Best CFP® exam prep courses
Summary: Best CFP® exam prep resources (2026 - 2027)
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals help individuals and families build long-term financial plans that tie together investments, retirement, taxes, insurance and estate planning. CFP® professionals commit to acting as fiduciaries when they provide financial advice, and the certification is administered by CFP Board, which sets the standards candidates must meet: education, examination, experience and ethics.
Before sitting for the exam, candidates complete financial planning coursework through a CFP Board-Registered Program. After passing, they still need a bachelor's degree, 6,000 hours of professional experience or 4,000 hours of apprenticeship experience, and a signed ethics declaration with a background check to earn CFP® certification.
The CFP® exam is a 170-question, multiple-choice test split into two 3-hour sections on a single day. CFP Board offers it in three eight-day testing windows a year, in March, July and November. Questions are drawn from eight principal knowledge domains, led by Retirement Savings and Income Planning (18%) and Investment Planning (17%), and many are built around case studies. In July 2026, 66% of candidates passed overall: 69% of first-time takers and 57% of repeat takers, according to CFP Board's exam statistics.
Coursework teaches the material, but a dedicated exam review course is where most candidates practice applying it under exam conditions: timed case studies, full-length mock exams and calculator drills. CFP Board publishes a list of exam review course providers, though it does not endorse any of them. This guide compares five of the most established names on that list: Kaplan, Danko Education, Dalton Education, Zahn Associates and Boston Institute of Finance (BIF). For each one, we cover current pricing, what each package includes, and who it suits best.
Some user reviews have been slightly edited for length and clarity.
How we evaluated these resources
Our top picks for CFP® exam preparation include options for every study schedule and budget, from self-paced question banks to four-day live reviews with an instructor. We chose our selections based on:
- Cost
- Are the materials reasonably priced based on what's offered, and how much more do the higher tiers cost?
- Variety
- Does the core review come with features that add value, like mock exams, flashcards, calculator training or small-group sessions?
- Coverage
- Does the material cover all eight principal knowledge domains, including the newer Psychology of Financial Planning domain, and does it include the case-study questions the exam relies on?
- Accessibility
- Can you study the way you learn best: live online, on demand, or in a classroom? Do schedules fit around a full-time job?
- Support and guarantees
- What happens if you get stuck or don't pass? We looked at instructor access, free retakes and money-back guarantees, and at the conditions attached to them.
- Exam readiness
- CFP Board doesn't publish a fixed passing score or a percentage of questions you must answer correctly: the passing standard is set by CFP® professionals through a standard-setting process. So we looked for tools that show when you're ready: full-length mock exams, readiness assessments and realistic case studies.
For each provider, we list the key features, pros and cons of its review course, with prices taken from the provider's own website. Prices and package contents change from one exam window to the next, so confirm the details on the provider's site before you enroll.
Most comprehensive course: Kaplan CFP® Exam Prep Review
- Kaplan's CFP® Exam Prep Review comes from the College for Financial Planning®, a Kaplan Company, which also sells CFP® certification education packages, so candidates can move from coursework into exam review with the same provider.
- The Premium Package is a 10-week review with a choice of Live Online, OnDemand or Onsite classes and a PassProtection™ Guarantee, while the Essential Package is a lower-cost self-study option with no classes.
