CSI Applied Financial Planning (AFP) Exam 1 study guide with topic weights, chapter and section lessons, case-triage review, and matching web practice.
AFP Exam 1 sits near the endpoint of the CSI planning sequence. It is not an early discovery paper like PFSA, and it is not a broad study-foundation paper like FP I. It is a later applied-planning competency assessment that expects the earlier planning structure to already be in place.
Where AFP Exam 1 fits
If your target sounds most like…
Better route
early client discovery and advisory workflow
PFSA
broad planning foundation
FP I
deeper planning-development stage
FP II
later applied-planning exam stage
AFP Exam 1
case-based follow-through after the first applied exam
AFP Exam 2
Current Topic Weights
Topic
Weight
Professional Conduct and Regulatory Compliance
10%
Client Relationship and Practice Management
6%
Asset and Liability Management
11%
Risk Management and Insurance
12%
Investment Planning
17%
Tax Planning
14%
Retirement Planning
17%
Estate Planning
13%
The heavier-weight message is clear: this exam expects applied planning judgment across investments, retirement, tax, and estate issues, not just advisory workflow basics. This guide now includes chapter and section lessons for each CSI AFP Exam 1 curriculum area, so you can move from broad topic review into specific case-decision objectives.
Practice this exam
Use this free guide for review, then Start AFP Exam 1 Practice on Finance Prep for timed questions, topic drills, and detailed explanations.
Learn how AFP Exam 1 tests ethics, conflicts, confidentiality, complaints, referrals, and Canadian regulatory obligations in applied financial planning.
CSI AFP Exam 1 study guide for confidentiality, conflicts, complaints, and referrals, with learning objectives, applied planning decision cues, and exam traps.
CSI AFP Exam 1 study guide for regulatory environment, consumer protection, and continuing competence, with learning objectives, applied planning decision cues, and exam traps.
CSI AFP Exam 1 study guide for communication, interviewing, and behavioural factors, with learning objectives, applied planning decision cues, and exam traps.
CSI AFP Exam 1 study guide for engagement, documentation, and practice management, with learning objectives, applied planning decision cues, and exam traps.
Learn how AFP Exam 1 tests client goals, cash flow, credit, borrowing, real-estate decisions, and recommendation quality in Canadian asset and liability planning.
CSI AFP Exam 1 study guide for goals, financial capacity, and client circumstances, with learning objectives, applied planning decision cues, and exam traps.
CSI AFP Exam 1 study guide for financial statements, cash flow, and projections, with learning objectives, applied planning decision cues, and exam traps.
CSI AFP Exam 1 study guide for strategy selection, recommendation, and review, with learning objectives, applied planning decision cues, and exam traps.
CSI AFP Exam 1 study guide for insurance needs analysis and product features, with learning objectives, applied planning decision cues, and exam traps.
Learn how AFP Exam 1 tests investor profile, asset allocation, products, portfolio theory, leverage, and implementation in Canadian investment planning.
CSI AFP Exam 1 study guide for investment profile, goals, and asset allocation, with learning objectives, applied planning decision cues, and exam traps.
CSI AFP Exam 1 study guide for investment products, accounts, and holdings analysis, with learning objectives, applied planning decision cues, and exam traps.
CSI AFP Exam 1 study guide for return calculations, risk, and portfolio theory, with learning objectives, applied planning decision cues, and exam traps.
CSI AFP Exam 1 study guide for strategy selection, recommendation, and implementation, with learning objectives, applied planning decision cues, and exam traps.
CSI AFP Exam 1 study guide for tax profile, income characterization, and obligations, with learning objectives, applied planning decision cues, and exam traps.
CSI AFP Exam 1 study guide for registered accounts, property, trusts, and death-related issues, with learning objectives, applied planning decision cues, and exam traps.
CSI AFP Exam 1 study guide for strategy selection, recommendation, and review, with learning objectives, applied planning decision cues, and exam traps.
Learn how AFP Exam 1 tests retirement goals, projections, accounts, government benefits, business succession issues, and recommendation quality in Canada.
CSI AFP Exam 1 study guide for strategy selection, business succession, and recommendation, with learning objectives, applied planning decision cues, and exam traps.
Learn how AFP Exam 1 tests estate goals, family dynamics, legal documents, liquidity, beneficiaries, business ownership, and tax-aware estate strategies in Canada.
CSI AFP Exam 1 study guide for estate vehicles, liquidity, and beneficiary needs, with learning objectives, applied planning decision cues, and exam traps.
CSI AFP Exam 1 study guide for business ownership, taxation, and strategy evaluation, with learning objectives, applied planning decision cues, and exam traps.