Examination Overview
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination name | Chartered Economist® |
| Modules tested | Modules 1 to 6 |
| Examination centres | Pearson VUE centres (5,000+ centres in 150+ countries) |
| Examination dates | 10th to 20th of every month |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 115 minutes |
| Examination fees | Rs. 3,000 (+ GST) |
| Enrolment | Through the AAFM® website (Student Account) |
| Scheduling | Through Pearson VUE - pearsonvue.com |
Grading
The pass mark for the Chartered Economist® examination is 50%. Each candidate is graded according to the score achieved:
| Score (%) | Grade | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 76% and above | A | Pass - Distinction |
| 65% to 75% | B | Pass - Merit |
| 50% to 64% | C | Pass |
| 0% to 49% | D | Fail |
Examination Scheduling Process
Register with AAFM® India
Examination scheduling is available only after 30 days of registration with AAFM® India for the Chartered Economist® programme.
Submit the examination form and fees
Log in to your Student Account on the AAFM® website, complete the online examination form and pay the requisite fees online.
Receive your Pearson VUE credentials
On approval from AAFM® India, you receive a welcome email from Pearson VUE with your login ID and password for the Pearson VUE web account, which is auto-generated at this stage.
Receive your Authorisation to Test
Pearson VUE sends an "Authorisation to Test" email containing instructions on how to schedule your examination at any Pearson VUE centre.
Schedule your examination date
Schedule your examination online or via the Pearson VUE call centre. Test dates are only 10th to 20th of each month; scheduling must be completed before the 10th of the target month.
Practise on the AAFM® portal
Use the mock exams on the AAFM® website to familiarise yourself with the look, feel and timing of the examination before your test date.
Attend the examination centre
Arrive at the Pearson VUE test centre at least 30 minutes before your scheduled time, bringing a valid photo ID, a signature ID and a copy of the exam confirmation email from Pearson VUE. You will agree to a Non-Disclosure Agreement at the start of the exam.
Receive your result & submit certification
Your result is displayed immediately after you click "Submit." On passing, complete the Chartered Economist® Certification form, pay the requisite certification fees to AAFM® India and submit your project work within the given timeframe. Your certificate is then issued directly by AAFM® USA.
Examination Pattern
The examination comprises three sections with differing question types and mark weightings:
| Section | Marks per question | No. of questions | Total marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section A | 1 | 30 | 30 |
| Section B | 2 | 15 | 30 |
| Section C | 4 | 10 | 40 |
| Total | - | 55 | 100 |
There is no negative marking. The pass mark is 50 out of 100.
Module-wise Question Distribution
The marks reflect the difficulty level and time required to solve each question type:
| # | Module | 1-mark questions | 2-mark questions | 4-mark questions | Total questions | Total marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Applied Microeconomics | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 11 |
| 2 | Advanced Macroeconomics | 4 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 12 |
| 3 | Quantitative Techniques for Economics | 6 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 20 |
| 4 | Statistical Techniques for Economics | 6 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 20 |
| 5 | Industrial & International Economics | 6 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 20 |
| 6 | Applied Economics | 5 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 17 |
| Total | 30 | 15 | 10 | 55 | 100 | |
Examination Rules, Results & Policies
- Candidates may not carry any paper into the examination room.
- Laptops, palmtops, log tables and annuity tables are not permitted.
- Calculators on mobile phones are not permitted. The only permitted calculator is the Casio FC 200V financial calculator.
- Mobile phones must be switched off during the examination.
- Mobile phones, headphones and other personal items or exhibits are not permitted in the testing room.
- Candidates will receive one erasable note board and a pen for rough work.
Results are declared by the system itself immediately after the candidate clicks the "Submit" button. If the examination duration elapses without submission, the system automatically treats the answer sheet as submitted and displays the result on screen. Candidates may take a printout of their result at the test centre after the examination.
All documents submitted by candidates at the examination centre - rough sheets, back-up sheets, feedback forms and similar - are the property of AAFM® India. They are not subject to public scrutiny. This preserves the confidentiality of candidate-specific information and enables AAFM® to gather data to strengthen the examination system.
No question or part of the paper appearing on the computer terminal may be copied from the test screen or removed from the examination hall. Doing so will lead to disqualification. In the event of serious ambiguity in a question, the matter may be noted only with the specific approval of the exam coordinator, in their presence. Replies to such queries will be sent within seven days of receipt of the relevant documents from the Exam Administrator, without compromising the confidentiality of test items.
AAFM® India follows a policy of non-discrimination among all candidates. The online testing medium, algorithm, facilities and threshold criteria are identical for all candidates. There is no discrimination on the basis of examination pathway, sector, region, caste, religion, age, gender, additional qualifications, experience or institutional affiliation.
Queries relating to a specific question must be raised during the examination by submitting a written note to the test coordinator before leaving the examination room. Subsequent queries submitted by post or email to AAFM® India will not be entertained.
AAFM® India treats instances of unfair means or malpractice during the examination with the utmost seriousness. Any candidate found resorting to such practices will be expelled from the examination and their candidature will be cancelled.
Examinations once scheduled cannot be cancelled. If a candidate who has paid the examination fees to AAFM® India does not schedule the exam at Pearson VUE during the registration eligibility period, the fees paid will not be refunded or adjusted. On renewal of registration with AAFM® India, the candidate will be required to pay the examination fees again.
Rescheduling is possible up to 48 hours before the examination, on payment of Rs. 3,000 to Pearson VUE directly. Rescheduling is not permitted within 48 hours of the examination. A candidate who does not appear at the examination centre on the scheduled date will be treated as absent and the fees will not be refunded.
Candidates may book a retake examination after 10 days from the date of their previous attempt, regardless of whether they passed or failed that attempt.
Accepted Photo Identity Documents
Candidates must present original (not photocopied) documents with both a photograph and a signature. Names on IDs must exactly match those given at registration. Acceptable IDs include:
- Driver's licence
- Passport
- Election card / Voter ID
- PAN card
- Photo identity issued by a school, college or university
- Admit card of any national or state examination
- UID / Aadhaar card
- SC/ST certificate with photograph
- Employee ID with photo and signature
Practical Examination Arrangements
Arrival and Late Arrivals
Candidates must arrive at the test centre at least 30 minutes before the scheduled examination time. A grace period of up to 30 minutes late is allowed. If a candidate does not arrive within this period and the test centre is unable to accommodate them later, the candidate will be turned away and recorded as a no-show.
Erasable Note Board
Each candidate will receive one erasable note board and a pen to use for rough work during the examination.
Permitted Calculator
The only calculator permitted in the examination room is the Casio FC 200V financial calculator. No other calculator - including those built into mobile phones or other devices - is allowed.
Break Policy
The Chartered Economist® examination has no scheduled breaks. Candidates may access personal belongings during an unscheduled break, limited to essentials such as medicines; access to texts or printed materials is not permitted during any break. All decisions of AAFM® India in matters pertaining to the examination are final and binding.