Training for a marathon; solving a 1500 piece puzzle.
Daunting at first glance? A long road ahead?
I'd like to share my plan on passing the exam on the first attempt in March 2021, as an advanced career-changer with no prior experience in financial planning.
Liken it to a 26-week training schedule for a marathon. Liken it to your game-plan of solving the puzzle - piece by piece, pattern by pattern; first outline, then corners, then details.
Begin each day with the end in mind - and why CFP® certification is important to you. When nothing else makes sense at the time, begin with why.
1st 12 weeks (moderate) time: 10-12 hours per week
I had completed my education component in July 2020, but the concepts were still hazy and nowhere near an 80% confidence level to attempt the September/November 2020 cycle.
So, I began my study plan began by re-reading and reviewing education material, page by page.
There were days when I drew a blank on material I had previously 'presumed' mastered. That's quite normal is what I later realized. I just had to continue building impressions on my brain.
By Christmas time, I was warmed up and ready to go the distance.
Next 12 weeks (rigorous)
This is the time I signed up with my exam review provider - Brett Danko.
I timed my study schedule to up my study hours to 25-30 hours in the first 5 weeks of the last 13 week stretch.
Reading review material, re-reading education material, module by module, page by page.
I created a study plan - and stuck with it.
I joined a study group - for group sharing and some accountability – that was extremely helpful.
I wrote tons of index cards, filled up reams of sheets with my brain-dump - never to look at them again, but they were doing what they were supposed to - help me retain concepts.
The last 6 weeks were the most intense. My alarm moved to 4:45a from 5:30a, study hours upped to 6- 8 hours / day, answering questions, reviewing questions answered incorrectly and re-reading/note-taking cycle.
The pieces were falling in place, my mental stamina was growing, and I felt surer of my chances to pass than before.
2 weeks before exam
Reviews and mock exams and question bank.
CFPquestions.com is designed to apply your knowledge and it helped me think through my responses.
I took the free CFP Board Practice Exam.
1 week before exam – Rest and Recovery
I tapered off exam prep time. I reviewed questions that I answered incorrectly and focused on those areas.
I refreshed myself on Ethics content and calculator functions.
Day before exam
My exam was scheduled for Wednesday. I stopped studying Tuesday morning and sealed my brain.
I cooked a nice meal for my family, watched some TV and slept early.
My 12-year-old was more nervous for me the night before and penned me a nice card which turned out to be the motivation I needed for exam day.
Exam day
I left all my books behind; just my calculator and my lunch in the car ride.
I knew that nerves would hinder my confidence in the first few questions, so I marked them and moved on. As I settled in the exam rhythm and pace, the questions made sense. Mid-way through the exam I knew that the 200 odd hours in training/prep were going to carry me through the exam and it did. The puzzle was complete, and I could see the finish line.
The sheer delight in seeing the 'Preliminary Pass’ on the screen ended a long but worthwhile study process!