I’m taking the CFP exam Nov 8th. All tips/tricks welcomed !!

Thank you so much.

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

All the best to you. I’m studying now myself targeting July as it’s been some years since I completed the course work. Doing Dalton review which I heard is pretty good. Has a Money back guarantee.

like

I’d say you should be in good shape if you’ve taken the Exam Readiness quiz and scored 70% or higher which is supposed to be harder than the Exam. Since you recently finished the coursework things should be relatively fresh for you.

like

I took Dalton, I passed the guarantee to pass exam and I still failed the first time. First exam I ever failed in my entire life. Passed it the second time a few months later though. Just manage your time. Where I messed up is I spent too much time on the very time consuming ones with multiple calculations because those are the ones I’m most confident on they just take forever to do. 40-50% of the exam you should know like the back of your hand if you studied thoroughly enough. They’ll throw some crazy ones at you on the actual exam that you’re going to scratch your head and be like wtf. Just skip those and get back to them later because there’s not going to be enough of those super difficult questions on the exam to make a difference between pass or fail. As long as you get even half the ones you were iffy about right you should be good.

likesmart

Subreddit r/CFP is a great source. I’m sitting on Tuesday. Good luck!

like

Thank you !! Wishing you luck as well.

like

I took the Zahn review course, which was excellent, BTW.

Vice President 1's tips are right on. Here are a few more.

If you're having trouble with some formulas, write them down on index cards and take them with you. Review them in your car before you go in to take the test, then write them down on the scrap board immediately after the test begins so you can dump the info and clear your head.

Don't talk to anyone when you're waiting around to start the exam or are on your break. You've nothing to gain and everything to lose by talking to anyone about the exam, the studying experience, etc.

Check the test question numbers once you open the book. Believe it or not, one guy in our room did this before starting the exam and found that two questions were missing, and thus the answers would be incorrect on the answer sheet. It affected the test booklets across the nation. It would've been a HUGE problem if he hadn't caught it.

Take plenty of pencils.

Go through all of the questions quickly and answer the easy ones. Then go through again and answer those that will take more time, setting aside the long essay questions for the end.

Stay nourished and hydrated.

Good luck!

like

Greatly appreciated! God bless

like

Pro Tips -

1. Bring extra batteries for your calculator.

2. Do not write anything on your scrap paper until you start the exam clock.

3. If you finish Part 1 of the exam and have leftover time, use that time as a mental break (if you want/need more time that what scheduled break permits).

4. For me, I marked/skipped any long questions or cases to the end as it reduced my concern about time.

5. I read the last statement of each question before reading the question so I could eliminate info that was designed to distract me.

6. Eat a healthy snack on your break. You will feel the mental and emotional pressure.

7. Embrace the Suck! Be ready for something to go wrong on your exam day! For example…

- My exam day consisted of the proctors not providing me printouts of the formula sheet (that was allowed when I took the exam).
- Friend of mine experienced a power outage at the test center. Had to reboot all the computers.
- Another friend received an email the morning of that his exam was postponed due to inclement weather in another part of town.
- Another friend had exam time significantly delayed due to staffing shortage.

All this to say, be flexible, be confident, and enjoy the process! If you have put in the prep time then the exam will be an outflow of your efforts.

Good luck!

like

Thank you so much for these tips I truly appreciate them !

I’m taking it on Thursday…. My plan is to take one more full CFP test under test conditions tomorrow… check into a hotel Tuesday night… review formulas and flowcharts Wednesday… get a good nights sleep.. be hydrated and get to the site early Thursday morning

like

Ditto… I’ll post Friday anything I can say about the experience

Brett Danko review course all the way!

like

My husband and I passed today. My tips are;

Make sure you are away from distractions from now until then. We rented a hotel room near by. No clients kids or pets to distract us.

Hydrate and go to bed early. If you drink cut way back

We paid for the second test on the CFP website… expensive but very different from the first one so it was worth it but only if you have 6 undistracted hours. We did each problem and checked the solution immediately.

During the test… relax, stay on pace and roll your eyes at stupid questions. Don’t bog down on math questions.. do them twice and if your answer isn’t there go B for boy or C for cat but move on.


Take your 40 minute break to relax, hydrate, eat a snack. Do not look up answers of things you think you did wrong.

Good luck and can’t wait to see you post on the 8th about how you passed.

like

Congrats to you both.

