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CFA Level I Exam · Guidance for Standard VII: Responsibilities as a CFA Institute Member or CFA Candidate

Standard VII(A): Conduct as Participants in CFA Programs

Updated 7 October 2026 · Fact-checked

Standard VII(A) says members and candidates must not engage in conduct that compromises the reputation or integrity of CFA Institute or the CFA designation, or the integrity, validity or security of CFA Institute programs. To solve a case, identify the act, check whether it harms program integrity, validity or security, then pick the answer that shows a violation.

Understand Standard VII(A): Conduct as Participants in CFA Programs

Standard VII(A) is about how you behave as a participant in CFA Institute programs. It applies to members and to candidates. The official wording is: "Members and Candidates must not engage in any conduct that compromises the reputation or integrity of CFA Institute or the CFA designation or the integrity, validity, or security of CFA Institute programs."

The reason is simple. The designation is only valuable if employers and clients trust that everyone earned it fairly. If exam content leaks or people cheat, that trust falls for every charterholder and candidate.

The Standard covers two broad areas. First, conduct that harms the integrity or validity of the exam. Examples are cheating, giving or receiving help during an exam, and disclosing exam content. Second, misuse of confidential program information, such as revealing specific questions or the grading details that are not public.

The Handbook's guidance lists conduct that violates the Standard. Examples include bringing unauthorized material into the exam room, writing the exam for another person, behaving in a disruptive way in the exam, and disclosing exam questions or content after the exam, for instance in a forum or to a prep provider. It also includes disclosing which topics or question areas were tested or not tested.

Some things are allowed. You may give general feedback on the exam, such as saying it was difficult or too long, without mentioning topics tested or not tested. You may also express your views about the curriculum and exam process in a way that does not reveal confidential content. The line is: does it reveal specific confidential content, including which topics were or were not tested, or give someone an unfair edge? If yes, it is a violation.

Key formulas to remember

Standard VII(A) wording
Members and Candidates must not engage in any conduct that compromises the reputation or integrity of CFA Institute or the CFA designation or the integrity, validity, or security of CFA Institute programs.
Official text. Know it well enough to match facts to it.
Who is covered
Members AND candidates
Candidates are bound by the Standard while sitting the exam, not only after earning the charter.
Typical violations
Cheating, sharing specific exam content, disclosing topics tested or not tested, unauthorized materials, impersonation, disruptive exam conduct
Any act that harms exam integrity, validity or security.
Typically acceptable
General comments on difficulty or length, and constructive views on the program
Acceptable only if no confidential content, including topics tested or not tested, is revealed and no one gets an unfair advantage.

How to solve Standard VII(A): Conduct as Participants in CFA Programs questions

Use this method for any Standard VII(A) case question.

  1. 1Identify who acted: a member or a candidate, and in what context (exam, forum, prep class, conversation).
  2. 2State exactly what was done or disclosed. Is it specific exam content or topics tested, or only general commentary on difficulty or length?
  3. 3Ask whether it harms the integrity, validity or security of the program, or the reputation of the designation.
  4. 4Check for an unfair advantage: could someone else benefit or be disadvantaged by this act?
  5. 5Match the facts to the Standard. Specific content, topics tested or not tested, cheating or help from others means a violation.
  6. 6Choose the option that correctly applies the Standard, not the one citing an unrelated Standard.
  7. 7Eliminate the option that is too lenient or too harsh, then pick the best remaining answer.

Quickest way: Specific or general test

When to use it: Use when you have about 90 seconds and the question is about sharing or discussing exam information.

  1. Ask: was specific confidential content or any topic tested or not tested revealed, or did someone cheat?
  2. If yes, it is a VII(A) violation. Pick that option.
  3. If it was only general feedback such as the exam being difficult or long, it is usually acceptable.
  4. Drop any option that blames an unrelated Standard such as II(A) or I(C) without matching facts.
  5. Guess among the last two if unsure, as there is no penalty.

