[steph]

Does anyone have any helpful advice about staying positive and calm when taking their test. I never been the best with keeping cool while taking exams and the cpa exam is another level of nerves. I’d really appreciate any helpful/positive advice about things to do before/during the exam to help keep cool while taking the test. I’m currently 7 days away from my test and just trying to do all the ninja questions I can to be prepared.

Thanks Friends.

AUD - Passed in May
BEC - Passed in June
FAR - Waiting for score
REG - Planning it for Q4
We can do this ninjas!

[M123]

For me, lots of sleep, a breakfast high in protein and some loud music on the way there. My first exam I was trying to remember everything while driving in. This last couple, I played loud music akin to screaming a battle cry as it's on now and I will win or lose on my terms, not theirs. IE, taking control.

For more extreme cases, consult your doctor in advance. They do have very good short term solutions to deal with anxiety that should not adversely affect memory/performance.

Deep breaths. One of my favorite sayings – if you're in a hurry – work slower.

[Anonymous]

Step 1) Channel your inner Hulk
Step 2) SMASH this exam

[steph]

Thank you @Almond and @M123 I am gonna try to get more amped up and confident. I like that inner Hulk thing. Thank you both.

AUD - Passed in May
BEC - Passed in June
FAR - Waiting for score
REG - Planning it for Q4
We can do this ninjas!

[hasy]

Eat healthy. It is true, you are what you eat. If you feel healthy, you'll be more focused for the test. Also, don't be nervous. TRUST in your studying. At this point, you either know it or you don't. Have faith that what you've studied is enough. Also, those nerves will only waste time during the exam.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

-

BEC 80 (10/23/15)
FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
REG 52 (4/28/15)
AUD (9/9/16)

Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

[jpn1892]

@ginx789

I noticed that your first pass was in April 2016. I ‘m in a similar position where my first pass was in May 2016. That means our expiration dates for the first exam credit is in Q4 2017. I also plan on taking my last exam in about a week from now. Since we do not find out about our scores until Q3 2017, we basically lose that testing window. I'm having slight panic attacks everytime I think about it, but I hate the fact that we're getting screwed over due to these new exam changes. i was just wondering if you felt a similar way.

[Jdn9201]

Even if you don't get anxious, it's really easy to do so for these exams given all that is on the line. Not sure if others relate, but my anxiety spikes when my brain goes into “What if?” mode. Here are some things that helped me remain calm –

1. Self visualization – sounds cheesy, but imagine yourself doing well and passing, and how good you will feel. It helped me to keep my confidence up, but also stay motivated when I didn't want to study anymore.
2. Make the process as familiar as possible – before I took my first exam, I did a test drive to Prometric and took their tour. I am a non-routine person, but I took the exams the same time of day (1:30 pm), wore the same outfit (washed, of course!), ate the same thing for lunch (Chickfila), used the same locker (#20) at Prometric.
3. Don't skimp on sleep – Sleeping well helped me to cement what I'd learned in my head, and also kept me alert during test day without having to pound coffee.
4. Prepare for the what-if's – give yourself extra time to prometric, make a copy of your NTS and a 2nd ID and stick it somewhere in your car, in case you forget on test day
5. Take breaks during the exam – it's much more manageable to pace yourself through chunks of the exam, than grinding at it for 3 or 4 hours.

BEC - 88 8/29/15
REG - 82 11/14/15
AUD - 83 1/8/16
FAR - 80 2/29/16

[Author]

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