[Anonymous]

Just curious as I plan to start studying for the Exam. I worked very, very hard to graduate with a 3.7 GPA and took the hardest Accounting Electives (Advanced, Tax 2, Intermediate III). As long as I study my tail off and perform my due diligence should I be able to pass the Exam? Also, I am not working for at least 6 months, so I have plenty of time to study and review all of the topics I just covered as an undergraduate. I plan on purchasing Becker, Ninja MCQ’s, and taking FAR, AUD, REG, and BEC respectively. Thanks for any feedback!

[monikernc]

if your high GPA is the result of you digging into topics until you really understood them, that foundation and work ethic will help a lot. the review materials will still be a challenge so do not underestimate the effort needed to pass. the materials prepare you for the content and the methods by which you will be tested. grasping language and syntax is key to passing so use your foundation to build preparation for being asked questions in a very different way from school. you have the mechanics but the exams are all about different applications of those methods.
none of us have seen the new exams so you are entering unchartered territory. bear down and good luck. you can do this.

FAR 7/25/15 76!
AUD 10/30/15 93
BEC 2/27/16 82
REG 5/23/16 88!
Ninja Book and MCQ and the forum - all the way!!!
and a little thing i like to call, time and effort!
if you want things to change, you have to do something different

[Missy]

Imagine having to do your entire undergrad in one year instead of 4 (or 5). The material isn't more difficult necessarily but its just much more intense to try to demonstrate that much memory retention in that short a period. The saying is that your college courses are like a river that is a foot wide and a mile deep, and the CPA is a river thats a mile wide and a foot deep. You'll drill down much deeper into a fraction of the topics in a typical college course.

I could do a 3.7 GPA a thousand times over before I'd even try the CPA exam again, its just overwhelming to say the least.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[okcpa2015]

Two different challenges.

College is a steady stream of material your trying to masters while studying for the CPA exam is like “drinking out of a fire hose.”

However, I bet if you did well in school you developed some pretty good study habits and are probably highly self-motivated which are both the top qualities you'll need to knock out the CPA exam.

FAR - 91
REG - 88
AUD - 98
BEC - 88

[Anonymous]

I got a 4.0 in both my masters (accounting) and undergrad (business management). While you can't really compare the two, I will tell you that the CPA exam was beyond overwhelming for me. I definitely had to spend more hours studying than I think many people do in order to pass. However, as others have said, having the discipline to study is key, and you seem to have that. Take advantage of the six months you have before you start working…you can definitely pass all four parts in that time if you plan things well. Best of luck!

[mckan514w]

I have to agree with ASUalum- I was 4.0 MACCY and was in no way even prepared for CPA. This has been beyond overwhelming for me… and beyond frustrating when I realized I can't rely on being a “good student” to get me through… I cut some corners with FAR and my score reflects it… I studied my A$$ off for REG and barely came away with a pass…

and they ask me why I drink...

FAR- 61-next time I'll ask for lube instead of a calculator
REG-75- Never been so happy to see such a low grade
BEC- 8/11
AUD- 9/2

[Spartans92]

Agree with a lot of others on here. Graduated with a 3.57 so I dont consider myself to be dumb and I studied a lot. However, I am struggling with these exams and as Mla said the material isn't hard its just time consuming and a TON of materials.

BEC- PASS

[JA1991]

I think you are comparing oranges and apples. The CPA exam can't really be compared to your college GPA. It is a much different type of exam than the ones you take in college. It has a ton of information (Probably a semester's worth) on one exam. Don't compare those two. Study hard for the CPA exam and you will succeed.

REG: 86
AUD: 89
BEC: 85
FAR: 77

[ScarletKnightCPA]

They are both difficult and challenging in different aspects. If you study for the CPA exam for 8-14 hours you will fail. But in school you have to do that 8-14 hour study period repeatedly for multiple classes for several years. In school you also must determine how much studying is enough for any class and when it is time to prioritize another class. So time management is more critical in some ways relative to the CPA exam.

Far: 76 (Wiley Test Bank)
Aud: 77 (Wiley Test Bank)
Reg: 61, 76 (Wiley book, Wiley Test Bank)
Bec: 86 (Wiley Test Bank)

MBA in progress

[Stilgoin]

3.86 MBA in Accounting and studied my a$$ off. On my 3rd FAR exam. No comparison, but the will to persevere will benefit you. 😉 Good luck.