Common mistakes in Standard VII(A): Conduct as Participants in CFA Programs

  • Thinking VII(A) applies only to charterholders

    The title says members, and candidates are easy to forget.

    Fix: Remember the Standard covers both members and candidates, including during exam sitting.

  • Treating every comment about the exam as a violation

    Students over-learn the confidentiality theme.

    Fix: General comments on difficulty or length are acceptable. Specific content, topics tested or not tested, or unfair advantage is a violation.

  • Saying it is fine to share content once the exam is over

    Students assume secrecy ends at the exam.

    Fix: Disclosing exam questions or content after the exam still compromises program integrity.

  • Confusing VII(A) with VII(B)

    Both sit under Standard VII and both involve CFA Institute.

    Fix: VII(A) is about conduct in the programs. VII(B) is about how you refer to the designation, the program and CFA Institute.

  • Picking Standard II(A) for exam leaks

    Both involve nonpublic information.

    Fix: II(A) concerns material nonpublic information about securities and issuers. Exam content falls under VII(A).

Worked examples

Example 1

A candidate leaves the exam and posts on an online forum three specific questions she remembers, with the answer choices. Does this violate the Standard?
A. No, because the exam is over.
B. No, because she did not cheat during the exam.
C. Yes, because she disclosed specific exam content.

Show the solution
  1. The actor is a candidate. The context is a public forum after the exam.
  2. She revealed specific questions and answer choices, which is confidential content.
  3. This compromises the integrity, validity and security of the program.
  4. Option A is wrong because the duty continues after the exam.
  5. Option B is wrong because VII(A) covers disclosure as well as cheating.

Answer: C. She violated Standard VII(A) by disclosing specific exam content.

Example 2

After the exam, a candidate tells a friend who will sit next time only that the exam felt difficult and too long, without mentioning any topic or question. Which is most appropriate?
A. This is a violation because any exam discussion breaches confidentiality.
B. This is not a violation because it was general feedback and revealed no confidential content.
C. This is a violation because the friend gains an advantage.

Show the solution
  1. The comment is about overall difficulty and length. It names no topic and no question.
  2. VII(A) targets confidential content, including which topics were tested or not tested, and conduct harming integrity, validity or security.
  3. General feedback on difficulty or length does not reveal confidential content.
  4. Option A overstates the rule. Option C assumes an unfair advantage that general comments do not create.

Answer: B. General feedback on difficulty or length is not a violation of Standard VII(A).

Exam tips

  • Look for the key trigger: specific exam content, topics tested or not tested, cheating or unauthorized help. These point to a violation.
  • Remember candidates are covered. Many options wrongly say only members are bound.
  • General feedback on difficulty or length is usually the acceptable answer when offered. Naming topics tested is not.
  • Do not choose Standard II(A) or I(C) unless the case involves securities information or misrepresentation.
  • Watch for a timing trap. Disclosure after the exam is still a violation.

Practice questions from Guidance for Standard VII: Responsibilities as a CFA Institute Member or CFA Candidate

Standard VII(A): Conduct as Participants in CFA Programs in other exams

The same ground in other exams, if you are preparing for more than one or want another angle on it.

Standard VII(A): Conduct as Participants in CFA Programs: frequently asked questions

What does Standard VII(A) say?

It says members and candidates must not engage in conduct that compromises the reputation or integrity of CFA Institute or the CFA designation, or the integrity, validity or security of CFA Institute programs. It applies to both members and candidates.

What counts as a violation of CFA exam confidentiality?

Disclosing specific exam questions or content, disclosing which topics were tested or not tested, cheating, bringing unauthorized materials, or helping others gain an unfair advantage. Disclosure after the exam is still a violation.

Can I tell others which topics were on the exam?

No. Disclosing which topics or question areas were tested or not tested is a violation of the Standard. You may give only general feedback, such as that the exam was difficult or too long, without naming topics or content.

How is VII(A) different from VII(B)?

VII(A) covers your conduct in CFA programs, such as exam integrity. VII(B) covers how you refer to CFA Institute, the designation and the program, for example avoiding exaggerated claims.