- Three class formats in Premium: 11 Live Online sessions (weekday or weekend), 30+ OnDemand classes, or a 4-day Onsite review
- Review QBank of about 2,500 exam-like questions, with topic, difficulty and timer settings
- PassProtection™ Guarantee on Premium: if you don't pass, choose your money back or a free repeat of the review (conditions apply)
- The self-study Essential Package ($650) is the lowest-priced option in this guide
- The Essential Package has no classes and no mock exam (an online mock exam is a paid add-on)
- Online materials expire at the end of the month in which you take the exam
- Kaplan's 98% first-time pass rate comes from its own survey of Premium students, not from CFP Board data
- Six foundational CFP® certification textbooks (PDF)
- 100-question Pre-Study Assessment
- One full online mock exam that simulates the 6-hour exam, with answer rationales
- Summaries of Commonly Tested Topics and Financial Planning Case Studies eBooks
- Financial calculator videos and digital workbook for the HP 10bII+ and TI BA II Plus
- Video library, including the High 5 series
- CFP® Exam Podcasts
- AI Tutor, InstructorLink™ instructor email access and Performance Tracker
- Study checklists
- Essential Package
- Premium Package
Kaplan's CFP® Exam Prep Review is offered by the College for Financial Planning®, a Kaplan Company, and is one of the most complete review programs available. The Premium Package runs as a 10-week program built around review classes in your choice of format: 11 Live Online sessions with weekday or weekend options, more than 30 pre-recorded OnDemand classes, or a four-day Onsite review in select locations. Around the classes, Premium students get six foundational textbooks, a 100-question Pre-Study Assessment, eBooks summarizing commonly tested topics and case studies, calculator training for the HP 10bII+ and TI BA II Plus, and a Review QBank of about 2,500 exam-like questions.
Premium also includes a full online mock exam that simulates the six-hour exam, an AI Tutor, and instructor email access through InstructorLink™. Its PassProtection™ Guarantee lets eligible students who don't pass choose either their money back or a complimentary repeat of the Premium review. Kaplan reports a 98% first-time pass rate among surveyed students who completed the Premium review, based on a March 2026 survey in which 116 respondents had taken the exam for the first time.
Candidates who prefer to study on their own can choose the Essential Package for $650. It includes select core materials and study tools but no review classes, and the mock exam is sold separately.
Bottom line: Kaplan's Premium Package is the most complete all-in-one review in this guide, with three class formats, a large question bank and a money-back option. Self-starters on a budget can get Kaplan's materials for much less with the Essential Package, though without classes or a mock exam.
Most practice questions: Danko Education CFP® Exam Live Review
- Danko Education pairs a substantial pre-study workbook with a four-day Live Review taught in person or virtually.
- Its three packages (Basic, Signature and Plus) add small-group sessions, extra practice exams and case studies, and a free virtual retake of the Live Review as you move up.
- 3,500+ pre-study questions across quizzes, mock exams and case studies, the largest stated count in this guide
- 35 classroom hours, including dedicated calculator and investment formula sessions
- Physical, online and audio flashcards included in every package
- Signature and Plus include a free Virtual Live Review retake if you need it
- The most expensive top tier in this guide ($2,970 for Plus in person)
- No money-back guarantee
- The pre-study material takes about 120 to 140 hours before the Live Review, so you need to start early
- Brett's Live Review Classroom Book, with additional questions and case studies
- Video access to the virtual Live Review
- Detailed study plan and timeline
- About 480 additional online exam-prep questions before the exam
- Signature and Plus: eight recorded 2-hour small-group sessions (16+ hours) covering calculator training, each course area and test tips
- Signature: 6 additional practice exams and 6 additional case studies
- Plus: recordings of the pre-study class material for all six modules, averaging 20 to 25 hours per module
- Basic
- Signature
- Plus
Danko Education's CFP® Exam Live Review is built in two stages. First, candidates work through a pre-study workbook with more than 3,500 questions across quizzes, mock exams and case studies, which Danko estimates takes about 120 to 140 hours. Then they attend a four-day Live Review, in person or virtually, with 35 classroom hours that include sessions on the financial calculator and investment formulas. Every package includes Brett's Live Review Classroom Book, a detailed study plan, and flashcards in physical, online and audio formats.
The Basic package costs $1,370 virtually or $1,570 in person. Signature ($2,070 virtual, $2,270 in person) adds at least 16 hours of recorded small-group sessions, six more practice exams, six more case studies and one free Virtual Live Review retake. Plus ($2,770 virtual, $2,970 in person) adds more workbook quizzes and case studies and recordings of the pre-study class material, averaging 20 to 25 hours for each of the six modules.
Bottom line: Danko Education suits candidates who want the most practice questions and a structured countdown to an intensive live review. The higher tiers are among the priciest options here, and there is no money-back guarantee, but Signature and Plus include a free virtual retake.
