[Anonymous]

I have never taken a CPA exam so wanted to know if they give you scratch paper to work out the problems. I always have to summarize a problem and write down the main points on scratch paper before I can start working on the calculations but if we are not allowed scratch paper then I will have to train myself differently.

DO they provide scratch paper for you to work problems?
Is there an unlimited amount you can ask for? ..because I will need it.

thank you
Varinder

[eaglescpa]

They provide you with 2 double sided erase boards with an erasable marker, but you aren't allowed to erase anything. If you need more, you hand in your two boards for two new boards

[aaronmo]

I'm assuming this is all standardized…

You get 2 laminated pieces of paper and a marker. If you raise your paper, they'll bring you a fresh one.

I've found that the exam usually requires far less scratch paper than the sims. I think I only had to get extra “paper” once.

[courtja]

Just a hint. Make sure your markers work before starting the test. Mine are always dried up when they give them to me haha.

[Anonymous]

uhhhhhhhh…….i get headaches from those markers……

[Trele6]

Another hint also; you get 10 mins to login and begin your test. I usually spent 2-3 of those minutes furiously writing notes about things I feared I would forget on my scratch pad to return to later in the event I got a question on it. Things like Mnemonics, formulas, rules, etc.

First go at the CPA! Only using Becker
Reg / Nov 2015 - 87
Far / Apr 2016 - 79
Bec / May 2016 - 80
Aud / Aug 2016

[slackergurl]

Also, you might want to ask for a fine tip marker when you get them. I ended up with two broad tip markers for one of mine and I couldn't read anything I wrote.

I also write down my time splits at the top when I start so I know at what time I should be moving on to the next testlet. It keeps me from getting bogged down by a tricky question (I generally allow myself 90 seconds for each MC question.). Then, I write the actual time down below the split so I can see how much time each one actually took me. It helps me determine if they got progressively harder.

[Anonymous]

I feared this as well when I took my first exam. Surprisingly the questions don't require as much notes as you would think. I just passed my fourth exam earlier this month and I have never had to ask for extra scratch paper.

[NeedsA75]

I never used more than 1/2 of one of the marker boards I've been given

[ultrarunner]

I didn't use the paper much at all either. Calculator (MCQ) works very well. And you could use Excel in SIMs.

FAR 72,67,79 (Roger+Wiley test bank)11/15
AUD 80 (Roger)10/15
BEC 80 (Roger)4/16
REG 63,78 (Roger+Ninja MCQs)5/16

[brainfried75]

@trele6 – I just took an exam and the prometric staff said no writing anything on the scratch paper until I enter the launch code.

[Anonymous]

Some good hints/tips in this thread, here's another: request a handheld calculator before you start the exam. I find the computerized calculator hard to use and inefficient.

[Author]

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