Questions?

1. What is the CFP® Certification all about?

   The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification program is a globally recognized standard for professionals in the financial services industry. CFP® certification is given by the CFP Board. The first CFP® certification was awarded in the 1970s and the CFP Board has been awarding the certification for over 20 years. More than 50,000 certifications have been awarded during this period. For more information, please visit http://www.cfp.net/become/certification.asp. Kaplan Schweser is not affiliated with the CFP Board. Kaplan Schweser is an independent educational training firm and assists candidates in preparing for the CFP® Exam.

2. What are the CFP® Certification requirements?

   The CFP Board has both initial certification requirements (known as the four "Es") and continual certification renewals every two years. The initial certification requirements (the four "Es") are:

   • Education – Candidates for certification must meet the CFP Board's core financial planning knowledge requirements and have a bachelor's degree (or higher), or its equivalent, in any discipline, from an accredited college or university in order to obtain CFP® certification
      
   • Examination – The CFP® Certification Examination is a comprehensive 285-question exam that assesses your ability to apply your knowledge to financial planning situations
      
   • Experience – Three years of full-time relevant personal financial planning experience is required
      
   • Ethics – The final component of the initial CFP® certification process is the ethics requirement. CFP® certification requires you to agree to adhere to CFP Board's Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Financial Planning Practice Standards, and to acknowledge CFP Board's right to enforce them through its Disciplinary Rules and Procedures

   Once you have been authorized to use the CFP® mark, you must meet the CFP Board's renewal standards to continue to use them. A candidates CFP® certification must be renewed every two years. The renewal requirements are certification application, a non-refundable certification fee, and 30 hours of continued education classes.

3. How do I register for the CFP® Exam?

   Candidates can register for the CFP® Exam online at http://www.cfp.net/become/examdetails.asp. You can also obtain the registration form and send it in. This form can be requested from the CFP Board and is also available at www.cfp.net/become/forms.asp.

4. The CFP Board's contact information:

   Website: www.cfp.net
   Email: mail@cfpboard.org
   Address:
   1425 K Street, NW, Suite 500
   Washington, DC 20005
   Phone: (800) 487-1497 (Toll-Free) and (202) 379-2200 (International)

5. What is the pass rate on the CFP® Exam?

   Pass rates on the CFP® Exam varies from year to year. Visit the CFP Board website for more information.

6. How and when do I renew my CFP® certification?

   There are three renewal requirements for the CFP® certification: a properly completed certification application, a certification fee (non-refundable) and 30 hours of continuing education (CE). The renewal occurs every two years at the end of the certification period. The expiration date is located on the CFP Board ID card and can also be accessed by logging in to CFP Board's website.

Product Availability FAQs:

1. Can I return the study materials if I don't like them?

   Please click here to view our return policy.

2. Where do I register to take the CFP® Exam?

   Please contact the CFP Board.

3. What is the structure of Kaplan Schweser Live Review?

   Instructors spend a substantial amount of time (70–80%) teaching material from the six areas of the exam, mastering both knowledge and application. They also spend a reasonable amount of time (10–20%) working with problems from the material taught, showing how they can be applied to the exam in the form of questions. Instructors focus the remaining time working with actual exam-management techniques.

   There are several types of reviews from which to choose:

   4-day Review – 33 hours of classroom instruction generally conducted on Thursdays through Sundays
   
   Virtual Review – Instructor-led, web-based program composed of 33 hours of instruction over 11 three-hour sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays

4. How do I enroll?

   Call toll-free (888) 694-3568 or online at http://www.schweser.com

5. Are the Kaplan Schweser Review Study Materials required for the Live Review Course?

   Yes, a Study Solution is required for you to complete your pre-review assignments.

6. Should I begin studying before attending class?

   Yes, absolutely. The more prepared you are, the more you will get out of the class. You will not be able to keep up in class if you are not adequately prepared. The exam is comprehensive and encompasses an enormous amount of material and information. Although the study time required will vary on the basis of your expertise and experience in each area, the exam will demand a great deal of your time and effort. You should expect to study for 150-200 hours before attending the Live Review and for 50-75 hours after attending the Live Review.

7. What is the best way to begin studying?

   Your Diagnostic Exam results and the Introduction in the beginning of Volumes 1-6 from the Study Solutions are both excellent resources to help you identify your strengths and weaknesses. In addition, the online Customizable Study Calendar will help you create a detailed study plan.

8. How does the Kaplan Schweser Live Review compare to the competition?

   There's no comparison. Kaplan Schweser is the leading provider of Live Reviews with the most comprehensive study materials. Our reputation is a result of our focus on the exam and our dedication to each individual student. Our goal is to provide each student with the best preparation in order to pass the exam. Your success is our success!

9. How thoroughly do I need to know the material?

   The difference in passing and failing is the difference between being thoroughly prepared and proactive versus being casually acquainted and reactive. You should be intensely prepared and ready to answer any question about any subtopic in each exam area.

10. Can I just study questions from past exams?

    No. Questions are randomly selected from a bank of questions on the basis of certain criteria. Therefore, just studying the questions on the previous exam will be unlikely to help you pass the next exam. You must have an understanding of the important topics within the curriculum.

11. Do I need to know how to use a TVM Calculator before the Live Review?

    You should be familiar with the time value of money (TVM) calculations. If you are deficient in this area, you should take the time (approximately six to eight hours) to learn the calculator before class. Our Understanding Your Financial Calculator book, which is included in the Study Solutions, is designed to help you in this important preparation.

12. Do you have review support?

    Yes! In addition to the instructors teaching your review class, students will have access to exam related videos and instructor-led office hours. Purchasers of the Premium Study Solution will also have access to content related videos and instructor email access.

13. What is the price of the 4-day Review (Virtual or Traditional)?

    $1,348

14. What is included in the tuition price?
    
    
    • Outstanding instruction
    • Live Review Student In-Class Guide (used during the review)
    • Online Diagnostic Exam
    • Online Cognitive Connections Test Bank
    • Case Course Videos
    • Mock Exam Videos
    • Online Mock Exam
    • PassProtection™
    • Pre-review videos
       
15. How does the PassProtection™ work?

    If you do not pass the CFP® Certification Examination after purchasing a Premium or Essential Live Review Study Solution, you will receive 50% off the next purchase of the same Live Review Study Solution within a one-year window of time (three exam cycles).

    To be eligible, you must submit your Official Score Report to fpexamresults@kaplan.com within three weeks of receiving it from the CFP Board. All results will remain confidential.

16. Does Kaplan Schweser take care of my registration for the exam?

    No, the student is responsible for registering for the exam with the CFP Board.

17. Do I need to pass any test during the review?

    No, there are no quizzes/exams that must be passed for the Live Review.

18. What happens if I can not attend a session of the Virtual Review?

    All virtual classes are recorded and available for playback until the date of the exam.

19. I took the Accelerated Certification in Financial Planning Program through Kaplan Schweser, do I get a discount on the review?

    Yes, anyone who attends at least four modules of the education program through Kaplan Schweser may receive $100 off the Premium, Essential or Class Only Live Review Study Solution.