November CFP Takers:

[quote=lady_trader]I thought that I would start a thread similiar to the July CFP thread. Who's taking it? How are you preparing? Any former test takers that wanna offer advice?[/quote]

Why are you taking the CFP quiz?

I started the July thread. Keep posting - otherwise the thread will get lost. If you keep posting, it will stay in everyones active topics, and eventually will catch on.

After taking the July exam, I'm still waiting for the results. Not sure what advice to give you. Not even sure I am qualified to give advice, since I dont know if i passed. But if you have specific question, fire away. The one thng I can say, is that I think I was pretty well prepared. You really need to do a lot of practice questions in the month or two leading to the exam. I personally wouldnt want to go into the exam without having taken a review course. I took Kier and was pretty happy with it.

I am also waiting for my results, so I can’t tell you how I did.

I did not take a review course, and in general was ok with that.  But, I think perhaps I could have gained some by doing so.

Get the KEIR test bank CD…it’s not terribly expensive.  Take tons of practice tests. When you get anwers wrong, use the feedback to figure out WHY you were wrong, and try to determine which areas you are weak so you can go back and review them.

As the exam gets close, practice taking them under time pressure.

[quote=joedabrkr]

I am also waiting for my results, so I can't tell you how I did.

[/quote]

If somebody is truly qualified to have a title such as CFP they would know they passed the exam.

Would you want to be treated by an oncologist who walked out of their qualifying exams not knowing if they passed or not?

A CFP is an entry level exam.  It does not make someone qualified to do anything regardless of their score.  I would put a high CFP score on the same level as a high score on the MCATs.  

[quote=DAtoo]

[quote=joedabrkr]

I am also waiting for my results, so I can't tell you how I did.

[/quote]

If somebody is truly qualified to have a title such as CFP they would know they passed the exam.

Would you want to be treated by an oncologist who walked out of their qualifying exams not knowing if they passed or not?

[quote=anonymous]A CFP is an entry level exam.  It does not make someone qualified to do anything regardless of their score.  I would put a high CFP score on the same level as a high score on the MCATs.   [/quote]

Isn't every professional exam an "entry level" exam?

[quote=pratoman]

I started the July thread. Keep posting - otherwise the thread will get lost. If you keep posting, it will stay in everyones active topics, and eventually will catch on.

After taking the July exam, I'm still waiting for the results. Not sure what advice to give you. Not even sure I am qualified to give advice, since I dont know if i passed. But if you have specific question, fire away. The one thng I can say, is that I think I was pretty well prepared. You really need to do a lot of practice questions in the month or two leading to the exam. I personally wouldnt want to go into the exam without having taken a review course. I took Kier and was pretty happy with it.

[/quote]

See this is the kind of response this board was created for.  Good post.

[quote=Devils Advocate][quote=lady_trader]I thought that I would start a thread similiar to the July CFP thread. Who's taking it? How are you preparing? Any former test takers that wanna offer advice?[/quote] Why are you taking the CFP quiz? [/quote]

Now come on, Bobby...you can't call it a quiz until you've taken it and passed...

Compared to your CPA, it's very passable...why don't you just knock it down...?

[quote=maybeeeeeeee][quote=pratoman]

I started the July thread. Keep posting - otherwise the thread will get lost. If you keep posting, it will stay in everyones active topics, and eventually will catch on.

After taking the July exam, I'm still waiting for the results. Not sure what advice to give you. Not even sure I am qualified to give advice, since I dont know if i passed. But if you have specific question, fire away. The one thng I can say, is that I think I was pretty well prepared. You really need to do a lot of practice questions in the month or two leading to the exam. I personally wouldnt want to go into the exam without having taken a review course. I took Kier and was pretty happy with it.

[/quote]

See this is the kind of response this board was created for.  Good post.

[/quote]

What did you learn that you did not already know?

That not everyone is a giant dick?

[quote=maybeeeeeeee][quote=pratoman]

I started the July thread. Keep posting - otherwise the thread will get lost. If you keep posting, it will stay in everyones active topics, and eventually will catch on.

After taking the July exam, I'm still waiting for the results. Not sure what advice to give you. Not even sure I am qualified to give advice, since I dont know if i passed. But if you have specific question, fire away. The one thng I can say, is that I think I was pretty well prepared. You really need to do a lot of practice questions in the month or two leading to the exam. I personally wouldnt want to go into the exam without having taken a review course. I took Kier and was pretty happy with it.

