[Shane]

Hey everyone I appreciate any feedback or help.

I am in my early 30’s, family, work, and the whole deal. Have been an auditor in state government for 6 years but looking to make a move into industry/private accounting most likely (not a fan of auditing). I graduated with my bachelors in 2014 and will be receiving my MBA in the next month or so. I wasn’t a very good college student at all. Haven’t learned a thing in my MBA program and I slacked off severely during my bachelors. Went for the easy way out most times which was cheating, looking answers up online, finding someone in class that would help with homework and such. I really regret it because I could have taken advantage and learned much more.

I thought about studying for the CPA exam right after I graduated with my bachelors but held off. I’m finally ready to make a career move and grab a hold of my career.

From everything I’ve read I’m thinking Roger CPA is my best bet because I am more of a visual learner and he starts with the basics first. I keep going to the checkout screen and not being able to hit the “place order” button because I keep second guessing if I will be able to do it or not.

Any tips or anybody else that had a similar situation to me?

[Mookie]

So I had a similar college experience. I graduated in 2019, but did not learn a whole lot during my time in college. I never had to study to make the grades, so I never learned how to study. I think that might be the biggest learning curve for you as well. It wasn't so much the ability to learn and comprehend the more difficult topics; it was learning how to be disciplined and focus on the task at hand. I took a year off between graduation and sitting for my first section, so I was having to start from the ground up as well. My recommendation is to start with the section you deem to be the hardest. For me it was FAR. This way you can study as long as is necessary without it counting towards your 18 months. Then work your way down so the exam gets “easier” as you go. None of them are easy, so don't underestimate any section. Just take the time to study properly and respect the exam for how difficult it is. You've got this. Good luck!

[KarenLAcct]

I have a full schedule as well as a family. What has been working for me is getting up early and doing it before everyone gets going. It is not easy to do but the relief I feel to have a good portion of it completed before I start my work day is a good feeling. It doesn't work every single day but I try to do 4:30-6:00am and then 1 hour at lunch or 1 hour at nighttime to review. Then longer periods on the weekends. I use ROGER for lectures/MCQ's/SIMS and Ninja at the end for review. I find Ninja to have questions/SIMS that prepare for test. Also handwriting things out a few times has been beneficial for me – rewriting notes at the end the week or two before the test is a good review. Also, in working problems, I print out the ones I get wrong and read the explanations and sometimes rewrite the problem or reason why. I think that is how I learn the best. Do the online sample tests at AICPA for sure. Good luck!

[Recked]

Try a few different courses before you buy.
Each course gives you a 2 week free trial or similar.
Lots of people pass with Roger, me being one of them, but you really need to make sure the review course matches your learning style.
I also coasted through college, and was out for 15 years when I took the CPA exams.
The review course definitely has everything you need to pass, as long as you have a good handle on debits and credits, but even that is gone over in detail for journal entries, etc.
The hardest part will be relearning how to study, and study efficiently. You will adapt as you go.
I started with FAR doing ALL the things. By the last couple exams I was just cramming videos as fast as I could and hammering MCQs. You will develop your own style.

[Author]

Replies