CFP Exam July 2008

[NLF85]

FYI...I received an email from my review provider course yesterday stating that the

CFP Board would be releasing the results of the July 2008 exam sometime next week.

Hope this helps with the waiting.  I know it is driving me crazy.

 

 

[IdaPlanner]

The waiting is torture.  I remember it well.  I don't know why it takes so long to grade a scantron exam.  It's even worse when everyone you know gets their letter and you don't get yours till the next day and then you realize you don't know how to log in to the website to get the results.

In any case, good luck to you.

[Weemery]

So, are we going to get the results or what? 

Geesh!!!!!!

[NLF85]

Not really sure what they accomplish by waiting till the last possible second, other than providing additional frustration.  You would think they would want to let you know ASAP after all the hard work that goes into prepping for an exam like this.  I guess not.

My guess is we will find out this afternoon, but don't hold me to it.

Weemery, did you take the Zahn class in Atlanta (you mentioned in an earlier post you might)?  If so, where did you sit as I was there too.

 

 

[Weemery]

I took the exam in November and failed.  Then I went through Ken Zahn's class in Tampa.

[slp]

Just FYI,  I took the exam in July and  called the CFP board this afternoon to see when results would be posted.   I was told that they weren't sure when they would be MAILED and that results would not be posted to the web until a WEEK after the results are mailed.  This was not what I thought happened. 

I cannot understand why this takes so long.  The lady I talked to said that she "hadn't counted up how long it had been" since the test was given ---

 

[NLF85]

I can only hope you were being given the run around.

People who I have spoke to who have taken the exam in the past have said that they were notified by email and that the results were posted to the site (one guy actually pulled up the old email so I can confirm this).

Plus, I don't think my review course provider would let us know they would be released by the end of this week if that wasn't a hard fact.

Someone should call the CFP board to let them know it is Friday, and that officially qualifies as end of the week.

Ridiculous already!

[LPIGG]

Their website says that they will mail a hardcopy and the exam results would be available on line 1 week later.  I think they started this with the last exam because their server could not handle the overload of viewers. 

Has anyone called them lately?  I can't beleive they haven't mailed them out yet!  It says 6 -8 weeks and this is week 8.   It can't be that hard.  For the money and time that was involved with this, I would of expected a little better response time.

[NLF85]

Not sure where you saw that, but this is what I got off the website:

 

"Exam Results

Exam results are released approximately eight weeks after the exam date. As soon as the results are final, they will be available on the Web site (you will need to login to access your personal information). An e-mail will be sent to all testers to notify them when the final results have been posted. "

 

Regardless, I share your frustration.

 

[LPIGG]

I saw the same thing you just posted but last week I saw the other post about the hard copy first.  I am not sure where on the site but it was there.  Doesn't really matter, I just called the CFP toll free number and the lady I spoke with confirmed that it would be hard copy and then a week later it would be online.    I asked if they had been mailed and she said not to her knowledge and that the release date was TBA.  I am amazed at how long it is taking but I am sure once I have the results I will completely forget about the wait.

I am also wondering how everyone thinks they did on it.  I felt really good coming out of the test but the longer I wait the more unsure I am.  I thought I would know either way once I completed the test but with the scoring system I have no clue.  My other fear is if I didn't pass I want to start studying again right away but hate to put the time in it until I know the results but I feel the clock is ticking.

[slp]

I called AGAIN today, and was told the same thing...results will be mailed and then posted 7 days after the results are mailed.  The lady I talked to said that she did not know when the results would be mailed and that their website says "approximately 8 weeks" so they didn't have to hold themselves to the 8 weeks exactly.  She claims that they have always mailed the results first, but I know from others who have take the test that is not the case.  I think the earlier poster is right, the numbers of inquiries to the website caused it to crash last time .  I also called my review provider and was told that other students are getting the same information.  

 

[slp]

I echo your sentiments.  I felt pretty good coming out of the test, but the more time that passes, the less sure I am.    I also am worried that my conclusions on some of the cases may not be the same as the CFP board's.  I think the wait is very unfair and holds the test takers to a standare that the CFP board would not allow of it's certificants.  (They don't extend their deadlines for anyone).

[NLF85]

I have been told the same thing.  An email from my review course provider (Zahn) was along the same lines as everything else.

 

I felt good coming out of the exam.  The more time that goes by just frustrates and annoys me, but I don't think I would change anything I did.  No reason for everyone to second guess themselves at this point.

 

I just don't get it.  I would think that most people who take this test are professionals and that the CFP Board (trying to hold themselves to the highest standard) would recognize that.  I have two much other stuff to worry about on a day to day basis with my business.  Just release the results and let me move forward with marketing and applying your distinguished designation.

[slp]

I took the Zahn review too.   Where did you take it?

[LPIGG]

I guess there is nothing to look forward to this weekend.

 

I agree with your post about the level of professionalism with this whole process.  I am starting to have some resentment about this whole process.  I guess at the end of the day all that matters is how my customers see the designation.  I chose to take this path because I wanted to give my customers reassurance about my abilities and the designation will help.

 

I did read a post that an examiner responded about some technical difficulties that the CFP site seems to have had along with the bad emails about the incorrect survey.  They also responded to a question that was using the incorrect rates on the exam.  Here is the post:  It is worth ready if you took the July Exam.

http://fppad.com/2008/08/12/technical-difficulties-at-the-cfp-board/#more-71

Here is another site with people look for test results:

http://fppad.com/2008/09/03/cfp%c2%ae-certification-examination-results-due-soon/

Let me know your thoughts

[BillWinterberg]

My exam review course provider gave students an update on when to expect the exam results, so I updated my blog for everyone to read.

 

Find the update at http://fppad.com/2008/09/15/really-when-will-the-july-2008-cfp%c2%ae-exam-results-be-mailed

 

Bill

FPPad.com

 

[frustratedCFPtaker]

I called the CFP Board last tuesday (9/9/08) and they said that the exam results would be mailed out last friday so we should recieve them this monday or tuesday. And they also mentioned that the exam resuts will be online sometime this week. I hope this calms people down a little bit. As for myself i dont understand why it takes so long for them to post the results. I certainly have no idea how i did on the test, felt good coming out of it, but no idea now.

[Investment34]

If we ran our business they way the CFP board does, we would be out of business.

[bdignan]

And let me share with all of you potential CFP certificants that it gets WORSE.

If you have passed, you get to go through the process of proving your work and educational experience, and then undergo your background check.  And it takes seemingly forever.  I would STRONGLY encourage you to get your official college transcripts right now, and as soon as you get your letter stating that you passes, you fill everything out and overnight it.  If not, prepare to wait, and wait, and wait.  I have a spotless disciplinary record and from the time that I passed the test (March '08) I had to wait nearly 6 months until I could legally use the marks.

Don't run out and get those new cards printed yet...

[slp]

What is the reason for the delay?  I agree with the earlier poster, we would be out of clients if we provided the same level of service.

[Carol Lee Roberts]

Good Afternoon,

   I hope I can clear up a bit of the confusion and ease your mind about waiting.  All results will be mailed via first class mail to your preferred address.  Apprixmiately seven days after mailing the results will be available online in the secure log-in section of the website.

   This information was also communicated in an email sent August 15 2008 to everyone who took the July 2008 exam.  At that time,  we also repeated the suggestion that you begin the process to request a official transcript to fulfill the bachelor's degree requirement. 

   I would also like to explain why it takes so long to provide the results.  It is not simply a matter of scoring a scan-tron exam.   There are several steps int he process.

1) The exam is not scored until everyone has taken it.   Those individuals who have had special accomodations either due to religious requirements or disabilities take the exam up to one week later. 

2) Once all the physcial exams are received back by the test vendor, there is a verification of the exam booklets versus the exam site counts.  As this time the no show list provided to CFP Board. 

3) During the generation of the no show list,  a compilation of candidate concerns and exam question concerns is also taking place.  Candidates comments on the questions are retained for the Problem Item Notification call.

4) The Problem Item Notification call is held with the Council of Examination(COE) and reviews questions that have been identified by candidates or by statistical abnormalities.  Each question is reviewed and a decision is made to score all, score multiple answers or that the question is valid.    Once are items are resolved,  the exams are rescored based on the decisions made by the COE.

5)  The final scoring of the exams is then subject to the adjustments required by the Modified Angloff Method.  The scores on all questions and the scores on the equator items.  An evaluation is then made to determine if the test form is more difficult, less difficult or similar to the previous exam forms.    The equating information is used to determine the cut score for the exam.

6)  Once the statistical analysis is completed the file with the exam acores and the deficiencies is compiled and provided to CFP Board.

7) Upon receipt of the file,  CFP Board does it own quality control to make sure that every exam taker receives a complete score on the examination. 

8)  When all scores are received and verified,  a mail merge is done to mail letters to the candidates to their preferred mailing address. 

I know that waiting for the scores is very difficult.  I, too, had to wait weeks for my score and wondered why it took so long.   I can assure you that everyone at CFP Board works to make sure that the scores are released as soon as possible,  and the only delays are those necessary to make sure that the exam score release is accurate. 

Thank you for your patience,  and I assure you that we are doing everything we can to make sure the letters go out quickly and accurately,

 

Carol Lee Roberts, CFP(R)
Managing Director,  Examination and Education

[Carol Lee Roberts]

Good Afternoon,

   I hope I can clear up a bit of the confusion and ease your mind about waiting.  All results will be mailed via first class mail to your preferred address.  Apprixmiately seven days after mailing the results will be available online in the secure log-in section of the website.

   This information was also communicated in an email sent August 15 2008 to everyone who took the July 2008 exam.  At that time,  we also repeated the suggestion that you begin the process to request a official transcript to fulfill the bachelor's degree requirement. 

   I would also like to explain why it takes so long to provide the results.  It is not simply a matter of scoring a scan-tron exam.   There are several steps int he process.

1) The exam is not scored until everyone has taken it.   Those individuals who have had special accomodations either due to religious requirements or disabilities take the exam up to one week later. 

2) Once all the physcial exams are received back by the test vendor, there is a verification of the exam booklets versus the exam site counts.  As this time the no show list provided to CFP Board. 

3) During the generation of the no show list,  a compilation of candidate concerns and exam question concerns is also taking place.  Candidates comments on the questions are retained for the Problem Item Notification call.

4) The Problem Item Notification call is held with the Council of Examination(COE) and reviews questions that have been identified by candidates or by statistical abnormalities.  Each question is reviewed and a decision is made to score all, score multiple answers or that the question is valid.    Once are items are resolved,  the exams are rescored based on the decisions made by the COE.

5)  The final scoring of the exams is then subject to the adjustments required by the Modified Angloff Method.  The scores on all questions and the scores on the equator items.  An evaluation is then made to determine if the test form is more difficult, less difficult or similar to the previous exam forms.    The equating information is used to determine the cut score for the exam.

6)  Once the statistical analysis is completed the file with the exam acores and the deficiencies is compiled and provided to CFP Board.

7) Upon receipt of the file,  CFP Board does it own quality control to make sure that every exam taker receives a complete score on the examination. 

8)  When all scores are received and verified,  a mail merge is done to mail letters to the candidates to their preferred mailing address. 

I know that waiting for the scores is very difficult.  I, too, had to wait weeks for my score and wondered why it took so long.   I can assure you that everyone at CFP Board works to make sure that the scores are released as soon as possible,  and the only delays are those necessary to make sure that the exam score release is accurate. 

Thank you for your patience,  and I assure you that we are doing everything we can to make sure the letters go out quickly and accurately,

 

Carol Lee Roberts, CFP(R)
Managing Director,  Examination and Education

[Investment34]

I took the test in July 2008 and never received the email on August 15th. Did anyone else? I have gotten all the other email's the CFP Board has sent out.

[brf]

Carol  - I never received the August 15th email either, but have received all other commuincation, including the two sent in error - "registration payment not received" and the "survey" email with the defective link. Please double-check to see that that email was in fact sent out. Thanks.

 

[Carol Lee Roberts]

Good Afternoon,

I hope I can clear up a bit of the confusion and ease your mind about waiting.  All results will be mailed via first class mail to your preferred address.  Apprixmiately seven days after mailing the results will be available online in the secure log-in section of the website.

This information was also communicated in an email sent August 15 2008 to everyone who took the July 2008 exam.  At that time,  we also repeated the suggestion that you begin the process to request a official transcript to fulfill the bachelor's degree requirement.

I would also like to explain why it takes so long to provide the results.  It is not simply a matter of scoring a scan-tron exam.   There are several steps int he process.

1) The exam is not scored until everyone has taken it.   Those individuals who have had special accomodations either due to religious requirements or disabilities take the exam up to one week later.

2) Once all the physcial exams are received back by the test vendor, there is a verification of the exam booklets versus the exam site counts.  As this time the no show list provided to CFP Board.

3) During the generation of the no show list,  a compilation of candidate concerns and exam question concerns is also taking place.  Candidates comments on the questions are retained for the Problem Item Notification call.

4) The Problem Item Notification call is held with the Council of Examination(COE) and reviews questions that have been identified by candidates or by statistical abnormalities.  Each question is reviewed and a decision is made to score all, score multiple answers or that the question is valid.    Once are items are resolved,  the exams are rescored based on the decisions made by the COE.

5)  The final scoring of the exams is then subject to the adjustments required by the Modified Angloff Method.  The scores on all questions and the scores on the equator items.  An evaluation is then made to determine if the test form is more difficult, less difficult or similar to the previous exam forms.    The equating information is used to determine the cut score for the exam.

6)  Once the statistical analysis is completed the file with the exam acores and the deficiencies is compiled and provided to CFP Board.

7) Upon receipt of the file,  CFP Board does it own quality control to make sure that every exam taker receives a complete score on the examination. 

8)  When all scores are received and verified,  a mail merge is done to mail letters to the candidates to their preferred mailing address. 

I know that waiting for the scores is very difficult.  I, too, had to wait weeks for my score and wondered why it took so long.   I can assure you that everyone at CFP Board works to make sure that the scores are released as soon as possible,  and the only delays are those necessary to make sure that the exam score release is accurate. 

Thank you for your patience,  and I assure you that we are doing everything we can to make sure the letters go out quickly and accurately,

 

Carol Lee Roberts, CFP(R)
Managing Director,  Examination and Education

[Carol Lee Roberts]

I will double check as to why you did not receive this email,  I know that it was sent and was even mentioned in another posting.  Good Luck on the exam.

Carol Lee Roberts, CFP(R)

Managing Director, Examination and Education

[Carol Lee Roberts]

I will double check as to why you did not receive this email,  I know that it was sent and was even mentioned in another posting.  Good Luck on the exam.

Carol Lee Roberts, CFP(R)
Managing Director, Examination and Education

[Carol Lee Roberts]

I just wanted to provide a little more clarification.   The results used to be sent via first class mail,  this changed a few years ago.   I made the decision to return to a hard copy letter to candidates.   I feel the time and effort that is put into preparing for this exam should result in more than a "screen shot" of your results.

This results have been mailed since the November 2007 exam and there are no immediate plans to change that.  The change was to reflect the professionalizm of the exam,  not do to the capacity of the website.  

We are reviewing the process with this exam score release and hope to make improvements based on our experience and the comments of candidates.

Carol Lee Roberts, CFP(R)

[Carol Lee Roberts]

I am sorry that you experienced a delay in processing your experience.  However,  it has not been six months since the March 2008 exam and the results of the March Exam were not available until May, 2008. 

All candidates should have received an email after taking the exam,  asking them to request an official transcript in preparation for the processing of their education and experience requirements. 

We have increased the staff processing the work and bachelor's requirement and have committed to processing all materials within 20 business days.   We certainly hope to meet or exceed that standard but we intend to process the paperwork as quickly and accurately as we can. 

[grfiv]

How  many financial transaction have been posted in this time? Tens of thousands worth tens of billions?

At least.

We will elect a new President, with the possible intervention of the Supreme Court, in less time.

 

[LPIGG]

Carol,

I have not received the email either.  I have kept every email sent to me regarding the CFP exam.  The last communication was sent on 08/12/2008 at 3:30 regarding the questionaire.  I beleive that there have been enough problems with the CFP Board that this email was never sent.  If it was, it was only sent to about half of the canidates.  Can you please tell us when the results will be sent out?  I am hearing that they still haven't and there is not a date set yet.  I apprecaited your answer in regards to why it takes so long to get the results.  You should really consider a more effecient method.  With the technology that is out there, there is no way you can say with a straight face that it takes 9 weeks to grade 2500 exam results.  I think that the board is in some serious problems if they keep this up.  I am starting to have some serious doubts if I would go through this whole process again if I had the choice.  It is also absurd that there have been no communications from the board.  It takes 5 minutes to email the canidates and explain any problems that you are having and the delay.  You would have prevented the comments on this board and a half a dozen others.  Please let us know when the results are going to be mailed.

 

Thanks

[Carol Lee Roberts]

It obviously doesn't take 9 weeks to score 2,500 exams.  My prior post explained what is happening between the time you take the exam and the exam score letters are mailed. 

After seeing three posts indicating that the August 15th email was not received,  I am researching the correspendence to determine who did and did not receive the email.

The results are going out this week to all candidates,  first class mail -  all letters being mail the same day. 

I understand your frustration but feel that the integrity of the score process must be maintained,  and we have not had problems with the exam score,  we have simply followed every step of the process to make sure that we provide every candidate with accurate results.

Carol Lee Roberts, CFP(R)

 

[NLF85]

I did not receive the email either and have also kept every email since signing up.  I also never received notification to begin requesting my college transcript.

At this point, I would just like an honest answer to the following question(s):

 

Have the exam results been mailed out yet?  If so, on what day were they mailed?  If not, exactly what day will they be mailed?

 

I don't think this is too much to ask after everything that we have had to go through during this process.

 

Thank you.

 

[NLF85]

Dear CFP Board,

 

At this point, don't you think it is time to save some face?

 

Post the results to the website tomorrow and let us go from there.  You can give us all the explanations and excuses you want, but we aren't looking for anything else other than to know how we did.

 

Please acknowledge that you system is somewhat flawed and solve this problem now by posting the results immediately.

[slp]

No email here either... How about an update posted to the CFP website?  That would cut down on speculation.   It would seem a more official way to communicate than these forums.   I understand the need to make sure results are correct,  but something  just doesn't feel right .     

[jic915]

I have been receiving communication from Ken Zahn regarding the status of the results.  He claims that the results were mailed yesterday 9/15 but when I spoke with the board today that wasn't the answer I received from them.  They claimed they haven't been released but hope to have more information later today.  Anyone else hear anything different?

[Frenchtosd]

Today the receptionist at the CFP Board states that the results are not mailed yet, and there is no information available about when they will be mailed.  She said: "Trust me, I would tell you guys if I had anything to say".  I feel sorry for her right now, but this is an absurd situation.

