r/CFPExam

I am wrapping up Danko’s pre-study on Saturday with about 2 weeks remaining until the live review. What are some things I can/should do before then? I am already reviewing the flashcards and watching Signature videos. Should I reread portions of the textbooks I didn’t quite grasp? Should I focus on questions I’ve gotten wrong in the past? Just looking to not waste those couple of weeks due to lack of structure. Any advice is appreciated!

I know these are two very different paths, and I don’t mean as a one stop shop for both I’m talking as separate careers and their differences. I’m sure the perspectives are biased on a CFP subreddit but what are the overall thoughts between these two careers?

Obviously the overlap in content I find very interesting. Law school is something I’ve always wanted to do, and I studied finance in college. I’m currently in an accounting-adjacent role and deciding which path to go down.

I don’t know if my personality is very cut out for the sales side of CFP, but I love the idea of working with clients once they’re committed to me. At the same time I like the legal side and stability of estate planning. I’m curious if anyone has thoughts or ever had similar considerations.

Hi all,
My background is in computer science undergraduate and cybersecurity at master level; been a software engineer all my career, I am currently thinking of writing CFA level 1 for now because I want to go into finance, what advice and materials should I prepare with, thank you 🙏.

Anyone else find they’re still struggling on chapter quizzes. I think I’m feeling a bit of burnout. I completed 4 university courses and all 7 of my required coursework without a break. I plan to sit in July and am using Danko for test prep. Just feel my mind going groggy and blank. Trying to get through all of the books before live review. Anyone that’s taken or passed the exam using Danko have any tips

The CFP accepts CIMA, CFA, ChFC etc for accelerated status. Need to pass CFA by November. Which if these is fastest / easiest to pass if truly crunched for time? I sense it's CIMA. What do you think?

A fast track could earn CIMA + CFP in a similar time and price and effort as just paying for and passing CFP

I’m about 3.5 years into my career and completed my CFP about a year ago.

I’m starting to think about what (if anything) makes sense as a next step designation-wise, but I want to be intentional about it. I’ve heard mixed opinions on whether stacking more credentials actually adds value vs. just focusing on experience and business development.

For those who’ve been in the industry longer:

What designations did you pursue after your CFP?

Which ones actually helped your career / client conversations?

Any that felt like a waste of time or didn’t move the needle?

For context, I’m still early in my career and trying to balance continuing education with just getting better in my role day-to-day.

Would really appreciate any insight as I start doing some research.

Is it just me or does Danko talk fast af? I prefer John or Matt

I am 25 working as a financial advisors rep, looking to sit for the CFP in November. While gearing up mentally for the long study grind, I got to thinking about how Ai can shift the need for clients. More and more will go to Ai to answer their questions and model portfolios for them, compressing fees and potentially the need for advisors for the small-to-mid sized client.

I am now questioning my decision about this career path and the job security, let me know what you think.

I just finished my bachelors degree that qualified as my coursework as well. Waiting for official transcripts to send to the Board.

Bought Danko Signature Plus program and received my books, I really want to sit for the July exam. Is it realistic to sit for the July exam, considering I am just starting test prep and working full time? I currently work in the industry so I am hoping that helps me when studying.

Thank you in advance!

Unfortunately, I cannot post in the r/CFP subreddit so I hope this post will get some traction. I am 24 years old and currently a Relationship Banker (RB) with Chase. I've always known that I want to be a financial planner, however, I don't want to be a salesman that uses proprietary funds. I want to do actual planning and help my clients.

I'm struggling with next steps in my career, I know that the RB role at Chase is a good place to be at this point but it's a lot more sales oriented then I thought it would be. I'm not sure if I should even consider looking into small time RIAs for positions or study for my CFP or stick with Chase until I'm "more experienced"... if anyone could shed a little light or their perspective I'd greatly appreciate it.

Hi everyone,
I’m preparing for the CFP® exam this July and wanted to get recommendations from those who have passed.
I already have access to the traditional materials (books, question banks, etc.), and I am using them—but I’ve realized I learn best through lecture-style videos.
For context, when I took the Series 66, I barely opened the book and passed mainly by watching one instructor who explained everything in a super clear, straightforward way. That format just clicks for me.
For the CFP®, I’m definitely reading and putting in the work—but I’d love a supplemental resource that’s heavily video-based.
What I’m looking for:
Strong lecture-style teaching (not just reading slides)
Clear explanations that simplify concepts
More practical / intuitive vs overly technical or academic
Something that helps things “click” vs going super deep into theory
What I’m NOT looking for:
Kaplan / Dalton / big-box programs as the primary resource
Videos that feel overly analytical, dense, or textbook-like
For those who passed:
Did you use any video-heavy supplemental resources?
Any instructors who explain things in a simple, digestible way?
Anything that helped you actually understand vs memorize?
Appreciate any insight—thank you!

