The CFA® Program curriculum for the Level I exam is focused on the knowledge and comprehension of investment tools and asset classes, as well as portfolio management and ethical and professional standards. 

The exam covers the 10 topic areas noted in the chart below.

• Ethical and Professional Standards (15-20%)
• Quantitative Methods (8-12%)
• Economics (8-12%)
• Financial Statement Analysis (13-17%)
• Corporate Finance (8-12%)
• Equity Investments (10-12%)
• Fixed Income (10-12%)
• Derivatives (5-8%)
• Alternative Investments (5-8%)
• Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning (5-8%)