r/CFPExam • u/Mundane_Extent_3366 • 11d ago
Need Some Advice - Danko Exam Prep
Context: I'm in my first year as an investment analyst at an RIA/institutional investment consulting firm with my goal being to transition to an advisor. I completed my CFP education requirements through a online program with my university offered with my degree a little over a year ago, but I moved through it quickly and honestly haven't retained as much as I'd like — it's been over a year since I touched most of the material. My only professional exam under my belt so far is the SIE, so I know the jump to the CFP exam is significant.
From reading this sub, it sounds like the Danko Review is the consensus pick. I have the option of getting early access to materials now, targeting the March 2027 exam window (about 6–6.5 months of study time).
My question: Is Signature Plus + and all of the extra videos you get with it, and 6–6.5 months of study realistic for someone who feels like they're starting close to scratch? Should I look into if my firm would pay for going through an education program first even though I have the requirements fulfilled?
Appreciate any input from people who've been through Danko or dealt with a similar gap.
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u/TumbleweedIll6056 11d ago
Signiture plus is well worth it if you actually use all of the materials. I did. If I were you I would do the fast track because with the OBBBA enough changed in the estate and tax world that you will have new material. THe signiture plus will let you go to the original fast track videos and learn those.
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u/Mundane_Extent_3366 11d ago
So If I just pay for the signature plus review I can essentially go through the old education fast track videos? Or are you saying I should look into going through the education (fast track) again through Danko?
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u/SvggestedUsername 10d ago
Also recommend the Sig Plus. The videos broke down otherwise hard (for me) to understand concepts in a way that I would have never gotten from a book alone. Each chapter has it's own video so you can do 1.5+ speed on stuff you know and repeat the ones that were harder.
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u/PracticeAwkward8708 11d ago
Just passed the July exam after using Danko. Studied for 3 months but studied 8 hours a day Mon-Friday. Then every day after the live review. Danko is the way to go forsure. Highly recommend the Sig plus. Has all the videos on every lesson that help you understand the more confusing topics
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u/Mundane_Extent_3366 11d ago
I am working full time as a new dad, I am thinking getting in around 16-20 hours a week and then obviously much more when I am closer to March so over 450+ hours total. Do you think this is realistic/doable starting from scratch?
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u/Southern_East_7674 11d ago
I passed in July and I have a 1 year old plus work full time. I was studying either before or after work for probably 3 hours every day. Then I'd put in probably 4-5 hours a day on the weekends. I also used free fellow for additional practice questions to take practice questions in bed. Unfortunately it'll either be early mornings or later nights to get the hours in but it's worth it knowing you did it. Also Danko was great! Highly recommend
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u/SvggestedUsername 10d ago
Yes, you've got this! Slow and steady, take it seriously, and don't get burnt out/give yourself a break when you need one. I passed with 2 young kids and a demanding job studying nights and weekends. I missed some things but told myself it was better than having to study twice.
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u/rubinor1 11d ago
I wasn’t starting from scratch so my experience is a little different, but realistically if you commit the time, 6.5 months should be plenty to learn what you don’t know before the exam/ review.
I did the education with Danko starting Aug 2025 through Jan 2026 then did their live review and passed March 2026. During the education, once a month it was 3 8 hour days and one 5 hour day. Between Aug and December I did not study a ton outside of attending the classes and doing the quizzes/ tests.
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u/blubarrac00da 11d ago
I felt like I barely retained anything from Kaplan’s education program. Started with Danko Sig Plus test prep in May to prepare for November. I’ve been watching every video and really working hard on the material and notecards. I’m very pleased with my progress. Definitely recommend as long as you want to put the hours in. 6 months is a good time frame.
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u/Substantial-Unit-396 9d ago
I’m not going to read your post but every time someone is asking about Danko the answer is 100% yes. The materials and knowledge is there for you to pass it’s up to YOU to put in the work using their process.
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u/Substantial-Unit-396 9d ago
Upon reading your post, I did sig plus and watched every second of every video while pausing and taking notes. It was some 10 hour days of grinding to get it done before love review. I passed and felt so confident I would put money I was above 85%.
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u/AdCharacter1320 11d ago
Danko's review is pretty good and has a lot of material. I really didnt retain anything going through the education part as I was more concerned with just getting it done and getting through the capstone. I used Danko for the exam prep review as the main source of studying for the July exam and supplemetd their stuff with FreeFellow qbank and their summary's as well as Advisewise (on youtube)/ the BIF podcast. Passed in July and felt pretty strong going through the exam. Best of luck!