Best CFP Exam Prep Courses

Dalton Education won the best overall because of the company’s in-depth CFP exam prep, flexibility, and strong money-back guarantee. Founded in 2005, the Alpharetta, Georgia-based company boasts 20% to 25% higher pass rates than the national average. The company provides CFP Board education courses and two CFP exam prep courses: Dalton Review and Dalton Review Guarantee to Pass. 

The Dalton Review Guarantee to Pass costs $2,195. The prep course includes a virtual pre-study program, in-person or virtual live review classes, and live review recordings. You also get office hours, one-on-one coaching calls, digital flashcards, free retakes, and a money-back guarantee if you score 70% or better on the exam readiness quizzes but don’t pass the actual exam.

The Dalton Review is a similar course for $1,395 with fewer materials, no coaching calls, and no pass guarantee. Those looking to sample the program may access a Guarantee to Pass Demo. The company also offers financial assistance to underrepresented groups in financial planning through the Women’s Initiative and Diversity Initiative.    

Both CFP exam prep options offer books, videos, live virtual classes, live office hours, live or in-person four-day live review, recordings of all lessons, and a 2,000-question testbank. You can also attend an office hour for more in-depth answers.

Zahn Associates, one of the best-known names for CFP exam prep, scored high for live instruction for its reputation, in-person experience, and multiple live review locations. With a home base in Tampa, Florida, Zahn Associates says their CFP exam pass rates are 10% above the national average.

The Zahn Associates Live Review costs $1,085 and includes a virtual pre-study, in-person live review, and virtual post-study. Each exam cycle has over a dozen in-person live review locations, and there are currently a couple of virtual options. You can pay an extra $50 to $100 for flashcards, more test bank questions, and case studies.

You may hire one of Zahn Associates’ instructors for tutoring if you’re struggling, and if you have to retake the exam, you can use the Zahn Associates Live Review again at a discount. While there aren’t currently any demos or discounts, some students may qualify for a Zahn Associates diversity and inclusion scholarship through 2050 TrailBlazers.

The program materials include books, videos, exam roadmaps, a four-day in-person live review, and a 1,800-question test bank. You can contact them through an online form or call Zahn Associates with questions during business hours.

Kaplan Financial Education made our list because of the company’s standout guarantee. The company has been around since 1970, offering continuing education, licensing test preparation, and wealth management programs. The La Crosse, Wisconsin-based company, acquired The College for Financial Planning in 2018, and together, the companies offer CFP education and CFP exam prep courses.

Kaplan offers two CFP exam prep courses: the Premium Review for $1,399 and Essential Review for $599. The Premium Review includes PassProtection, which allows you to retake the program for up to a year if you fail the exam. The Premium Review also includes live classes, webinars, videos, CFP exam podcasts, and a mock exam. However, the Essentials Review is a basic self-study option without these features.

For those feeling unsure, Kaplan offers a free five-day trial. They also offer a free e-book to kickstart your study plan. Depending on when you sign up, you may qualify for a small discount promotion. Like some competitors, Kaplan offers a Diversity Scholarship to help remove the financial barriers for underrepresented groups in financial planning. 

Both test prep courses include review books, a pre-study assessment, and access to Kaplan’s test bank. You may email instructors with questions anytime through Kaplan’s software.

Brett Danko earns our top spot for in-person learning because of the program's strong reputation for an effective virtual and in-person experience. Brett Danko is another top name in CFP exam prep courses and teaches CFP Board-approved courses and continuing education. 

Brett Danko's Signature Live Review costs $2,195, and the Comprehensive Live Review is $1,395. Both options include pre-study materials with 3,000 questions, a three-day in-person live review, and live review recordings.

The Signature Live Review also provides 16 hours of online classes with Brett, two calculator sessions, six extra exams and case studies, flashcards, another Q&A session with Brett, recordings, and one virtual class retake.

One downside of Brett Danko's program is there are only three options for in-person classes, and they are all clustered in the northeast. But fortunately, Brett Danko also teaches two virtual live review courses through the Boston Institute of Finance. The virtual Basic Prep is $1,195, and the virtual Signature Exam Prep is $1,995.

You may contact Brett Danko's support team via email, online form, or by phone with questions.

Wiley Efficient Learning wins the most affordable category because its pricing beats the competition while still having a reputation for success. With over 200 years of education experience, the Sedona, Arizona-based company offers exam prep courses for accounting and finance professionals. 

Wiley offers three tiers of pricing for CFP exam prep courses: $745 for the CFP Gold Course, $595 for the CFP Silver Course, and $445 for the CFP Self-Study Course. You can also buy access to the question test bank with over 850 exam questions, study guide, and mock exam separately. The company may also offer a promotional discount, depending on when you sign up. 

Wiley offers a generous 14-day free trial of their CFP exam prep courses and a free e-book with expert tips on how to pass. All three courses include access until you pass, study guide, 1,400+ online flashcards, two mock exams, a mobile app, and 850+ test bank questions. The Silver Course also has 15 hours of video lectures, and the Gold Course has 15 hours of videos and seven weeks of live online or on-demand classes. Wiley offers prospective and current students customer support by phone, live chat, or email 24/7.

CFP Pocket Prep stands out as the top program for studying anywhere. Founded in 2011, the Seattle, Washington-based company offers test prep for various professional exams for finance, medical fields, behavioral health, and more. With a mobile app for practicing CFP exam questions on the go, it is great for studying anywhere at any time.

CFP Pocket Prep offers a limited free version with 45 questions and answers, the ability to track your performance by subject, and limited study modes. The Premium Prep costs $29.99 per month, $71.99 per quarter, or $179.99 per year. This version offers 705 questions and answers, and advanced study modes, with the option to focus on your weak areas. You can set up study reminders with a countdown until your exam date. You may also build custom quizzes to work on your problem areas.

If you have Premium Prep for three months, complete all 700 questions, maintain an 80% average on practice exams, and still fail the exam, you can use Pocket Prep for free for three more months. You may contact the Pocket Prep support team via message; the typical response time is one day.