Mainland China was the country with the highest number of people taking all three levels of the CFA exams in June, boosted by a 49% increase in candidates, according to the CFA Institute.
Other Asia Pacific testing centres that had a notable numbers of candidates were India, Hong Kong, Australia, Singapore and Korea.
Top 10 CFA testing centres (number of candidates)
| Mainland China | 50,642 |
| US | 31,988 |
| India | 18,949 |
| Canada | 13,125 |
| UK | 11,380 |
| Hong Kong | 5,862 |
| Australia | 4,986 |
| Singapore | 3,369 |
| Korea | 2,409 |
| South Africa | 2,359 |
Source: CFA Institute
The surge in Chinese candidates was revealed after tallying the results of the June level III exam, which was taken by 35,518 candidates, the institute said.
“Fifty six percent have passed, completing their final CFA programme exam. Asia Pacific accounts for 53% of candidates taking the three levels of examination.”
Number of global candidates (June 2018 exams)
| Exam level | Total number of candidates | % passed | 10-year avg pass rate |
| CFA level I | 79,507 | 43% | 41% |
| CFA level II | 64,216 | 45% | 44% |
| CFA level III | 35,518 | 56% | 52% |
Source: CFA Institute
Globally, 180,000 candidates take the exam – a 46% year-on-year increase, the statement said.
“We continue to see a fast-growing demand for the CFA charter in the Asia Pacific region, particularly in China and India,” Nick Pollard, managing director for Asia Pacific at the institute.
“The investment sector growth in both China and India has certainly led to the need for more internationally-minded and qualified finance professionals,” he added.
Separately, the statement noted that it will be adding fintech questions to the CFA level I and II exams next year. Included will be topics in financial application in investment management, machine learning and ethics cases within a fintech work setting.
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