Finance Exam Guides &amp; Comparisons

The CFA is for investments, the CFP for financial planning and the CPA for accounting and tax. Pass rates, exam fees, study hours and how to pick one.

August 29, 2026 · 3 min read

Study Guides

Structured guides to each exam. Syllabus breakdowns, study plans, what to expect.

CIA Exam Study Guide 2026: Parts, Hours, Sequencing, and the Syllabus Trap

How to prepare for the CIA exam parts in 2026: 40 to 60 hours per part, why Part 1 fails the most (44% pass rate), part order and the old-syllabus trap.

CAS Exam 5 Study Guide (Basic Techniques for Ratemaking and Estimating Claim Liabilities, 2026)

July 25, 2026 · 7 min read

A 2026 study guide for CAS Exam 5: eight topic weights, how to study for written answers, hours, a 16-week plan, and 548 free questions plus 13 past sittings.

CAS Exam 6-U.S. Study Guide (Regulation and Financial Reporting, 2026)

July 25, 2026 · 7 min read

A 2026 study guide for CAS Exam 6-U.S.: domain weights, how to study for written answers, hours, a 16-week plan, and 705 free questions plus 13 past sittings.

CAS Exam MAS-II Study Guide (Modern Actuarial Statistics II, 2026)

May 19, 2026 · 6 min read

A 2026 study guide for CAS Exam MAS-II: section weights, how it compares with SRM, study hours, a 16-week plan, and 628 free questions plus past papers.

CAS Exam MAS-I Study Guide (Modern Actuarial Statistics I, 2026)

May 16, 2026 · 5 min read

A 2026 study guide for CAS Exam MAS-I: the three sections and their weights, how it compares with SRM, study hours, a 16-week plan and 719 free questions.

CPA FAR Task-Based Simulations 2026: 7 TBS, 50% of Score

May 1, 2026 · 6 min read

CPA FAR has 7 task-based simulations, about 50% of your score, graded cell by cell. 46 FAR practice sims with one free preview, plus 1,440 free MCQs.

GARP FRM Part I 6-Month Study Plan: A Week-by-Week Path to Exam Day

April 29, 2026 · 8 min read

A 6-month, week-by-week FRM Part I study plan with topic-area weights, weekly question targets, a mock-exam plan and 2026 exam-day logistics.

CAIA Level I Study Guide (2026)

April 15, 2026 · 3 min read

A 2026 CAIA Level I study guide covering the 8 topic areas and weights, the 200-question format, a 12-week plan you can stretch and how to practice.

CPA AUD Study Guide (2026)

A 2026 study guide for CPA AUD: the four content areas, the audit risk model, audit opinions, an 8-week plan, and how to practice questions and simulations.

SOA Exam SRM Study Guide 2026: 68% Pass Rate (May 2026), 13-Week Plan

Exam SRM passed 67.7% in May 2026 and 71.2% in January 2026 on a 63% pass mark. Topic weights, how deep GLMs go, and a 13-week study plan.

CPA Exam Structure 2026: Core + Discipline Sections Guide

The 2026 CPA exam has 3 Core sections (AUD, FAR, REG) plus 1 Discipline (BAR, ISC or TCP). Pass all 4 with 75+ within 30 months. Free practice for each.

SOA Exam FM Study Guide: Financial Mathematics Tips for 2026

How to study for SOA Exam FM in 2026: the five syllabus sections and weights, the BA II Plus, a 12-week plan, common mistakes, and when you're ready.

August 29, 2026 · 2 min read

Free Resources

Free practice questions, sample-exam content, and study materials.

Free CIA Practice Questions (2026): The Full Three-Part Bank, and the Paid Alternatives Compared

1,374 free CIA practice questions across all three parts, each with a worked solution, written to the post-2024 syllabus, plus how paid review packages compare.

SOA Past Exams: What Is Released, and What to Use for P, FM, FAM, SRM

August 15, 2026 · 4 min read

The SOA doesn't release past exams for P, FM, FAM or SRM. What it does post, the latest pass rates, and the 1,436 SOA sample questions to use instead.

Free Enrolled Agent Practice Questions: 3,200+

August 1, 2026 · 2 min read

3,200+ original enrolled agent practice questions for all three SEE parts, with worked solutions. Samples need no signup; the full bank needs a free account.

