule fee. After that, only documented emergencies qualify for special consideration.
Remember, rescheduling is strictly limited to the existing 14–20 May window; you cannot roll the booking forward to August without a formal deferral approval.
3. Exact Exam Dates and On‑Site Logistics
Testing Window | Days Available | Typical Session Times* |
14 – 20 May 2025 | Wednesday through Tuesday | 9:00 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. (local time) |
*All sessions follow the same structure: two computer‑based testing blocks of 135 minutes each, separated by an optional 30‑minute break. The question pool, difficulty level and scoring algorithm are identical regardless of which day you choose.
Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early with your valid passport, printed admission ticket and an approved calculator. Any delay past the check‑in window may bar you from sitting.
4. Full Cost Breakdown CFA Level I May 2025 — Registration Deadlines, Costs and Exact Exam Dates
Fee | Amount | Pay‑Once or Per‑Exam? | Notes |
Enrollment (first‑time Level I) | USD 350 | One‑time | Not charged again for Levels II & III. |
Early exam fee | USD 990 | Per‑exam | Must register by 16 Oct 2024. |
Standard exam fee | USD 1,290 | Per‑exam | Applies 17 Oct 2024 – 6 Feb 2025. |
Rescheduling fee | USD 250 | As needed | Move to a different May 2025 slot before 14 Apr 2025. |
Budgeting tip: 2025 is the final year the separate USD 350 enrollment fee exists. The fee structure changes for 2026, so locking in 2025 pricing saves money if you plan a multi‑level journey. CFA Level I May 2025 — Registration Deadlines, Costs and Exact Exam Dates
5. Month‑by‑Month Study Timeline
August 2024
Register the day the portal opens to guarantee your preferred test center.
Map a 300‑hour study plan—about 12 hours per week—into your calendar.
September–October 2024
Work through the first two topic areas.
Double‑check your passport’s expiration date.
Complete quiz sets after each reading to build retention.
Mid‑October 2024
Early‑registration deadline on the 16th. Confirm payment went through.
Start integrating Ethics questions into weekly practice.
November 2024
Finish one‑third of the curriculum.
Shift from pure reading to “read + practice” sessions for greater efficiency.
December 2024 – January 2025
Complete the first full pass through all study sessions.
Take a diagnostic mock exam to identify weak areas.
Create condensed formula sheets.
February 2025
6 Feb: Last day to register if you waited.
11 Feb: Finalize your exact exam day and session time.
Begin a second mock exam; review answer explanations in detail.
March – Early April 2025
Target two full‑length mocks per month.
Drill heavy‑weight topics: Financial Reporting, Quant Methods, and Ethics.
Practice exam‑day timing (flag questions, use the built‑in break wisely).
Mid‑April 2025
Last reschedule date: 14 April. Decide now or commit.
Transition to daily review sheets and high‑yield question banks.
Train sleep schedule to match exam session (morning vs. afternoon).
May 2025
14 May: Window opens. Arrive early with all documents.
20 May: Final day of testing—celebrate your accomplishment!
6. What’s New for 2025?
Stable curriculum, smarter platformThe Learning Ecosystem now breaks readings into bite‑sized modules, making it easier to squeeze study sessions into commuting or lunch breaks.
Last call for the USD 350 enrollment feeA pricing overhaul coming in 2026 eliminates the separate enrollment fee but raises exam costs. Sitting in 2025 locks in the more affordable path.
More global test seatsNew Prometric locations across South Asia and Africa reduce cross‑border travel for many candidates—welcome news if your region previously filled up fast.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Question | Fast Answer |
Can I defer to August 2025? | Only with an approved deferral request. Otherwise you must re‑register and pay again. |
When will results arrive? | Expect the official email 5‑7 weeks after 20 May—likely early July 2025. |
How often can I sit Level I in a year? | Twice, but windows must be at least six months apart; no back‑to‑back attempts. |
8. Action Checklist—Print and Post
Enroll on 8 Aug 2024 and pick your test center.
Lock in the USD 990 fee by 16 Oct 2024.
Schedule your exam day no later than 11 Feb 2025.
Study about 300 hours, focusing early on weak areas.
Verify passport and calculator compliance two months out.
Arrive 30 minutes early on exam day with every required document.
Momentum is half the battle in the CFA program. By anchoring these deadlines in your calendar today and pairing them with a disciplined study plan, you eliminate logistical surprises and free up mental energy to master the curriculum itself. Treat each milestone as a non‑negotiable appointment with your future charter—then step into the May 2025 testing window fully prepared and confident.
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