A sister sub of r/CFP and a place for questions and topics surrounding the CFP Exam. While all nationalities are welcome, this sub focuses on US and Canadian CFP Exam topics.
I am sitting for the CFP in July. Been using Zahn’s pre-study and review course. I’ve made it through the pre-study books and am hammering in on the test bank questions while reviewing notes as I go. Feel like I’ve got a pretty decent handle on the concepts so far. Currently over halfway through the timeline but I feel like I’m hitting a wall. Outside of my full time job, all I do is study. Weeknights, at work when I can, 6-8 hrs on the weekend… It’s starting to make me question everything and feel like giving up. (I’m not, but it’s a heavy feeling.)
Did any of you who have sat for the exam have a similar feeling? I knew this was going to be a 6 month intensive program to prep going in, and I’m determined to keep going. Just wondering if I’m alone in this and looking for some sort of assurance I suppose?
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I’m in the same boat man. Went with Danko and am starting estate tomorrow which is the last section for us.
It’s tough… I’ve been getting up at 6, studying by 7-7:30 to 10. Then do an hour or two at night. Then 3-4 hours Saturday and Sunday. So in all I’m putting in 18-20 hours a week.
My mindset is it’s only two months, which isn’t really a whole lot of time if you think about it. And I always try to remind myself I’ll never have to do this again and the rewards that come with having the CFP license.
Why are you so far ahead in the danko material? Lol
Started in March
Ahh gotcha you. I waited until mid April to start the review. I heard starting the review 3 months before the test and 2 months before a live review is ideal because it is enough time to complete everything, but also have all the readings fresh in your mind.
I don't think starting 4 or 4 1/2 is too bad. However I think it would be a bad decision to start a review course 5 months or longer before exam day.
Just depends where you are at. I just graduated college, so I’m basically learning everything while I am “reviewing”. So, I probably need more time than the average CFP test taker.
I’m about that far along and I started towards end of March. But I’m a CPA and some of the chapters I already know as I read along.
Insurance and retirement have been the toughest for me so far. So much random shit and exceptions to remember.
Insurance is definitely my pain point. So much information about work place, personal, business, home & auto coverage. It’s a doozy
Failed once, passed the second time. Process is crappy but just stick to it. I always told myself “once I start CFP, I don’t stop until I’m a CFP.” I cheated myself and didn’t work hard on my first attempt.
At the end of the day, just put your head down and grind. There is a reason only 100k ppl have the designation - it’s hard! Just differentiate yourself and smoke the exam. Don’t cut corners, trust your training, actually train, don’t get egotistical about the exam, don’t look at how others are doing. Submit to the process, let it be a terrible time (for only two more months), and have the discipline to finish!
How do you like zahns program?
I like it! Very much a “cut the BS” program where they teach the material but heavily focus on how to think while taking the exam.
I passed in March it’s just horrible lol I feel like I blacked out the study months. Take breaks but think about how good it’ll feel when you’re done! You’ve got it!
Thanks for the encouragement! Congratulations on your success!! Telling myself the only option is a one and done. Gotta pass the first go round!
Have a defined structure, properly identify your weaknesses and develop a protocol on what you’re going to be doing on a daily basis. That’s exactly what I do with my students
The exam is next to impossible to Pass. The pass rate does not make sense.. get ready for 50+ math questions where 30+ are expert level, ethics questions are supposed to be free points but they are the hardest part of the exam because there is no correct answer along with behavioral finance.
The cfp board are a bunch of scammers. Took the exam after studying over 1k hours and going through the qbank twice
Okay
This guy probably got the short end of the stick and drew the really hard test. Don’t let that scare you. My exam had maybe 4-6 involved calculator questions, and the rest were a matter of choosing the correct items (for AGI, gross/probate estate, FDIC insured amounts) and then adding and subtracting. For the hitting a wall part, totally normal. I started studying October 31st 2023 and passed March 2024. My day was wake up 5am, study 6-9am, work, then about 6-9pm after for basically the whole window. It sucked and I felt very burned out, but it got me the result I needed. Keep pushing now and you will feel great after.
Thank you, I really appreciate the comment. It’s a steep mountain to climb but I have hope! Plan is to power through and make it out successful on the other side
How did your phone call with the CFP board go?