Free Exam PA Practice: Every Released Sitting as a Graded Walkthrough (2026)

July 9, 2026 · 4 min read

Every released Exam PA sitting from October 2023 through April 2026 is free as a graded walkthrough, plus 500 concept checks and 22 lessons. No signup to bro...

Free CFA Level II Question Bank 2026: 2,337 Practice Questions

All 2,337 CFA Level II practice questions free with an account, each with a step-by-step solution. From FreeFellow, a CFA Institute Prep Provider.

Free CFP Question Bank 2026: 2,704 Practice Questions

All 2,704 FreeFellow CFP practice questions are free with an account: scenario-based, with step-by-step solutions, all 8 domains, updated for 2026 tax law.

Best Free FRM Study Materials 2026 (Ranked)

The best free FRM study materials for 2026, ranked: 1,076 Part I and 1,242 Part II questions free on FreeFellow, GARP's own practice exams and free videos.

Best Free CPA Study Materials 2026 (Ranked)

The best free CPA study materials for 2026, ranked: 7,000+ free questions across all six sections on FreeFellow, AICPA sample tests and free video lectures.

Free Series 7 Question Bank 2026: 938 Practice Questions

All 938 FreeFellow Series 7 practice questions are free with an account, with step-by-step solutions. Plus the exam format, the 72% passing score and a plan.

Free SIE Question Bank 2026: 894 Practice Questions

All 894 FreeFellow SIE practice questions are free with an account, with step-by-step solutions. The SIE pass rate is about 74%, and you don't need a sponsor.

Free CPA FAR Practice Questions 2026: 1,400+ With Solutions

July 2, 2026 · 2 min read

1,400+ original CPA FAR practice questions with worked solutions. Try sample questions without signing up; the full bank is free with an account.

Best Free CFP Study Materials 2026 (Ranked)

The best free CFP study materials in 2026, ranked: FreeFellow's 2,704 free questions, CFP Board's candidate resources, free videos, flashcards and communities.

Free Series 6 Practice Questions 2026: Full Question Bank + Solutions

FreeFellow's full FINRA Series 6 bank is free: 1,064 original practice questions on mutual funds, variable products and suitability, with worked solutions.

Free Series 79 Practice Questions 2026: Full Question Bank + Solutions

FreeFellow's full FINRA Series 79 bank is free: 1,126 original practice questions on modeling, valuation, underwriting and M&A, each with a worked solution.

Free FRM Part 1 Practice Questions 2026: All 1,076 Solved

All 1,076 FRM Part 1 practice questions on FreeFellow are free with an account: original questions with step-by-step solutions across all four GARP topic areas.

Free FRM Part 2 Practice Questions 2026: Full Question Bank + Solutions

All 1,242 FRM Part 2 practice questions on FreeFellow are free: original questions across all six GARP topic areas, with the conceptual mix of the real exam.

Free Exam ALTAM Sample Questions: 56 SOA Written-Answer Items with Rubrics (2026)

All 56 SOA-published ALTAM written-answer sample items in a free simulator with rubric weights, plus 899 original practice questions for concept drilling.

Free IMA CMA Practice Questions 2026: Parts 1 and 2

May 16, 2026 · 2 min read

1,373 IMA CMA practice questions (788 for Part 1, 585 for Part 2) with worked solutions. Samples need no account; the full bank is free with one, within usag...

Free Exam P Sample Questions: 654 SOA Items with Worked Solutions (2026)

All 654 SOA-published Exam P sample questions, free and interactive with worked solutions, plus what the set covers, how to use it and where it's thin.

Free Exam FM Sample Questions: 454 SOA-Published Items, Interactive (2026)

All 454 SOA-published Exam FM sample questions, free and interactive with worked solutions, plus what they cover and how to use them before exam day.

Free Exam FAM Sample Questions: 262 SOA Items Across Short- and Long-Term (2026)

All 262 SOA-published Exam FAM sample questions across the short- and long-term halves, free and interactive with worked solutions, and how to use them.

Free Exam SRM Sample Questions: 66 SOA Items for GLMs, Trees, and Time Series (2026)

May 15, 2026 · 3 min read

All 66 SOA-published Exam SRM sample questions, free and interactive, on GLMs, trees, time series, PCA and clustering, and why to save them for the end.

Free Exam ASTAM Sample Questions: 20 Constructed-Response Items with SOA Rubrics (2026)

All 20 SOA-published ASTAM constructed-response sample items in a free simulator with rubric point weights, and how to practice writing to the rubric.