Best for guided coaching: The Dalton Review®
- The Dalton Review® combines 3,400+ exam-style practice questions with live exam prep online or in person, offered on weeknight, weekend or four-day schedules.
- Its Guarantee to Pass™ package adds individual coaching, flashcards and an audio review, and comes with a 100% money-back guarantee for students who meet its terms.
- Three live online schedules: 11 weeknight sessions over 15 weeks, four Saturdays, or four consecutive days, plus in-person options
- 100% money-back guarantee in the Guarantee to Pass™ package
- Individual coaching before and after the review in the Guarantee to Pass™ package
- Exam Readiness Predictor, simulated exams and AI study tools in both packages
- The Guarantee to Pass™ package costs $2,495, $836 more than the standard review
- The guarantee requires a 70% or higher score on the Exam Readiness Quiz and taking the exam by the deadline in your contract
- A print textbook costs $130 extra (the eBook is included)
- eBook textbooks and quick reference guides
- Review Readiness Quiz
- Micro learning units and short explainer videos
- Recorded lectures
- Question bank with short scenarios and case studies
- Live office hours and student support sessions
- Guarantee to Pass™ only: digital flashcards, calculator book and CFP® Exam Audio Review
- The Dalton Review®
- The Dalton Review® Guarantee to Pass™
The Dalton Review® is Dalton Education's CFP® exam review course. Both packages include eBook textbooks, quick reference guides, micro learning units, recorded lectures, AI study tools, and a question bank of 3,400+ practice questions with short scenarios and case studies. Live exam prep is available in person or online, where Dalton runs three schedules: 11 weeknight sessions over 15 weeks, four Saturdays, or four consecutive days. Live office hours and an Exam Readiness Predictor help you judge when you're ready to sit for the exam.
The standard Dalton Review® costs $1,659. The Guarantee to Pass™ package ($2,495) adds digital flashcards, individual coaching before and after the review, a calculator book and a CFP® Exam Audio Review, plus a 100% money-back guarantee. To qualify, you sign a contract with an exam deadline, score 70% or higher on the Exam Readiness Quiz, and take the exam by that deadline.
Bottom line: Dalton is a strong fit for candidates who want a live class on a schedule that works around a full-time job, with coaching and a refund if they still don't pass. The guarantee adds $836 to the price, so weigh it against the free retakes other providers include.
Best intensive live review: Zahn CFP® Exam Live Review
- Zahn Associates has prepared candidates for the CFP® exam since 1985 and says more than 30,000 of its students have passed.
- Its single CFP® Exam Live Review package bundles pre-study materials, a 36-hour four-day class and post-study materials, taught in person in cities across the country or virtually.
- One price covers pre-study materials, the four-day class and post-study materials
- In-person classes in more than a dozen cities, plus virtual classes over four consecutive days or two weekends
- Instructor-led calculator videos for the HP 10bII+, HP 12C and TI BA II Plus
- Reduced-tuition retaker path for returning Zahn students
- No money-back or pass guarantee
- The Test Bank, Q&A Prep and casebook workshop cost extra
- Classes run on fixed dates, so you need to plan around the schedule
- Pre-study quizzes and mock exams
- Pre-study and post-study videos
- Post-study exams and case studies
- Full-length practice exams with Exam Analyzer
- Ask an Instructor, a welcome call with a Team Advisor and a customized study plan
- Free Zahn app with 1,300+ glossary flashcards, 200+ financial acronym flashcards and podcasts
- Optional Test Bank (2 volumes, 840+ questions each) and Q&A Prep (1,000+ practice questions), sold separately
- CFP® Exam Live Review (in person or virtual)
Zahn Associates has run CFP® exam reviews since 1985. Its CFP® Exam Live Review is one package at $1,295 for first-time candidates, covering pre-study materials, a four-day class with 36 hours of instruction, and post-study materials. In-person classes run from 8:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. with lunch provided, in more than a dozen cities from Charlotte and Chicago to Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Virtual classes run over four consecutive days or two weekends.