[/quote]

See this is the kind of response this board was created for.  Good post.

[/quote] 

Yeah, unlike DAToo's idiotic response to Joedabrokers post on this thread. I would like to hear from DAToo as to his opinion about how his stupid post about the CFP being entry level, was constructive, or helped anyone at all on this board in any way at all. Like Joedabrkr said, DA, when did you pass the entry level exam you refer to. Now you might say you passed it, but anyone who has gone thru what it takes to pass it, would understand a lot more than you indicate you do, so if you did say you passed it, you would be lying. Its interesting to note that DAToo is listed as having joined the forum on August 8th, 2007, and is listed as a Senior Member, since in 1 week, he has posted 157 times. Question: Do you work for a living?

[quote=DAtoo][quote=maybeeeeeeee][quote=pratoman]

I started the July thread. Keep posting - otherwise the thread will get lost. If you keep posting, it will stay in everyones active topics, and eventually will catch on.

After taking the July exam, I'm still waiting for the results. Not sure what advice to give you. Not even sure I am qualified to give advice, since I dont know if i passed. But if you have specific question, fire away. The one thng I can say, is that I think I was pretty well prepared. You really need to do a lot of practice questions in the month or two leading to the exam. I personally wouldnt want to go into the exam without having taken a review course. I took Kier and was pretty happy with it.

[/quote]

See this is the kind of response this board was created for.  Good post.

[/quote]

What did you learn that you did not already know?

[/quote]

Surely, more than we learned from your stupid comment.

[quote=pratoman]

Yeah, unlike DAToo's idiotic response to Joedabrokers post on this thread. I would like to hear from DAToo as to his opinion about how his stupid post about the CFP being entry level, was constructive, or helped anyone at all on this board in any way at all.

[/quote]

I did not say that the CFP was an entry level exam.  What I have said about the CFP is that anybody who is truly qualified to be a CFP would not walk out of the test wondering if they passed it or not.

If you've got cancer do you want to be treated by an oncologist who was not sure if they made it out of medical school until they got their grades?

If you're charged with a significant crime do you hope you can find a lawyer who was not sure if he passed the bar until the grades were posted?

How good a finanical advisor can a guy be who is not sure if he passed the CFP exam or not?

[quote=DAtoo]

[quote=pratoman]

Yeah, unlike DAToo's idiotic response to Joedabrokers post on this thread. I would like to hear from DAToo as to his opinion about how his stupid post about the CFP being entry level, was constructive, or helped anyone at all on this board in any way at all.

[/quote]

I did not say that the CFP was an entry level exam.  What I have said about the CFP is that anybody who is truly qualified to be a CFP would not walk out of the test wondering if they passed it or not.

If you've got cancer do you want to be treated by an oncologist who was not sure if they made it out of medical school until they got their grades?

If you're charged with a significant crime do you hope you can find a lawyer who was not sure if he passed the bar until the grades were posted?

How good a finanical advisor can a guy be who is not sure if he passed the CFP exam or not?

[/quote]

I feel sorry for you. Your brain just ain't regular. Also, I stole your name from you.

[quote=DAtoo]

[quote=pratoman]

Yeah, unlike DAToo's idiotic response to Joedabrokers post on this thread. I would like to hear from DAToo as to his opinion about how his stupid post about the CFP being entry level, was constructive, or helped anyone at all on this board in any way at all.

[/quote]

I did not say that the CFP was an entry level exam.  What I have said about the CFP is that anybody who is truly qualified to be a CFP would not walk out of the test wondering if they passed it or not.

If you've got cancer do you want to be treated by an oncologist who was not sure if they made it out of medical school until they got their grades?

If you're charged with a significant crime do you hope you can find a lawyer who was not sure if he passed the bar until the grades were posted?

How good a finanical advisor can a guy be who is not sure if he passed the CFP exam or not?

[/quote]

I stand corrected. My comments should have been directed at Anonymous, who did call it an entry level exam. With that said, I think your comments, while not as off base as anonymous, who in this case is clearly an idiot, are misinformed. Have you examined the depth and breadth of the material? If you did, you would realize that the exam is extremely difficult, and anyone who knows 50% of the material, already knows a lot more than the average Joe, and in fact, more than many MANY successful Financial Advisors. But still may not pass the exam. This is one case of you cant judge the guy if you havent walked in his shoes. As I recall, the MCATS are tests you take that if you do well, will qualify you to go to school and learn more. Trust me, that aint what the CFP exam and course of study is all about.