Which CFA Prep Provider Has a Free Question Bank? (2026 Comparison)

May 9, 2026 · 7 min read

FreeFellow is the only CFA Institute Prep Provider with a fully free question bank. How it compares with Kaplan Schweser, AnalystPrep, Wiley and Bloomberg.

Best Free CFA Level 1 Study Materials 2026 (Ranked)

April 12, 2026 · 2 min read

The best free CFA Level I study materials for 2026, ranked: FreeFellow's question bank and lessons, CFA Institute resources, free videos, flashcards and mocks.

Free CFA Level 1 Sample Questions & Question Bank 2026 (1,800+)

1,800+ free CFA Level 1 practice questions with step-by-step solutions. Try three here with no signup. From FreeFellow, a CFA Institute Prep Provider.

Best Free Actuarial Exam Prep 2026: P, FM, FAM, SRM & More

Free prep for SOA exams P, FM, FAM, SRM, PA, ALTAM and ASTAM: full question banks, graded Exam PA walkthroughs, and which SOA past exams are released.

June 7, 2026 · 3 min read

Concept Deep Dives

Single-topic walkthroughs of formulas, methods, and ratios that show up on multiple exams.

Implementation Shortfall Explained: Transaction Cost Analysis for CFA Level III

Implementation shortfall measures the gap between a paper portfolio and the real one: fees, delay, execution and opportunity cost, with a worked example.

Macaulay vs Modified vs Effective Duration: A CFA Level I Guide

May 6, 2026 · 5 min read

Macaulay, modified and effective duration for CFA Level I: the formulas, worked examples, and why a callable bond needs effective duration.

Sharpe vs Sortino vs Modified Sharpe: When to Use Each

May 6, 2026 · 5 min read

Sharpe, Sortino and Modified Sharpe compared: the formulas, why Sharpe overstates hedge fund performance, and which ratio fits which strategy for CAIA.

TVPI vs DPI vs RVPI vs MOIC: Formulas, Meaning, and How They Relate

TVPI is total value over paid-in capital and always equals DPI plus RVPI. Each private equity multiple with its formula, the J-curve, and MOIC vs TVPI.

VaR vs CVaR vs Expected Shortfall: A Risk Manager's Guide

VaR, CVaR and Expected Shortfall compared: why Basel III moved to ES, the three ways to estimate them, and Cornish-Fisher modified VaR for fat tails.

Put-Call Parity: The One Derivatives Identity You Need to Know

Put-call parity for CFA Level I: the no-arbitrage proof, synthetic positions, conversions and reversals, dividends, and a worked put-price example.

Net Periodic Pension Cost (NPPC): Components and a Worked Example

Net periodic pension cost under ASC 715: the five components, the ASU 2017-07 split, PBO vs ABO, and a full worked example.

August 20, 2026 · 5 min read

Study Strategy & Pass Rates

How to study efficiently, manage time, and pass on the first attempt.

Excel 2024 Functions Worth Knowing for SOA Written-Answer Exams

XLOOKUP, LET, SORT, FILTER and SEQUENCE are on SOA exam-day computers at Prometric now. Which ones save time on ALTAM and ASTAM, and which to skip.

Can ChatGPT Write Good Practice Questions? The 7 Tells

August 17, 2026 · 6 min read

ChatGPT can write a practice question in seconds. Seven ways unchecked AI question banks go wrong, from answer-letter bias to giveaway choices, and how to ch...

How to Study for Finance Exams With ChatGPT (2026)

August 17, 2026 · 4 min read

Six ways to use ChatGPT or Claude for CFA, CPA, CFP, FRM and actuarial prep, with prompts you can copy, and four things you shouldn't use a chatbot for.

How FreeFellow Writes and Audits 45,000+ Questions

August 17, 2026 · 3 min read

How FreeFellow's question bank is built and checked: AI drafts, automated validators, statistical checks, review by credentialed professionals, versioned cor...

Can AI Grade Your Essay Exam Answers?

August 17, 2026 · 3 min read

AI can grade CFA Level III essays and actuarial written-answer exams if it has the rubric. Where AI grading helps, where it goes easy on you, and how to get ...

How Many CFA Practice Questions Do You Need? (2026)

July 17, 2026 · 4 min read

How many CFA Level I practice questions you need in 2026, and why covering every Learning Outcome and fixing your misses beats grinding a 4,000-question bank.

