1. Structure
CAIA Level 1 consists of seven topics (also known as subjects) which are mandatory and examined by a multiple-choice computer based exam. The exam has 200 questions in total, which are divided into two sections of 100 questions each. You have two hours for each 100 question section with an optional 30 minute break.
Entry requirements
There are no entry requirements, however you should have an understanding of the basic concepts of finance and quantitative analysis.
Syllabus
Below is a syllabus overview detailing topics (subjects) and their approximate exam weighting. For more information, please see CAIA’s full syllabus (PDF 800KB).
| Level 1 topic |
Approximate exam weight |
| Professional Standards and Ethics |
15% - 20% |
| Introduction to Alternative Investments |
20% - 25% |
| Real Assets |
10% - 20% |
| Hedge Funds |
10% - 20% |
| Private Equity |
5% - 10% |
| Structured Products |
10% - 15% |
| Risk Management and Portfolio Management |
5% - 10% |
Professional Standards and Ethics
You’ll explore professionalism in the industry, such as the integrity of capital markets, your duties to clients and employers, investment analysis, recommendations, actions, and potential conflicts of interest.
Introduction to Alternative Investments
This subject introduces you to fundamentals of alternative investments, including: quantitative foundations, statistical foundations, measures of risk and performance, foundations of financial economics, benchmarking and performance attribution, alpha, beta, and hypothesis testing, and regression, multivariate, and nonlinear methods.
Real Assets
Learn and understand real assets, such as natural resources and land, commodity forward pricing, commodities: applications and evidence, operationally-intensive real assets, liquid and fixed-income real estate and real estate equity investments.
Hedge Funds
This subject will teach you the structure of the hedge fund industry, macro and managed futures funds, event-driven hedge funds, relative value hedge funds, equity hedge funds, and funds of hedge funds.
Private Equity
Develop an understanding of private equity, including equity types of private equity and debt types of private equity.
Structured Products
Explore an introduction to structuring, credit risk and credit derivatives, CDO structuring of credit risk and equity-linked structured products.
Risk Management and Portfolio Management
This topic will teach you about cases in tail events, investment process, operations and risk, due diligence of fund managers and portfolio management, alpha, and beta.
2. Study methods
Do you prefer face-to-face classroom courses with a tutor, or studying using distance learning that fits around your work and home commitments? Our study methods have been designed to maximise your time and help you pass your exam. Whichever study method you choose, you’ll receive high quality resources and continuous support right up to your exam.
To see which CAIA study method is best for you, please see our infographic.
Simply choose a study package below:
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Study method comparison table
Our recommended and most popular package including classroom tuition and revision integrated with Kaplan Schweser study materials. This package gives you a wide range of tools for exam success.
£2,028.95
(£1,752.05
excl. VAT)
Combined Live Online tuition and classroom revision study options and Kaplan Schweser study materials.
£1,538.55
(£1,395.65
excl. VAT)
Classroom tuition course and Kaplan Schweser study materials.
£1,359.00
(£1,225.00
excl. VAT)
Study at your own pace with Live Online tuition and online revision classes. This package offers maximum flexibility for independent study and comes with integrated Kaplan Schweser study materials.
£808.00
(VAT not applicable)
Or you can choose an individual tuition or revision classroom course without the supporting Kaplan Schweser study materials.
people
Tuition only
Classroom tuition without the Kaplan Schweser study materials.
£804.00
(£670.00
excl. VAT)
people
Revision only
Classroom revision without the Kaplan Schweser study materials.
£788.40
(£657.00
excl. VAT)
Timetables - Classroom and Live Online
Classroom tuition courses take place over 5 days (from 9-5pm). Live Online classes take place over 9 sessions of 3 hours each. Classroom revision courses take place over 2 weekend days (from 9-5pm).
location_on Classroom location
All classes take place at our Moorgate training centre:
Optional extras
Although we have designed our packages to include key items to assist you in preparing for your exam, there are additional items that you may choose to purchase:
Schweser Mock Exam 2
The Schweser mock exams are as close to the actual exam in format, difficulty, and length as we can make them. They help develop your test-taking skills, identify your weak areas, and demonstrate your mastery of the curriculum. This exam is your final rehearsal before exam day and can be taken as an invigilated mock at our training centre or sent to your home address.
from £69.00
(£57.50
excl. VAT)
Schweser's Secret Sauce
This is a concise review of the curriculum which provides insights and exam tips on how to effectively prepare and apply your knowledge on exam day. Available as a printed book and an ebook.
£80.00
(VAT not applicable)
1-2-1 tutor sessions
A one hour 1-2-1 meeting with your tutor, either at our training location or online, within the last two weeks leading up to your exam. You can get your final questions answered before the exam day.
