United States
Hong KongHow long is the CFP exam?
Six hours of testing - two sessions of 180 minutes with 85 questions each, and a scheduled break between them. Allow around seven hours for the whole appointment including check-in.
Six hours of testing, and roughly seven at the center.
The breakdown
| Stage | Time |
|---|---|
| Arrive early | 30 minutes |
| Check-in and security | 15 to 20 minutes |
| Tutorial | A few minutes, not counted |
| Session one | 180 minutes, 85 questions |
| Scheduled break | Fixed |
| Session two | 180 minutes, 85 questions |
One hundred and seventy questions in total, all scored, at just over two minutes each on average.
Why the length matters
Because stamina is a genuine component of the exam rather than an incidental feature of it.
Accuracy in the second session is a different quantity from accuracy in the first. Sustained close reading of dense client scenarios is tiring, and candidates who have only practiced in ninety-minute blocks discover that on the day.
Sit at least two complete six-hour papers in one day, with the real break, before the exam. Not four half-papers on separate evenings - the thing being tested only appears in a single sitting.
The break
Scheduled and fixed, between the two sessions. The second session begins whether or not you feel ready.
Use it to eat, drink and move. Do not review anything, and do not replay the first session - ruminating on a difficult case study costs you the questions in front of you.
Leaving during a session
Center policies vary and the clock generally keeps running. Plan for that, particularly around food and drink in the break.
Pacing across the length
Just over two minutes a question is an average, not a budget. Answer recall questions in under a minute to fund case studies at five, and check the clock at two fixed points per session rather than constantly.
Most candidates finish each session with some time remaining, and running short usually points at second-guessing rather than at pace.
CFP® is a registered mark of Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. We are not affiliated with, or endorsed by, CFP Board. Confirm details against cfp.net, which is the authority.
Common questions
How long is the CFP exam?
Six hours of testing - two sessions of 180 minutes with 85 questions each, plus a scheduled break. Allow around seven hours for the whole appointment.
How many questions in total?
One hundred and seventy, all scored, at just over two minutes each on average across recall items and case studies.
Why does the length matter?
Stamina is a genuine component. Accuracy in the second session differs from the first, and candidates who only practiced in short blocks discover that on the day.
How should you prepare for the length?
Sit at least two complete six-hour papers in one day with the real break. Four half-papers on separate evenings does not test the same thing.
Can you leave during a session?
Center policies vary and the clock generally keeps running. Plan around that, particularly for food and drink in the scheduled break.