What Your CFA Practice Analytics Should Tell You (2026)

July 17, 2026 · 3 min read

Most CFA practice analytics stop at a topic percentage. What changes your score is the specific mistake behind each miss. The four levels of practice analyti...

What a Good CFA Answer Explanation Looks Like (2026)

July 17, 2026 · 3 min read

A good CFA explanation shows the worked steps, names the concept and explains why each wrong choice is tempting, so a missed question teaches you something. ...

Using AI to Find Your CFA Weak Spots (2026)

July 17, 2026 · 2 min read

Your gut is a bad guide to your CFA weak spots. How your own answer data, and AI built on it, shows which few concepts are costing you the most points.

How to Pass SOA Exam PA (Predictive Analytics): 2026 Study Guide

July 9, 2026 · 4 min read

Exam PA is a 3.5-hour open-response exam where you type answers in Word and interpret provided R output. What it covers, how long to study and how to practice.

Why Practice Questions Are Harder Than the Real Exam

July 7, 2026 · 6 min read

A lot of prep providers make practice harder than the real exam, because a nervous candidate buys more. Why it happens, how to spot it, and how to judge when...

How to Pass CPA BAR (Business Analysis and Reporting): 2026 Study Guide

CPA BAR pass rates have run in the low 40% range, the lowest of the three Discipline sections. Here's how I'd spend 130 to 180 hours on it in 2026.

How to Pass CPA ISC (Information Systems and Controls): 2026 Study Guide

CPA ISC's pass rate reached the high 60s in 2025. The three blueprint areas, an 80 to 120 hour schedule, and how to practice for it.

How to Pass CPA TCP (Tax Compliance and Planning): 2026 Study Guide

CPA TCP is a 4-hour section with about 68 MCQs and 7 task-based simulations on individual and entity tax planning. Here's how I'd study for it.

How to Pass IRS Enrolled Agent Exam Part 1 (Individuals): 2026 Study Guide

EA Part 1 (Individuals) is 100 multiple-choice questions in 3.5 hours, scored 200 to 800 with 500 to pass. Here's how I'd study for it in 2026.

How to Pass IRS Enrolled Agent Exam Part 2 (Businesses): 2026 Study Guide

July 3, 2026 · 5 min read

EA Part 2 (Businesses) is 100 questions in 3.5 hours, with 500 to pass on the 200 to 800 scale. The topics, the study hours and the plan I'd use.

How to Pass IRS Enrolled Agent Exam Part 3 (Representation): 2026 Study Guide

July 3, 2026 · 5 min read

EA Part 3 is 100 questions in 3.5 hours on representation, practices and procedures. The four domains, a 4 to 5 week plan and how to practice.

How to Pass CFA Level II: 2026 Study Guide

CFA Level II is 22 item sets of 4 questions, and pass rates run in the mid-40s percent. How I'd use the 300 hours: topic order, a timeline and item-set pract...

How to Pass CFA Level III (Private Wealth Pathway): 2026 Study Guide

CFA Level III pass rates have run 40 to 50 percent. How I'd study the Private Wealth pathway: what it covers, a 300-hour timeline and essay practice.

How to Pass CFA Level III (Private Markets Pathway): 2026 Study Guide

CFA Level III pass rates have run near 50 percent. How I'd study the Private Markets pathway: the shared core, the pathway topics, 300 hours and essay practice.

How to Pass GARP FRM Part II: 2026 Study Guide

July 3, 2026 · 5 min read

FRM Part II is 80 questions in 4 hours across six topics, with Market, Credit and Operational Risk at 20% each. The weights, a 16-week plan and how to practice.

How to Pass CMA Part 2 (Strategic Financial Management): 2026 Study Guide

CMA Part 2 covers six domains, with Business Decision Analysis the heaviest at 25%. The weights, the new case-based format, study hours and a 14-week plan.

Series 63 Study Guide 2026: 60 Questions, 72% to Pass

The Series 63 is 60 scored questions in 75 minutes, and you need 43 correct (72%) to pass. The topic weights, a study timeline and a practice plan.

How to Pass NASAA Series 65: 2026 Study Guide

The Series 65 has 130 scored questions and a 92 of 130 pass mark (about 71%). The topic weights, a realistic study timeline and how to practice.

How to Pass NASAA Series 66: 2026 Study Guide

The Series 66 has 100 scored questions in 150 minutes and a 73% passing score. The topic weights, an hours estimate and a practice plan.

