CFP® Exam General Principles of Financial Planning Practice Questions
General Principles of Financial Planning is 15% of the CFP® exam, the third-largest domain. Practice original questions on financial statements, cash flow, debt, economic concepts, time value of money and education funding, each with the full working.
170 four-choice questions in two timed 3-hour sections, with short scenarios and a case study in each, weighted like the real exam, with a score by domain and an explanation for every answer. 25 of the 170 questions are general principles.
Or try the free general principles drill- 42 original general principles questions with explained answers
- 15% of the exam: domain B, CFP Board topics B.7–B.16
- 25 of the 170 questions in our full mock
Parents want $150,000 in a 529 plan in 15 years. The account earns 6% a year compounded monthly, and they will save at the end of each month. What monthly deposit is needed?
What our general principles questions cover
- Personal balance sheets and cash flow statements, emergency funds and planning ratios
- Debt management: mortgages, refinancing, amortization and consumer and student loans
- Economic concepts: inflation, interest rates, the business cycle, monetary and fiscal policy
- Time value of money: present and future values, annuities due, serial payments, NPV and IRR
- Education funding: needs analysis, 529 plans, Coverdell ESAs, custodial accounts and education tax credits
- Gift and income tax strategies for funding education
This list is our own summary of the domain, written for practice. CFP Board publishes the official list of principal knowledge topics.
Drill general principles, then sit the full mock
170 four-choice questions in two timed 3-hour sections, with short scenarios and a case study in each, weighted like the real exam, with a score by domain and an explanation for every answer. 25 of the 170 questions are general principles.
Or try the free general principles drillRules the questions test most
- Net worth is total assets minus total liabilities. A personal balance sheet lists assets at fair market value on a single date; a cash flow statement covers a period.
- Education and retirement needs that start at the beginning of each year are annuities due: set the calculator to BEGIN mode.
- An inflation-adjusted (real) rate is [(1 + nominal rate) ÷ (1 + inflation rate) − 1] × 100, not the simple difference.
- A 529 plan’s qualified withdrawals are free of federal income tax. The earnings part of a nonqualified withdrawal is taxed as ordinary income and generally owes a 10% additional tax.
- Refinancing makes sense when the monthly saving recovers the closing costs within the time you expect to keep the loan.
Start the free general principles drill · Full CFP mock exam · Case study drill · Mixed drill
Common questions
How much of the CFP exam is general principles?
General Principles of Financial Planning is 15% of the CFP® exam, about 25 of the 170 questions. Since the 2021 Principal Knowledge Topics took effect in March 2022, education planning is part of this domain.
Do I need a financial calculator?
Yes. Time value of money, education funding and IRR questions need a financial calculator from CFP Board’s approved list. Every calculation here shows the inputs you would enter.
170 four-choice questions in two timed 3-hour sections, with short scenarios and a case study in each, weighted like the real exam, with a score by domain and an explanation for every answer. 25 of the 170 questions are general principles.
Or try the free general principles drillMore CFP exam domains
Domain weights and exam format: CFP Board: What you’ll be tested on (domains and weights) · CFP Board: Exam format, checked November 2026.
Game Assessment Prep is an independent practice site. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or a registered education program of CFP Board, and CFP Board does not review or endorse these questions. Every question is original; none is taken from CFP Board practice exams or other CFP Board materials.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization’s initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.