[quote=DAtoo]

[quote=pratoman]

Yeah, unlike DAToo's idiotic response to Joedabrokers post on this thread. I would like to hear from DAToo as to his opinion about how his stupid post about the CFP being entry level, was constructive, or helped anyone at all on this board in any way at all.

[/quote]

I did not say that the CFP was an entry level exam.  What I have said about the CFP is that anybody who is truly qualified to be a CFP would not walk out of the test wondering if they passed it or not.

If you've got cancer do you want to be treated by an oncologist who was not sure if they made it out of medical school until they got their grades?

If you're charged with a significant crime do you hope you can find a lawyer who was not sure if he passed the bar until the grades were posted?

How good a finanical advisor can a guy be who is not sure if he passed the CFP exam or not?

[quote=pratoman]

I stand corrected. My comments should have been directed at Anonymous, who did call it an entry level exam. With that said, I think your comments, while not as off base as anonymous, who in this case is clearly an idiot, are misinformed. Have you examined the depth and breadth of the material? If you did, you would realize that the exam is extremely difficult, and anyone who knows 50% of the material, already knows a lot more than the average Joe, and in fact, more than many MANY successful Financial Advisors. But still may not pass the exam. This is one case of you cant judge the guy if you havent walked in his shoes. As I recall, the MCATS are tests you take that if you do well, will qualify you to go to school and learn more. Trust me, that aint what the CFP exam and course of study is all about.

[/quote]

My question is simple.  If you were diagnosed with cancer would you want to be treated by a doctor who was not sure if he had passed his board exams?

If you were needing a lawyer would you want one who was not sure if he had passed the bar or not?

If you have money to be managed would you want a CFP who was not sure if he had passed the exam or not?

People who are truly qualified know if they passed their exams.

Apparently you disagree.  It would be fun to read how somebody who was truly qualified would not know.

As for my own experieince with it--I took, and passed, it in 1984 as part of a study as to its relevance to our firm.  We were trying to decide if we should buy a huge package and have the producers all over the world take classes via a phone link.

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.

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?

[quote=lady_trader]

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?

[/quote]

Thank you Lady, for getting us back on track.

CFP Board doesnt reveal questions from past tests, generally speaking, except on occassion. And all who took the exam, have signed an agreement saying they wont reveal questions they saw.

With that said, what you need to know, if I recall correctly, is that if year 1 alimony exceeds the average of yrs 2 and 3 by more than $15k, any of that excess must be recaptured. And if yr 2 exceeds yr three by more than 15k, any of THAT excess must also be recaptured. All recapture takes place in year three's tax return. Am I right Joe?

Sometimes I amaze myself!

Lady, your observation is a good one. All 15 Advisors from my firm that I took the courses and exam with said the same thing. We all agreed that pass or fail, we really came away with a vastly larger pool of knowledge that we could put to practical use with clients.

[quote=DAtoo]

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 are a f*cking idiot.  You obviously have never known an attorney or doctor (outside of your gynocologist).  My best friend is a true academic and attended Duke Law.  He got nearly a perfect score on the LSAT (178, I believe--whatever 2 points away from perfect is) and sweated his balls off before/during/after the bar.  You are a f*cking idiot.  In his fist position I'm sure that he made more than you made at your highest level.

That's first position.

[quote=drewski803]

you are a f*cking idiot.  You obviously have never known an attorney or doctor (outside of your gynocologist).  My best friend is a true academic and attended Duke Law.  He got nearly a perfect score on the LSAT (178, I believe--whatever 2 points away from perfect is) and sweated his balls off before/during/after the bar.  You are a f*cking idiot.  In his fist position I'm sure that he made more than you made at your highest level.

[/quote]

BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!

reading over this post, I noticed that DAtoo used the “oncologist” analogy 4 times. 4 times.

My take away from reading the first comment of this thread was,
that the thread was started in efforts to provide useful comments
for individuals studying the CFP material, or for individual sitting for the exam or at least thinking about taking it.
I would like to ask all the individuals who have other intentions for posting here, to find another place to post your antagonism.
I was hoping to receive some insight to develop a strategy to manage the mountains of study material and a few pointers for pacing yourself during the exam. Does anyone have anything to offer in this direction?