[Skynet]

It’s been a while since i have studied for the exams. I have read candidates here who have both passed and failed. I was in your shoes once. I want to offer my advice to those who have failed.

One of the strategy i have not seen candidates doing no matter which CPA review course you are using is creating a Cumulative exam of each section you have completed to keep the materials fresh.

It fairly easy to move on to the next chapter or unit once you finish the current one. It is also fairly easy to forget what you have study too.

When i was using Gleim, for each unit completed i would add to those units completed to create a cumulative test. The test could be as small or as large as i wanted to make it but it would cover all the units i have gone through. This way, all the units that i have completed, the materials would still be fresh. I would do a cumulative a few times a week to stay on top of the materials already learned. That is one of the benefits of being able to customize the exams on the CPA review course.

Creating cumulative tests was how i passed. You can take the mock exam after completing all the units but then now you have to review again what you forgot. The cumulative test strategy save me time and allowed me to focus on my weak areas at the end rather than spending an inordinate amount of time have to restudy the materials i forgot.

[Floreat]

I think that is solid advice, skynet. I noticed early on the potential to forget and quickly adopted the cummulative approach – especially with FAR and REG. I also used Gleim. I think this approach is a very good way to show which concepts aren't understood. I found that my weak areas would persist in causing problems untill I gave them the focus they required.

I'd like to add that positivity is a powerful thing. Accept it as a fact that you will pass and discipline yourself untill you do.

Ethics, here I come!
FAR: 80 (10/28/2016)
AUD: 85 (2/6/2017)
REG: 68 (5/31/2017), 77 (12/7/2017)
BEC: 79 (9/7/2017)

[Skynet]

With the difficulty of Gleim, and the attention of detail required, it was the only way i knew how to get through the CPA review course.

Plus, with the number of distractions and the fact that i would forget what i had for lunch on the same day, that method was what helped me pass.

[CS]

Definitely agree. I study a chapter and do MCQs relating to that chapter in particular right away or shortly after to ensure it sinks in, and my next move is always doing progress cumulative MCQ sessions. It helped a ton with Audit, and also for FAR, except I didn't start doing that with FAR until about half way in (still learning how to “study” for the exam).

[cpaplzgoaway]

@Skynet, i am currently on unit 8 and have not went back to review the previous units yet. Should I create a cumulative exam on all previous 7 units? or just 2-3 units at a time?

[Skynet]

@cpaplzgoaway – You can do one of two things.

1. You can create a cumulative test of the units 1-7.

2. The second option is to create multiple cumulative tests like cumulative test #1: Units 1 through 4, cumulative test #2: Units 5 through 7.

When was studying i did both. I would create cumulative tests of all units as well a cumulative test of 4-6 units at a time. I made sure i did them a few times a week.

It was very crucial for FAR and REG as it had a lot of materials to cover.

Hopefully that helps.☺

[cpaplzgoaway]

^_^ thanks so much Skynet

[Anonymous]

I did that a lot in both Becker and Ninja, it's a great way to study. Wasn't quite enough for FAR this time, but I will get there!

[Author]

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