CMP Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the CMP 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.
📋 CMP Exam Format at a Glance
📚 CMP Topics to Study (21)
✍️ Sample CMP Questions & Answers
1. What is the maximum number of financed properties a borrower may have simultaneously and still qualify for a conventional investment property loan under standard Fannie Mae guidelines?
Fannie Mae allows borrowers to finance up to 10 properties simultaneously, including their primary residence, under its multiple financed properties policy.
2. Which credit scoring model is most commonly used by mortgage lenders to evaluate borrower creditworthiness?
Mortgage lenders primarily use FICO Scores, which are required by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for conventional loan underwriting.
3. Which of the following is the most accurate description of pre-qualification?
Pre-qualification is an initial, informal step where a lender provides an estimate of how much a borrower might be able to borrow. It's based on a brief review of income and debts, often without a credit check or verification of documents. This differs from pre-approval, which involves a more thorough review and often a credit check, providing a stronger indication of borrowing power.
4. Why is compliance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) important?
The Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) is a federal law that prohibits creditors from discriminating against applicants based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, or because they receive public assistance. Compliance with ECOA is crucial for mortgage professionals to ensure fair and equitable treatment for all borrowers. This prevents discriminatory lending practices and upholds legal and ethical standards.
5. When calculating a borrower's total monthly debt for the DTI ratio, which of the following is generally EXCLUDED?
DTI calculations include contractual debt obligations like loans and credit card minimum payments. They do not include discretionary living expenses such as utilities, groceries, or entertainment costs.
6. What is the purpose of a Mortgage Only credit report versus a tri-merge report?
A Mortgage Only or update report is often pulled close to closing to confirm the borrower hasn't opened new credit or incurred new debt since the original tri-merge report.