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The CFA Program requires candidates to complete one Practical Skills Module (PSM) at each level to receive their exam result. The requirement applies alongside the exam; it is not an extra scored topic area. Check the current module choices and deadline in the CFA Institute PSM guidance before choosing a module.
What they actually are
The modules are applied, tool-oriented units — Financial Modeling, Python Programming Fundamentals, Analyst Skills and the like — built to close the gap between passing a multiple-choice exam and doing the work the charter implies. They are self-paced and assessed within the module rather than on exam day.
How to plan them
- Schedule the module early — a fixed block in week two or three, not a loose end.
- Budget real hours: the modeling and Python units take longer than the “skills” framing suggests.
- Confirm which module your level requires before you start; the requirement differs by level and shifts between cycles.
The strategic point is small but real: the PSMs turn “I passed the exam” into “I can do the first task on the desk.” Recruiters have started to ask. Treat the module as the cheapest line on your CV to earn.
Sources
- CFA Institute Practical Skills Modules · cfainstitute.org · Retrieved
