[jeff]

I will be giving away an iPad 3 Thursday to someone in the forum. Here are the details:

Who: 1 Randomly-selected winner.

You don’t have to be a current candidate to enter – Alums are welcome too!

The selection will be recorded through a screencast.

Note – the winner will be double-checked to make sure they don’t have more than one forum account posting in the giveaway thread, so no shenanigans.

What: iPad 3 – $499 model (winner will have the option to pay for any upgrades/features they want added)

Why: iPads are awesome (I have an iPad 2 … hope I win!) 😉

How:

1. “Like” another71 on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/another71)

2. In this thread, post a CPA Exam or Accounting Career tip (or both) that you think would benefit a College Senior or recent graduate. If you work for a Big 4 or Regional Accounting Firm, interview tips or anything making the process easier would be great.

That’s it … Good Luck!

***

New Prizes Added!

– 5 Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University Memberships (Online)

– 5 Complete NINJA Audios

– 5 Complete NINJA Notes

– 1 30 Minute Muay Thai training session at Del Mar Beach (CA) in September (you have to get to Del Mar though) 🙂

[Anonymous]

Exam Tip:

a) Watch the lecture for each chapter.

b) Do 25-30 MCQs and 2-3 Sims for that particular chapter.

c)Go to next chapter and repeat # b and c above.

d) Once you are done from all the lectures/classes, read the entire material (Notes) 1-2 times.

e) Do 2000-2500 MCQs.

f) Do 40-50 Sims (Including research sims)

g) Watch the Cram just a weak before the exam day (Preferable).

h) Stop studying on the exam night. Just relax and have enough sleep.

i) Sit for the exam.

This really worked with me and with two of my friends. God luck to all.

[Anonymous]

Choose a review course and stick with the plan. I used Becker for FAR and REG – passed 1st attempt, still have to do AUD and BEC. I stuck with the plan, and studied like crazy during the last week before the exam, wanted to feel like all the material is fresh in my mind and did the test simulations, as they are the best review for the material you can get.

[evancole]

Start studying as soon as you graduate while everything is fresh in your mind from college. Watch all the lectures first and take crazy notes, then do all the MCQ for every section one time. Once done with that, rewrite your notes or the NINJA study guide and then go back to doing MCQ until you want to go crazy.

The best tip I can give though is to not stress yourself out. I know it is easier said than done, but if you don't stress yourself out and don't have all that pressure on yourself during exam day then you are bound to do better.

[vacpa2011]

Make sure you do all the multiple choice questions in the books (even the supplemental ones). Mark the ones you got wrong and go over these everyday untill you get them right. Remember, don't just memorize the correct answers. Make sure you know why the other 3 option are incorrect.

If you are running out of time, my suggestion would be to skip the sims and focus on MCQs.

[jadedaisy]

I love lists. Make a list of ten honest reasons of WHY you want to pass the CPA exam and read it everyday. I have found that this keeps me motivated to keep on moving 😉

[Tina82]

1. Set a plan but be flexibile in case of repeat exams

2. Consider all advice, but stick to your plan and trust yourself (ie. don't make random changes as to sections/exam dates etc. I did that and now I'm struggling with something I should have had plenty fo time to prepare for if I didn't change order of sections)

3. Keep the long-term goal in mind (CPA), it's easy to forget when you're sick and tired of grinding through the material.

4. Schedule enough time to prepare – to study and to do a review of all the material.

R - 74;88
A - 84
B - 74;89
F - no study = 67; May 15 = 87 & done

[supervisor]

This test really is about time and committment. Create a schedule and stick with it and you will pass. If this test was easy, everyone will be a CPA…Good luck!!!

BEC 10/13 PASSED 77
AUD 04/12 PASSED 83
FAR 08/12 PASSED 76
REG 02/13 PASSED 76

Licensed in PA on 12/23/13. Yea boy!!

[Anonymous]

I would say to try and take the exam before you have a family, I only have an 11 month old child, but trying to fit in study time while also being a good father and husband can be hard. I end up studying after my wife and son goes to sleep, which sucks for me, but it will be worth it once I am finished with the exam.

