AFP Entrance case studies
AFP Entrance · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The AFP Entrance examination is the gateway assessment for candidates beginning the Associate Financial Planner (AFP) certification pathway. It is designed for people entering financial planning practice - new graduates, career changers, and paraplanners moving toward advisory work - who need to demonstrate that they hold a working foundation across the planning disciplines before advancing to the full certification requirements. The exam samples broadly rather than deeply: it touches the financial planning process, insurance and risk management, employee benefits and retirement, investments, income tax, estate planning, financial statement and cash flow analysis, debt and credit management, education funding, and professional ethics and fiduciary standards. Expect scenario-based multiple-choice items that ask you to apply a concept to a client situation rather than simply recall a definition. The AFP Entrance case studies are 5 cases and about 2,646 words.
1The Bonus That Pushes a Saver Over the Cliff
Priya, 44, earns 118,000 as a hospital operations manager and files single. She contributes 6% of salary to her employer's traditional 401(k) (employer matches 50% up to 6%).
484 words, about 2 min2Two Incomes, One Policy Gap
Marcus (38) and Elena (36) have two children, ages 4 and 7. Marcus earns 95,000; Elena earns 72,000.
525 words, about 3 min3The Roth Conversion Before the Pension Starts
Devon, 58, is retiring from a state agency in two years. He will receive a defined benefit pension of 52,000/year starting at 60, with a 2% annual COLA.
543 words, about 3 min4The Concentrated Position and the Charitable Ask
A client, Rosa, 61, holds 1.4 million of a single stock (cost basis 180,000) that is 62% of her 2.25 million portfolio. The rest is a diversified mix of bond and equity funds.
523 words, about 3 min5The HELOC That Looks Affordable
The Nguyens have gross income of 140,000 and take-home pay of 8,100/month. Their obligations: mortgage 2,450, two car loans 780, student loans 410, minimum credit card payments 520, and childcare 1,300.
571 words, about 3 min