CFP Study Guide 2026

Everything you need to pass the CFP exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.

📋 CFP Exam Format at a Glance

170

Questions

360 min

Time Limit

70.00%

Passing Score

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📚 CFP Topics to Study (59)

Case Studies & Practical Application · 7 cards Case Studies & Practical Application · 7 cards Case Studies & Practical Application · 7 cards Case Studies & Practical Application · 7 cards Certified Financial Planner · 7 cards Certified Financial Planner · 7 cards Certified Financial Planner · 7 cards Certified Financial Planner · 7 cards Certified Financial Planner MCQ · 7 cards Certified Financial Planner MCQ · 7 cards Certified Financial Planner MCQ · 7 cards Certified Financial Planner MCQ · 7 cards Estate Planning & Wealth Transfer · 7 cards Estate Planning & Wealth Transfer · 7 cards Estate Planning & Wealth Transfer · 7 cards Professional Standards & Competencies · 7 cards Professional Standards & Competencies · 7 cards Professional Standards & Competencies · 7 cards Professional Standards & Competencies · 7 cards Quality Control & Assurance · 7 cards Quality Control & Assurance · 7 cards Quality Control & Assurance · 7 cards Quality Control & Assurance · 7 cards Regulatory Frameworks & Compliance · 7 cards Regulatory Frameworks & Compliance · 7 cards Regulatory Frameworks & Compliance · 7 cards Regulatory Frameworks & Compliance · 7 cards Research & Evidence-Based Practice · 7 cards Research & Evidence-Based Practice · 7 cards Research & Evidence-Based Practice · 7 cards

See all 59 topics as flashcards →

✍️ Sample CFP Questions & Answers

1. How does tokenization of real estate assets on a blockchain primarily benefit smaller investors?

✓ It allows fractional ownership of high-value properties, lowering minimum investment thresholds

Tokenization splits ownership into digital tokens, so investors can buy a fraction of a property rather than needing capital for the full purchase price.

2. A client's portfolio has a beta of 1.3. If the market returns 10% and the risk-free rate is 2%, what is the expected portfolio return using CAPM?

✓ 12.4%

CAPM: Expected Return = 2% + 1.3 × (10% − 2%) = 2% + 10.4% = 12.4%.

3. What is the importance of data security in CFP digital applications?

✓ Protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access, breaches, and loss is essential

This is fundamental to Certified Financial Planner practice. Protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access, breaches, and loss is essential represents the professional standard for technology in the CFP certification framework.

4. What is the 'four percent rule' used for in retirement planning?

✓ A guideline suggesting retirees can withdraw 4% of their portfolio annually and sustain the portfolio for 30 years

The 4% rule, derived from the Trinity Study, suggests a 4% initial withdrawal rate adjusted for inflation is sustainable over a 30-year retirement.

5. How does continuous improvement apply to CFP quality management?

✓ It involves ongoing incremental enhancements to processes based on data and feedback

This is fundamental to Certified Financial Planner practice. It involves ongoing incremental enhancements to processes based on data and feedback represents the professional standard for quality in the CFP certification framework.

6. Under the required minimum distribution (RMD) rules, at what age must a traditional IRA owner begin taking RMDs as of 2023?

✓ 73

SECURE 2.0 Act raised the RMD starting age to 73 for individuals who reach age 72 after December 31, 2022.

🎯 Free CFP Practice Tests

Research & Evidence-Based Practice · 7 questions Research & Evidence-Based Practice · 7 questions Certified Financial Planner · 7 questions Certified Financial Planner MCQ · 7 questions Estate Planning & Wealth Transfer · 7 questions Research & Evidence-Based Practice · 7 questions Estate Planning & Wealth Transfer · 7 questions Ultimate Certified Financial Planner · 7 questions Estate Planning & Wealth Transfer · 7 questions Research & Evidence-Based Practice · 7 questions

📖 CFP Guides & Articles

Your CFP Study Path

1. Learn with Flashcards → 2. Drill Practice Tests → 3. Take the Full Exam Simulation

🃏 CFP Flashcards (396)🏆 CFP Exam Simulation

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