[Anonymous]

My advice for recent graduates/Seniors is

– Postponed your start date at your new job until the after the summer. You should actually begin studying at least 2 weeks after you graduate. ( A mini vacation) The best way to conquer this exam is to do it at the very beginning of your career. You will not regret it at all. You can actually conquer and pass one exam before you start work. It will be the best feeling in the world to push you to pass the rest.

– Practice Practice and more Practice with MCQ's. Just keep doing them

– CPA is not a race. You should pace yourself accordingly but don't waste too much time.

– Follow the NINJA method. It works wonders

– DON”T GIVE UP !!!!!!!!

Interview Skills

– Be yourself at all times

– Open yourself up to new possibilities

[StellaFL]

Study/Exam Tips:

1) Allow 2-3 months to study for each section, if possible. That makes it not so overwhelming.

2) MCQs from the Wiley Test bank are very representative of what you'll see on the exam. Do them all, and then do them all again!

3) Take detailed notes while watching your review program's lectures. Writing reinforces the concepts. Use these notes to study after you've watched all lectures.

4) Pay attention to the time while taking the exam. Have a plan before you go in, and stick to it so that you don't end up running out.

5) Have a study plan for each section (what you'll accomplish each week). Make sure this plan allows at least 2 weeks for final reveiw after you've finished all modules. Stick to the plan!

6) On test day, eat some protein for breakfast, dress professionally, and arrive at the test center early and relaxed. I find that scheduling the exam for late morning or noon works well – then you're not rushed in the morning.

7) Go in confident and pass that exam!!

REG 11/28/11 - 88
BEC 04/04/12 - 88
FAR 07/23/12 - 90
AUD 11/2012 - 92

Yaeger/Wiley

[MyLifeisCPA]

Study Tips:

-Create a realistic study plan that you are able to stick to and devote a lot of time to.

-The exams are not easy, so study like there is no end.

-Keep your eyes on the prize, that will be your biggest motivator.

Good Luck!

BEC-Passed
AUD-Passed
REG-Passed
FAR-Passed (I AM DONE!!! THANK U LORD!!!!)
Licensed Texas CPA - 10/2012

[OSUCPA2013]

EXAM TIP: When studying it is good to have a routine in studying so that you can get used to it and make it like nature, when you have a sporadic schedule you can become easily distracted and put off studying and before you know it exam time is here and you are not prepared well enough and will almost definitley fail part(s) of the exam.

WORK TIP: I am the utmost believer in doing what you love and your passion because if you really enjoy what you do then you will never work another day in your life.

[mickey_aw]

Study tips:

– Always used the update material

– Please do the multiple choices at least twice in each sections

– Don’t schedule the test before you are totally completed the material

– Rewrite the Ninja note

– Take one full day rest before the test day.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

CPA Exam Advice:

1. Have faith in yourself… you can pass! I put off taking the test for many years because I didn't think I could pass. I sat for 2 sections so far and passed both on the first try. It's doable!

2. If you study with Becker, read the ancillary material! I cannot stress enough how important this is!

3. If you study with Yaeger, watch the videos more than once. Cindy Simpson is awesome and you can learn a lot from her.

4. Do MCQs until you throw up! But don't memorize the answers, work out all the problems and learn from your mistakes.

5. Get the Wiley test bank… it is a good supplement to whatever study program you are using.

6. And finally… RELAX! The world is not going to end if you don't pass! Just keep your chin up and keep trying. It will be worth it in the long run!! 🙂

[jcookjr82]

I have found that doing a ton of MCQs through Wiley has helped to make the material stick. Of course, my first exam isn't until Saturday, so I'll let you know how that technique works out!

As far as a career tip, I am still looking for that accounting job, but I figure why not try to pass as many exams as possible while searching. It can't hurt, right?

AUD - 5/26/12
REG - 7/7/12
BEC - 8/25/12
FAR - 11/3/12

[Author]

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