[Scared-cpa]

So my first exam ever is Monday at 9am. I’ve compiled a list on my phone to make sure I have everything I need for Monday. Is there anything else you seasoned test-takers suggest?

-NTS
-ID & second form of identification (credit card that is SIGNED)
-Fill up gas tank night before
-Headache medicine for afterward
-Pepto Bismol to drink beforehand
-Snack for a break (Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and chocolate chip mix)
-Water
-Eye drops

Question: Can I take a bottle of water in the testing center with me or do I have to leave it in my locker?
Is there anything else you can think of that I should do beforehand?

Also, the closest test center to me is 2 hours away, but with construction on the interstate there, I am leaving at 5:30 since I have to be there at 8:30 to sign in. Does anyone have suggestions on what I should do for breakfast? Should I eat right before I go in for my exam or an hour before? I’m just afraid if I eat too close to test time my stomach will act up out of nerves, and that would not be good! Are there any suggestions on what to eat? I thought about some skanky, greasy fast food sandwich that involves eggs, cheese, and bacon. I know it’s not healthy but I find that stuff like this usually keeps me full for a long time from the high fat content.

I’ve also been using Wiley Test Bank to review. I posted a different thread about that a week or so ago but thought it was fitting to bring up here since I’m in the very final stretch. I’m around 65% right now…is that awful? Wiley says 60 is good but I know most people say that is way too low. I’m hoping between today’s MCQs and tomorrows that I will be closer to 70%. How worried do I need to be about this? Although I will mention I feel more confident about most questions than I did when I started review with WTB.

Absolutely any and all comments/tips/suggestions are welcome as I’ve never done this before! Wish me luck! 🙂

[SaveBandit]

1. I would recommend a BC powder for both before and after the test. The screens on those computers were so bright I thought my head would explode.

2. You can't bring anything with you into the actual testing room. Any outside foodstuffs will be left in your locker. You can't even have a crumpled up tissue in your pocket. They will ask you to turn your pockets inside out and roll up your pants/arm sleeves to show you didn't tattoo yourself with notes. They will also scan you for weapons so leave that Ruger 1911 at the house.

3. I never could eat before tests. Too nervous. You can put stuff in your locker to eat on break, but who actually does that?

4. You have ten minutes between the welcome screen to the first question. Scratch out a couple of super important notes/mnemonics/formulas during that time.

5. If you get to the test center early, they can usually start you early. I think I showed up 2 hours early for my last one and they tested me right away; it was on a Saturday too, which is a busier day.

4 for 4

FAR 85
AUD 94
BEC 86
REG 90

[Scared-cpa]

@SaveBandit BC Powder is a good idea! Although the last time I took it I was in a crowded parking lot, sneezed, and blew it all over my car. My mom was with me and she was afraid people would think we were doing cocaine haha. I will be sure to take some, though, because I get headaches from my own computer which is as dim as I can make it! Thanks for the tip!

Is the ten minutes of welcome screen included in the 4 hours or no? For example, if I take the full 10 minutes of welcome screen, does that mean when I start on question one, I really only have 3 hours and 50 minutes left?

Also, do they scan you with a metal detector? I heard they do but I was wondering because I have some body piercings that aren't on my face and was wondering how they would react to that.

[Nancy]

I am pretty sure my testing center did not allow us access to lockers during breaks. Maybe that was just my place though, I never had time to even go to the bathroom though because I fully utilized every minute to take the exam. You are fine with body piercings lol they wont be picked up on a metal detector. You just can't wear jewelry except a wedding ring and stud earrings, but I had a belly ring in and totally forgot it was there and it was fine. No the 10 minutes on the welcome screen does not count for your time so I would suggest using that time to write down all your formulas or whatever you have memorized before starting.

As far as eating…I always ate a big breakfast a few hours before and then something really small before. You don't wanna eat too close to the exam, plus I always have to poo after eating breakfast haha. I would just do everything you do on a normal day and not change anything, if you eat a big breakfast normally then eat a big breakfast. The more things you change the more nervous you will be. Coming from someone who has generalized anxiety and especially text anxiety I found that doing everything the exact same as you always do made most of it go away. Worst case you waste a lot of time and money and just have to retake. As far as eye drops just drink a ton of water the few days before so you are fully hydrated.

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13

[Scared-cpa]

@NancyD8 Are there any formulas, mnemonics, etc. that I should definitely write down in your opinion? TBH, I don't have anything I can think of that I feel like I need to write down. Maybe I should and just don't realize it. I always thought by this point I would know what I need to write down, but nothing in particular pops up.

I always have to go to the bathroom after breakfast too, haha. That's my biggest issue probably. I will be on the road for 3 hours total before my exam, so unfortunately I can't do my normal morning routine. Maybe eat breakfast 2 hours before the exam to give myself time to potty if need be, and then eat the snack I planned on taking right before hand, along with pepto bismol, and BC powder? How does that sound? lol.

[Anonymous]

You could do without a snack for BEC and REG unless you have a fast metabolism. For FAR and AUD, I brought a snack in my locker and they allowed me access during my break. I always took a break cause I have a “toddler bladder” lol plus I get hungry right before the simulations. Breaks are risky because of a potential line to sign in or out.

I always had breakfast especially whole grain carbs for brain power. Like the post above mentioned, I wouldn't advise eating a new breakfast that wasn't part of your routine because your nerves might cause some stomach discomfort haha. Don't drink water 30-45min before the test.

