Bringing a Handgun to the CFA Exam ?

Wendy

New member
Joined
Jun 18, 2026
Messages
0
Reaction score
0
Anyone else find it odd that the rulemeisters at the CFAI ban knives from the testing room, but not pistols?
Rough math suggests that something like 700 of next weekend’s U.S. candidates are also concealed carry permit holders.
Would be interesting to know how may of those candidates will be packing a pistol in the exam room on Saturday.
_____
The following items are not permitted in the testing room:
  • Food or drinks
  • Baggage of any kind, including transparent bags, backpacks, handbags, tote bags, briefcases, luggage, carrying cases, passport covers, or pencil cases
  • Study materials, including notes, papers, textbooks, or study guides
  • Scratch paper, present/future value tables, or calculator manuals
  • Highlighters, correction fluid, correction tape, or rulers
  • Knives of any type, including box cutters and knives used as pencil sharpeners
  • Mobile phones, MP3 players, cameras, pagers, headsets, computers, electronic organizers, personal data assistants, or any other remote communication or photographic devices
  • Any type of desk clock or timer
http://www.cfainstitute.org/about/governance/policies/Pages/personal_belongings_policy.aspx
 
now that you mention it, there are no metal detectors on the way in
 
It’s just a matter of time before one of these “IT to FO” people snaps…
 
I guessing there is a real chance of someone mistakenly bringing a blade into the exam hall - as mentioned, to sharpen pencils, boxcutters left in your pencil bag etc, hence the trouble to point it out that it’s forbidden.
I thought this forum was about the desire to bring handguns, hence my original interest in clicking to this thread.
 
are you still allowed to bring a screwdriver to chage the batters in the HP calculator ? that could be used as a weapon
 
I thought the HP calculator battery covers slide right off. It’s the BAII Plus that needs a screwdriver.
 
I thought my BAII (pro, anyway) has a cover that just slides off as well?
 
HP12C doesn’t need a screwdriver, maybe it was an ancient model used when the CFA exams were a piece of cake
 
AFAIK only the BA II Plus requires a screwdriver. But unfortunately that seems to be the most popular one as well.
 
it says no water, but I’ve heard of people bringing in bottles of water. any support to this?
 
thegeneral101 wrote:
it says no water, but I’ve heard of people bringing in bottles of water. any support to this?
Think it’s test-centre specific. London generally allows - you keep it on the floor below your seat.
 
there should be water provided by CFAI with plastic cups and everything. I’ve kept a cup under my chair no problem
 
The two proctors that chatted through my L2 exam at Javits Center were lucky I wasn’t armed; because at the time I was in the mood to shoot them both in the face.
 
It also doesn’t say no bazookas. Is it necessary to preclude the requirement for common sense?
 
I’m surprised the CFAI did not list the full TSA list as prohibited items … lol
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm#8
Prohibited:
Box Cutters
No
Yes
Ice Axes/Ice Picks
No
Yes
Knives - except for plastic or round bladed butter knives
No
Yes
Meat Cleavers
No
Yes
Razor-Type Blades - such as box cutters, utility knives, and safety razor blades (disposable razors and their cartridges are permitted)
No
Yes
Sabers
No
Yes
Scissors - metal with pointed tips and blades shorter than four inches
Yes
Yes
Swords - cutting or thrusting weapons, including fencing foils
Billy Clubs
No
Yes
Black Jacks
No
Yes
Brass Knuckles
No
Yes
Kubatons
No
Yes
Self Defense Sprays - One 4 ounce (118ml) container of mace or pepper spray is permitted in checked baggage provided it is equipped with a safety mechanism to prevent accidental discharge. Self Defense Sprays containing more than 2% by mass of Tear Gas (CS or CN) are prohibited in Checked Baggage. For more information visit www.faa.gov., click on Passengers, then Preparing to Fly.
No
Yes
Martial Arts Weapons
No
Yes
Night Sticks
No
Yes
Nunchakus
No
Yes
Stun Guns/Shocking Devices
No
Yes
Throwing Stars
No
Yes
 
Handguns should be mandatory.
First you have the a-holes who show up 5hrs early and sit down smoking a fags, shooting hoops w/e just to show everyone how calm, relaxed & ready they are. Get a life dickheads.
Then we have the proctors getting off on a power trip. “Let me see your passport for the 3rd frikking time in 30 min”. ”Stop flipping your paper! You’ll give answers away!”. “Why do you look so diffrerent from your decade-old passport photo?!” “I have a small penus and must compensate!” Please die.
Dont forget the nerds who wont stop talking about their brilliant answers to every damn question after the exam. “ooh question fifty-whatever was sooo simple like whou couldnt figure out return on equity = I have no life. Let’s totally go punish our dicks to xena posters and starcraft after this LOL!!1!one!!” Fuckers.
I seriously dont know what kept me from offing myself
 
Back
Top