Not a very smart guy but I’ve fumbled my way through all the self study and can now sit. I’m gonna do pregame but I know July is really soon. Do yall recommend waiting until November ?

Hello All! I am reaching reaching out to hopefully get some info on the viability of my exam prep materials if I were to sit for the exam in July/November.

I currently have Danko exam prep materials that are marked for the November 2025 exam. Work got extremely busy and I ended up not taking the exam in November or March. It's my understanding that my materials are now outdated for future exams.

Is it completely unreasonable to study for July/November with my materials? I also have the Kaplan qbank which I believe is updated.

If so, should I consider another provider, or stick with Danko? The material appears well prepared, but I'm not sure it fits my learning style. I learn best through practice questions, however I know that will only get you so far with this exam. I would prefer to have an online interface as opposed to the Danko books if I do chose to switch providers.

Thanks in advance for any insight!!

I am 24 years old, have been employed at an RIA for 2 years now as an administrative associate, and am looking to grow my financial planning knowledge through tackling the CFP so I do not have to do it later on in life.

I am planning on of taking the November 2026 exam. I do not need the coursework since I have completed it with my college curriculum. I’ve been looking into BIFs Premium Exam Review and I am leaning towards fully committing to the program after completing their demo.

For those who used BIF to study for the CFP, do you feel that BIF prepared you well? What was your experience like? How was their q-bank, content, and mock exam? Did you supplement your review with outside materials? Also, is 6 months enough time utilizing BIFs materials?

Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you!

Just finished capstone and ready for exam prep course. If I took exam right now I know I’d fail miserably so I need a prep course that can basically take me from 0-100. I can dedicate myself but I wanna ensure I’m prepared best as I can.

Hey everyone - passed my CFP exam in the March window and have all of my experience verified. Last step is to get the Ethics verified. I should have done this earlier but didn't realize the CFP Board has to review it as well. Does anyone know how long it takes them to complete their background check? I have heard 2-3 weeks but I am hoping sooner. Itching to get the letters..

Looking for clarity on getting the U.S. CFP while based in Dubai

Currently based in Dubai working as a wealth advisor. I’ve been in financial planning for ~7 years (4 years in a client-facing advisory role, the rest in planning-related work). Before that, I spent ~2 years in banking in Canada (more credit-focused, so likely less relevant for CFP experience).

I hold a bachelor’s degree from UBC (Vancouver).

I’ve already submitted my experience to the CFP Board and it was approved, even though all of it was gained outside the U.S. (mainly UAE).

I’m now considering pursuing the U.S. CFP through a self-study route (likely Bryant or similar), with the intention of possibly moving to the U.S. in the future (my wife is American). If I do move, I understand I’d still need to complete the relevant Series exams to actually advise clients there.

A few things I’m trying to clarify:

• Is it fully possible to complete the U.S. CFP while living and working outside the U.S. (specifically Dubai), assuming I travel to the U.S. to sit the exam?
• Has anyone here successfully obtained and maintained the U.S. CFP while based internationally?
• For those who later moved to the U.S., did having the CFP beforehand make a meaningful difference when transitioning (job prospects, credibility, etc.)?

From what I understand so far, there’s no formal residency requirement, but I got some conflicting info from a call which suggested otherwise, so just trying to sense-check this with people who’ve actually gone through it.

Appreciate any insight, especially from those who’ve taken a similar international path.

Like main post said I’ve asked about which exam prep and it sounds like these two are the top two. I wanna take exam in November which one of these would yall recommend??

Hi everyone, I’m currently enrolled in HS300 as part of the ChFC designation and recently completed the coursework with a 98.33%.

I’m curious if anyone here has experience with this program. I’ve heard mixed opinions on the difficulty—some people say they passed with minimal studying, while others found it challenging.

Based on my calculations, I would only need around a 58% on the final exam to pass. For those who have taken it, how difficult did you find the exams, and how well did the practice material prepare you?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated—thanks!