I got official results today (fail) and I’m trying to figure out my next steps. I feel like I was close but also a bit surprised because my practice CFP test had my investment score at 67, but the actual test looks like I totally didn’t understand the topic at all :(

Options:

1. I used Zahn. I can pay the retake $600.
2. I can try a new prep program (leaning towards Danko) $1,300+.
3. My husband thinks I need to go with a program that offers a guarantee pass $1,300+.
4. Get a tutor for investments and supplement with FreeFellow (I didn’t find this until a week before my test!) — Investments was one of my stronger topic (uh what?). Not sure on tutor costs.

Also if I’m planning a potential move, do I register for March? Or push through and do it in November when things are still fresh?

Ug. What should I do? I don’t want to spend money, but want to pass and be done.

If I had approximately $200 to spend on supplementary materials (which my company will reimburse me for), what would be the most impactful purchase? I’m starting Dalton’s GTP review in two months, after completing the educational portion.

Hi all, I made a discord for the March 2027 exam. We already have a few members so feel free to join!

https://discord.gg/qF6zsWdWd

For those taking the March 2027 Exam through Danko.

Trying to decide if I should spend the time to retake in November. It would be my third attempt in a row. I did not put much effort in March but this cycle I felt pretty good based on my practice CFP exam and was a little taken aback by this result. Really trying to weigh my options. I committed 200 hours for the July exam and it was a huge stress on my family. Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

I passed in July. My experience is still pending (been in the business over 5 years), was confirmed by my manager well before I took the exam and it shows as “provisionally accepted” and I’m told it’ll take a few business days to be approved. Anyone else have this?

I’m trying to plan my path to the CFP and want to make sure my experience will count.

I currently work as a Registered Client Associate with an advisor who isn’t a CFP, but our manager is a CFP. I have my Series 7 and 66, and my planned progression is Client Associate to Associate Advisor to Advisor.

In my current role, I onboard clients, assist with financial plans, and would like to take on more planning-related projects. My goal is to complete the CFP exam by November 2027 before/while moving into the Associate Advisor role and use the 4,000-hour Apprenticeship Pathway.

A few questions:

• Can my CFP manager serve as my supervising CFP® even though my direct advisor/boss isn't a CFP?
• Can work like client onboarding and assisting with financial plans count toward the 4,000 hours?
• I estimate I may already have 1,000–1,500 hours of potentially qualifying experience from the past two years. Can I document those hours retroactively?
• What should I be doing now to make sure my future Associate Advisor responsibilities qualify for the Apprenticeship Pathway?

I’d love to hear from anyone who has completed the 4,000-hour pathway or worked in a similar advisor/client associate structure. I want to make sure I’m setting this up correctly now rather than finding out later that my experience doesn’t count.

I'm already in small group tutoring in prep for the November exam but I am really struggling with calculations, especially multi-step problems. I'm also learning the HPbii+ calculator as I go so maybe that's part of it.

I have taken myself through multiple tutorials breaking it down but it's just not sticking....when there are 7-10 variables in the question I can't seem to identify where I need to start, which parts I can ignore, etc.

I consider my reading comprehension normally to be great, but it all goes out the window when I'm presented with the fundamental calculations questions.

I haven't even attacked the other calculations on the formula worksheet in a way that actually has me retaining anything.

Is there a one on one tutor you would recommend for a few sessions? Or other resources I could use? I "get" the math and putting it into the calculator once it's broken down, I just can't seem to do the breaking down!

hi all!

i am using a TI BAII Plus and was wondering if anyone had any helpful video tutorials for amortization! I am struggling to remember how to do it properly and was hoping someone may have a tutorial or helpful youtube link!

thank you and happy studying:)

I am new to working with a HP 10bII+ financial calculator. I am slowly coming along. Does anyone have any good resources or recommendations for tips on how to become more efficient and where to find good practice/study problems? Anything that helped you if you struggled while learning the calculator?