Around the class, students get pre-study quizzes and mock exams, post-study exams and case studies, full-length practice exams with an Exam Analyzer, calculator videos for three financial calculators, and a customized study plan. Zahn says its students consistently outperform national pass rates, though CFP Board does not verify providers' pass-rate claims. Extra question practice (a two-volume Test Bank and Q&A Prep) is sold separately.
Bottom line: Zahn is a good choice for candidates who learn best in an intensive, instructor-led class, especially in person, at a single price lower than most live reviews here. Plan to budget for its separate question banks if you want more practice.
Best value with live instruction: The BIF Review
- Boston Institute of Finance's BIF Review is taught by practicing CFP® professionals and follows a progressive 8-week schedule, with video lessons released week by week.
- The Core package covers the materials, lectures and weekly instructor-led sessions, while Premium adds deep-dive and question-breakdown sessions, a full-length mock exam and one free retake of the review.
- At $995, Core is the lowest-priced option in this guide that includes instructor-led sessions
- Premium includes three live sessions a week: study support (Mondays), Deep Dive (Tuesdays) and Question Breakdown JAM (Thursdays)
- One Premium BIF Review retake included if you need it
- Free BIF Bites podcast for all BIF students
- No money-back guarantee
- The mock exam, strategy modules and student community are Premium only
- A smaller stated question bank than Danko or Dalton
- 3 books plus online access
- Pre-study assessment quiz
- 1,600+ practice questions
- 660+ digital flashcards
- Full-length BIF Mock Exam (Premium, or $249 on its own)
- Formula sheet and case study strategy modules (Premium)
- BIF Online Student Community (Premium)
- Optional Financial Calculations Mini-course & QBank ($295), with 16 video lessons and 750+ practice questions
- Retaker Plus program for candidates who weren't successful on a previous attempt
- Core BIF Review
- Premium BIF Review
The BIF Review from Boston Institute of Finance is taught by practicing CFP® professionals and paced over an 8-week schedule. The Core BIF Review ($995) includes three books with online access, progressive video lessons, a pre-study assessment quiz, question banks, digital flashcards, online classroom lectures, and weekly instructor-led sessions.
The Premium BIF Review ($1,795) adds weekly Deep Dive sessions on highly testable topics, Question Breakdown JAM sessions, a full-length mock exam that simulates the CFP® exam, formula sheet and case study strategy modules, an online student community, and one retake of the Premium review if you need it. BIF also sells its mock exam and a financial calculations mini-course separately, and runs a Retaker Plus program for candidates preparing for a second attempt.
Bottom line: BIF offers the most affordable path to regular live instruction in this guide, and Premium's free retake adds a safety net. Candidates who want the largest question bank or a money-back guarantee should look at Danko, Dalton or Kaplan.
Why it matters
The CFP® exam is long, case-heavy and expensive to retake. Registration costs $925 at the standard rate ($825 early bird, $1,025 late), and a candidate who doesn't pass has to wait for the next eight-day window. In July 2026, first-time takers passed at 69%, compared with 57% for repeat takers. A good exam review course helps you pass the first time by giving you:
- A study plan that covers all eight principal knowledge domains before your testing window
- Case-study practice that mirrors how the exam presents questions
- Full-length mock exams that build stamina for two 3-hour sections on the same day
- Training on the financial calculator you'll bring into the exam
- A clear signal of when you're ready, so you can register with confidence
Choosing a review course that matches how you learn, whether that's an intensive live class, a weekly schedule or self-paced practice, is one of the most useful decisions you'll make on the way to CFP® certification.
Wrapping up
CFP® certification is one of the most respected credentials in financial planning, and the CFP® exam is the step where many candidates stall. Two 3-hour sections of case-heavy questions across eight domains reward candidates who have practiced applying what they learned in their coursework, not just reviewing it. A dedicated review course gives that practice structure, from mock exams and readiness assessments to calculator training and instructor support.
When comparing CFP® exam prep courses, weigh the format that suits your schedule, the volume of practice questions and mock exams, the support and retake or refund terms, and the total cost against what each package includes. Some employers pay for exam review, so check with yours before you enroll, and confirm current prices on each provider's site, since packages change from one exam window to the next. You can find upcoming windows and registration deadlines on CFP Board's exam dates page.
