CFPN study plan

Build a one-page formula sheet covering time value of money, after-tax return, real return, and portfolio expected return, then solve 20 calculation drills from memory without notes

Construct a model household cash flow statement and net worth statement from a self-invented client scenario, and compute savings rate, emergency fund ratio, and debt-to-asset ratio

Explain aloud the difference between marginal and effective tax treatment of investment income and why it changes asset location decisions

Classify ten sample securities by asset class, risk/return profile, and correlation role in a portfolio

Compute risk and return statistics (standard deviation, covariance, Sharpe ratio, beta) for a three-asset portfolio by hand and verify with a spreadsheet

Draft an investment policy statement for a hypothetical client that specifies objectives, constraints, target allocation, and rebalancing bands

Compare active versus passive management, expense ratios, and tax drag, and justify a recommendation in writing

Work 15 practice problems on portfolio theory, asset allocation, and behavioral finance biases

Calculate life insurance needs using both the human life value and needs-analysis methods for the same client, and reconcile the differing results

Compare term, whole life, universal life, and variable life on premium structure, cash value, and suitability, and match each to a client profile

Analyze disability income, long-term care, and property-casualty coverage gaps against stated client needs

Explain the underwriting, rider, beneficiary, and policy-ownership mechanics that affect claim payout

Project retirement accumulation and decumulation needs using inflation-adjusted spending, savings rate, and expected return assumptions

Compare qualified plan types on contribution limits, vesting, distribution rules, and taxation, and select the appropriate plan for two different client profiles

Compute the tax treatment of retirement distributions, early withdrawal penalties, and required minimum distributions

Build a tax projection worksheet covering ordinary income, capital gains, and above-the-line versus itemized deductions

Compare wills, revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, and beneficiary designations on control, probate avoidance, and tax consequences

Calculate estate tax exposure and apply gifting, marital deduction, and charitable strategies to reduce it

Identify the income tax basis rules for inherited assets and explain how they interact with estate planning choices

Draft a beneficiary and titling checklist that flags common coordination failures across accounts

Apply the financial planning practice standards step by step to a written case, documenting each stage from engagement through monitoring

Analyze fiduciary duty, conflicts of interest, compensation models, and confidentiality obligations against sample ethical dilemmas

Produce a written recommendation for a dilemma case that identifies the standard at issue and the compliant course of action

Assemble an integrated plan for a comprehensive case that combines cash flow, investment, insurance, tax, retirement, and estate recommendations

Solve three timed comprehensive case sets under exam conditions and score each against a rubric

Diagnose recurring errors by domain and rewrite the underlying rule or formula for each missed item

Practice structuring written answers so that assumptions, calculations, and recommendations appear in a clear sequence

Review professional conduct scenarios involving scope of engagement, referral compensation, and client confidentiality

Complete two full-length timed mock exams and record domain-level scores for each

Re-drill the twenty weakest items from the error log until each is answered correctly twice without notes

Review condensed notes for all eight domains, spending the most time on the three highest-weight domains

Finalize a one-page pre-exam reference card of formulas, limits, and planning sequences