How to Pass SOA Exam ALTAM (Advanced Long-Term Actuarial Mathematics): 2026 Study Guide

ALTAM is six written-answer questions in 3 hours on multiple-state models, profit testing, pensions and more, with pass rates around 40 to 55 percent.

How to Pass CPA REG (Regulation): 2026 Study Guide

May 27, 2026 · 5 min read

CPA REG is 72 multiple-choice questions and 8 task-based simulations in 4 hours, and most of it is federal tax. Here's the 6 to 10 week plan I'd use.

Why CPA FAR Has the Lowest Pass Rate (and How to Beat It)

May 6, 2026 · 8 min read

CPA FAR has the lowest pass rate of the four core sections. Why it's harder, the three topics candidates underestimate, and a 4-month plan to pass it.

CFA Level III Essay Strategy: How to Write for Maximum Points (2026)

How to write CFA Level III essays for points: what each command word asks for, bullets or paragraphs, partial credit, and how to get your practice essays gra...

How to Pass Exam FAM in 4 Months: Study Plan + Pitfalls (2026)

SOA Exam FAM is 34 multiple-choice questions in 3.5 hours, and it passed 57.0% in July 2026 (SOA). A 4-month study plan and the three pitfalls that sink cand...

Exam P Pass Rate (44.7% in May 2026) and How to Pass: 2026 Study Guide

Exam P passed 44.7% in May 2026 and 49.2% in January 2026, on a 71% pass mark (SOA). What's on it, how long to study, and a 12-week plan.

CFP Exam Pass Rate: July 2026 Results and Study Hours

March 19, 2026 · 4 min read

CFP Board reported 66% overall for the July 2026 sitting, 69% for first-time takers and 57% for repeats. Domain weights and the study hours behind a first pass.

How Many Hours to Study for Exam P: Realistic Planning Guide

How many hours to study for SOA Exam P by math background, from 150 to 400, with a 12-week schedule and the benchmarks that show you're ready.

How to Use Practice Exams Effectively: Study Strategy Guide

March 19, 2026 · 4 min read

How to get the most out of practice exams for any professional exam: when to start, how to take them, how to review them, and how to read your scores.

August 31, 2026 · 2 min read

Career & Exam Guides

Career paths, salary data, calculators, and practical logistics for finance credentials.

Internal Auditor Salary and Career Path (2026)

What internal auditors earn and where the CIA leads, from staff auditor to audit manager and chief audit executive, with sourced 2026 pay figures.

Which Actuarial Exam Should You Take First? (2026 Order Guide)

July 7, 2026 · 3 min read

Take Exam P or Exam FM first. Both are run jointly by the SOA and CAS, count toward either path and need no prerequisites. The full exam order and how to pick.

VEE Requirements and Actuarial Designations: ASA, ACAS, FSA, FCAS (2026)

July 7, 2026 · 2 min read

VEE covers economics, accounting and finance, and math stats through coursework, not exams. How it works and how ASA, ACAS, FSA and FCAS fit together.

Best Calculators for Finance Exams (2026): Every Credential's List

July 4, 2026 · 3 min read

Which calculator you can bring to the CFA, CFP, FRM, CAIA, CMA and actuarial exams in 2026, which exams (CPA, Series, EA) give you one, and what to buy.

BA II Plus vs HP 12C: Which Calculator for the CFA Exam? (2026)

CFA Institute permits two calculator families on the CFA exam, the TI BA II Plus and the HP 12C. How they differ, which to buy, and the exam-day rules.

SOA-Approved Calculators for Actuarial Exams: Full List + Best Pick for P and FM

The full SOA and CAS calculator list (six TI models, nothing else), the best pick for Exam P (TI-30XS MultiView) and Exam FM (BA II Plus), and exam-day rules.

Which Calculator Can You Use on the CFP Exam? (2026)

The CFP exam doesn't give you a calculator. What the CFP Board allows, the models candidates use (HP 10bII+, HP 12C, BA II Plus) and the exam-day rules.

FRM Exam Calculator: The Models GARP Permits (2026)

GARP permits a short list of calculators on the FRM exam: the HP 12C family, HP 10B II, 10BII+, 20B and the TI BA II Plus. Which to buy, and exam-day rules.

Exams That Give You a Calculator: CPA, Series 7, and EA (2026)

The CPA, FINRA Series and Enrolled Agent exams ban personal calculators and give you one on screen. What each one provides and how to practice for it.

