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Dalton Exam Readiness outcome

  • 1.  Dalton Exam Readiness outcome

    Posted 10-19-2021 13:19
    Hi All, has anyone here not done well on the Dalton review exam and gone on to pass the CFP? Likely going to have to postpone my exam date based on my outcome :/

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    Joy Dow
    Financial Advisor
    Northwestern Mutual
    San Diego CA
    (575)652-1941
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  • 2.  RE: Dalton Exam Readiness outcome

    Posted 10-20-2021 07:54
    Yes, Dalton practice questions are difficult but very realistic.  Be sure to understand why you got a question correct or incorrect.  I cannot advise on whether or not to postpone, as maybe you are just a little discouraged as most are after practice tests.. but I always advise candidates to write, take notes after practice questions.. keep a notebook as writing plays a big role in memory/retention, etc.. 

    If you do take it, pin point the areas you are struggling with and write, write, take notes!  do not let up until test day..

    Good Luck Joy!

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    Pete CFA, CFP®
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  • 3.  RE: Dalton Exam Readiness outcome

    Posted 10-21-2021 09:28
    Hi Joy,

    I did not score well on my Dalton practice exam even though I felt like I was ready.  I decided worst case scenario I failed but I was going to get a feel what the test was really like and I knew I had put in the time and effort, so I went forward and passed the exam.

    People may disagree with this approach, but if a couple hundred dollars is not going to bust the bank, why not try it.​

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    Aaron Funk
    Director of Wealth Strategy
    RBC
    Burnsville MN
    (612)373-1695
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  • 4.  RE: Dalton Exam Readiness outcome

    Posted 10-22-2021 18:18
    This thread has been very helpful and has given me a sense of hope. Got a 10% Predicted Pass Score on the Readiness Exam and felt downright queasy. Almost done with my second round through the test bank questions and have an overall score of 75, and plan to go through the questions pertaining to my weaknesses a third time.

    Aaron, when you say "a couple hundred dollars," what do you mean? From what I understand, we have to pay the full price to retake the exam (around $800) if we fail. Are you aware of a discount?

    Thanks!

    Shay

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    Sharyl Morris
    CFP Candidate
    Oklahoma City OK
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  • 5.  RE: Dalton Exam Readiness outcome

    Posted 10-22-2021 20:14
    I do not know what the current cost is for the test, 2 years ago it was around $300 I thought.  $800 for the test seems extreme but I could be wrong.





  • 6.  RE: Dalton Exam Readiness outcome

    Posted 10-20-2021 09:39
    How low did you score? What are your average scores for the Q Bank?

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    Devon Banning
    Associate
    Financial Wings, Inc
    Naples FL
    (239)253-9717
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  • 7.  RE: Dalton Exam Readiness outcome

    Posted 10-20-2021 12:34
    I got a 53% on the Dalton exam readiness quiz and passed the CFP exam the first time in March. My QBank average on my 2nd pass was below 80%. I got a very low in the 80% range on the CFP official practice test. I hope that helps and good luck!

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    Mike Genovese, CFP
    Private Client Advisor
    F.L. Putnam
    Portland, Maine
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  • 8.  RE: Dalton Exam Readiness outcome

    Posted 10-20-2021 15:43
    Hi Joy,

    I actually just rescheduled my exam to the March window.  I also did not do well all the Dalton readiness quiz.  I felt semi-confident going through the exam and totally bombed the quiz.  I felt defeated after the readiness quiz.  I debated rescheduling but I feel so much better now that I did.  I have an actual study plan and am giving myself plenty of time to master each topic.  Good luck to you! 

    Best,
    Hannah ​​

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    Hannah Raff
    Financial Services Professional
    New York Life
    Honolulu HI
    (808)938-7446
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  • 9.  RE: Dalton Exam Readiness outcome

    Posted 10-20-2021 17:31
    Edited by Felicia Williams 10-25-2021 12:28
    Hello Joy, I found the Dalton exams to be extremely difficult because of the multiple parts to every answer.  On the Dalton exams, you could know two of the three correct pieces and miss the whole question. The real CFP exam is not structured that way.  To put in perspective, I scored 64% on the Dalton exam readiness quiz which gave me a 75% chance of passing the exam.  Also, I scored 57% and 59%, respectively on Dalton's simulated exams. 

    I can totally understand the fear and you considering postponing, but I knew that I was knowledgeable on the material and was just barely missing Dalton's questions. I only got through about 1/2 of Dalton's QBank, but I also scored average of 80% on the Qbank questions I was able to complete.  I took two CFP Board Practice exams to get a feel for the actual style and format of the exam and scored in the 80s on both of those, so I felt confident with keeping my original exam date.  I passed the exam on the first try in July 2021.  I am a CPA who is seeking a career change to be a CFP.

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    Felicia Williams
    Not Applicable
    Not Applicable
    Bedford TX
    (816)305-8068
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  • 10.  RE: Dalton Exam Readiness outcome

    Posted 10-21-2021 08:33
    Joy, 

    My Dalton exam readiness quiz predicted a 5% probability that I would pass.  I had not done much preparation prior to taking the exam readiness quiz.  Over the following 3 weeks I studied for ~3 hours per day, mostly doing practice questions and reading the rationale for answers I got wrong.  I passed the exam first try.  Don't get discouraged.  Just keep studying and take it.  I am sure you'll be fine.

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    Stuart Swift
    Client Relationship Manager
    Stifel
    Maineville OH
    (513)432-2798
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  • 11.  RE: Dalton Exam Readiness outcome

    Posted 10-25-2021 11:54
    Hi Joy don't postpone your exam.  I took Dalton review and If you have followed their plan I am betting you are more prepared than you think.  I was in a similar situation you were in.  I killed myself studying with the Dalton review program and as I got closer to the test I was putting in 5 to 7 hours a day studying. About a month out from my exam I took one of the mock exams and scored a 68% and I was absolutely crushed.  I too thought about postponing the exam but decided to sit for it anyway and passed.  I found the actual exam questions so much easier than Dalton questions.  I also felt very prepared for the actual exam questions.  The Dalton review questions are designed to be more difficult.  Good luck and keep going you are almost there.

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    Brian Sognefest
    VP - Financial Consultant
    Charles Schwab
    Irvine CA
    (949)348-2308
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