While I don't doubt it's tougher based on what I'm reading,  I personally think it's still almost too easy.  To be fair, my perspective is from taking it after I got my CPA (passed in '92 after five attempts-ironically, I'm told the CPA has gotten easier).  I literally walked out of the CFP exam feeling like I killed it.  As sick as it sounds, I actually enjoyed taking that test...the questions were interesting and did a good job of imitating some real life questions I've faced with clients.

It's always possible that I got a lucky draw and matched the test questions to my strengths, but honestly, if you do a reasonable job preparing and you actually understand what you're reading, I can't see you failing...the pass rate is better than half and you know that includes some clueless schmoes who have no business attempting the test.

I was quite certain I had passed when i walked out...however, the delay in receiving the confirmation made me think "what if..?" too much.  The only thing worse than a professional not being sure they passed and then passing is the one who WAS certain they had passed, but had actually failed.  In other words, I'd rather have the oncologist who double checked his work vs. the one who was incorrectly arrogant of his expertise.

So, whether or not you think you succeeded does not appear relevant---your actual performance on the exam is.  Unfortunately, The Board does not give a "score."  So I can confidently state that I received the HIGHEST POSSIBLE SCORE on the exam (that is, a "Pass" score).

[quote=Cowboy93]I was quite certain I had passed when i walked out...however, the delay in receiving the confirmation made me think "what if..?" too much.[/quote]

I think Joe & Prato are playing the same mind games with themselves and I'd bet on both passing...

[quote=Indyone]

[quote=Cowboy93]I was quite certain I had passed when i walked out…however, the delay in receiving the confirmation made me think “what if…?” too much.[/quote]

I think Joe & Prato are playing the same mind games with themselves and I'd bet on both passing...

[quote=pratoman]

We understand your question, DA. Congrats on having taken and passed it in 1984. Do you think you could take and pass it today?

In 1984, you took the first module, than sat for a two hour exam. Then you take the second module., then sit for a two hour exam. There was very little depth to the material, and no review courses needed. I took the first module in 1984, did very little studying and passed the exam. Did it for fun. At the time, I was the owner of a Textile Import sales agency. Believe me, it was a very different experience than the current one, which requires 1 1/2 to 2 years of study, plus a four month review, and a 2 day exam, with much more depth. You have no idea what the current experience is, so you shouldnt denegrate the accomplishment.

[/quote]

That's where you're wrong.  I do know what the process is, and I do appreciate that it is far more complex than it was in the past.

That does not change the validity of my point.  Somebody who is truly qualified in any profession does not walk out of their board exams wondering if they passed or failed.

Would you want to be treated by a doctor who was not sure if they knew enough to pass their boards?

[quote=Indyone]

I can't see you failing...the pass rate is better than half and you know that includes some clueless schmoes who have no business attempting the test.

[/quote]

Why could those "clueless schmoes" not be posting on this message board?

I suppose I’d just rather wait and see what the final report says than to make the bold claim that I know I passed and then find out otherwise.

If you are truly qualfied you would know that you passed.  The self doubt is because you know you really don't know this stuff--that you're a poser.

[quote=DAtoo][quote=pratoman]

We understand your question, DA. Congrats on having taken and passed it in 1984. Do you think you could take and pass it today?

In 1984, you took the first module, than sat for a two hour exam. Then you take the second module., then sit for a two hour exam. There was very little depth to the material, and no review courses needed. I took the first module in 1984, did very little studying and passed the exam. Did it for fun. At the time, I was the owner of a Textile Import sales agency. Believe me, it was a very different experience than the current one, which requires 1 1/2 to 2 years of study, plus a four month review, and a 2 day exam, with much more depth. You have no idea what the current experience is, so you shouldnt denegrate the accomplishment.

[/quote]

That's where you're wrong.  I do know what the process is, and I do appreciate that it is far more complex than it was in the past.

That does not change the validity of my point.  Somebody who is truly qualified in any profession does not walk out of their board exams wondering if they passed or failed.

Would you want to be treated by a doctor who was not sure if they knew enough to pass their boards?

[/quote]

You've never taken a test, have you?

[quote=joedabrkr]

I suppose I’d just rather wait and see what the final report says than to make the bold claim that I know I passed and then find out otherwise.

If you are truly qualfied you would know that you passed.  The self doubt is because you know you really don't know this stuff--that you're a poser.

[quote=DAtoo][quote=joedabrkr]

I suppose I’d just rather wait and see what the final report says than to make the bold claim that I know I passed and then find out otherwise.