£30.00
(£25.00
excl. VAT)
Calculator (BA II Plus Pro)
We recommend the Texas Instruments BA II Plus Professional which has been authorised by the CAIA Association for the exam.
from £50.00
(from £41.67
excl. VAT)
Inhouse training
Our public classroom courses run in central London. Like many of our courses, we can also offer these courses inhouse for your team or organisation. Please contact us on 020 7920 3060 or email us at citybookings@kaplan.co.uk to find out more about how we can help train your team.
3. Exams, sittings and resits
Exams
There are two exam sittings per year, in March and September. You'll need to register with the CAIA Association® for exam entry. You need to have passed Level 1 before registering for the Level 2 exam. Exam results are graded either a pass or fail and you should receive results within three weeks of the last examination day.
You have unlimited time to pass the Level 2 exam after passing Level 1 to qualify for the CAIA Charter.
How long does it take to pass?
It’s possible to complete the full CAIA designation within one year, as the exams are held in March and September. The examining body recommends spending a minimum of 200 hours of study time for each level.
What are pass rates like?
Exam pass rate percentages are fluid and change from sitting to sitting. Pass marks are initially set at 70% but may be adjusted downwards depending on the average score in a particular sitting. You must therefore aim to score over 70% to be sure of success.
Can Kaplan help if I fail an exam?
We do all we can to help you to pass the exam. However, if you don't pass first time then don't worry. There are a lots of ways we can support you. What you will be entitled to will depend on the last study package you purchased with us.
What CAIA resits are available
Below is a table showing you what resit support you will be entitled to depending on what package you purchased from us in the first place.
| Package |
Resit support |
| |
Lifetime Pass Guarantee |
Schweser Commitment |
Pass Assurance |
| Classroom Enhanced |
check |
check |
|
| Blended Enhanced |
check |
check |
|
| Tuition Plus |
|
check |
check |
| Distance Learning |
|
check |
|
| Tuition only |
|
|
check |
| Revision only |
|
|
check |
You can access your resit support by filling in the resit enrolment form.
Resit enrolment form
Lifetime Pass Guarantee
Lifetime pass guarantee is applicable to Classroom Enhanced and Blended Enhanced packages. Depending on your study option, you may qualify for unlimited weekday revision for free. You'll be able to make the most of our guarantee, right up until you pass the exam... however many times it may take. However, if you don't meet the criteria, then you may be entitled to Pass Assurance.
Terms and conditions – You'll need to have attended both the live or online tuition course and the live revision course in the same sitting with Kaplan. An attendance record of at least 90% is needed. This will be based on your signature given at class registers and/or the time you logged into online classes when using the online study portal. The Lifetime Pass Guarantee will expire if you do not attend 100% of the free weekday revision course or if an exam sitting is missed.
The Schweser Commitment
Schweser Commitment is applicable to Classroom Enhanced, Blended Enhanced, Distance Learning and Tuition Plus. Should you need a second chance, you may be eligible to receive the same material package at the next exam sitting for free. However, if you don't meet the criteria, then you may be entitled to PassProtection™ which entitles you to 50% off from your same-part purchases for the next exam sitting.
Terms and conditions – Available for 2019 purchasers of Complete Enhanced, Blended Enhanced, Tuition Plus, Distance Learning, Essential, Premium, or PremiumPlus™. You must answer at least 50% of the available questions from your QBank and Practice Exams. You have unlimited attempts at each question. Your Performance Tracker dashboard will turn from red to green when your Questions Used shows at least 50%. If you meet the criteria you will receive the same study package (eBook and hardcopy) FREE of charge for the 2020 exam. Please note this does not include the delivery fee of £65 but you can opt to select just the ebooks which would not include the delivery fee. If you don't meet the criteria, you can still receive PassProtection™.
Pass Assurance
Pass assurance is applicable to Tuition Plus, Tuition Only and Revision Only. If you failed your exam then you can benefit from receiving 15% off a Tuition and/or Revision course.
Terms and conditions – You should have taken a Tuition/Revision course with Kaplan.
4. Study Materials and Delivery Costs
Study Materials
We offer a wealth of study materials to enhance your learning experience. These include hard copy books as well as online resources on Schweser’s study portal. View a full comparison of the study materials included in each package.
Classroom Enhanced, Blended Enhanced, Tuition Plus and Distance Learning packages come with core materials, including:
-
Getting Started Guide
Explains how to use the resources effectively to maximise your chance of passing the exam.
-
Schweser Online Study Portal
Includes dashboard with activity feed and performance metrics
-
SchweserNotes™
Clear, concise study notes and examples that cover every learning outcome statement (downloadable as eBooks as well as in print).
-
Quicksheet
A compact study tool summarising key formulae, definitions and concepts (downloadable as an eBook as well as in print).
-
Resource library
A collection of online reference videos to prepare you for your studies.
