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Yet to Decide

Too late for an MBA or CFA at 30? What really has an age limit

Turning 30 makes many people feel some doors have closed. Some have. Many haven't, and it helps to know which is which.

Facts last checked: October 2026

No age limit

CAT, the entrance test for the IIMs, has no age limit and no limit on attempts. GATE has no age limit either. CAT rules, via Careers360 (2026); GATE rules, via Physics Wallah (2026)

The CFA counts attempts

Candidates get six attempts in all at each CFA level, and can sit at most twice in a calendar year. A partial attempt still counts. So the question isn't your age, it's how many tries you have left. CFA Institute (2026)

Some doors do close with age

For UPSC Civil Services, the General limit is 31. IBPS PO and SBI PO run to 30 for General, with more years for OBC, SC and ST candidates. Your departure board shows which of these are still open for you. UPSC notice, via Vision IAS (2026); IBPS and SBI notices, via Mahendras (2026)

Starting later is normal

The average founder of the fastest-growing new firms started at 45, and experience in the same field made success much more likely. Azoulay, Jones, Kim & Miranda, AER: Insights (2020)

One small step for today

Look up the next exam date for the one you want, and put it in your calendar.

Work out your own

Put in your own numbers. They stay on your phone. More on this topic

Your numbers

Common answers are filled in. Change the ones you know.

Your level
out of 10

It only changes the order on your statement.

What waiting costs you

6 attempts left

6 attempts left at Level I

CFA Institute allows 6 attempts at each level, and at most 2 a year. Even a partial attempt counts, so it helps to sit only when you're ready.

Your small stepPick the exam window you'll sit next, and put its registration deadline in your calendar.

When will you do it?

Add to my Delay Statement
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How we worked this out
  1. Limit: 6 attempts at each level.
  2. Left: 6 minus 0 = 6 attempts.
  3. At most 2 sittings a year, so they last at least 3 years.
  4. Rules change. Check the official page before you plan anything.
  5. How much it matters to you: 7 out of 10. It only changes the order on your statement.

Sources

  • CFA Institute (2026): Candidates get 6 attempts in all at each CFA level, and can sit at most twice in a calendar year. A partial attempt still counts.

Sources

Read next

Make my Delay Statement

We show what waiting costs on your own plans. We never tell you what to buy or invest in. Rules and averages change, so check the official pages before you plan anything.