FPAP™ | Final Exam Overview + Study Tips
Congratulations on completing the FPAP™ syllabus and beginning your preparation for the final exam!
There is a 30-day waiting period between final exam attempts, so we encourage you to take ample time to prepare before beginning. This guide contains:
FPAP™ - Final Exam at a Glance
| Exam structure | 50 randomized multiple-choice questions. |
| Exam location | Online/virtual at a location of your choice. The exam does not need to be scheduled. |
| Exam length | 3 hours, timed. |
| Exam content | The exam covers the content from the core and prep courses. Content from elective courses will not be covered. |
| Exam results availability | Immediately upon completion. |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Eligibility | Students must complete all core courses and three or more electives to be eligible to take the final exam. |
| Number of attempts | Unlimited. |
| Retaking the Exam | There is a mandatory 30-day waiting period between exam retakes. Students who have already passed the exam are not allowed to retake it. An active subscription is required during the final exam and all retakes. |
| How to prepare | Review the course videos, materials, exercises, Qualified Assessments, and case studies. Take the FPAP practice exam. We recommend taking and passing the practice exam several times before attempting the final. |
| Practice exams | Students may retake practice exams as many times as needed. |
| Tools Required | Microsoft Excel |
FPAP™ Exam Overview
The FPAP™ final exam has 50 randomized multiple-choice questions.
Exam Duration
The FPAP™ Final Exam is timed and must be completed within three hours.
- Generally, we recommend spending less than 3 minutes on each question.
- We recommend spending 45 minutes per case study (60 minutes at most). If the financial models take longer than an hour each, consider marking them for review and returning to them at the end if time allows.
Tips for Studying & Preparing
Review Course Materials
- Rewatch video demonstrations
- Review course presentations, exercises, and case studies
- Take detailed notes and organize them by topic using the "notes" feature in the CFI LMS
Refresh Your Memory on Important Core Courses.
- FP&A for New Analysts
- Economic Analysis for FP&A
- Financial Analysis Fundamentals
Take the practice exam
- The practice exam will best indicate what to expect in the final exam. We recommend taking the practice exam multiple times until you feel comfortable and confident in your understanding of the material.
Important Concepts/Courses to Review
- Budgeting Processes
- Forecasting Techniques
- Making Effective Business Decisions
- Crafting the Narrative: Storytelling with Data.
Other Tips to Consider
- Be sure to sit in a comfortable setting with no distractions.
- Have a snack and water close to keep you energized and well-hydrated.
- The exam can only be opened in one browser tab. Opening multiple tabs may result in exam failure.
- Ensure that you have a stable network connection.
- You can refresh your browser during a brief outage without losing progress, but the exam counter will not stop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use AI tools (like ChatGPT or Gemini) while completing the FPAP™ Final Exam?
- No, the use of AI tools during CFI Final Exams is strictly prohibited. Our testing is designed to assess your individual understanding of the course material and your ability to apply core finance concepts independently. Using AI-generated answers violates our Honor Code. Any suspicious activity, including the use of unauthorized tools, may result in disqualification from the Final Exam, revocation of certificates, or further disciplinary action. To maintain the credibility of our certifications and ensure a fair testing environment for all learners, we encourage you to rely solely on your knowledge and any materials explicitly allowed.
Is the FPAP™ Final Exam available in languages other than English?
- Currently, all of our final certification exams are administered exclusively in English. While we understand the global nature of finance and data analysis, we believe that proficiency in English is a critical skill for professionals in these fields, especially given the prevalence of English in international financial markets and the data science industry.
Can the exam be paused and resumed?
- The exam can be left and resumed as long as time remains. The timer will continue to run, even if the browser window is closed. The exam will auto-submit when time expires, regardless of how many questions are completed. Unanswered questions will be marked as incorrect.
Is there a limit to how many times I can attempt the FPAP™ Final Exam?
- There is no set limit to the number of times you can attempt the FPAP™ Final Exam. However, if you do not pass, you must wait 30 days before retaking it. Please note that you must have an active CFI subscription to be eligible for any exam retakes.
Why is there a 30-day waiting period before the exam can be reattempted?
- To ensure candidates take enough time to review, study, and prepare for their next exam attempt.
How difficult will the FPAP™ Final Exam be?
- The FPAP™ Final Exam includes knowledge questions, budgeting and forecasting exercises, and scenario-based case studies using Microsoft Excel, Power Query, and Power BI. The exam covers content from the FPAP™ prep and core courses, and the difficulty level is similar to the qualified assessments at the end of each course. While challenging, the exam is designed to validate your ability to deliver forward-looking financial insights and support strategic decision-making. With consistent practice, review of course materials, and hands-on application of techniques, the exam is fully achievable.