CFP Board Candidate Open Forum

Expand all | Collapse all

DANKO

  • 1.  DANKO

    Posted 07-06-2020 12:37
    Hi Folks,
    I am planning to sit for the November exam and am about to purchase the Brett Danko review course. My question is for those of you who have successfully used Danko to pass did you purchase the Comprehensive Live Review or the Signature Live Review? There is a $800 difference and I am looking for feedback if it is useful and/or necessary.
    Thanks!

    ------------------------------
    Ashley Arnold
    Financial Consultant
    Sheller Wealth Management, Inc.
    Troy MO
    (636)528-5200
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: DANKO

    Posted 07-07-2020 09:43
    I can't really tell you, Ashley, as I am also sitting for the November Exam and have already purchased the Danko review course through my CFP package from Bryant University.
    I have the online course upcoming.  I considered go to see him live, but was told that, while that is a good way to do it, the online course is even better, because you can pause and rewind over parts that don't initially make sense.
    Just my two cents... and it may not be worth that much.
    I am looking forward to hearing from others who have actually taken the course.
    Otto Ray

    ------------------------------
    Otto Ray
    President
    Ray Wealth Management, LLC
    Martinsville IN
    812.558.5002
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: DANKO

    Posted 07-08-2020 08:24
    That was my thought when I made the decision to purchase the online Signature review last month, Otto. Another significant advantage of the online Signature Review program is that you have the videos from all four days of review to re-watch again after the live review has been completed. So technically, with the online option, you can take the "live" review as many time as you want before the exam. 

    I am also sitting for the exam (for the first time) in September. I will say, though, Ashley, that the pre-study for the Danko program is quite a lot of material. It's a significant amount of information to get through-- two textbooks and a large workbook with a practice exam on each section of the material-- and Brett expects 100% of the pre-study material to be completed by the time you attend the review (whether you attend in person or online). I just started on it two weeks ago, and I already feel kind of behind. So I would say if you're going to do it, order the materials ASAP -- they will send you a PDF link to get started after you order so you can hit the ground running. Good luck!

    ------------------------------
    Katelyn Murray
    Junior Partner
    MiyeWire, LLC
    Reston VA
    katelyn@miyewirellc.com
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: DANKO

    Posted 07-08-2020 10:26
    Thanks for that info, Katelyn.
    I am sitting for the exam in November for the first time and know I have a lot to do before then.
    Thanks again.
    Otto Ray
    otto@raywealthmanagement.com

    Ashley,
    Good luck with everything!
    I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the process.
    Thanks!
    Otto

    ------------------------------
    Otto Ray
    President
    Ray Wealth Management, LLC
    Bloomington IN
    812.558.5002
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: DANKO

    Posted 01-14-2021 10:10
    I am also enrolled in the Bryant University education program and enrolled for the Danko Signature Review course.  I am not super impressed with the online education portion of Bryant University.  There isn't really anything wrong with its but i feel its just basic and slides that are being read.  Anyone else have this opinion with Bryant online classes?  Also, can anyone provide me confidence that the Danko Signature Exam prep will be more better than the online education part?

    I am reading all material and not relying only on the classes so all will be fine. Just disappointed in the content of class. With this being said, I am only in the Intro to Financial Planning Course.  So maybe gets better as it continues. 

    Thanks!

    ------------------------------
    Amanda Fitzpatrick
    VP Client Services
    Stifel
    Noblesville IN
    (317)523-0278
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: DANKO

    Posted 01-14-2021 15:28

    I agree with you, Amanda, that the online "stuff" from Bryant is not exactly awesome. 

    However, there are 3 CFPs who work there named Jerry, Adam, and Mike who have a great teaching style and have done great things with their JAM Sessions and their BIF-Bites that are available to the students.

    As far as Brett Danko is concerned, he's one of the best "teachers" I have ever seen.

    Since you're signed up for his Signature Series, you will not only have some extra sessions, but you also will have access to every class he teaches as a recording. 

