Practice Test GeeksCFRE - Certified Fund Raising Executive Practice Test

CFRE Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CFRE facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here β€” free, no sign-up.

CFRE exam key facts

  • Candidates get 4 hours in total for the CFRE Exam, which is split into two 100-question sections with an optional 10-minute break between them. Source
  • The CFRE Exam uses a scaled score from 200 to 800, and candidates need 500 or higher to pass. Source
  • A candidate who fails the CFRE Exam may retake it up to 2 times within the 1-year application validity, waiting 30 days after each attempt and paying a retake fee each time. Source
  • The CFRE credential is valid for three years, after which the holder must recertify. Source
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  1. What is 'capacity' in the context of major gift prospect research? β†’ The estimated financial ability of a prospect to make a significant charitable gift
  2. When training board members for fundraising, the MOST effective approach is: β†’ Teaching board members to share personal stories about why the mission matters to them
  3. The names and addresses of a company's current and recently expired donors and members. β†’ house file
  4. Under AFP ethical standards, a fundraiser who learns of illegal activity within their organization should: β†’ Report it through appropriate channels, which may include legal authorities
  5. A 'campaign readiness assessment' typically evaluates which of the following factors? β†’ Leadership capacity, donor base strength, staff readiness, and organizational credibility
  6. Which metric best measures the effectiveness of a direct mail acquisition campaign? β†’ Cost per dollar raised (CPDR)
  7. In stewardship, what is the purpose of a 'gift impact report'? β†’ To show donors the tangible outcomes their contribution achieved
  8. Under IRS rules, what is the maximum gift amount a donor can give to a public charity before needing a written acknowledgment to claim a deduction? β†’ $250
  9. In grant writing, a logic model is used to: β†’ Visually connect program inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes
  10. The IRS requires nonprofits to provide a written acknowledgment for any single cash donation of: β†’ $250 or more
  11. Donor retention rate is calculated by dividing: β†’ Number of donors who gave last year who also gave this year by total donors from last year
  12. Which solicitation channel typically produces the best donor retention rates? β†’ Personal face-to-face solicitation
  13. An organization's 'donor bill of rights' primarily serves to: β†’ Assure donors they will be treated with respect and their gifts used as intended
  14. Which compensation arrangement is considered unethical by the AFP Code of Ethical Standards? β†’ Percentage-based compensation tied directly to the amount of funds raised
  15. When a donor designates a gift to a specific program and that program is discontinued, the organization should: β†’ Contact the donor to discuss redirecting the gift to a related purpose
  16. Which element is most critical in a major gift solicitation meeting? β†’ Asking for a specific dollar amount tied to a specific project
  17. A donor who has given every year for 5 or more consecutive years is typically categorized as which type of donor? β†’ Loyal or consecutive donor
  18. Which of the following is the most common type of planned gift in the United States? β†’ Bequest through a will or living trust
  19. What is a 'gift range chart' (also called a table of gifts) used for in campaign planning? β†’ Showing how many gifts at various levels are needed to reach the campaign goal
  20. A donation made to a company or organization for whatever reasons the trustees or officers decide. β†’ unrestricted gift
  21. The AFP Code of Ethical Standards requires fundraisers to disclose which of the following? β†’ Conflicts of interest that could affect professional judgment
  22. A nonprofit's 'development audit' is best described as: β†’ A systematic review of the fundraising program's strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities
  23. Delivery of informational materials via mass mailing and requests for donations or volunteer work. β†’ both unrestricted gift and direct mail
  24. In a capital campaign, the 'quiet phase' refers to: β†’ Confidential solicitation of lead gifts before the public announcement
  25. What is 'phonathon' fundraising most commonly associated with? β†’ Higher education alumni giving programs
  26. In a major gifts campaign, what is the recommended ratio of prospects to gifts needed at each level? β†’ 3:1 to 4:1
  27. Which fundraising method typically yields the highest average gift size? β†’ Planned giving and bequests
  28. A mid-sized nonprofit receives an anonymous $500,000 gift with no restrictions. What is the FIRST step the development office should take? β†’ Work with board and finance to document the gift and establish an appropriate fund
  29. Which of the following is a best practice for gift acknowledgment timing? β†’ Within 48–72 hours of receiving a gift
  30. Expenditures that are directly tied to campaign budget forecasts and are judged necessary for the organization and planning of a campaign. β†’ campaign costs
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How this page was made: written with AI tools and published by Nathan Beja, founder of Practice Test Geeks, who is responsible for its content. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy

Sources & references

Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy

  1. cfre.org β€” Test delivery, passing score, registration deadline, score release, test dates, time limit, score validity, retake policy, retake fee, exam information Β· verified Nov 2026
  2. pearsonvue.com β€” Registration Β· verified Oct 2026