My own experience on CESGA exam (with study tips) (2024)

Just in December 2023, I took the EFFAS Certified Environmental Social and Governance Analyst (CESGA) Edition 3.1 Exam. Here I am going to share my personal experience and study tips with you. (Please note that CESGA has updated its exam version to Edition 4.0 since 2024.)

If you are interested in other ESG certifications (e.g. CFA ESG, GARP SCR, CESGA, or SASB FSA), you can check out this comprehensive guide to ESG exams.

My own experience on CESGA exam (with study tips) (3)

Personal CESGA exam experience

  • After you pay €1,500 and complete the registration process, you will have access to the EFFAS Academy Platform.
  • The CESGA curriculum has 10 modules with video and slide deck materials. The first 9 modules will be tested in the exam, while the last one is complementary, providing a regional overview about latest ESG trends in Asia-Pacific, Latin America and North America.
  • The platform also has a self-assessment center on the platform with 1,000 MCQ questions for practice. (Don’t be scared by the number. Around 20–30% of the questions are similar or rephrased.)
  • You will also receive two specimen exams with solutions. These exams have the same format as the real one. (These two specimen exams are the key for you to get this CESGA exam passed.)
  • Before the CESGA exam (around 10 days before the exam date), there will be a mock exam to test your computer settings and familiarize you with the online exam platform. (This is not a real mock exam, but a technical check and a platform walkthrough.)

Format of the exam

  • The test lasts for 150 minutes and consists of two parts — 20 MCQs (50%) and 1 Practical Case Study with 9 open-ended questions (50%).
  • To pass the exam, you will have to obtain over 50% of the 120 available points and ensure above 30% of the points in each section. (For details, please refer to the public announcements from EFFAS.)

How difficult is the CESGA exam? Comparison with CFA ESG and GARP SCR

  • Subjectively, I can directly tell you that CESGA is easier than CFA ESG and GARP SCR, especially for those who dislike memorizing many policies, regulatory frameworks and trends.
My own experience on CESGA exam (with study tips) (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take to study for CESGA? ›

With no prior ESG knowledge we recommend at least 80 to 120 hours. This is made up of around 10 hours of videos, an hour per Module, and then time studying the accompanying slides and the additional materials.

What is the pass rate for the CESGA exam? ›

Objectively, the CESGA exam also has the highest passing rate (around 80%) among the three exams. The recommended study hours are 80–120. For a candidate without ESG background, I think ~80 hours could be sufficient. With some prior ESG knowledge like I do, I spent around 60 hours and passed in one attempt.

What is the difference between CESGA and CFA ESG investing? ›

Difficulty level: CESGA is a higher-level qualification (Diploma, estimated at Level 5), whereas CFA ESG Investing certificate is benchmarked at Level 4 under the UK Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). Both qualifications require similar study hours.

What does CESGA stand for? ›

Up to date, a total of 1,564 professionals from around the world already have the CESGA title granted by the European Federation of Financial Analysts Associations (EFFAS) and are Certified ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) Analysts.

What is the salary of ESG analyst? ›

The national average salary for a Esg analyst is ₹4,85,000 in India.

What is the salary of ESG investment analyst? ›

Analyste ESG Salaries in United Kingdom

The average salary for Analyste ESG is £35,161 per year in the United Kingdom. The average additional cash compensation for a Analyste ESG in the United Kingdom is £4,754, with a range from £1,409 - £16,032.

What is the salary of certificate in ESG investing? ›

Maximizing Earnings with the CFA ESG Investing Certificate
RoleSalary Range (2022/2023 - USD)
ESG Analyst$60,000 - $120,000
ESG Reporting Specialist$50,000 - $90,000
ESG Risk Analyst$70,000 - $150,000
Jan 28, 2024

Does ESG pay well? ›

Do ESG jobs pay well? Yes, a career in an ESG-related field typically comes with a remuneration package of between 60k and 200k – depending on the sector and the level of experience a candidate brings to the table.

How hard is the certificate in ESG investing? ›

Comparing it to other CFA Institute Certificates, the CFA ESG is on par with the Investment Management Certificate (IMC) in terms of difficulty, but it is considered easier than the CFA Level 1.

Is ESG a good career? ›

Therefore, ESG professionals will find themselves working in a well-funded and well-respected field, in which there is scope to make a real difference – both to the business or organisation they work for and to society and the environment.

What degree do you need for ESG consultant? ›

Starting as an ESG Analyst, candidates would need to have completed a degree in subjects such as sustainability, environmental science or property. These roles require individuals who are proficient in project management and confident in talking to people across the business.

How to become a certified ESG consultant? ›

If you want to become an ESG Consultant, here are some steps you can take: get an education in sustainability or related fields, become an expert in ESG frameworks and best practices, gain practical experience through internships or projects, build a professional network, get certifications like Certified ESG Analyst, ...

How long does it take to study for CFA ESG? ›

For beginners, studying about 100 hours for Garp SCR might be enough. But for CFA ESG, you might need around 130 hours. Both courses give you one practice exam.

How many hours of learning is desirable to pass CFA ESG? ›

In terms of study hours, it is recommended that ESG exam candidates devote around 100 hours in total to complete the certification.

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