[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!

[Anonymous]

cpa4928,

There's good news and bad news. The good news is, if you're anything like the hardcore straight-A students I knew in college that literally spent 12 hours a day at the library, you'll likely have no problem with the cpa exam (maybe even find it a joke). The bad news is, all your impressive accounting textbooks are basically useless in preparing you for the actual exam. I would not expect to refer to them even once during your exam prep. Success in the exam is about, and only about, knowing what is on the exam. Good luck!

[PharmBoy]

If your accounting classes were worth a damn, they will provide a solid foundation for the exam. If your accounting classes were a joke, the joke is on you when you take the CPA exam.

[Anonymous]

My classes were very, very competitive even though I went to a California State School. The only way to earn an A in any of my upper division accounting courses was to study your butt off. Like I said, I would read the entire book, work all assigned homework problems, and cram 14 to 20 hours before each Exam (2 to 3 days). I literally had no life and earned a 3.7 GPA. I treated College as if it were the CPA Exam, so I would build the needed study skills and hopefully retain a lot of the information.

Hopefully all of my preparation pays off. However, I know there are no shortcuts with this exam. Either you knuckle up and grind through it. Or, you get left far behind. Thanks for all of the replies!

[maki]

The 3.7 GPA is much more challenging because it requires discipline over a longer period of time. The CPA exam requires only a few months to complete if you aren't working in my opinion.

Roger CPA

AUD 02/01/16 91
REG 02/27/16 79
BEC 04/16 84
FAR 06/04

[nadroj]

It totally depends on the program.

[Nessie]

There is a huge difference between CPA exams and even the most challenging college level exams. The difference is your college exams and curriculum are written by the same person. With the CPA exams, those who write the exams do not provide the curriculum. This is the why the CPA exams are generally tougher than college courses.

REG Aug 20/15: 88
AUD: Feb 29/16: 80
FAR: Jun 10/16: 80
BEC?

Becker self-study, Becker Final Review & NINJA MCQS

[Author]

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