Is dalton better than Kaplan?

Someone who used Kaplan initially some years ago and was not successful then used Dalton and was successful swears by them. They prep you on what you need to know to pass the exam.

Related Posts

Bain & Company Hi everyone, This is an Associate from ZS Associates with ~2 YOE What skills/courses does someone need to become financial analyst in JPMC, MG, Moody's, MBBs and so on ? Or Just to enter as analyst in these firms ? ZS Associates JPMorgan Chase Morgan Stanley Bain & Company Goldman Sachs Moody's Corporation

like

I am currently finishing off my bachelors degree in Finance whilst working. I have decided to go back to study during covid. I do have 12 years experience in banking roles/credit assessment and more. Am really interested in investment banking and portfolio management. Will also be starting my CFA exams soon. Can anyone provide some background on how easy would it be to get into let say investment banking roles or similar given my experience but the burden of finishing my degree late?

like

Does any BTECH + MBA grad regret doing MBA 😂

It's hysterical how money is flowing in IT industry.

I would never regret though, but dayuuuuuuym?

like

What are some interesting non-tech/insurance/advertising/consulting careers where data science is applied? Thinking of epidemiology and economics

like

Anyone have recommendations on the best app/site to learn Python? 🐍
I’m a complete beginner.

like

Quit my cushy job a few months ago because I was totally burnt out and mental health was shot. Thinking about quitting this industry all together - anyone else go through similar? Any advice? Thanks!

like

I joined 6 months ago as a L5 manager. I like my team but don't enjoy the work. I also feel I was down levelled at the time of joining. Should I wait 6 months and move internally? How easy is internal mobility especially if I were to target a L6 role? Would applying outside be wise ?

like

How do you make the jump from a tax accountant role (associate 1st yr) at a Big 4 firm to an entry level supply chain job?

like

What books would you recommend for someone wanting to get better at sales?

like

Hi Fishes,
I have total 2 years of experience as a ServiceNow Developer. I am planning to switch from Accenture to other organization but I am not sure which offer should I take?

Infosys Or Wipro - having the same offer around 12 lpa

Which of the above organization will be a better for learning and growing opportunity as a ServiceNow Developer? Which one of the above is better?

like

Hi All,
I just got certified in Workday HCM and getting further opportunity to go for Data Conversion and US Payroll training. I have to choose one. Can you please suggest which one should I opt?

like

Did anyone here have a professor or mentor that changed their life and got them into this industry?

like

Hello,I’ve 11 years of experience in hardware verification. I know SV, UVM. How can I change my career field to AIML? Please guide

like

Anyone exit to agritech or something like beyond/impossible?

I’m having the hardest time finding a new job. I have 12 years of HR experience, a masters in HR, SHRM certification, and all I keep getting are rejection emails. I’ve never experienced this difficult of a time searching for new opportunities. Is this normal once you hit a certain level in your career or is it just me?

likehelpful

Hi All, just sharing what on mind to vent it out from my system. Maybe with this I could gain some insights and inspiration.
I have been working as a data scientist since 2018 & have been the bread winner. I have neither been under a proper mentor nor with a team of peers from my field to help me out. I was alone and confused. I have never really got the chance to prove myself which makes me all the more depressed. I'm not sure what to do with my future, indecisive and low on confidence.

like

Is it easier to go from McK to BCG or Deloitte to BCG? If one is easier, how much easier? And do BCG recruiters ever poach from McK or is that a big no-no?

like

My end all be all goal right now is to eventually run my own private wealth management firm.
My question is though: Should I try to go straight into private wealth out of college and become a private wealth associate, or take a different route, and start as a base level financial advisor to get some general advisement background?

like

Any book recommendations on change management?

like

More Posts

PwC India Hi fishes, Can someone refer me for this position-
Associate - Corporate and Business Strategy - Strategy Consulting?
PwC India PwC

like

Can someone suggest some good projects in kharadi ubale nagar keshav nagar?

like

When a client comes back with no script changes:

Post Photo
likefunny

I think the Matrix is broken, I just had a déjà vu.

funnylike

Hello fellow olds!! I was just at a work dinner and HH. Three drinks and food and weeeee! Damn. Such a lightweight now! 😂 Hope you all are enjoying the night. 😘

likefunny

Failed FAR miserably. Should I start studying all over or just do the MC?

like

Just walked out of FAR test, literally cried after submitting it. SIMS were something I got ripped off by, can say clearly 4 out of 8 sims I kind of missed completely...😭😭😭 don’t know if I can ever get over this

like

FAR, what a pain..that’s all

likefunny

Zoom (huge chunk, currently at loss)- sell or hold?