CFA Charterholder Salary and Career Path (2026)

What CFA charterholders earn and the roles the charter opens, from junior analyst to portfolio manager and CIO, with sourced 2026 pay figures.

CPA Salary and Career Path (2026)

What CPAs earn and where the license leads, from staff accountant to controller, partner and CFO, with sourced 2026 pay figures and the career ladder.

CFP Professional Salary and Career Path (2026)

What CFP professionals earn and where the mark leads, from paraplanner to lead advisor and family office director, with sourced 2026 pay figures.

FRM Salary and Career Path in Risk Management (2026)

What FRM holders earn and the roles the certification opens, from junior risk analyst to Chief Risk Officer, with sourced 2026 pay figures.

CAIA Charterholder Salary and Career Path (2026)

What CAIA charterholders earn and the alternatives roles the charter opens, from analyst to fund-of-funds PM and pension allocator, with sourced 2026 pay.

Actuary Salary and Career Path: ASA to FSA and FCAS (2026)

What actuaries earn at each stage, from new-grad analyst to ASA, FSA and FCAS, with sourced 2026 pay figures and the exam-driven career ladder.

CMA Salary and Career Path (2026)

What CMAs earn and the corporate finance roles the certification opens, from staff accountant to FP&A manager, controller and CFO, with sourced 2026 pay.

Enrolled Agent Salary and Career Path (2026)

What Enrolled Agents earn and the tax roles the credential opens, from staff preparer to IRS representation specialist and practice owner. Sourced 2026 pay.

Series 7 Registered Representative Salary and Career Path (2026)

What Series 7 registered reps and financial advisors earn, and how the career moves from junior advisor to an established book of business. Sourced 2026 pay.

Finance Exam Pass Rates 2026: Every Major Credential Compared

June 7, 2026 · 3 min read

Per-attempt pass rates for every major finance exam in one sourced table: CFA, CPA, CFP, FRM, CAIA, CMA, SOA and CAS, FINRA Series and Enrolled Agent.

CFP Exam Pass Rates by Prep Provider: What's Published (2026)

CFP Board publishes the only audited pass rate (66% in July 2026). No provider-level rate is independently verified. What Dalton, Kaplan and others claim, an...

How to Build a Free Study Plan for Any Finance Exam (2026)

May 23, 2026 · 5 min read

How to build a study plan for any finance exam from your exam date, weekly hours and a baseline, and which parts FreeFellow automates for Fellow members.

August 31, 2026 · 5 min read

Prep Provider Comparisons

FreeFellow vs Kaplan Schweser, Becker, Bionic Turtle, Dalton, Coaching Actuaries.

FreeFellow vs Gleim CIA: 2026 Comparison

FreeFellow vs Gleim for the CIA exam in 2026: question banks, price, video and the guided course, and which one fits which kind of candidate.

AI Exam Prep vs Traditional Prep Courses (2026)

August 17, 2026 · 4 min read

I paid for prep courses on thirteen exams. What a course is worth next to ChatGPT in 2026, what a chatbot is good for, and where it falls short.

Why Is Exam Prep So Expensive? Where the $3,000 Goes

August 17, 2026 · 3 min read

Prep courses charge for video, books, instructors and practice questions. What that price pays for, which parts help your score, and what AI changed.

FreeFellow vs NINJA CPA: 2026 Comparison

June 28, 2026 · 6 min read

FreeFellow vs NINJA CPA Review in 2026: price, the free question bank, simulations, video and the study app, and which one fits which kind of candidate.

FreeFellow vs AnalystPrep CFA: 2026 Comparison

June 14, 2026 · 7 min read

FreeFellow vs AnalystPrep for CFA Level I in 2026: package prices, the free question bank, video lessons, tutor support, lifetime access and who each one suits.

FreeFellow vs UWorld CPA: 2026 Comparison

June 14, 2026 · 6 min read

FreeFellow vs UWorld (Roger) for the CPA exam in 2026: question banks, simulations, video, visual explanations and price, and which one fits which candidate.

FreeFellow vs Gleim EA: 2026 Comparison

June 14, 2026 · 4 min read

FreeFellow vs Gleim for the Enrolled Agent (SEE) exam in 2026: question banks, video, prices, the pass guarantee, and which one fits which candidate.

FreeFellow vs Gleim CMA: 2026 Comparison

June 14, 2026 · 4 min read

FreeFellow vs Gleim for the CMA exam in 2026: question banks, video, case-based practice, prices, and which one fits which candidate.

