Hi Andrew,
Congrats on jumping into a rewarding career that is financial planning!
With the caveat that everyone studies differently, I think it's totally possible. I took a different review course, with Dalton, and they recommended taking about 15 weeks to complete the review course, after the education course + capstone. I had quit my tech job by then and studied full time to complete it in 8 weeks (45+ hours a week, which included weekends), and pass the exam on my first attempt. My productivity did start to wane by the end of the day, but I learned that as a morning person, it worked best for me to wake up earlier to work on the "tougher" things like taking quizzes when my brain was still sharp.
As you get closer to your exam date, I'm not sure if Danko has an "exam readiness quiz" that Dalton has, which will gauge the likelihood of you passing the exam. If they do, great. If not, you could probably take some practice exams (at least one free from the CFP Board) to gauge how well you feel about passing the exam. If you feel you're close, then go for November. If you're not feeling good, then consider postponing it to March 2024. I think giving yourself the option of postponing can be very freeing and reduce some of the pressure.
Best of luck to you!
------------------------------
Guo "Wilson" Liu
Associate Advisor at Stone Steps Financial
https://www.stonestepsfinancial.comCandidate for CFP® Certification
Passed the November 2021 CFP® Exam
Financial Planning Career Resources (for planners and aspiring planners)
https://www.wilsonliufinancial.com/financial-planning-career-resources------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 05-29-2023 21:53
From: Andrew Griglock
Subject: From Capstone to Exam Timeframe
I have completed my first six courses through the American College and am beginning my capstone course this coming Friday, which I will complete in early August. I am considering using the Danko Review and attending his live classes in Philadelphia in mid-October, then taking the exam in November of this year.
My question is, is this a realistic time-frame to prepare to pass the exam? My other option of course, would be to wait until March 2024, but I'm concerned that waiting almost seven months between finishing the capstone and taking the exam might be a greater challenge in terms of maintaining focus, etc.
I should add that I am a retired teacher/career changer who is currently not working, so I do have the time to dedicate to full-time study.
Any thoughts and/or advice will be greatly appreciated!
------------------------------
Andrew Griglock
Bel Air MD
(443)243-3718
------------------------------