SFoyil

Guys you need to understand the reason behind these numbers:

1) Its obvious the exam is more popular and now the economy is in the toilet more people want to take the exam to gain or maintain employment.

2) The CFA exam until recently has been a North American trend. Outside of the US/Canada it has historically had little recognition. Only recently has the CFA institute been gaining traction in other countries particularly developing countries, accounting for a greater increase in the number test takers.

3) The fact that a record number of people are passing is a result of a record number of test takers. The exam is probably getting a lot more difficult as more people take it the institute raises the bar higher and higher since pass rates demonstrate a declining trend. So even though more people in absolute terms are obtaining the charter, it is simultaneously becoming more difficult obtain.

Conclusion (mine anyway): If you live in North America the competitive advantage of having the charter is diminished. However your charter now has better global recognition and seeking employment abroad will probably be easier (relatively anyway). I think having the charter will also mean more prestige over time since it is becoming much more difficult for any single individual to obtain owing to declining pass rates.