CFA Sustainable Investing Certificate Pass Rate 2025: How Hard Is It?
- Kateryna Myrko
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
As sustainable finance cements its role at the heart of global investment, the CFA Institute’s Sustainable Investing Certificate (formerly the CFA ESG Certificate) has become a top credential for professionals seeking to demonstrate expertise in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing. If you’re considering this certificate in 2025, understanding its pass rate, exam difficulty, and what it takes to succeed is crucial. This article provides a comprehensive, data-driven look at the latest trends and insights.
What Is the CFA Sustainable Investing Certificate?
The CFA Sustainable Investing Certificate is a globally recognized, foundational qualification designed for investment professionals and those aspiring to enter the field. It equips candidates with the ability to integrate ESG factors into investment decision-making—a skill increasingly demanded by employers and clients worldwide.
Key Features:
Format:Â 100 multiple-choice and item set questions
Duration:Â 2 hours and 20 minutes
Delivery:Â Online, self-scheduled
Prerequisites:Â None (prior investment knowledge is helpful)
Recommended Study Time:Â 100+ hours
Curriculum:Â Updated annually, covers ESG fundamentals, market context, analysis, integration, and reporting. CFA Sustainable Investing Certificate Pass Rate 2025
2025 Pass Rate: The Latest Data CFA Sustainable Investing Certificate Pass Rate 2025
The CFA Sustainable Investing Certificate boasts a pass rate averaging between 72% and 81% in recent years, based on the most current data available. This is significantly higher than the traditional CFA Program exams (Levels I–III), which typically see pass rates in the 40–50% range.
Exam | Pass Rate (Recent Years) |
Sustainable Investing Cert | 72–81% |
CFA Level I–III | 40–50% |
This relatively high pass rate reflects the exam’s accessible but rigorous nature and its suitability for a broad audience, from ESG newcomers to seasoned finance professionals seeking formal recognition.
How Hard Is the Exam?
Perceived Difficulty
Most candidates and industry observers describe the exam as moderately challenging but manageable with proper preparation. It is generally considered less demanding than the CFA Program’s Level I exam, both in terms of depth and required study hours.
Difficulty Level: Comparable to the first year of an undergraduate degree (Level 4 qualification), similar to the UK’s Investment Management Certificate (IMC).
Calculation Required: Minimal—focus is on conceptual understanding, not advanced math.
Content Breadth:Â Covers a wide range of ESG topics, but does not require deep technical expertise.
What Makes It Challenging?
Breadth Over Depth:Â The exam spans a broad spectrum of ESG and sustainable investing concepts, requiring candidates to understand both definitions and their practical application.
Application-Focused:Â Many questions are scenario-based, testing your ability to apply ESG principles in real-world investment contexts.
Evolving Content:Â The ESG landscape is rapidly changing, so the curriculum is updated annually to reflect the latest trends, regulations, and best practices.
Time Pressure:Â With 100 questions in 2 hours and 20 minutes, effective time management is essential.
Candidate Experience
Surveys of recent candidates reveal a range of experiences5:
33% found the exam harder than expected
41% found it as expected
26% found it easier than anticipated
Prior exposure to ESG concepts in a professional context can make the material more familiar and the exam less daunting.
Exam Structure and Content Areas
The exam is structured to test both foundational knowledge and the ability to apply ESG concepts. The curriculum typically includes:
Introduction to sustainable investing and ESG factors
The sustainable investing market
Environmental, social, and governance factors
Stewardship and engagement
ESG analysis, valuation, and integration
Portfolio construction and management with ESG considerations
Client mandates, analytics, and reporting
Heavier weighting is given to ESG analysis, valuation, and portfolio construction5.
Passing Score: What You Need to Know
The CFA Institute does not officially disclose the passing score, but industry consensus and historical data suggest it typically falls between 60% and 70%. This range may vary slightly year to year, and candidates are only informed whether they pass or fail, without detailed score reports.
Preparation: How to Succeed
Recommended Study Approach
Study Hours:Â Plan for at least 100 hours of study, using the official CFA Institute materials included with registration.
Focus Areas:Â Prioritize ESG analysis, valuation, integration, and portfolio construction, as these are heavily weighted.
Practice:Â Complete mock exams and practice questions to build familiarity with the format and time constraints.
Stay Current:Â Keep up with the latest ESG trends, regulations, and best practices, as the field evolves rapidly.
Who Should Take the Exam?
The certificate is ideal for:
Investment professionals seeking to formalize ESG expertise
Career switchers or recent graduates entering sustainable finance
Anyone involved in portfolio management, research, or client advisory roles where ESG is relevant
How Does It Compare to Other CFA Institute Exams?
Feature | Sustainable Investing Certificate | CFA Level I |
Pass Rate | 72–81% | 40–50% |
Study Hours Recommended | 100+ | 300+ |
Calculation Required | Minimal | Extensive |
Question Format | Multiple-choice | Multiple-choice |
Content Focus | Sustainable investing, ESG | Broad finance topics |
Difficulty Ranking | Foundational (Level 4) | Graduate-level |
Exam Duration | 2h 20m | 4.5h |
Conclusion: Is the CFA Sustainable Investing Certificate Hard?
The CFA Sustainable Investing Certificate is a foundational but rigorous credential. With a pass rate of 72–81% in 2025, it is more accessible than the traditional CFA exams, but still demands disciplined study and a strong grasp of ESG concepts and their application. For finance professionals looking to demonstrate commitment to sustainable investing, it offers a globally respected mark of expertise—one that is challenging, but very achievable with focused preparation.
If you’re considering this certificate, plan your study, use official materials, and stay engaged with the evolving world of ESG. The investment in your knowledge—and career—will be well worth it.
Are you preparing for the Sustainable Investing Certificate
 (CFA ESG Investing) in 2025?
Boost your chances of success on the Sustainable Investing Certificate with the right preparation—explore our exclusive study materials and resources to excel in your certiication journey!