B | 62, 78
A | 73, 67, 79
R | 82
F | 59, 59, Waiting

Ethics | 93

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."
~Winston Churchill

“In a world full of critics, be an encourager."

[Matt Douglass]

It really depends on the college. I got a 3.94, graduated #1 in my business class, but it was at a garden variety state college. The exams have been harder than school definitely. I think if I had gone to a prestigious university my GPA would have been much lower, but I think the CPA exam would have been easier in comparison. I highly doubt even an average MIT econ grad would find BEC very difficult, whereas someone who went to Party State U. and got a 4.0 might struggle.

MS, Accounting - Done!

FAR - 83 (CPAexcel/Ninja MCQ)
AUD - 87 (CPAexcel/Ninja MCQ)
REG - 10/16
BEC - 11/16

[Kelleyzt32]

I had a 4.0 GPA in accounting classes at my college without very much effort. For my three sections of the CPA so far I have easily put in over 100+ of study time and lets say it has all be needed to fell comfortable going into each exam. The only one I felt confident leaving after was BEC and it was my lowest score. Study hard and stay focused and you should be fine .

REG - 91
FAR - 86
BEC - 84
AUD - July 2016

[SaveBandit]

CPA will absolutely be more challenging but the differential between school and the exam may not be as wide for you as it is for some people.

I struggled to make Bs in undergrad. In fact, I made 3 Cs. Never sniffed an A on any test although I got close once or twice. I scored higher on REG and AUD than I did on any accounting test. Generally, I would start studying 10-14 days out for tests. Our tests were administered outside of class, at night, and were 3-4 hours depending on the class. I wouldn't say the testing environment was as stressful as the CPA exam but it was a pretty close second. That being said, my alma mater for undergrad is in the top ten (and frequently top 5) for CPA pass rates pretty much every year. If you can make a 2.0 there, you can pass the exams.

Now grad school was totally opposite. I had a 4.0 the entire time and the study effort was far less, but that was a different (easier) program.

So, if your program was anything like my undergrad experience, you will have to work your tail off for sure, but should pass without any issue. If you are anything like me then you are probably used to working your tail off anyway.

4 for 4

FAR 85
AUD 94
BEC 86
REG 90

[Anonymous]

Wow. Thanks for all of your detailed feedback. The general consensus is the CPA Exam is definitely more challenging than undergraduate accounting courses due to the vast amount of information crammed into each section. This seems to be the biggest complaint and one of my worries. However, others have stated that strong study habits/skills and the desire to never give up are two of the best traits needed to pass the exam. Thankfully both of these traits are innate and part of my perfectionist personality. Hopefully these traits will translate into decent exam scores.

Thanks again for all of your responses. I understand what I am in for: The Test of My Life!

[Texan_176]

I had an Econ undergrad and went back for the required coursework to become a CPA.

I was a straight A student in every accounting class except Advance Accounting (B+ on it). I also got straight As in every non-accounting business class.

My signature tells the exam story. The hardest part of the exam is how knowing the general way to do things will never be enough to pass. The obscure small details matter with this exam. I would say the biggest test you face in taking the exam is the will to sacrifice your time and forego all other things in your life. It just eats up all of your time to properly study. All you do is go to work and study for weeks on end. If you fail a section it is crushing because you can't just brush up on weak areas. You must start from nothing and do it all again. Not everyone can handle that. I don't know how people with a spouse or kids manage to do it. I was miserable as a single person with relatively few responsibilities in life.

BEC 11/29/14 77 (Roger)
AUD 2/23/15 60 (Roger) 4/13/2015 83 (Roger & Ninja MCQ)
REG 5/30/2015 66 (Roger & Ninja MCQ(7 hours only)) 8/23/2015 78 (Roger & Ninja MCQ)
FAR 11/23/2015 60 (Roger & NINJA MCQ) 2/24/2016 74 (Roger & NINJA MCQ) 5/25/2016 83 (Roger+Roger CRAM & NINJA MCQ/NOTES)
Texas Ethics Exam 92%

Licensed TX CPA Aug 2016

[Track55]

At my school as long as your check clears they give you a degree and a high gpa.

I got a 3.8 and failed the exam multiple times.

Each section of the exam has a 45% passing rate (except BEC). In school I had classes where everyone passed.

AUD - 74, 99 !!
REG - 74, 92
BEC - 83
FAR - 73, 86

Studying for Ethics exam

California candidate
Business and Industry

[Author]

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