[timmycpa]

We all know people who roll out of bed and ace every exam without preparation. I am not that person, and if you are reading this, in all likelihood neither are you. I will spare you my life story and how I overcame adversity (blah blah). Since you only care about passing the exam, here are my tips –

1. You must want to pass

2. You must take at least 2 sections every testing window/ Money is no object

3. Never postpone an exam

4. Know what is on your exam

5. Sleep

6. Never take breaks (during exam)

7. The rest

1) You must want to pass

My first tip seems the most obvious, but it is the most important. Once I became serious about passing, I saw results. Just going through the motions isn’t good enough; as in– passively listening to lectures, zoning out during classes, skipping homework, claiming I was always busy, ect. You are investing a lot of time and money into this exam. Realize that no one owes you anything, and your excuses will continuously fall on deaf ears. Take the initiative to be reviewing on your lunch break, have lectures playing in the car, reading on the train and doing as many questions as humanly possible. The “I don’t have time” objection does not apply, nor does anyone care.

2) You must take at least 2 sections every testing window/ Money is no object

I am always surprised at how many people study 3-4 months for one part – this is a colossal waste of time. With a competent reviewer, 6 weeks is the maximum study time for all exams. Work out a schedule with your employer/family/friends to keep to this regimen. You have to be of the mindset that your exam takes precedent over most of your other obligations.

To be blunt, being poor is not an excuse. Once you get registered/licensed you will continually pay maintain your CPA recognition anyway. We already established that you must want to pass – therefore, paying ridiculous fees should have already gone into your decision. So take out your checkbook, and give yourself the best possible chance to succeed.

3. Never postpone an exam

Apart from the obviously reasons to postpone an exam, needing more time to study is a terrible excuse to do so. At the very worst, you are left in same position you were before and you learned something about that particular exam.

4. Know what is on your exam (& what isn’t)

Most of these threads revolve around people frantically searching for any clues on what will be tested. Stop doing this – you know what is on the exam. You are probably aware of the key topics before you even open your reviewer. Most reviewers do a good job in breaking down the weight of each section anyway. The rest is common sense and time management.

There are a lot of filler information in these reviewers, most of which arise from previous users complaining about topics tested that were not mentioned in the study material. No one likes surprises, but don’t let this fear of the unknown make you stray from the key topics.

5. Sleep

Drastically underrated, and essential on exam day. Sometimes, I would literally be running on fumes in the prometric center, which made the experience unbearable and inevitably led to failure. Even if you feel unprepared the day before your exam, if left with doing more lease/bond questions or getting a good night sleep, I recommend going with the latter. Good in theory and in practice, you might find yourself more equipped to pass after a good night’s sleep.

6. During exam, never take breaks

I have never heard anyone else talk about this, so maybe this will be new to you as well. As much as you might feel the urge to take a break, I highly recommend you wait and finish. You wont gain any momentum after taking a break, you will waster precious time and more importantly every break is documented. Just look at it from the examiners point of view, what would you think of a candidate constantly taking breaks? Going to check on notes? Make a phone call? You know what I’m getting at.

Avoid coffee and other diuretics on exam day, and always choose a time that you will feel the most comfortable.

7. Other helpful hints

Some simple tips about each exam (how long I recommend studying) –

Audit (3 weeks) – My most difficult exam. My last go I decided to do only multiple choice questions as a means to study. Doing the reading and/or following the lectures wasn’t doing it for me. Also fell free to cut out the filler topics entirely (10% or less), and do questions on the bigger issues. Keep note of anything with timeline or dates attached in this section.

FAR (4-5 weeks) – You know what is on this test, so stop psyching yourself out. My last attempt I used becker and reviewed about half the material – I spent most of my time trying to master to key, difficult areas that most people have limited exposure with (my best attempt without getting specific); the rest I reviewed at my discretion. The key is to keep reviewing and don’t let wide gaps of time pass before you pick up your book again. In this more than any other section, it helps to be familiar with the research tab.

REG (4 weeks) – Im slightly biased, as I never had a problem with this section. Keep in mind this about 70-80% tax. I know sometimes when reviewing Business Law, its easy to forget this is a tax exam. When pressed for time, do the key topics in tax – not much more to it.

