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Ask the Expert Event, Staying Motivated with Exam Prep

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  • 1.  Ask the Expert Event, Staying Motivated with Exam Prep

    Posted 03-09-2022 17:35
    Edited by Rebekah Horsting 03-09-2022 17:34
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello everyone,

     

    Mark your calendars for our next Ask the Expert event, Staying Motivated with Exam Prep, on March 30 from 1-2:30pm ET.

    Our experts will be available to answer your questions related to CFP® exam preparation, tips/tricks to staying on track, study strategy, staying motivated throughout the study process, dealing with work/life balance, and more!

    Experts:

    @Haley Ellis, CFP®

    @Alise Kraus, CFP®

     We welcome you to drop in during the live event to ask questions, follow the discussion, and/or provide your own input on this topic! Our experts will be using @mentions in the discussion, so when you ask a question, you will receive a notice from the @mention when you get a response.

     

    Download the event to your calendar here.

     

    Get your questions ready, we are looking forward to answering them!

     

    ​​#asktheexpert​​

    ------------------------------
    Rebekah Horsting
    Community Manager
    CFP Board
    candidateforum@cfpboard.org
    ------------------------------



  • 2.  RE: Ask the Expert Event, Staying Motivated with Exam Prep

    Posted 03-30-2022 13:00
    No replies, thread closed.

    Our event is now LIVE! Please post any questions you have on this thread and an expert will respond to it directly on this thread. Our experts will be using @mentions in the discussion, so when you ask a question, you will receive a notice from the @mention when you get a response.

     Here are some ways to involve yourself in today's session:

     Stay on this thread and refresh your screen to watch live what's being posted and post your own discussion post to get an answer.

    1. Click the Follow star at the top of this thread and you will get real time emails from this thread so you can stay live without having to be on the page the whole time.
    2. Post your question on this thread and check back later for an answer and read through the rest of the discussion.

     

    We look forward to answering your questions!

     

    #asktheexpert 



    ------------------------------
    Rebekah Horsting
    Community Manager
    CFP Board
    candidateforum@cfpboard.org
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Ask the Expert Event, Staying Motivated with Exam Prep

    Posted 03-30-2022 13:03
    No replies, thread closed.
    @Rebekah Horsting
    @Amanda Zapata
    @Haley Ellis
    Hi Everyone! Looking forward to your questions and a great discussion about Exam Prep!​​​

    ------------------------------
    Alise Kraus
    Regional Managing Director
    Mariner Wealth Advisors
    Livermore CA
    (925)341-9686
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: Ask the Expert Event, Staying Motivated with Exam Prep

    Posted 03-30-2022 13:22
    Edited by Rebekah Horsting 03-30-2022 13:25
    No replies, thread closed.

    @Haley Ellis, CFP®

    @Alise Kraus, CFP®

    Hi, What do you think about tutoring?  Do you think it could b helpful and how do we find a legitimate tutor?

    ------------------------------
    Michelle Johnson
    Private Wealth Associate
    HighTower Advisors
    Antioch IL
    (614)905-8777
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: Ask the Expert Event, Staying Motivated with Exam Prep

    Posted 03-30-2022 13:28
    Edited by Alise Kraus 03-30-2022 13:28
    No replies, thread closed.
    @Michelle Johnson I didn't use a tutor, so I don't have much insight into this option. I did want to mention that I did study with friends and colleagues -- even virtually, a study group can provide great support. Everyone in our group brought different tips, tricks, and perspectives to the table. When I needed to go through a topic or a tough exam question with someone else, I had my group to lean on. Hope this helps!​

    ------------------------------
    Alise Kraus
    Regional Managing Director
    Mariner Wealth Advisors
    Livermore CA
    (925)341-9686
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: Ask the Expert Event, Staying Motivated with Exam Prep

    Posted 03-30-2022 13:50
    No replies, thread closed.
    @Michelle Johnson @Alise Kraus I did not use a tutor either; however, I highly recommend taking a live review before the exam. This really helped me prepare and feel more confident about taking the exam. I also had a local study group, and it was very beneficial to have a group to study with, ask questions and support each other. Feel free to use the CFP Board Candidate forum to connect with others preparing to take the exam!​​

    ------------------------------
    Haley Tolitsky, CFP®
    Financial Planner
    Cooke Capital
    Wilmington, NC
    htolitsky@cookecapital.com
    ------------------------------



  • 7.  RE: Ask the Expert Event, Staying Motivated with Exam Prep

    Posted 03-30-2022 13:03
    No replies, thread closed.

