# CFP-Study

**Repository Path**: conanchen/CFP-Study

## Basic Information

- **Project Name**: CFP-Study
- **Description**: No description available
- **Primary Language**: Unknown
- **License**: Not specified
- **Default Branch**: main
- **Homepage**: None
- **GVP Project**: No

## Statistics

- **Stars**: 0
- **Forks**: 0
- **Created**: 2026-01-03
- **Last Updated**: 2026-01-20

## Categories & Tags

**Categories**: Uncategorized

**Tags**: None

## README

# CFP Exam Study Repository

🎉 **I PASSED the CFP Exam on November 10, 2025!** 🎉

This is my personal study repository that helped me pass the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) exam on my second attempt. After failing in November 2024, I rebuilt my study approach using AI-powered guided learning with Claude Code - and it made all the difference.

**Thanks to AI and Claude Code**, I went from a failed attempt to **82% mastery** (60/73 topics) across 23 focused study sessions, ultimately passing the exam.

**Let's connect on LinkedIn**: [linkedin.com/in/chenran818](https://linkedin.com/in/chenran818) ,**Twitter(X)** [https://x.com/chenran818](https://x.com/chenran818) 和 **知乎**[https://www.zhihu.com/people/chenran](https://www.zhihu.com/people/chenran)

---

**Final Exam Stats**:
- **Exam Date**: November 10, 2025 ✅ PASSED
- **Final Progress**: 82% (60/73 CFP topics mastered)
- **Study Sessions**: 23 sessions (Oct 11 - Nov 7, 2025)
- **Study Materials**: 2024 Dalton Review slides (not included in repo)

## How This Works

This repository uses Claude Code as an interactive CFP exam tutor that:
- Teaches using the Socratic method (asking what you know first)
- Provides concise (~200 word) explanations
- Verifies your understanding with follow-up questions
- Adapts teaching style based on your responses
- **Tracks every learning session to personalize your study experience**

## Repository Structure

```
/sessions/                    # 23 daily learning sessions documented
  /2025-10-11/               # One folder per study day
  /2025-10-17/               # Sessions from Oct 11 - Nov 7
  /2025-11-07/
  SESSION-TEMPLATE.md        # Template for documenting sessions

/progress/                    # Single source of truth for exam prep
  cfp-study-tracker.md       # Comprehensive tracker with:
                             # - All 73 CFP topics mapped
                             # - Topics mastered (60/73)
                             # - Knowledge gaps identified
                             # - Study plan for remaining days

CLAUDE.md                     # AI tutor instructions (Socratic method)
README.md                     # This file
```

## How to Use

### Daily Study Sessions

1. Open Claude Code in this repository
2. Ask questions about CFP topics naturally - just like talking to a tutor
3. Answer the comprehension check questions Claude asks
4. After each session, Claude will automatically document:
   - What you learned
   - What you struggled with
   - What you mastered
   - What to review next

### Review Sessions

When you want to review, simply ask Claude:
- "Let's review topics I've struggled with"
- "What should I focus on today?"
- "Quiz me on my weak areas"
- "Show me my progress"

Claude will read your session history and create a personalized review based on your past performance.

### Track Your Progress

View your comprehensive study tracker at `/progress/cfp-study-tracker.md` to see:
- Overall exam readiness (currently 82%)
- Which domains are complete (4 major domains ✅)
- Remaining knowledge gaps
- Prioritized study plan for exam day

## Study Philosophy

**Guided Learning Approach:**
- Conversational and judgment-free
- Builds on your existing knowledge
- Checks understanding before moving forward
- Adapts to your learning style
- Focuses on deep understanding, not just memorization

## Study Materials

I used the **2024 Dalton Review Slides** for my preparation (not included in this repo due to copyright). You can use your own CFP study materials - the AI tutor methodology works with any content.

## Free Study Resources

In addition to the Dalton Review materials, here are some excellent **free resources** that can supplement your CFP exam prep:

**Podcasts & Audio:**
- [Open Exam Prep Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/55EmWfdtPaK641q4Rk3mI1) - Free CFP exam prep podcast on Spotify
- [Financial Planning Essentials Playlist](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6GUIZvnpaiOiYmXkanqwZ8) - Study music playlist on Spotify

**Video Content:**
- [Open Exam Prep YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep) - Free video content covering CFP exam topics

**Website:**
- [open-exam-prep.com](https://open-exam-prep.com/) - Additional free resources and study materials

These free resources are great for passive learning during commutes, workouts, or downtime.

## Key Features

**Personalized Learning**:
- 23 documented study sessions with detailed notes
- Socratic teaching method (builds on what you already know)
- Adaptive explanations based on your responses
- Practice problems tailored to your weak areas

**Comprehensive Tracking**:
- Every session automatically documented
- Knowledge gaps identified and tracked
- Topics mastered with confidence levels
- Progress measured against exam weights

**Evidence-Based Approach**:
- All answers verified with authoritative sources (IRS.gov, CFP Board)
- No guessing on technical questions
- Citations provided for complex rules
- Focus on understanding "why" not just "what"

## How to Use This Repository for Your Own CFP Exam Prep

Want to use this AI-powered study system for your own CFP exam preparation? It's simple:

1. **Clone this repository**:
   ```bash
   git clone https://github.com/chenran818/CFP-Study.git
   cd CFP-Study
   ```

2. **Clear my study history** (start fresh):
   ```bash
   rm -rf progress/ sessions/
   ```

3. **Run Claude Code**:
   ```bash
   claude-code
   ```

4. **That's it!** Start asking CFP questions and Claude will:
   - Teach you using the Socratic method
   - Create new `progress/` and `sessions/` folders automatically
   - Track your learning journey just like it did for me
   - Adapt to your learning style

The `CLAUDE.md` file contains all the instructions for how Claude should tutor you. **It works magically!**

## Getting Started

Just start a conversation with Claude Code and ask your first CFP question. Claude will guide you from there while automatically tracking your progress.

---

## About the Author

After failing the CFP exam in November 2024, I knew I needed a different approach. Traditional study methods weren't working for me. Using Claude Code as my AI study partner transformed my preparation - the Socratic teaching method, personalized feedback, and systematic progress tracking made complex financial planning concepts finally click.

If you're preparing for the CFP exam or any professional certification, I hope this repository inspires you to leverage AI tools in your learning journey.

**Connect with me**: [linkedin.com/in/chenran818](https://linkedin.com/in/chenran818)