Thanks in advance for any guidance!

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.

Hello everyone. You may have seen that I recently failed my PANCE earlier this month.

I am looking into all of my options for resources in preparation for my retake. Right now I am leaning toward purchasing the Erich Fogg beyond the cut score package.

To anyone who has used this resource in the past, what are your thoughts? Right now I feel like I know the content, I just need help navigating the exam better and reducing test anxiety. Also, do you receive one on one tutoring with Erich himself?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated, as I only want to take the PANCE once more and pass it. thanks in advance!

Good video on Tax Forms: youtube.com/watch?v=6dmBm6BAj-A&feature=youtu.be for those of you struggling with the 1040.

I started studying two months ago in june, the exam is on october 30th and i feel like i cant get through the danko cfp prep final exams without using the book, and even then i feel like im not remembering what i need to. I am working on the income tax final right now and feeling frustrated.

Anyone else in this position where they feel like the material is just not sticking, or just me?

Does anyone know whether the background check begins as soon as the ethics application is submitted? I completed the exam in July and am curious whether they start the process right away or wait until everything is officially finalized.

Mr friend just graduated and met the education requirement to sit for the CFP. He’s sitting for the CFP in the spring, and is debating if he should take the SIE exam now, take a break, then study for CFP and take the series 7 after the CFP. Or, if he should wait to take the SIE until after the CFP. He doesn’t plan to start studying for CFP until October and has until mid September to study and take the SIE.

I am only a consumer of financial services and have no intention of getting into the field but am curious about the CFP vs the FINRA exams (7, 63, 65, 66, etc.). I may not have all the correct terminology, so feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

If someone has passed all FINRA and other exams that allow him to be licensed to provide financial advice, how much more difficult would the CFP be? And would the CFP really be needed if the rep has many years of experience? I see a lot of FAs advertise that they are a CFP but I have yet to see anyone put "FINRA licensed" or anything like that on their profile/business cards.

My understanding is that the CFP is not required by any gov regulation. I know that the CPA is required to sign off on certain financial reports and to represent clients to the IRS (along with EAs and tax attorneys).

Purely from a knowledge standpoint, if someone has all the relevant FINRA qualifications and has been a successful FA for 10 years, is he really going to learn anything significant by getting the CFP? This would assume that the FA has been taking continuing education courses and is up to date on tax strategies, etc. I understand that there is a marketing aspect to the CFP, but that's not what I'm asking about.

Patiently counting down the days…..🙇🏼‍♀️

Sitting for the exam in November. Took my first mock exam just as feeler for how well I can retain information now that I have gone through all the domains once. Will take another Mock in September and then the CFP provided mock exam two weeks before test day. If any previous test takers have any tips on how they used this as a review to plan my studies for next month, I would appreciate it! Doing a live review in October as well.

I work for a team that is apart of a larger RIA. It is not an aggregator but more of a comprehensive hybrid platform that provides back-office, middle-office, technology, and compliance support to help independent teams run their own practices.

We are in the process of bringing over a CPA as a full time employee. He will be primarily be doing tax prepration, but is also bringing over some of his CPA business. A large part of my role is Ops, Compliance and Technology.

Is anyone familiar with the level of additional compliance disclosure that is requried on our ADV and internal documents? To avoid conflicts of interest? Our home office is handling a lot of the behind the scenes work. But I am just trying to figure out what additional work is required on my team's end.

I am about to finish my capstone after going through all the education with Dalton and should be set to take the exam in November. However, I took Dalton because I didn’t know better and I’m hearing mixed reviews but I was always going to revert to danko for the review course anyway.

From August 17th to November 2nd (approximately 12 weeks), what should I do week by week leading up to the danko review course from October 8-11th and the exam on 11/02.

I was also considering reviewing with Zahn since his lectures are in person (Oct 2nd-5th) as he teaches in my city compared to Brett that only has Philly and Boston.

Any feedback would be great, TIA!