    @Haley Ellis, CFP® ,@Alise Kraus, CFP®

    What would you recommend when someone is having a hard time focusing on studying or becoming very frustrated with a topic?

    ------------------------------
    Rebekah Horsting
    Community Manager
    CFP Board
    candidateforum@cfpboard.org
    ------------------------------



  • 8.  RE: Ask the Expert Event, Staying Motivated with Exam Prep

    Posted 03-30-2022 13:11
    No replies, thread closed.
    @Rebekah Horsting
    I can so relate to this! For me, that topic was estate planning - and now I love it and use that knowledge all the time in my practice. What worked for me when I became frustrated with a topic, was flashcards. If there was something sinking in, I'd carry the flashcards around with me and just looked at them whenever I could. That felt better and I made more progress than sitting at the desk. Whenever I consistently got a question right, I'd put that flashcard away. Familiarity with the topic leads to confidence with it, and making just that little bit of progress at a time (one flashcard at a time) -- for me, that helped me keep going. :)

    ------------------------------
    Alise Kraus
    Regional Managing Director
    Mariner Wealth Advisors
    Livermore CA
    (925)341-9686
    ------------------------------



  • 9.  RE: Ask the Expert Event, Staying Motivated with Exam Prep

    Posted 03-30-2022 13:15
    Edited by Rebekah Horsting 03-30-2022 13:17
    No replies, thread closed.
    @Alise Kraus Did you buy flashcards or make your own?​

    ------------------------------
    Staci Mills
    Financial Consultant
    Wells Fargo Advisors (Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC)
    Indian Trail NC
    (704)576-3110
    ------------------------------



  • 10.  RE: Ask the Expert Event, Staying Motivated with Exam Prep

    Posted 03-30-2022 13:17
    Edited by Alise Kraus 03-30-2022 13:18
    No replies, thread closed.
    @Staci Mills Great question. I made my own, I found that writing things down helped me learn and remember them. And then, I could focus the flashcards on what I needed to know or the topics where I struggled more. For me, this worked really well -- but I'm sure there's great flashcard sets out there, too! ​

    ------------------------------
    Alise Kraus
    Regional Managing Director
    Mariner Wealth Advisors
    Livermore CA
    (925)341-9686
    ------------------------------



  • 11.  RE: Ask the Expert Event, Staying Motivated with Exam Prep

    Posted 03-30-2022 13:12
    Edited by Haley Ellis 03-30-2022 13:13
    No replies, thread closed.
    @Rebekah Horsting I recommend taking a break anytime you start to struggle with focus or frustration. It is really hard to be productive in those states of mind. Whenever I had those feelings, I'd take a 20 minute walk outside and would feel so much better when I returned. Scheduling a fun activity each week also gives you something to look forward to and a dedicated break-time from studying. This could be going out to dinner, getting a massage or even just spending time with family and friends!

    ------------------------------
    Haley Tolitsky
    Financial Planner
    Cooke Capital
    Wilmington, NC
    htolitsky@cookecapital.com
    ------------------------------



  • 12.  RE: Ask the Expert Event, Staying Motivated with Exam Prep

    Posted 03-30-2022 13:13
    No replies, thread closed.
    @Haley Ellis I love this! Great advice, especially getting outside for a walk or some movement -- it's a great way to alleviate stress and refocus. ​

    ------------------------------
    Alise Kraus
    Regional Managing Director
    Mariner Wealth Advisors
    Livermore CA
    (925)341-9686
    ------------------------------



  • 13.  RE: Ask the Expert Event, Staying Motivated with Exam Prep

    Posted 03-30-2022 13:35
    No replies, thread closed.

