LIFA Exam
Compare • LIFA vs. CFA

Why candidates choose LIFA over the CFA® exam

Both LIFA and CFA are rigorous, three-level finance programs. LIFA is built to be focused, fair, and flexible: no registration or enrollment fee, pay only if you pass, transparent Level I subject weightings, year-round online scheduling, and fast results so you can move forward.

Register — Pay only if you pass See Level I curriculum

Top LIFA advantages

Designed to respect your time, budget, and momentum while keeping the bar high.

Pay only if you pass

Enroll now with no up-front charge. Exam fee is billed only after a passing result; scholarships may reduce it.

No registration fee

Get started without paying to “sign up.” Your focus stays on preparation, not paperwork.

365-day scheduling

Test online when you’re ready. If you need another attempt, there’s a 60-day wait to ensure meaningful progress.

Fast results

Typical results are available within 7 days, so you can plan your next steps quickly.

Transparent weightings

Level I publishes subject weightings to help you allocate time across ethics, FSA, quant, and more.

Scholarships available

Eligible candidates may receive financial support. Merit matters more than budget.
LIFA removes up-front barriers and puts clarity first—ideal if you value flexible scheduling, quick feedback, and transparent expectations.

LIFA vs. CFA at a glance

Notes below reference publicly posted policies and candidate information (as of 2025). Always verify current details on official pages.

Up-front fees
● LIFA: No registration or enrollment fee; exam fee billed only after a pass.
● CFA: Fees are due at registration; refund only within a short window.
When you pay
● LIFA: Pay only if you pass.
● CFA: Payment at registration; full refund typically limited to 14 days for new registrations.
Scheduling
● LIFA: Year-round online testing; 60-day wait between attempts.
● CFA: Exam windows with rescheduling/deferral policies and related fees.

Sources & policy footnotes are summarized at the end of this page. Candidates should always confirm current policies on the official program sites.

Who benefits most with LIFA?

CFA® exam candidates

Use LIFA to demonstrate applied mastery while you study for CFA. Level I weightings reinforce ethics, FSA, and portfolio basics.

GMAT® students

Quantitative analysis and economics modules fit naturally with your problem-solving mindset.

MBA students

Bridge classroom theory to markets with a focused credential you can schedule year-round.

Level I topics & weightings

Level I Modules

  • Ethics & Economics
  • Corporate Finance
  • Quantitative Analysis
  • Financial Statement Analysis
  • Fixed-Income & Equity
  • Portfolio Management

Level I Weightings

  • Ethics — 20%
  • FSA — 20%
  • Quant — 10%
  • Economics — 10%
  • Fixed Income — 7.5%
  • Equity — 7.5%