-
SchweserPro™ QBank
Thousands of practice questions to work through online and build custom exams.
-
Kaplan Schweser Practice Exams
3 full-length practice exams to help you perform on exam day.
Additional materials come with the following packages:
-
- Classroom Tuition - Slide Pack
- Classroom Materials - Mindmap and Q&A material inc. full mock exam
- Schweser Mock Exam 1 (Online or post) plus online mock debrief
-
-
- Live Online Tuition Slide Pack
- Online Revision Workbooks
- Classroom Materials - MindMap and Q&A material inc. full mock exam
- Schweser Mock Exam 1 (Online or post) plus online mock debrief
-
- Classroom Tuition Slide Pack
-
-
- Live Online Tuition Slide Pack
- Online Revision Workshops
- Schweser Mock Exam 1 (Online or post) plus online mock debrief
Delivery costs
Materials are delivered to the address you provide us (and must be signed for on delivery). Please note, our packages include European delivery in the price.
Outside of Europe, delivery costs start at £41.67 (excluding VAT) with £16.67 (excluding VAT) payable for each additional item added to your order.
5. Kaplan Schweser Online Study Portal
Kaplan Schweser’s online portal provides access to a wide variety of resources to help you prepare for your exams. It also hosts all our live online tuition and revision classes.
Depending on the study package you choose, online features can include:
-
check
Study Calendar - Prepare with a detailed study plan that shows you how to use your study materials in the most effective way possible.
-
check
Live Online Weekly Classes - 9 sessions of 3 hours each. Watch at your own convenience either live or recorded.
-
check
Ask your Instructor - Ask questions and receive answers from your tutor within 24 to 48 hours. (In addition, for those on classroom courses you will also receive personal tutor contact details.)
-
check
SchweserNotes - Clear, concise study notes and examples that cover every learning outcome statement.
-
check
Quicksheet - A compact study tool summarising key formulae, definitions and concepts.
-
check
Candidate Resource library - A collection of online reference videos to prepare you for your studies.
-
check
SchweserPro™ QBank - Thousands of practice questions to work through online and build custom exams.
-
check
Final Review Workshop - Includes a final review instead of live revision. This workshop includes an eight hour online review of topics, an online mock and a Secret Sauce® eBook.
For more information on technical support available and minimum system requirements for Kaplan Schweser’s online portal, visit the Schweser portal technical support.
Access duration
You can access your content from 48 working hours of purchase (subject to availability) until your examination date.
6. Tutor support
We’ll support you every step of the way throughout your learning experience with us. You can contact a tutor and get the help you need within 48 working hours.
We are open weekdays (excluding bank holidays) 9:00am to 5.30pm. In addition, our classroom tutors will provide you with their personal contact details.
7. Testing and mocks
Vital to passing your exam will be attempting as many questions and mock exams as possible. Depending on your chosen package, you will gain access to over 1000 questions in the SchweserPro™ Qbank, three full exam standard practice exams, Schweser Mock exam 1, as well as an extensive Q&A Bank during revision.
In addition, we offer a separate invigilated Schweser Mock Exam 2, that helps you replicate the exam hall experience, sitting with your peers. This mock will:
- Provide additional question practice using exam standard questions that are not replicated in any other products.
- Highlight any weak points in your knowledge so you can focus on these areas pre exam day.
- Provide final practise for your timings and techniques.
You will also be provided with fully worked solutions at the end of the mock session.
After the mock, many candidates also take the opportunity of a final 1-2-1 meeting with their tutor.
8. Course pricing and funding options
Pricing structure
To keep decisions simple, we price per package including delivery fees (within Europe). The only additional decision is whether to purchase any optional extras.
You can find information about our packages and optional extras in our comparison table.
| Package |
Price (excl. VAT) |
Price (incl. VAT) |
| Classroom Enhanced |
£1,752.05 |
£2,028.95 |
| Blended Enhanced |
£1,395.65 |
£1,538.55 |
| Tuition Plus |
£1,225.00 |
£1,359.00 |
| Distance Learning |
£808.00 (VAT not applicable)
£1,010 (VAT not applicable) |
| Tuition only |
£670.00 |
£804.00 |
| Revision only |
£657.00 |
£788.40 |
Payment options
Your employer may fund the costs of your studies if you’re already working in a related field and want to develop your learning. You’ll need to speak to them to see if you’re eligible and confirm that they’re happy to pay for your studies.
Our CAIA packages are covered with our interest-free payment plan, providing the total cost is £500 minimum (including VAT). The plan lets you spread the cost of your studies over a period of up to 12 months, with no extra costs.
How to enrol
Enrol online, call us on 020 7920 3060 or enrol with a form which you can email to citybookings@kaplan.co.uk.
Download enrolment form >