Congratulations! You've completed the CFP® coursework gauntlet and aced your Capstone. Now you just have to pass the CFP® Exam!
“Just have to pass” — like it’s sooooo easy.
But honestly, with the right prep (and the right prep course), you’ll pass the exam. But what’s the “right” course? We know there are a lot of providers who all promise that they have the best CFP® Review course. But let’s look at how you can choose the one that works best for you to help you pass the exam and get your marks.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best CFP® Review Course (for You)
Before you start comparing features and prices, take a step back and think about what you actually need. The best CFP® Review course isn't necessarily the most expensive or the one with the most bells and whistles—it's the one that fits your learning style and schedule and gets you ready to pass.
Learning Style Compatibility
First things first: how do you learn best? Do you prefer to read or watch videos? Do you like an opportunity to engage with your instructor and ask questions, take part in study groups, or are you a one-person wolfpack?
Take a few minutes and write down some notes on how you learn best, what you absolutely need in a course, what’s nice to have, and what you don’t care about. Knowing this will help you focus on finding the best CFP® Review course for your needs, rather than one working against you.
And if you’re not sure what you want, think about study strategies that worked best when you were in college or even completing your CFP Education.
Instructor-Led vs Self-Paced
Do you need the accountability and engagement that comes from a structured classroom environment? Or would you rather go at your own pace and study at 2:00 AM? There's no right or wrong answer here—just what works for you.
Benefits of instructor-led review:
- Real-time Q&A sessions
- Structured schedules that keep you on track
- Peer interaction and discussion Immediate feedback and clarification
Benefits of a 100% self-paced review:
- Ultimate flexibility to study when it works for you
- The ability to spend more time where you need it
- No pressure to keep up with a group
Most CFP® Exam prep courses include self-paced study materials, but not all include live (either online or in-person) instructor-led courses, so make sure to verify when you’re comparing.
Visual, Auditory, or Hands-On Learning
When you need to learn something new, what works best? Do you prefer to read the information, watch a video or listen to an explanation, or do you need to dive in and work it out on your own?
Chances are, you learn best through a combination of techniques, but rely more heavily on one format in particular. So, get a multi-sensory approach and look for courses that offer more resources in the modality that works best for you, whether that’s:
- Video lessons
- Digital or physical textbooks and resources
- Interactive materials like flashcards, calculations, and practice questions
Depth vs Speed
Here's where you need to be honest with yourself about your background and timeline. Are you looking for a more intensive course that really dives back into what you learned in your coursework, or do you just need a refresher you can get through fast?
Consider Your Financial Planning Background
If you’re experienced in financial planning, you can probably get by with a basic review course. But if you’re still new to financial planning or are coming from a different career, the best CFP® Review course for you will need to be more thorough so you fully understand the concepts and how to apply them.
How Much Time Do You Have?
The CFP® Exam is only offered three times a year (in March, July, and November), and most candidates need 8–12 weeks of dedicated study time. If you're working full-time and have family commitments, you'll need a course that maximizes your limited study hours.
Support Features
Let’s be real: Creating your study schedule is easy. Sticking to it—not so much. Or, you’re sticking to your schedule, but what if you get stuck on a concept and can’t get past it? It’s really easy to get off track when you’re on your own, so it’s important to consider that the best CFP® Review course will provide the support you need to stay motivated and get over the obstacles.Access to Instructors or Mentors
Is there a way to ask questions when you're confused? How quickly do you get responses? Some courses offer live office hours, others provide email support, phone support, or discussion forums.Peer Support
Do you want to connect with other CFP® candidates so you can ask questions, meet study partners, or just commiserate with people who are in the trenches with you? If so, the best CFP® Exam Review course for you will have private online groups where you can connect.Budget Considerations
Finally, you need to consider the price tag. The most expensive review course isn’t necessarily going to be the best one, especially if it’s full of features you don’t want or need. On the other hand, don’t sacrifice what you need from your review course just because it’s got a cheaper price tag. After all, the cheapest option might end up costing you more in the long run if you have to retake the exam.
Key Features to Look for in the Best CFP® Exam Review
Now that you know what to look for in a CFP® Review course, let's talk about what separates the good from the great ones.
- Up-to-date, exam aligned content so you're studying exactly (and only) what you need to know
- Practice questions to make sure you're actually remembering what you studied
- Realistic mock exams so you know what to expect (and what a six-hour exam feels like)
- Instructors that are subject matter experts and practicing CFP® professionals who can explain abstract concepts with real-world scenarios so they're easier to understand and remember.
- Different forms of support and fast responses to your questions
- High pass rates and excellent user reviews
Why Boston Institute of Finance (BIF) is the Best CFP® Review Course
Alright, we've covered what to look for—now let's talk about why The BIF Review stands out from the crowd (and no, we're not just saying that because we created it!).
Proven Track Record
We're finance folks, so we always have to look at the numbers, and the numbers don't lie. Students who pass our mock exam in The BIF Review (Premium) have a 90% pass rate on the real thing. Compared to the industry average pass rate between 60 and 65%, it's fair to say that our students don't just pass—they pass with confidence.
Comprehensive but Streamlined Curriculum
The BIF Review is laser-focused on exactly what you need to know for the exam and how financial planning actually works in the real world. Yes, you need to understand capital gains tax. No, you don't need the unedited Snyder Cut detailing the creation of capital gains tax in 1913 and how the Revenue Act of 1921 increased it to 12.5%.
We teach the Principal Knowledge Topics at the exact level you need to know for the exam and how the concepts apply to financial planning today.
Dynamic Instruction from Subject Matter Experts
Our instructors are all CFP® practitioners with both real-world and classroom experience. And we don't just hammer home one topic at a time. Instead, we take a dynamic approach to make it fun (or as fun as stuff like this can be). Our instructors use practice-related examples, tell stories from their own experiences, make pop-culture references—anything to help the concepts sink in and stay firmly lodged in your brain.
Flexible Learning Options
No matter how you prefer to learn, The BIF Review has a variety of resources, materials, and classes to get you ready to pass the exam.
- Digital and physical textbooks
- Virtual classroom lectures
- Instructor-led mini-sessions
- Question banks to test your knowledge
- Case study and formula sheet strategies
- A full mock exam
- 100% online materials, resources, and instruction
Choose the Core BIF Review for the best CFP® Review course if you're an experienced advisor who only needs a streamlined, concise option, or choose The Premium BIF Review for a more intensive, instructor-led option. No matter which one you pick, you'll get the flexibility you need to fit your schedule and your learning needs.
Proactive Support
Connect with your personal student advisor, reach out directly to your Review instructors, email or call us with questions, or join our online student community. You've got a whole team of people who are cheering for you.
Try the Best CFP® Review Course Free for 30 Days
We can talk about how awesome The BIF Review is, but sometimes you just have to see for yourself. See exactly how The BIF Review gets you ready to pass the CFP® Exam when you try it free for 30 days.