[Scared-cpa]

@CantStopWontStop Thanks! I will bring my snack and ask them about it beforehand to see whether or not they allow access to my locker during breaks. The new breakfast food is true, but I normally eat a small breakfast (usually a shake or some liquid) and coffee, then graze over the next couple hours. Since I can't do that I'm gonna have to eat more than normal. I guess that's where the pepto comes into play haha.

Does my WTB score seem okay to you guys or do you think I need to get it up?

[Meg267]

I would bring the foam ear plugs, they can't be attached by a cord. I didn't like the noise cancelling headphones they gave at the test center, so I always bring my own ear plugs now.

If you can make it through, I wouldn't take a break as it will eat into your study time. Plus, when you take a break you have to sign out, get finger printed. Then when you come back in, you have to get finger printed again and sign back in. It could create a lot of time lost.

Make sure you're watching the clock for the 10 minutes you get to read the instructions. Because if you don't hit continue or start test (something like that) and your time runs out, you won't be able to start your exam. I used that time to write down as many formulas down on my sheets.

[Scared-cpa]

@Meg267 Thanks for the tips! What kind of foam ear plugs can you have? I wouldn't want to buy a pair and not be able to use them. Are they available in the pharmacy section where ear plugs/eye masks are for travelers?

Also, just out of curiosity, how do they fingerprint you? Is it like a reader on your cell phone or something different? I know when I took the GMAT the palm vein reader was precise so they didn't have to try multiple times to get the correct reading. I'd take that into consideration if it may take multiple attempts if their software isn't great.

[SaveBandit]

The ten minutes before the test starts doesn't eat into your test time. The finger printing is biometric. I think you do each index finger. It can be glitchy.

4 for 4

FAR 85
AUD 94
BEC 86
REG 90

[Scared-cpa]

@SaveBandit Well in that case, I will probably not take a break just in case it does act up and I lose precious time.

Is there a specified amount of time you guys recommend leaving for SIMS? I had planned on allocating 2 hours to them…I feel like 2 hours is sufficient on MCQs, isn't it? I usually average around a minute per question but I'm sure I will take more time than that with the actual exam just to make sure I'm not overlooking important details.

[Anonymous]

For that long drive of 2 hours, I would get a room to feel a lot fresher before testing. I remember my second CPA exam and first time to test for AUD. I drove for 1.5 hours. As soon as I got to the testing center, I felt a little overwhelmed already and physically tired. Though I prepared really well that day, I was feeling totally worn out, sort of a headache just at the 3rd hour of testing. I felt I was rushing through the test with a subconscious goal in my mind, “I had to be able to see and answer all the SIMS before I ran out of time”. I scored a dreadful 72. I knew if I were in my 100% perfect physical condition that day, I would have passed that test.

Since then, I make sure I am not driving that far again and sit for CPA right away. It’s either close to my house (maximum of 20 minutes to drive), or I am getting a room close to the testing center.

However, if you could reschedule to find a closer testing area, the reschedule fee is less money than getting a room for an overnight stay. Just my two cents.

[Scared-cpa]

@Amor D Unfortunately, the test center I'm scheduled with is the closest one to me – I live in a rural area. My exam is scheduled at 9am and I'm leaving my house at 5:30am. I also can't stay the night before in a hotel for a couple reasons. (1) I can't sleep well in a bed that is not my own and (2) I have responsibilities at home that can't be left alone, meaning I take care of my elderly father full-time who has severe dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's so I have to stay with him until another caretaker can come in and watch him at 4am that morning. I feel like it would be a waste of money for a hotel room for just long enough to freshen up, so right now I'm stuck lol. My plan is to have enough time to review my notes and walk around a little bit beforehand to get the blood moving. That shouldn't be too difficult given it will be 40 degrees outside. Hopefully, that will give me all the burst of energy I need to go in and kick the exam's butt!

[SuckItUp]

Take a dump before start your test. I have an epic thread regarding this, search for it. 🙂

[marti85]

Dude, drink a lot of water on the days before. I try to have little to none of liquids the day of the test. I learned my lesson during audit. The test was not going well, I peed like 4 times BEFORE the exam time, and like on the 3rd hour I couldn't hold it and had to ask to go pee. They had to recheck me, check my pockets the whole thing, and took some valuable time. I passed that test, but if it would have been a really really close score that could have been the difference between passing and failing. Those minutes are precious. Trust me, you will get an urge to use the restroom within the 4 hours if you drink coffee or tea prior to your exam. Drink a lot of water on the day before.

[Anonymous]

Each of us is different from each other and you may be a lot younger than me, so you should be okay. My husband said if next time I have to drive that far, he would drive while I rest at the back seat during the entire trip. It’s just that I’ve realized that I have to be perfectly fresh in the morning to do better with my CPA tests. I am not a morning person and yet I’ve realized that I test better early in the morning than when I test late in the afternoon. I think it’s a matter of what occupies my mind first thing in the morning determines the outcome later. That’s why no test takers should eat bad food, take calls from anyone with bad news, watch horror or awful movies the night before, or listen to news in the morning before going into the testing centers. 100% focus is highly required before testing.

Just be aware, Prometric Centers can take EARLY examinees in the CPA tests, but cannot take late examinees. After learning that, I’ve always wanted to schedule my tests between 10:00am to 12:00nn, then show up between 8am to 9am. I love it! No pressure to leave the house at around 7am and test around 8am.

So if your test is at 9am, you can show up there at 8am and hopefully they will take in as early as that especially if there’s an available seat for you.

Rest very well on Sunday and good luck!

[Author]

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