    What I did was set Alexa to remind me every hour on the hour to take a break... �� It forced me to walk away & take a breather

     

    Sincerely,

     

    Confident Retirement

    P.S. With the right financial advice, life can be brilliant. Contact me today to learn about our Confident Retirement® approach and how can help you retire on your terms. For more information visit website.

     

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  • 14.  RE: Ask the Expert Event, Staying Motivated with Exam Prep

    Posted 03-30-2022 13:41
    Edited by Rebekah Horsting 03-30-2022 13:42
    No replies, thread closed.
    @John Ross, That is great! I love that idea. Utilizing technology to remind us to take breaks - it's a great tip.​

    ------------------------------
    Alise Kraus
    Regional Managing Director
    Mariner Wealth Advisors
    Livermore CA
    (925)341-9686
    ------------------------------



  • 15.  RE: Ask the Expert Event, Staying Motivated with Exam Prep

    Posted 03-30-2022 14:00
    No replies, thread closed.
    Taking breaks is important, this can help combat fatigue. I recently read an article that stated you should study as follows:
    • Read material for 25 minutes
    • 5 minute break
    • Review your highlighted areas
    • Start your 25 min timer again and begin a new section.


    ------------------------------
    Desiree Kaul
    Paraplanner
    Mainstreet Financial Planning
    Satellite Beach, FL
    321-419-8249
    ------------------------------



  • 16.  RE: Ask the Expert Event, Staying Motivated with Exam Prep

    Posted 03-30-2022 14:20
    No replies, thread closed.
    @Desiree Kaul I really like this structure! Thank you for sharing this tip, it seems like a great way to absorb and learn what you're readying as you go.​

    ------------------------------
    Alise Kraus
    Regional Managing Director
    Mariner Wealth Advisors
    Livermore CA
    (925)341-9686
    ------------------------------



  • 17.  RE: Ask the Expert Event, Staying Motivated with Exam Prep

    Posted 03-30-2022 13:36
    No replies, thread closed.
    @Haley Ellis,  ,@Alise Kraus, How did you decide when to take a full-length mock exam vs. just using question banks?

    ------------------------------
    Rebekah Horsting
    Community Manager
    CFP Board
    candidateforum@cfpboard.org
    ------------------------------



  • 18.  RE: Ask the Expert Event, Staying Motivated with Exam Prep

    Posted 03-30-2022 13:45
    Edited by Alise Kraus 03-30-2022 13:48
    No replies, thread closed.
    I remember using question banks almost daily to study, at least as the exam was near. I used the question banks for the purpose of studying/learning/remembering and getting used to the exam format, and I used mock exams as a dress rehearsal and to help gauge where I was from an exam readiness perspective.

    With the mock exam, I planned to take that on a weekend day, and I went through my exam day routine. I knew I was taking the exam in the morning, so I'd plan to start the mock exam around the same time. I'd wake up, take a walk, eat breakfast, and sit down as if I were in the exam room. Made it as real as possible with a bottle of water and a calculator and scratch paper, etc.


    ------------------------------
    Alise Kraus
    Regional Managing Director
    Mariner Wealth Advisors
    Livermore CA
    (925)341-9686
    ------------------------------



  • 19.  RE: Ask the Expert Event, Staying Motivated with Exam Prep

    Posted 03-30-2022 13:53
    Edited by Haley Ellis 03-30-2022 13:54
    No replies, thread closed.
    @Rebekah Horsting @Alise Kraus My format was very similar to Alise's. I used the question banks each day to study. I always say take as many practice questions as you can before the exam! For the mock exam, I treated it exactly as if I was taking the real exam. I got up early, timed myself and took it on a Saturday, so I wouldn't have any distractions. ​​

    I took my first mock exam about 2 weeks before the actual exam and another the week before. This gave me time to study the questions I got wrong.