If you are truly qualfied you would know that you passed.  The self doubt is because you know you really don't know this stuff--that you're a poser.

[/quote]

No-the self doubt is because I travel through life with a healthy dose of humility, in stark contract to pompous blowhards like yourself.

This would be one(of many) reasons why I was happy to leave the wirehouse culture, because it is heavily populated with knuckle draggers such as you. (No offense intended to blarm or mikebutler because I know you guys work in wires.)
[/quote]

It is not humility to say that you're not sure if you passed or not--it's doubt.

If you really were of CFP caliber you'd have no doubt you passed and there are hundreds of ways to express that confidence while still sounding humble.

Blessed are the meek for they shall never beat the confident.

[quote=joedabrkr] [quote=DAtoo][quote=joedabrkr]

I suppose I’d just rather wait and see what the final report says than to make the bold claim that I know I passed and then find out otherwise.

If you are truly qualfied you would know that you passed.  The self doubt is because you know you really don't know this stuff--that you're a poser.

[/quote]

No-the self doubt is because I travel through life with a healthy dose of humility, in stark contract to pompous blowhards like yourself.

This would be one(of many) reasons why I was happy to leave the wirehouse culture, because it is heavily populated with knuckle draggers such as you. (No offense intended to blarm or mikebutler because I know you guys work in wires.)
[/quote]

It is not humility to say that you're not sure if you passed or not--it's doubt.

If you really were of CFP caliber you'd have no doubt you passed and there are hundreds of ways to express that confidence while still sounding humble.

Blessed are the meek for they shall never beat the confident.

[/quote]

One fact that you are ignoring is that with or without beind a cfp, Joe's income makes you look like a little girl in a yellow dress.

[quote=Devils Advocate]

One fact that you are ignoring is that with or without beind a cfp, Joe's income makes you look like a little girl in a yellow dress. [/quote]

Is that right?  What do you suppose my annual income is?

[quote=DAtoo]

[quote=Devils Advocate]

One fact that you are ignoring is that with or without beind a cfp, Joe's income makes you look like a little girl in a yellow dress. [/quote]

Is that right?  What do you suppose my annual income is?

[/quote]

$34,000.

[quote=Devils Advocate][quote=DAtoo]

[quote=Devils Advocate]

One fact that you are ignoring is that with or without beind a cfp, Joe's income makes you look like a little girl in a yellow dress. [/quote]

Is that right?  What do you suppose my annual income is?

[/quote]

$34,000.

[/quote]

What I asked was what you suppose I earn, I didn't ask what you earn.

[quote=DAtoo][quote=Devils Advocate][quote=DAtoo]

[quote=Devils Advocate]

One fact that you are ignoring is that with or without beind a cfp, Joe's income makes you look like a little girl in a yellow dress. [/quote]

Is that right?  What do you suppose my annual income is?

[/quote]

$34,000.

[/quote]

What I asked was what you suppose I earn, I didn't ask what you earn.

[/quote]

That's a damned funny reply. I suppose you don't "earn" anything. I think the government supports you to the tune of $34,000 in benefits.

[quote=Devils Advocate][quote=DAtoo][quote=Devils Advocate]

One fact that you are ignoring is that with or without beind a cfp, Joe's income makes you look like a little girl in a yellow dress. [/quote]Is that right?  What do you suppose my annual income is?[/quote] $34,000. [/quote]

...I can't help it...that just struck me funny...

Datoo, why do you keep talking to yourself?

This is probably the most pointless conversation I have seen on the boards in a while. (well maybe one of the top 5 most pointless). Who the f*ck cares what DAToo thinks. I AM from a wirehouse, and I agree with Joes comments - DAToo is a blowhard with nothing to contribute.

Itoo cannot say definitively if I passed, I can say I felt pretty good about my chances when I walked out of the room. The testing and scoring process is just too mysetrious to allow ANYONE to say they definately passed.  But who the hell cares. DAToo - give us something to talk about that will help us build our business.

[quote=pratoman]

… and I agree with Joes comments - DAToo is a blowhard with nothing to contribute.

You know what, this is MY thread. So, I am changing the pace

In my humble opinion, the CFP has value, which is why with our busy schedules, we are taking the time to study the course content. The older that I get, I really don't have time for things that aren't productive and not going to get me anywhere, so let's get back on course.

Today, I was studying the review material for CFP for tax recapture on alimony. Did anyone see questions on this for March's exam?