FreeFellow vs Knopman Marks: SIE, Series 7, 63, 65, 66 (2026)

June 14, 2026 · 4 min read

FreeFellow vs Knopman Marks for the SIE and Series 7, 63, 65 and 66 in 2026: question banks, instruction, prices, and which one fits which candidate.

FreeFellow vs UpperMark CAIA: 2026 Comparison

June 14, 2026 · 3 min read

FreeFellow vs UpperMark for CAIA prep in 2026: UpperMark's $849 Level I suite, FreeFellow's free Level I and II banks, video, essay practice and who each suits.

FreeFellow vs Kaplan Schweser CFA: 2026 Comparison

FreeFellow vs Kaplan Schweser for CFA Level I in 2026: package prices, question banks, video, mock exams, access periods and which one fits which candidate.

FreeFellow vs Becker CPA: 2026 Comparison

FreeFellow vs Becker for the CPA exam in 2026: question banks, simulations, mock exams, video and price, and which one fits which kind of candidate.

FreeFellow vs Bionic Turtle FRM: 2026 Comparison

FreeFellow vs Bionic Turtle for FRM Part I and Part II in 2026: package prices, question counts, David Harper's videos, mock exams and who each one suits.

FreeFellow vs Dalton CFP: 2026 Comparison

FreeFellow vs Dalton Education for the CFP exam in 2026: question banks, case studies, mock exams and price, and which one fits which kind of candidate.

FreeFellow vs Coaching Actuaries: 2026 Comparison

FreeFellow vs Coaching Actuaries for SOA exams in 2026: ADAPT, video, question banks, prices and access periods, and which one fits which candidate.

FRM Prep Cost Breakdown 2026: FreeFellow vs Bionic Turtle vs AnalystPrep vs Kaplan Schweser

April 29, 2026 · 8 min read

What FRM Part I and Part II cost in 2026, line by line: GARP's exam fees plus Bionic Turtle, AnalystPrep, Kaplan Schweser and FreeFellow prep, with realistic...

Coaching Actuaries Alternatives: 6,100+ Free Questions (2026)

A free alternative to Coaching Actuaries: 6,100+ free SOA practice questions (P, FM, FAM, SRM, ALTAM, ASTAM) with full solutions, free graded Exam PA walkthr...

August 29, 2026 · 3 min read

Credential & Exam Introductions

What each credential is, who issues it, and what the exam looks like.

What Is the CIA Designation? The Certified Internal Auditor, Explained (2026)

The CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) is the IIA's three-part internal audit exam: pass rates of 44 to 56%, about $990 in member fees, and 600 to pass.

CAIA Exam Cost 2026: Enrollment, Level I and II Fees, Retakes, Membership

June 28, 2026 · 4 min read

Every CAIA fee for 2026: the one-time enrollment fee, Level I and II exam fees with the curriculum included, retakes and member dues. About $2,800 to $3,200.

What Is the FINRA Series 6? Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Exam

June 28, 2026 · 4 min read

The Series 6 is FINRA's license for mutual funds and variable products: 50 scored questions, 90 minutes, 70% to pass. Topics, prerequisites and free practice.

What Is the FINRA Series 79? Investment Banking Representative Exam Overview

June 28, 2026 · 3 min read

The FINRA Series 79 is the investment banking license: 75 scored questions in 2.5 hours, 73% to pass. What it covers, the SIE corequisite and free practice.

What Is the Series 65? NASAA Uniform Investment Adviser Law Exam

The Series 65 is NASAA's investment adviser law exam: 130 scored questions in 3 hours, 92 correct to pass, and no firm sponsor needed. Topics and free practice.

What Is the Series 66? NASAA Uniform Combined State Law Exam

The Series 66 combines investment adviser and agent state law in one exam: 100 scored questions, 2.5 hours, 73 correct to pass. It pairs with the Series 7.

What Is the Series 63? NASAA Uniform Securities Agent State Law Exam

The Series 63 is NASAA's state-law exam for securities agents: 60 scored questions in 75 minutes, 43 correct to pass, and no firm sponsor needed.

Is CAIA Worth It in 2026? Cost, Time, and Career Value

May 30, 2026 · 5 min read

CAIA is worth it if you work in or are moving into alternatives: two levels, about 400 to 500 study hours and $2,800 to $3,200 all in. Less so for generalists.

