[jeff]

Hey! The NINJAs are giving away 3 pair of Powerbeats 2 Wireless earbuds – your choice of color.

In the video, I said that they were $200-$300, but they’re actually $150-ish (the mall walker distracted me, I think and I was thinking of the over-the-ear headphones). SO … I’ll give away 3 pair instead of 1.

To Enter: Post your best advice or “tip” for anything CPA Exam or accounting related…it can be CPA Exam, Busy Season, Resume, Big 4, Interview, Getting Hired/Fired, etc. Please label your tip.

Example:

[CPA Exam Tip]: Always take the 1pm exam – never the 8am. You’ll have more time to study and there’s no risk of oversleeping

or

[Big 4 Tip]: During networking events – don’t be the dude throwing back the beers. Nurse it. You can pound beers later when it won’t matter if you make a fool out of yourself.

etc.

**Please do NOT post something like “buy company ____ and you’ll pass” … that’s spam, not a tip***

(Unless it’s NINJA – then NINJA spam is always welcome, encouraged, and appreciated.)

Who Wins? On Friday (1/29 – deadline to enter is 12pm Eastern), I will randomly pick three posters from this thread. I’ll use the RANDBETWEEN function in excel to pick the post(s).

No purchase required to enter…void where prohibited…must be 18 to win, etc.

I will also toss in a NINJA Audio of the winners’ choice – since it goes so well with the earbuds 🙂

One entry per person, please 🙂

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS) | Another71 | NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE

[21jclark]

[CPA EXAM TIP] While studying for the CPA exam may be your top priority, remember to still get adequate sleep. If you aren't awake and focused on the materials you're studying you won't retain very much of it.

[1dayatatime]

A high percentage correct when redoing MC questions for practice doesn't necessarily correlate to preparedness for the exam. It is easy to become familiar with the questions, get the right answers, and completely disregard the fact that, while you know the answer to the question, you might not be too comfortable with the underlying concept.

AUD - Pass
REG - Pass
BEC - Pass
FAR - Pass

[Gabriella]

It's important to eat nutritious foods even if you are crazy busy studying, working and family obligations.
Buy pre cut fruits and vegetables. Buy bananas, good for you and very portable.

[terpgirl]

[CPA Exam Tip]: Don't give up, and don't doubt yourself!

Aud - 60,70,72,69,80 (2/19/16)

[dess213]

[CPA Exam Tip] Do not study in your bed. Study at the kitchen table, at a desk, on a couch, but do not study in bed. You want to make sure that you are awake and being in your bed will signal to your brain that it is time to sleep and you won't retain information as well.

I don't have a source for this, but I was told this in college by a professor, and I've noticed I am not nearly as productive if I decide to study in bed.

FAR-83
AUD-90
BEC-83
REG-80

I'M DONE!!

[KEIT1182]

[CPA Exam Tip]: While taking the test, try not to stress when the questions seem impossible or you already feel like there is no possible way you can pass. (Easier said than done). Keep going with a positive attitude and finish the test to the best of your ability. If you overthink an MCQ you might have missed a testlet or two back, you aren't thinking clearly for the questions still to come. Try to stay focused on the questions in front of you!

Also – after the test, don't stress too much over the results! Even if you are sure you failed, you could still pass. The test results are hard to predict since there are pretest questions and different point values for varying difficulties of MCQ. I passed many of the tests feeling very under confident and I ended up passing so all the stress wasn't worth it waiting for the results!

FAR - 73, 78! (1/5/15)
AUD - 73, 83!!! (7/1/15)
BEC - 85!! (5/19/15)
REG - 65, 80!!!! (11/16/15)

St. Jude, St. Joseph of Cupertino, & St. Matthew - thank you!!!

[LauraBenHub]

CPA Exam Tip:

Deactivate your Facebook or give someone you trust the password. My husband changed my password and will only let me log in after 9pm IF I have actually accomplished everything on my study schedule. If I don't get everything done, I don't get Facebook. I only get it for 20 mins also. That definitely cuts down my time being distracted through out the day checking my notifications. Oh, and delete the app from your phone.

[WheresMy75]

[Big 4 Tip] – When going to workshops it is a good idea to exchange business cards and mingle a little. Sometimes communicating with others provides you with an opportunity to develop a rapport and who knows they might even remember you when an opening comes available.

[kburns5871]

[CPA Exam Tip]: Ask the testing center if they have a single testing room available. It's a lot more relaxing (if there is such a thing while taking the exam), and less distracting than being in the big open room full of other testers.

[Bishop]

Losing a bit of hope as work and life keep getting in the way of my study schedule. I will continue to persevere and get as many MCQs done as possible. Thanks for great work Ninja!

[KTBECPA]

Study tip.
I don't know if somebody mentioned this earlier.. But, never study on your couch or in a comfy chair. Very high risk of falling asleep… Happened to me a few times. Works the best at a desk or kitchen table while sitting on a regular chair… Don't forget to turn the lights on, bright lights always keep me awake.
I also think that chewing some caffeine energy gum is better than drinking gallons of coffee.

[almasy]

[CPA Exam Tip]: If you're the type who takes breaks during your test, wear clothes without pockets! It's a great time saver. If your test center is anything like mine they check your front pockets, back pockets and that weird little front pocket on your jeans that doesn't really fit anything. I suggest no hoods too, but my neck and ears tend to get cold so I'll bunch my hood up to keep warm.

[sfmarzett]

[Life Tip:]

Carve you own path instead of letting the path carve you.
and
Don't count the days, make the days count.

[Anonymous]

1. Stay humble and give the exam the respect it deserves.
2. Be ready to counter with a punch for every blow thrown at you.
3. Take care of yourself and listen to your body. Stress can be very damaging and it's easy to fall into a dark place. Try to eat well, get some exercise here and there, and don't sacrifice too much sleep. Healthy mind, healthy body…

[wellscr]

Treat all employees with respect, you're not as special as your parents may have told you ;). Make an effort to find out the names of the janitorial staff, cafeteria staff, mail room, etc… and engage them in casual conversation when possible. You may be surprised by what you learn. I found that many employees own their own business, but work in what seems to be a menial job, specifically for the benefits.

Personal experience: While talking to member of the mail room staff, I realized he and his wife own a restaurant I like to frequent. They needed some help setting up & maintaining a new POS system. So now I get free meals & drinks (within reason) for a few hours work each month. Plus, I have learned a lot about how to run a restaurant.

[Author]

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