3 Truths and a Lie: Exams

What is the lie?

• Candidates receive preliminary results immediately after they take their exam.

• Candidates can take the exam 3 exam administrations in a row.

• Candidates can request an exam rescore for $150 but cannot review the questions they answered incorrectly.

• After failing the exam three times, you must submit a Policy Exception Request if you’d like to test a fourth time.  

What is the lie?

• There are 10 Principal Knowledge Domains tested on the exam.

• Candidates cannot postpone their exam more than once per registration.  

• The practice exam shows the answers to each question.

• If a candidate does not meet their education requirement by the education verification deadline, they are postponed and charged the postponement fee.

What is the lie?

• Candidates who register during the Early window receive a $200 discount.

• All candidates can postpone their exam one time for free, but subsequent postponements have a $500 charge. 

• If a candidate does not schedule their exam by the scheduling deadline, they are postponed and charged the postponement fee.

• Before each exam is administered, the Council on Exams reviews and approves each test question.

What is the lie?

• The exam is offered 3 times per year in March, July, and November.

• Candidates who withdraw their exam registration receive a $200 refund.

• If a candidate No Shows their exam, they are automatically postponed to the next exam window.  

• Candidates are required to bring a valid, government-issued ID to their exam.

What is the lie?

• After submitting their practice exam, candidates can review the answers they missed.  

• Candidates must bring their own financial calculator to the exam.

• The total test time for the exam includes two 180-minute sections separated by a 40-minute break.

• Each March exam tests the prior year’s tax figures and laws.

What is the lie?

• Candidates are required to store their belongings in a locker while testing.

• You must complete your coursework requirement before registering for the exam.

• Candidates who fail to appear for their scheduled appointment forfeit their entire exam fee.

• Candidates receive a full length 170-question practice exam for free with their exam registration.

What is the lie?

• The practice exam has the same timer as the real exam, with 6 hours of testing and a 40 minute break.

• Candidates may encounter up to two case study questions on their exam. 

• A $100 change fee is charged for rescheduling your exam appointment between 29 and 5 days before your exam.

• CFP Board Exam Team authors questions for the exam and validates content with Subject Matter Experts.