    That way you can go over spots that you might have found difficult as many times as you like.

    When I was taking notes during his classes, I would right "54 minutes in, 67 minutes in, etc" by any topic being discussed that I didn't quite wrap my brain around before he moved on to the next topic.  That way, when I got the recording a day or two later, I could just fast forward to the parts I wanted to review.

    This 57-year old (out of college for 35 years) could not possibly have passed that exam without Jerry, Adam, Mike, and Brett Danko.

     

    Otto Ray, CFP®

    Certified Financial Planner™

    President

    Ray Wealth Management

    Main Office: Martinsville - 1589 Burton Lane, Martinsville, IN 46151

    By Appointment: Bloomington – Dimension Mill, 642 N. Madison Street, Bloomington, IN 47404

    Also by appointment: Greenwood, Plainfield, Lawrence/Fort Harrison, Fishers, Carmel, and Noblesville

     

    Phone - (812) 558-5002 / (765) 315-0503

    Fax – (765) 813-3133

    Email – Otto@RayWealthManagement.com

    Website – www.RayWealthManagement.com

     

      

    Ray Wealth Management, LLC is not owned or operated by the cfd Companies.

     

     

    Advisory Services are offered through Creative Financial Designs, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser, and Securities are offered through cfd Investments, Inc., a Registered Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA & SIPC, 2704 S. Goyer Rd., Kokomo, IN 46902. 765-453-9600. This email message may contain confidential information, and is intended only for the use of the persons to whom it was sent. If this message was received in error, please destroy the message and let us know about the error in transmission. The CFD companies cannot accept trade instructions sent through this email system.





  • 7.  RE: DANKO

    Posted 07-09-2020 07:17
    Hi Ashley,

    I am a career changer and passed the exam in March on the first attempt after using Danko's Signature online review.

    Bottom line, if I had to do it all over again, I'd still buy the Signature. I also really liked the flexibility of the online review, but I'm pretty sure they record live review sessions and distribute those out to students, so you wouldn't miss out on being able to listen to recordings from going with the live.

    When I signed up, I thought of it as how much would I pay to not have to take this test more than once? What's the opportunity cost of having to study another 3 months, deal with the stress, time lost with my family, etc. To me, the $800 was a bargain to get more assurance this would be a one and done. Plus it's nice to know you can get updated materials again for free for another exam cycle if you don't pass.

    My tips for using his material from my experience would be:

    1. Follow his directions to a T. I did everything he said, and I was scoring really high on his practice exams.
    2. Stay ahead of his study timeline if at all possible. Finish the prestudy before the live review. I fell slightly behind, and it stressed me out during the final week or so.
    3. Listen to the "BIF Bytes" podcast episodes on the CFP exam now (they are connected with Brett's review program and are pretty helpful)
    4. As you go through each extra Signature session with Brett, listen to the recording of it before the next session.
    5. After getting recordings of the live review sessions, listen to them ASAP. You'll get hours of recordings between live review and the extra 2 hour sessions, I started re-listening too late and didn't even get through half of it.
    6. Brett recommends not studying the day before after 6pm. This is gold, and I'd even say not studying at all the day prior may be better, which I've seen recommended by others. Get through his material pretending that your exam is one day earlier than it is. Don't study much or too late that final day. I tried to catch up some and studied all day and it affected my psychology and stress levels on exam day. I'd go get a massage the day before if possible or find a way to relax.

    Hope that helps!


    ------------------------------
    Scott Schwalich
    Medicare Benefit Advisor
    Anderson Financial Strategies, LLC
    Dayton OH
    (937)269-1551
    ------------------------------



  • 8.  RE: DANKO

    Posted 07-09-2020 07:56
    Thanks so much for the insights, Scott! They were super helpful-- thanks for taking the time.

    ------------------------------
    Katelyn Murray
    Junior Partner
    MiyeWire, LLC
    Reston VA
    katelyn@miyewirellc.com
    ------------------------------



  • 9.  RE: DANKO

    Posted 07-09-2020 10:51
    Absolutely, Katelyn! Glad they were helpful. Best of luck!