What Is the FRM Exam? A Complete 2026 Guide

The FRM is GARP's two-part risk certification: 100 and 80 multiple-choice questions, average pass rates of 47% and 55%, and about $1,600 in GARP fees.

What Is the FINRA Series 7? General Securities Representative Exam Overview

The FINRA Series 7 is 125 scored questions in 225 minutes with a 72% passing score. What it covers, the SIE and sponsorship rules, the fee and free practice.

What Is the FINRA SIE? Securities Industry Essentials Exam Overview

April 15, 2026 · 3 min read

The FINRA SIE is 75 questions in 105 minutes, needs no firm sponsor, and about 74% of candidates pass. What it covers, where it leads, the fee and how to study.

SOA Exam FAM Explained: 34 Questions, 57% Pass Rate, Short vs Long-Term (2026)

SOA Exam FAM is 34 questions in 3.5 hours, and 57.0% passed in July 2026 (SOA). How it replaced STAM and LTAM, the short-term and long-term split, and the $4...

SOA Exam P Explained: Format, Topics, 44.7% Pass Rate, Cost (2026)

SOA Exam P is 30 questions in 3 hours, and 44.7% passed in May 2026 (SOA). The topics, the $275 fee, the allowed calculators, eligibility and free practice.

What Is the CFA Exam? Chartered Financial Analyst Program Overview

The CFA exam is three 4.5-hour levels run by CFA Institute, with average pass rates of 41% to 52% and $3,520 to $4,570 in exam fees. Format, topics, eligibil...

What Is the CFP Exam? Certified Financial Planner Exam Overview

The CFP exam is 170 scenario-based questions over two 3-hour sessions, and 69% of first-timers passed in July 2026. Domain weights, fees and eligibility.

What Is the CPA Exam? Certified Public Accountant Exam Overview

The CPA exam is three Core sections plus one Discipline section, 75 to pass each, all within 30 months. Format, pass rates by section, costs and eligibility.

SOA Exam FM Explained: Format, Topics, 48.8% Pass Rate, Cost (2026)

SOA Exam FM is 30 questions in 2.5 hours, and 48.8% passed in April 2026 (SOA). The topics, the $275 fee, the allowed calculators and 1,000+ free practice qu...

What Is CAIA? Charter Levels, Pass Rates, Cost, and Who Should Sit (2026)

April 12, 2026 · 5 min read

CAIA is a two-level charter in alternative investments. What each level tests, pass rates near 51% and 63%, the $2,800 to $3,200 cost, and CAIA vs CFA.

September 28, 2026 · 3 min read

News & Launches

Syllabus updates, product launches, regulatory changes that affect candidates.

Why I Built Narrated Audio for Every CFP Lesson

Every CFP lesson on FreeFellow now has narrated audio, 71 lessons and about 25 hours. How the narration is written for listening and how the player works.

SOA Written-Answer Exams Now Have Excel 2024 at Prometric

August 20, 2026 · 4 min read

The SOA's August 17, 2026 guide puts Word and Excel 2024 on Prometric machines for written-answer exams. XLOOKUP and LET now work. Solver still doesn't.

CPA Exam Score Release Dates 2027: 2026 to 2028 Schedule

August 1, 2026 · 3 min read

CPA Exam target score release dates for 2026, 2027 and the first half of 2028, including the adjusted schedule that starts with the July 2027 platform change.

America at 250: Opportunity, Exams, and the Price of a Fair Shot

July 4, 2026 · 4 min read

A founder note for July 4, 2026: America's 250th birthday, the professional exams that let anyone into finance who can pass them, and why getting ready for t...

The CFP Accelerated Path: Which Credentials Skip the Coursework (2026)

July 3, 2026 · 3 min read

Nine credentials qualify for the CFP Board's Accelerated Path, which skips most of the CFP coursework. CIMA joined in April 2026. Who qualifies and what's left.

CFA® Program Level I 2027 Syllabus: What Changed and How FreeFellow Updated

May 16, 2026 · 5 min read

What changed in the CFA Level I 2027 syllabus, what to study if you sit in November 2026 or in 2027, and how FreeFellow updated its free Level I bank.

OBBBA Tax Changes for the CFP Exam: 2026 Quick Reference

May 11, 2026 · 7 min read

The OBBBA tax changes the 2026 CFP exam tests: SALT cap, senior deduction, child tax credit, estate exemption, charitable floor, tips, overtime and AMT.