I will overnight you the following:
1. Dalton pre-study books
2. Ken Zahn provided flash cards / roadmaps
3. Dalton's handout review
4. I will even throw in Dalton's CFP exam audio review if I can figure out how to send it :)
text me 917-334-9555 and we can figure out a price.
Here's a little bit about my journey:
"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results"
I knew I had to do something different this time...
1. On my first attempt, I used Ken Zahn,
2. I switched to Dalton the second time around, and
3. I finally passed with the help of Adam Scherer and Mike Long from the Boston Institute of Finance.
I was still using Dalton's q-bank and pre-study books.
I started to get diligent with my studies 15 weeks out and kept a journal. Here are the highlights:
- 15 weeks out / 3rd and final attempt
I decided to focus on Dalton practice questions. I still went through pre-study material but mostly to make index cards of "exam tips" and brush up on certain concepts I struggled with.
I also purchased Dalton's audio review podcast and listened to it while sleeping, getting ready, driving, biking.
- 11 weeks till I pass my CFP
On week 5, I had my first mini emotional breakdown. I was on one of my weakest sections (tax), hammering dalton q-bank and was getting every other question wrong, realizing how much I still do not know.
I went home early that day and went to bed by 8pm. Not every day is going to be fruitful and that's ok.
- 10 weeks till I pass my CFP
I started Dalton's online review - twice a week for a month with Sterling.
I also reached out to a few tutors to turn my weak areas into strengths.
- 9 weeks till I pass my CFP
I realized that Dalton live review wasn't enough. Most questions that I asked during the review were met with "it's beyond the scope of the exam" even though I knew that I saw those types of questions on those topics in my previous two exams I took. That's when I reached out to Adam Scherer and our first tutoring group was born.
At this point, I had a healthy pile of questions I got wrong to review. I took a day off from attempting any new questions and focused on figuring out why I didn't get the right answer on previously taken ones.
- 8 weeks till I pass my CFP
I took the first CFP practice exam and scored 79%. My two weakest areas remained Investments and Tax.
- 7 weeks till I pass my CFP
Nothing but case studies
- 6 weeks till I pass my CFP
More practice questions focusing only on my weak areas
- 4 weeks till I pass my CFP
Took Dalton's March 2021 exam readiness quiz and scored 56% which gave me 60% chance of passing
- 2 weeks till I pass my CFP
Paid for the second CFP practice exam and got a 64%. I didn't sleep very well that night...
I panicked and registered for a 6 hour "Tune up"review course with Sev Meneshian.
I spent a few hours rewriting my notes I took during BIF sessions.
Mike Long was kind enough to jump on the phone with me to go over and solidify questions and concepts I didn't understand.
- 1 week till I pass my CFP
I started going over all of my notes and road maps before bed, took about an hour each night.
I knew that my weak areas were tax and investments so I zeroed in on reviewing those.
- 2 days before I pass my CFP
I read through all CFP provided case studies (applying the code of ethics and standards of conduct). It's a 50 page document available on the CFP website that was recommended by one of my study-mates.
I took 20 new questions on each section.
- 1 day before I pass my CFP
Re-read lesson 1 of Fundamentals of Financial Planning per Dalton suggestion and once again reviewed all my notes and flash cards.
I had slight test anxiety the day of... I never get anxiety so I knew this time was different ;)
After the first part of the exam, I thought I was about to fail again but I got myself together during the break and killed the second half.
"Success is all about going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm." Winston Churchill
It is even more satisfying to pass after having failed in the past. It's like knocking out a boxer after they refused to stay down from the prior blows.
The moment I saw PASS on that screen is going down in history as one of the most satisfying, gratifying, joyful moments in my life.
I broke down in the testing center... something tells me the staff is used to seeing that sort of thing go down :)
I truly believe I wouldn't have passed without Michael, Adam and all the people in my study group. I am forever grateful to them!
Three is my new favorite number now!
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dasha glo
client associate
Wells Fargo Advisors (Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC)
Los Angeles CA
(917)334-9555
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