BEC (2-3 weeks) –Since a writing section was newly added, there are plenty of current sources out there to help you on that. Not many key topics, and the rest is notoriously filler. Master the key topics & the writing and you are home free.

Good luck.

[Noct]

@bmsheppard87

Any given 18 month period only covers 6-7 testing windows (depending on when you passed the first section). So taking one exam per window will only allow 2-3 retakes. By taking 2 sections per window you more than double your potential retakes to 8-9. Thus, you can take each of the remaining 3 sections 3 times before you risk losing credit. Not to mention that if you pass each one on the first try, you can be done in 5 months instead of 9-11.

I'm not saying your strategy is bad by any means. Many candidates have been successful using it, and I'm sure many more don't have the option of doubling up due to time constraints. I'm just pointing out that there are some definate advantages to doubling up if it's at all feasible.

FAR - 79 - 07/2012
AUD - 65, 78 - 11/2012
BEC - 76 - 11/2012
REG - 78 - 01/2013
ETH - 98 - 01/2013

Material: Wiley books

[Anonymous]

@Noct, if taking one exam per period doesnt work and you fail, say 2 of them. You could at that point start focusing harder and do your retakes two per period if needed. My whole point is that taking one per period gives a candidate a sufficient amount of time to study for, learn, and pass an exam. With allowing yourself 10-12 weeks for FAR instead of only 6, most people will be a lot more prepared and comfortable for the exam. Taking one each period allows a candidate more time to actually learn the material and know it on exam day. I am not going to go as far as to say candidates would have a better chance of passing using the one per window method, but it definitely allows a lot more time for the material to be learned, fully understood, and memorized.

[Anonymous]

Sorry for the double post but I want to add something. It seems a lot of people studying for these tests in general like to push people to do the bare minimum needed to pass. I understand that strategy as anything over a 75 could be considered a “waste of time” but isn't a better idea to prepare your butt of and ensure that you are 100% ready to pass the exam?

[Noct]

@bmsheppard87

Interesting question. I suppose it comes down to how one values their time. I could spend double or triple the time preparing for each section, and I would be reasonably sure I would pass, but my time is very valuable to me both financially and intrensically. So much so that the monetary cost of the exam fees and prep materials comes nowhere near the cost of the time I've invested. As such, I'd rather pay for a few retests rather than spend my time aiming for a perfect score.

FAR - 79 - 07/2012
AUD - 65, 78 - 11/2012
BEC - 76 - 11/2012
REG - 78 - 01/2013
ETH - 98 - 01/2013

Material: Wiley books

[timmycpa]

@noct

I couldn’t have said it any better.

[Tncincy]

Years ago I took the series 6,and 63 securities exam. Passing was 75 once you passed the test stopped. There was no need to go any further so I guess the test maker helped us out. So I agree with using the time wisely, would we like a 99 yes, is it necessary, no. The tips are good as well because I am not a person that wants to study one section for three or four months. So I am looking for the best way to study in the least amount of time. I know if we study we will pass, but efficiency will certainly get my attention. Great comments

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Anonymous]

Sigh. At least once a month, someone has a post like this. As has been said upthread, everyone works differently and different things work for different people.

I still don't get why breaks are so controversial in this group. I always took a bathroom break after MCQs and before SIMS. I've even been known to take a break between MCQ testlests if my bladder so required. Anyhow, I guess I'm risking something, not sure what, by taking a break, according to some people. I could never not take a break, that wouldn't work for me.

My “Passing the Exams for Idiots” advice is figure out what works for you as far as study materials, study habits, sleep and bathroom breaks and do it! You aren't doing it wrong, you are doing it right for you.

[Anonymous]

I almost always take a break between mcq's and sims. BUT, only if I see that I am confortable with the time left to work the sims. I can't concentrate for 4 hours straight without getting up and walking around, getting my mind away from the computer for a few minutes. I go have a restroom break, grab some water and a chocolate bar. This gets my energy up and makes me feel refreshed enough to push through the last bit.

Everyone has their own way of testing and if it counts against me so be it. I feel I perform better after having a few minutes break.

[Keely]

Regarding breaks, I have never thought I was going to run out of time, but I've never taken a break. For some reason, I'm glued to the chair. I am just too nervous about the test to get up from it. I want to see the next question, next SIM, etc. I seriously debated a break during FAR to go splash water on my face because I was about to fall asleep in the chair, but I didn't end up taking one.

