jeffery2reese's blog

Passing the CPA exam can be a frustrating project, particularly if you’ve heard of the vast number of people who have had to sit through several sections a number of times before finally passing the exam. Below are several CPA prep tips that have helped me to pass the CPA exam, and I’m quite sure that they will help you also. 1)Take On the Right Mentality
It’s not easy to pass the CPA. Numerous people fail several sections multiple times before ultimately passing all four sections of the CPA. Prepare yourself for the possibility that you may fail several sections before you can pass them, and accept that as a natural part of the journey of getting your CPA. Then again, you’d want to remind yourself of past accomplishments that serve as solid proof of your capabilities, for example having a university degree. 2)Ask for Assistance From Friends & Family
Attempting the CPA is not an easy project, however you do not have to attempt it by yourself. You can request assistance from your friends & family by explaining to them the reason why you want to pass your CPA and how complicated and time-consuming this project is. If they are supportive of what you’re trying to accomplish, they may assist you with some of your current duties (e.g. household chores such as cleaning), and will understand if you can’t attend every social gathering.

3)Stay in Good Health
Eat a well-balanced diet, exercise regularly, and most especially, sleep for a minimal of six to eight hours each night, and take a 15-30 minute nap in between if you need to. Also, do not neglect to schedule regular rest breaks – these will help you to keep from burning out, and will also help you to absorb materials more easily when you resume from the break. If you want to pass the exam, you need to keep both your body and mind in great condition.

4)Purchase a Useful CPA Exam Review Course
The top CPA review programs on the market today come with DVD lectures that teach hard-to-understand concepts so much better than printed words ever could. The better CPA exam review courses are even equipped with a list of practice exam problems for you to focus on, that will be the most likely to be found on the real exam. Undoubtedly, investing in a good CPA review program can really cut your exam prep time and increase your chances of passing the CPA exam.

5)Find a Study Buddy – Or Two
Locate people that are also preparing for CPA exams in your geogrphical area and invite them to study with you. CPAnet.com has a forum where you can post a request for study partners or browse requests from other people also looking for study partners. Create a strict study schedule and get everyone to commit to it by not letting other obligations to interfere with the study schedule. Study buddies can help you to stay focused, and oftentimes two (or three) heads are better than one when it comes to solving challenging problems or concepts. When you’re feeling discouraged, your study buddies may just give you the support you need to keep going – after all, they’re in the same boat as you and are in a position to understand what you’re going through.

6)Only Study One Section At a Time
That would be too much material to cover and understand all at once. A better way would be to concentrate only on studying for one section at a time, pass the exam for that section, take a break, and then start studying for the next section etc. Getting that most challenging section out of the way first will minimize your chances of running out of time and having the 18-month window expire on you.

To get the best ROI (rate of return) for your study efforts, spend it on studying materials you have the most trouble with. 8)Take Ample Notes
It is important to take lots of notes when you’re studying, so that you’ll have something to review during the last several days before the actual exam. This small window of time is simply not enough for you to study all materials from start to end, so be sure you have a comprehensive set of study notes that you can memorize during the last few precious days before your exam.

9)Use a Stopwatch
10)Practice Makes Perfect
Do as many practice questions as you can.
Passing the CPA exam might be easier than you think! Find out about how Dave Bryant has managed to pass 3 previously-failed CPA sections over the course of only ten months, with impressive scores, in his cpa exam blog.