How do I set the formula to calculate “If x falls between 1-10, return 1-10, if it falls between 11-20, return 11-20, and so on”

like

Hi,
My HR discussion with
Cognizant is scheduled.
Is this going to be a salary discussion or questions like strength and weakness, why do you want to join etc?

MBA admit here and have to put down a deposit soon, having serious cold feet right now due to the covid situation and potentially having to start virtually. Would love any perspective on how it's been particularly socially and what your schools' outlook on the fall is

like

Hi fishers,

I'm a Programmer Analyst with over 2.8 years of experience in SAS and SQL.
My preferred location is Chennai/Bangalore.
Currently I'm looking for a job switch and it's kind of urgent.
Can someone please refer me if your company has any opening for SAS and SQL.

Thanks in advance..

like

Looking for push gift suggestions.

like

Any recommendations for front door security camera’s (eg ring)? Want one for my parents who live in a not-dense suburb

like

Looking to switch from tax associate to big4 tax senior. Any referral/recommendations? TIA.

likefunny

McKinsey & Company Hello, any women in Europe with (1-3 years) work experience (not fresh out of undergrad) looking to join a McKinsey Europe office as a consultant? Happy to refer you, DM me McKinsey & Company

like

When does pwc ac payout bonuses and any expectations on this year's bonus?

like

Hello everyone am looking for Side hustle , anything works driving ,plumbing ,construction etc anything works just hit me up and I I’ll make time to get it done for you thnx 💪

likehelpful

Conuslting ——— vs. ——— Data Science + Machine Learning ??? $$$$

like

Additional Posts in Financial Advisors

Anyone tried meditating and found it helpful to deal with work stress (or just stress in general)?

like

How do you feel right now 1-10? Why?

Haha Merrill just reduced the pc payout grid by 3% for advisor below $2m in production

like

CFP thinking of taking a few month career break to search for a new position. Need a recharge and to reevaluate, not to mention time to search. Would this be a mistake? Thanks

like

What types of insurance do you believe are important for a financial plan, and why? (disability, ltc, etc)

like

What are some signs of burn out? This is my first professional job and i’m not sure what the signs are.

like

Do you ever feel you can’t tell your former colleagues how well you are doing? I worked at ML & now indep. Talking to friend at 8am, I’m at store picking up milk, etc. Friend asks, are you at store?

like

I need some good career-development or finance-related books, anyone got any recs?

like

Question for my 401k focused advisors out there--what programs are you using that is instrumental to your 401k practice that you simply can't do without? I'm being pitched on Envestnet & im not sold.

like

Can some of you experienced folk recommend some good books for rookies? What are your favorites for investment strategies, marketing, selling, etc.?

like

Colleagues, I'm an experienced Relationship Banker looking to start a career as a FA. PLEASE, reply if you are part or you know any local RIAs hiring entry-level individuals in NY. Thanks!!!

like

I have a client who needs a 401k, or a solo retirement account w loan options. When I was at UBS/Ameriprise, it was no issue but now it seems tougher to find a firm that does solo 401k as a RIA's.

likehelpful

Best books to give to new young client who genuinely wants to grow and develop his interest & understanding of finance, doesn’t want to be bored, & cares about his investment accounts?

like

Book characters with whom you’d like to have a drink

like

Long drive tomorrow. Does anyone know of any on demand CFP continue education courses out there? I’d love to knock out 15 hrs of CE on this drive, if able. 🤦‍♂️🔫🤢

like

Anyone here in Santa Barbara CA?

like

This is my first yr having access to an FSA through my wife’s benefits. Trying to decide on an amount to contribute and it’s tough. We may or may not get pregnant this year and that’s a huge. Cont..

like

International financial advisor. I’d like to do a hypothetical proposal for client. My go to has always been JPMorgan. They now can’t do it. Anyone else?

like

Any ideas for creative ways to prospect to large numbers of people that require little to no overhead? I’m thinking seminars or workshops that don’t require paying for meals, mailers, or ads.

likefunny

Resources on learning to practice mindfulness? I want to incorporate these methods to help me disconnect from work.

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal