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Topics
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PFS Exam Information
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Do you need to take the PFS Exam?
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You may not be required to take the PFS exam if you have successfully passed another comprehensive financial planning exam. Check the PFS Eligibility Requirements page. |
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2012 Exam Dates:
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Summer exam window: June 18 - July 27, 2012
Winter exam window: December 26, 2012 - February 5, 2013
Note: A candidate is only allowed to take one exam per calendar year. For example if you did not pass the Winter 2011 exam, you could take either the Summer or Winter 2012 exam; however if you did not pass the Summer 2012 exam, you would need to wait until the Summer 2013 exam to re-take it. |
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Registration:
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REGISTER NOW!
Summer 2012 exam registration closes on June 11, 2012.
Winter 2012 exam registration closes on December 19, 2012.
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Exam Registrant
Categories and Costs:
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25% early bird discount:
- Summer 2012 Exam - register by May 11, 2012
- Winter 2012 Exam - register by November 19, 2012
First time registrants have never registered or taken the PFS exam
$300 ($225 early bird) - Current PFP Section members
$400 ($300 early bird) - Current AICPA members
$500 ($375 early bird) - Non-AICPA members
Exam Retake registrants have taken the PFS exam in a prior calendar year and did not pass the exam. The re-take fee is $100.
Deferral registrants have previously registered for a PFS exam but did not schedule or take the exam in the year in which they registered. Deferral candidates must pay a $100 fee to take the exam.
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Discounts and Reimbursements Available
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PFS Exam Sponsorship - Program that reimburses $200, $400 or $600 of costs depending on the type of review program used.
PFP Section Discount - $125 off exam review course and $100 off exam
10% Discount - if both exam review course and exam are ordered together
Volume Pricing - ask us about special pricing for two or more CPAs from the same firm taking the exam
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Registration & Scheduling Process:
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Upon purchase of the exam, you will receive an email confirming your purchase. Then six weeks before the beginning of your exam window, you will receive a "Notice To Schedule" email with a voucher code # and a link to set up an account online and schedule the specific date and time at a testing center. Download a step-by-step guide.
You must read the Registration & Scheduling Terms & Conditions prior to registering. It contains vital information for scheduling, re-scheduling, deferring, and much more.
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Test Center Locations:
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Almost 300 locations nationwide. Find the closest one.
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Test Center Regulations:
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Be prepared. Know what to expect. Download a PDF of the regulations.
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Approved Calculators
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Hewlett Packard: 12C, 10B, 10B II, 17BII,
Texas Instruments: TI BAII Plus
Victor: V12, Victor 10
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Exam Length:
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7 1/4 hour exam (including a 45 minute break) with 230 multiple-choice questions.
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Multiple Choice Questions:
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A discrete multiple choice question consists of a stem that includes factual data and provides four or five options.
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Case Studies:
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Approximately 50% of the exam will be in a case study format. They will vary in length and include short scenarios followed by 2-5 multiple-choice questions and two comprehensive cases with 25-30 related multiple-choice questions.
The fact pattern of each case study will contain sufficient information to enable the candidate to answer the question.
This part of the examination is designed to test the candidate’s analytical reasoning skills and ability to apply financial planning theory and methodology in a comprehensive manner.
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Exam Content Specification Outline:
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Download the comprehensive body of knowledge tested on the PFS Exam. The eleven major topical areas provide a framework or "blueprint", for knowledge tested on the exam (updated January 2012). |
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Preparation for the Exam:
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Self-study: The PFS Exam Review Course is available at your convenience.
Web class: The PFS Exam Review Web Class is a broadcast, with experts online to answer questions, of the January 2012 live review class held in Las Vegas.
Live class: The PFS Exam Review Class will be scheduled in January 2013 (for the Winter 2012 exam) in conjunction with the Advanced PFP Conference in Las Vegas. |