    ------------------------------
    Haley Tolitsky, CFP®
    Financial Planner
    Cooke Capital
    Wilmington, NC
    htolitsky@cookecapital.com
    ------------------------------



  • 20.  RE: Ask the Expert Event, Staying Motivated with Exam Prep

    Posted 03-30-2022 14:00
    Edited by Rebekah Horsting 03-30-2022 14:02
    No replies, thread closed.
    @Haley Ellis,@Alise KrausIf by July a candidate does not feel confident about taking the exam, would you recommend he/she still takes it for an opportunity or experience?  or would it be more advisable to defer and reschedule the exam?

    ------------------------------
    Yuk Ngai
    Financial Analyst
    Sycamore Financial Planning LLC
    Durham NC
    (919)308-6388
    ------------------------------



  • 21.  RE: Ask the Expert Event, Staying Motivated with Exam Prep

    Posted 03-30-2022 14:14
    No replies, thread closed.
    @Yuk Ngai Thank you for the thoughtful question. The answer is really for each individual to reflect on. In my experience, it can be hard to feel 100% confident and ready for the exam, because it is a difficult one (since the CFP(r) marks are so meaningful!). 
    What helped me was creating structured study schedule. I followed the general recommendation of studying 10-15 hours per week, targeting a total of 200-250 hours of study as part of Exam Prep. One of the best pieces of advice I receive was to keep a log of study hours. Going into the exam, seeing that log and total # of hours spent studying is part of what helped me feel ready. Just from my experience, I would suggest for candidates preparing for July, taking a note of how many hours you've studied so far and map out how it can work to target the needed # of hours into your schedule between now and then.
    Ultimately there are so many other factors that go into exam readiness, but I think mapping out that structured study schedule and working backwards from a target # of total study hours, that will help determine the right date for each candidate to take the exam!​​​

    ------------------------------
    Alise Kraus
    Regional Managing Director
    Mariner Wealth Advisors
    Livermore CA
    (925)341-9686
    ------------------------------



  • 22.  RE: Ask the Expert Event, Staying Motivated with Exam Prep

    Posted 03-30-2022 14:25
    No replies, thread closed.
    @Yuk Ngai @Alise Kraus Great question Yuk. I agree with Alise's point that you probably will not ever feel 100% ready to take the exam. I would look at how you are scoring on the practice tests to see if you are meeting the recommended scoring range. Taking a live review can also really help prepare you for the exam. They provide a study calendar and material to get you ready to take the test. If you follow that and are scoring in the recommended range, you should be ready, even if you don't feel 100% confident. You got this!​​

    ------------------------------
    Haley Tolitsky, CFP®
    Financial Planner
    Cooke Capital
    Wilmington, NC
    htolitsky@cookecapital.com
    ------------------------------



  • 23.  RE: Ask the Expert Event, Staying Motivated with Exam Prep

    Posted 03-30-2022 14:23
    No replies, thread closed.
    @Haley Ellis, @Alise Kraus, Looking back, is there any one specific thing you wish you did (or didn't do!) during your prep?

    ------------------------------
    Rebekah Horsting
    Community Manager
    CFP Board
    candidateforum@cfpboard.org
    ------------------------------



  • 24.  RE: Ask the Expert Event, Staying Motivated with Exam Prep

    Posted 03-30-2022 14:32
    No replies, thread closed.
    @Rebekah Horsting I wish I did a better job communicating with my friends and family about how much time exam prep would take, especially the 3 months leading up to the exam. It is so much easier to study when those in your circle know you will be MIA for a few months. I often felt guilty for missing events when I needed to use that time to study. Communicate your time commitment to your studies to your family, friends and work early on! Time blocking my calendar really helped with this.​​

    ------------------------------
    Haley Tolitsky, CFP®
    Financial Planner
    Cooke Capital
    Wilmington, NC
    htolitsky@cookecapital.com
    ------------------------------



  • 25.  RE: Ask the Expert Event, Staying Motivated with Exam Prep

    Posted 03-30-2022 14:31
    Edited by Rebekah Horsting 03-30-2022 14:31
    No replies, thread closed.
    Thank you to our experts for their time and wisdom! Be on the lookout for the next Ask the Expert event!

    ------------------------------
    Rebekah Horsting
    Community Manager
    CFP Board
    candidateforum@cfpboard.org
    ------------------------------