I wonder if this has anything to do with the 6 and 7 digit registration numbers.  In my test group, those of us who had 7 digits in our number were told to write it to the right of the Scantron Bubbles.  Maybe that threw the machines off.  Did anyone else have this problem? 

What a mess!

[JWAAB4]

Also wanted to post that I did not receive an e-mail on 8/15 and do not understand why updates can't be posted to the CFP website.  This is a great example of customer service gone wrong!

[slp]

Yes,  we were told just to input the 6 digits.  Our names were on the sheets though. 

[NLF85]

We were told to add the 7th digit outside the box.

 

I would rather spend all day trying to gain access to a website rather than get up every five minutes to see if the mail has arrived yet today. 

 

Post the results online and you can solve the whole problem now.

 

[NLF85]

We were told to add the 7th digit outside the box.

 

I would rather spend all day trying to gain access to a website rather than get up every five minutes to see if the mail has arrived yet today. 

 

Post the results online and you can solve the whole problem now.

 

[Investment34]

This is pathetic. I don't even want an email from the CFP Board saying when the results will be mailed, I want the results now. I hope no one plans on retaking the test in Nov. if they fail since you won't have very much time to study for it! Wouldn't it make more sense to add more bandwidth to their website vs. sending out 6000 + letters per year at $.42 a pop?

[jic915]

You make a great point about those who don't pass and are faced with the decision of whether or not to re-take in Nov.  It all comes down to COMMUNICATION and the Board has done a terrrible job at communicating to those who have taken the July test.  Those who have taken the test deserve more respect from the board. 

[grfiv]

Everyone taking the July 2008 exam in the Boston area had the 6 vs 7 digit problem.

[NLF85]

I couldn't agree more.  I have decided not to take the test again in Nov.  Partly because I am frustrated and don't want to deal with it, but mostly because of other commitments at this time, I think it would be wiser for me to take it in March.  Let's hope we don't have to go down that road.

 

I guess at this point,  my final thoughts are this.  If the board wants to take their required 6-8 weeks to grade the test, that is fine.  But at the very least, communicate with us as to where the process stands along the way.  No emails as to the truth, and the belief that emails are being sent, when in reality, they aren't.  Not everything has to be a complete secret.  You have had your time, and you have egg on your face.  Release the results and try to save some face.

 

I feel the board has left a bad taste in my mouth towards a process that I not only looked forward to, but also put a ton of hardwork into.  In my 8 years in the financial services industry, with all the companies I communicate with, this has by far been the first big, fat F!

 

 

[Carol Lee Roberts]

I truly appreciate your frustration but we will mail the results to all testers prefer address at the conclusion of the quality control process.   There was a delay in getting the results from the testing vendor,  but CFP Board remains committed to providing ACCURATE results to all candidates.

[Carol Lee Roberts]

There will be an update posted on the Board website today and I will also post the content here.

[slp]

Thanks for the update - it is appreciated.  Is there more risk of accuracy with email notification than mail notification?  I guess I don't understand.  At this point people want to know if the passed or failed -- by the most expedient means possible.  

[ocplanner]

I think that most candidates (including myself) would like to receive a simple e-mail or online notification of whether they passed or failed, as soon as possible.  The CFP Board can mail the official letter at a later time.  The key thing right now for whose who failed is the decision of whether or not to plan to retake the exam in nine weeks.  The Board's own deadline to register is three weeks from now.  Most study programs recommend at least 12 weeks of intense studying prior to the exam date.

For those of us pursuing the CFA once we have passed the CFP exam, we missed the September 15th deadline to register for the Level 1 exam in December.  The poor communication makes me a bit uneasy.  There was no e-mail sent to me with an update on the process.  Each time I make a call to the CFP Board, they act like I am a bother to them.

This has been much more than an inconvenience for many financial professionals who expect the utmost professionalism from the CFP Board.

[Investment34]

Why didn't we receive an email stating that the CFP Board was late in getting the results from the scoring vendor? Even if you mailed out the results today, most wouldn't get them until next week.