I definitely don't think there's anything wrong at all with taking as many breaks as you feel you need, though. A lot of people take snacks, even.

BEC: (4/2012) 88
AUD: (5/2012) 91
REG: (8/2012) 82
FAR: (1/2013) 78 🙂

VA CPA #42010

[timmycpa]

Consider all the time you spent preparing for the exam. I think doing a little preparation to be able to utilize all the time allotted for you would be beneficial. That’s all Im saying.

[Anonymous]

@Noct – I'm not saying spend double or triple the time. I have my study plan allotted to where I finish a chapter, or a little more, each week. This allows me to have one night where I can semi-enjoy myself each week (watch some sports, drink a beer or two) and also learn the material at a solid pace. Instead of cramming for the exam and hoping for that 75, I actually spread it out and slowly learn the material and guarantee (in my head) a passing score. I am not freaking out each week and cramming just to get the material in my head and take the test. I guess I am looking at this as more of a learning experience rather than only a test. I can nail down the subjects I already have learned about and ensure I know them a lot better than I did prior to studying. I am pretty sure I go into my exam with a lot more confidence and faith in myself than most do because I allow myself the time to do this. Everything goes as planned, I'll have spent 9 months and 800 bucks studying rather than 12-15 months and probably 1400 bucks. Simply because I actually learned the material and didn't learn the bare minimum to get that 75. I would rather over study and get an 85 over studying bare minimum and get a 75 any day. Because if I receive that 75 it means I was barely ready for the exam.

[mrwills12]

@bmsheppard87

Lol a 75 means you passed the exam! “A 75 means you are competent enough for the protection of the public” according to the AICPA. However, I understand what you are saying and i agree with you. I dont like to speed through chapters either, i like to take my time and actually learn the material. I want to feel confident going into the exams. I however, dont allow a day off of studying, this way i can shorten my weeks in between tests. Think about it, if you take like you said 1 day off a week and study for say 10 weeks for an exam thats 1.5 weeks you could have cut down just by not taking a whole day off!

What i think some people are missing the point of this whole debate is that some of the tests have overlap. Take BEC and AUD for example…. Financial ratios are used in both, internal control, corporate governance… The list goes on but my point is if you took AUD first like i did, you could skim through a couple chapter of BEC because you already learned it. Why learn it again and prolong your test.

Also i am a firm believer that if you give me 18 chances (9 windows @2 tests a window) I am bound to pass 4 of the tests. Compare that to 9 chances (9 test windows @1 test a window). That isnt that many times to fail before you start losing tests. Now I have taken tests 6 weeks apart and havent rushed through the material. I spent close to 40 hours a week studying after i got done working 40 hours a week. Everybody is different, i understand, but if you have the opporitunity to be able to study 30 -40 hours a week why study for more then 6 or 7 weeks and why not just take multiple tests a window. It doesnt make sense. Finally, i look at it this way, im studying my ass off in the 6-7 weeks before a test not just hoping to get a 75. If i fail it isnt like i spent 20% of my year studying for one test (10 weeks/52 weeks) it just sits a little better with me.

In the end, it doesnt matter if you get 99s or 75s, took 2 days or 2 years to complete, a CPA is a CPA no matter how you look at it.

FAR - 88 (Jul 2012)
AUD - 85 (Oct 2012)
BEC - 82 (Nov 2012)
REG - 92 (Jan 2013) DONE!

Using Becker Self Study 2012

[Noct]

Technically, the CPA exam is not intended to be a learning opportunity. It's a chance to prove your competence. Most of the material should have been covered in your degree program. That's why there's an educational requirement to take the exam, and why all of the study courses are called reviews.

FAR - 79 - 07/2012
AUD - 65, 78 - 11/2012
BEC - 76 - 11/2012
REG - 78 - 01/2013
ETH - 98 - 01/2013

Material: Wiley books

[MCLKT]

When I first read the original post I almost responded… but thought I was being dramatic and just let it go.

Sorry Drama Ninja.

I do think the title is appropriate.

🙂

Any candidate should take all advice on a forum with a grain of salt, and consider whether is applies to you or not.

This definitely would not be applicable in my situation.

A:[73]97 F:[74]85 R:86 B:[74]82
*NINJA 10 Pt. COMBO & Yaeger*

[Author]

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