You took the CFP® exam and didn’t pass. It fu**ing sucks, but you're not alone. About one third of CFP candidates find themselves in exactly this spot every exam cycle.
So how can you avoid failing a second time? You’re probably asking yourself, “Should I hire a tutor or get some extra help?” The answer depends on a few key factors.
In this article, we’ll dive into the three most important questions you need to ask yourself as a second-time test taker. These questions will evaluate if you:
can study successfully on your own
can create an effective study schedule
have a way to get your questions answered
These are the three key ingredients to passing the CFP exam. Your responses to these questions will ultimately determine whether seeking outside help is right for you.
1. Do You Have the Discipline to Study Consistently?
Studying consistently for two to three months is one of the biggest challenges CFP candidates face.
I see this every exam cycle that I teach as a CFP tutor. And it makes sense—life doesn’t pause. You have work, family responsibilities, unexpected events (like car troubles), and daily commitments that pull you in 100 different directions. You wish that, just for a week, everything could just pause. But it doesn’t.
For many, this leads to long study marathons over the weekend and sporadic study sessions during the week. While it feels like you're putting in the time, it doesn’t translate to the retention or understanding you need.
That’s because true mastery comes from repetition—lots of it—over time. It's not about how deep you go in one sitting, but how consistently you engage with the CFP exam material day after day.
Hiring a tutor or joining a structured study group can help enforce that consistency. Just having regular appointments or sessions can turn sporadic studying into a consistent, productive habit, which is a non-negotiable for success.
2. Do You Know How to Create a Study Plan?
Let’s assume you’re a disciplined machine, and studying for three hours a day is no problem.
The next challenge is planning your study sessions effectively.
What topics should you cover first?
How long should you spend on each?
What happens if a topic takes longer than expected? How do you adjust?
Which topics deserve more focus, and which can you breeze through?
When should you start taking practice tests?
Should you use flashcards or other tools?
Building a study plan is an art, not a science. And it needs to be very individualized to capture your unique learning style and your strengths and weaknesses with the CFP material.
While you can find countless free study planners online, many fail to account for one major issue: underestimating how long certain tasks will take. For example, what if learning about AMT (Alternative Minimum Tax) takes you a full day instead of the two hours your plan allotted?
This is where a human touch—whether through a CFP tutor or coach—comes in. A structured plan with flexibility, combined with expert guidance, can help you stay focused on what truly matters.
If you don’t, you may end up cramming at 2 a.m. every night the week before the exam because your study plan didn’t work. This is what you don’t want to have happen to your CFP study plan.
3. Do You Have Someone to Ask Questions?
One of the hardest aspects of the CFP exam is applying theoretical knowledge to real-world financial scenarios. It’s not just about understanding the material—it’s about thinking critically and solving client-based problems. And let’s be honest, sometimes you just need another person to walk you through it.
No matter how many times you search online or use ChatGPT, some concepts are tough to grasp without hearing a real voice explain them. A CFP tutor, teacher, or coach can simplify difficult topics, breaking them down into digestible steps that make sense in context.
A good CFP tutor will take the time to understand how your brain works, which learning styles work best for you, and present new concepts to you in ways that you are able to understand them. If you failed the CFP exam on your first go after self-studying or watching pre-recorded lectures from a big tutoring company, it may be time to consider working with a CFP tutor who can be there studying with you, answering questions on the spot, and testing your understanding of the material and concepts.
If you answered "No" to any of these questions...
It might be time to get some help. As a CFP candidate, your most important resource isn’t money, but time. Failing the CFP exam does waste money, but the worst part is that you have the CFP exam on your plate again for another four months at the very minimum.
The more time you waste not getting the help you need, the more likely you are to burn out or give up. Don't let these solvable problems keep you from achieving your goals of being a certified CFP!
If you need help figuring out where to start, feel free to book a session with me to discuss how one of my small-group CFP prep courses could help you on your exam journey. Use the link below to book a complimentary 30-minute session where we will discuss:
Where you are with the CFP material
How you’ve been studying
How my program works and if you are a qualified candidate
Comments