    ------------------------------
    Scott Schwalich
    Medicare Benefit Advisor
    Anderson Financial Strategies, LLC
    Dayton OH
    (937)269-1551
    ------------------------------



  • 10.  RE: DANKO

    Posted 07-09-2020 15:37
    Great stuff, Scott!
    Thank you!

    ------------------------------
    Otto Ray
    President
    Ray Wealth Management, LLC
    Martinsville IN
    812.558.5002
    ------------------------------



  • 11.  RE: DANKO

    Posted 07-09-2020 20:51
    You're welcome Otto!

    ------------------------------
    Scott Schwalich
    Medicare Benefit Advisor
    Anderson Financial Strategies, LLC
    Dayton OH
    (937)269-1551
    ------------------------------



  • 12.  RE: DANKO

    Posted 07-16-2020 18:14
    Thank you for sharing, Scott. Valuable recommendations like yours help the rest of us who are deep in studying and looking forward, toward, the exam!

    ------------------------------
    Rachel Anderson
    Seattle, WA
    UI/UX Designer / Future Financial Planner
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelandersondesigner/
    https://twitter.com/randersondesign
    https://www.rachelanderson-portfolio.com/
    ------------------------------



  • 13.  RE: DANKO

    Posted 07-18-2020 14:30
    You're welcome, Rachel! Best of luck!

    ------------------------------
    Scott Schwalich
    Medicare Benefit Advisor
    Anderson Financial Strategies, LLC
    Dayton OH
    (937)269-1551
    ------------------------------



  • 14.  RE: DANKO

    Posted 07-18-2020 13:19
    Hi Scott and everyone else! 
    Is the online signature review course you purchased provided through the Boston Institute of Finance? I am trying to decide which review course to enroll in for the November exam.

    ------------------------------
    Trishia Olivas
    Registered Senior Client Associate
    Merrill Lynch
    Mission Viejo CA
    (310)387-5527
    ------------------------------



  • 15.  RE: DANKO

    Posted 07-18-2020 14:41
    Hi Trishia,

    Yes it is! Brett Danko is the teacher, but Boston Institute of Finance provides additional support as well as the structure and tech for the program.

    The "BIF Bites" podcast they made to complement the program is pretty helpful too.

    Best of luck!

    ------------------------------
    Scott Schwalich
    Medicare Benefit Advisor
    Anderson Financial Strategies, LLC
    Dayton OH
    (937)269-1551
    ------------------------------



  • 16.  RE: DANKO

    Posted 07-18-2020 14:50
    Thanks so much!

    ------------------------------
    Trishia Olivas
    Registered Senior Client Associate
    Merrill Lynch
    Mission Viejo CA
    (310)387-5527
    ------------------------------



  • 17.  RE: DANKO

    Posted 07-16-2020 23:12

    My experience with Danko is a bit different from a mentor/mentee viewpoint.  I worked with different people that used Danko, Kaplan, Wiley and others.  Each program offers its own unique learning style and tests you in different ways.  But I will say this, those that use Danko often report high satisfaction with taking the exam and his learning style is great!  I used some of his material and passed on my first attempt.  I highly recommend his study programs and wish the best for everyone on taking the exam this next cycle!  



    ------------------------------
    Ryan Kleiss, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, AAMS®, CRPC®, CRPS®
    Financial Advisor
    ------------------------------



  • 18.  RE: DANKO

    Posted 07-17-2020 10:04

    Hi Ashley, I'm using Brett's material for the September exam. Keep in mind you can sign up for the standard and upgrade to the signature later on in the process.  The due date to switch for the September is July 29. So you should still have plenty of time to start working and decide if upgrading is right for you. 


    Good luck! 


    Brian 



    ------------------------------
    Randall Monaghan
    Financial Advisor
    Infinex Investments, Inc
    Flowood MS
    601-259-3545
    ------------------------------