[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 🙂

[Kemi22]

[Exam day tip]. This could also apply to regular practice questions. When you read the question, try to identify what concept is being tested and if you hadn't already done so during those first “free” 10 minutes you are given to read the instructions before the exam began, write down what you remember about the concept BEFORE you start to answer the question.

I have found that it helps to do so because it filters all other stuff in my head at that moment and helps me focus on the question and so I avoid getting confused. It gives a whole new meaning to ‘one question at a time'.

2010:
BEC: 74, 71, 74, 75
AUD: 71, 74, 83
REG: 71, 76
FAR: (I quit) 34, 45

2015:
BEC: 79
AUD: 78
REG: 67, 76
FAR: 56 (trial run), 74, 74, 74, 80!
Thank God. Your prayers are always answered! Do not give up. Thank you St. Joseph Cupertino.

[sar_rah]

My CPA exam advice:

Trust yourself. Yes its good to gather ideas of what worked for others being successful in the past. Get as many opinions and tips from people as your can. But in the end, you have to do what works for you! At this point, you've had at least 5 years of college and test taking and you know your study habits and how you learn. Treat the CPA the same way. In the beginning, I wasn't retaining anything because I was trying to study how Becker told me to study. Audio lectures don't work for me, which I knew, but I did that anyway because Becker said so. I've never been one to learn in class. I always go home and read the book myself and take my own notes. Once I starting applying that method and skipping over the lectures for the CPA, my productivity and retention increased my a tenfold!

Also be honest with yourself. You know if you're truly studying vs just mindlessly reading notes or answering questions. Don't tell yourself that you're prepared when you know you're not.

AUD: 98
REG: 91
BEC: 86
FAR: 83

DONE DONE DONE and DONE all on the first try! It IS possible, just keep on studying!

[mdogg]

I always bring a note card or two with me to the exam, on my weakest areas, and spend 5 or 10 minutes trying to quickly memorize as much as I can right before I go in. Then when I get in, I quickly write down as much as I can remember from those note cards, along with any other study helps (mnemocis, formulas, etc.). They help quite a bit, and have saved me from another 71 (or 74 in my case generally).

[Anonymous]

Busy Season: Try to make an effort to get to the gym at least twice a week. Its scary how fast you can put on weight when the firm is buying you dinner every night and your stress levels will significantly decrease.

[NYaccountingstudent]

Exam Tip: Read all the tips in this thread 🙂

[Arian]

Don't schedule your exam until you're actually prepare . Wait until the last minute, not 2 months in advance!

AUD 80
BEC 77
FAR xx
REG xx

[Sanjum8349]

[CPA Exam Tip] When I feel that i am getting burnt out studying, I take a ten minute break and do some type of exercise to restimulate the brain (jog the block, jump rope, crunches, etc).

[GettinACPA]

Exam Tip:

Give yourself a break.

If you don't pass the first time, it's ok, you WILL pass it
If your brain feels like you are about to explode, allow yourself some time away from studying (no matter how bad you may think you need to keep studying)
If it feels like this test is taking over your life, it may be time to look at the reasons why you want to pass this test so bad, because YOU WILL PASS THIS TEST!!!!

BEC-75 (1/14)
AUD- 55(5/13), 62(4/14), 76 (8/14)
FAR- 69(4/13), 70(7/13), 76 (2/14)
REG- 67(11/13), 78(5/14)

Needed two more units(ugh!) Completed 6/15

CPA 2015 (:

[Regulator17]

Exam tip: Never give up!!! Chances are you'll circle back and start studying all over again in 10 years anyway.

There is no room for doubt.

[MostlyPleasantAuditor]

[CPA Exam Tip] Put your family first.

[Studyaholic]

Don't underestimate the power of MCQs! You can never do enough! Do as many as you possibly can before exam day.

[jasonjfitz]

Lots and lots of MCQ. Over and over again. Do not give up! The only way this test wins is if you let it….

AUD – 81 (7/2014)
REG – 77 (8/2014)
BEC – 76 (10/2014)
FAR – 74 (5/2015), 73 (8/2015), 75 (11/2015)!

Good luck!

[rithzz]

[CPA Exam Tip]: Make a flashcard everytime you miss a MCQ. Everytime you pull up or look at your phone, open the flashcard app and read atleast one question. You'll soon realize how much you actually look at your phone.

Also don't feel bad when you get questions wrong, they're a learning opportunity to make sure you get it right on the test!

AUD: 78
BEC: 81
FAR: 73, 85
Reg: 84

[JAM]

The only piece of solid advice I can give is to recite this song (preferably out loud) as you enter your test center:

You will feel the power and strength behind it flow through you as you furiously ace yet another CPA Exam part!

[Anonymous]

[CPA Tip]
Rewrite the NINJA Notes, or write your own. Writing helps to memorize key concepts and keep the material fresh in your mind. Read the notes whenever possible… while brushing your teeth, cooking breakfast or on your lunch break. The more times you read them, the better! And, definitely skim through one last time on exam day. I like to arrive to the testing center early and read the notes in my car for a last minute refresher.

[Author]

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