How to Nail your CPA Test?

Establish a realistic study plan

Scheduling study time and adhering to a plan might be one of the most difficult aspects of studying for the CPA Exam, but it is critical. Because the time commitment required to pass is so great, you won’t be able to manage job, studying, family/social commitments, and sleep without a strong strategy. Schedule your study time during the day when your mind is most active. Most individuals like to study in the morning, but if you’re a night owl, don’t let anyone convince you that studying in the morning is always preferable. Also, keep in mind that you may and should modify the plan if it isn’t working for you, but you should always have a schedule.

Assume you’ll need to study for around 100 hours each part – a bit more for areas where you’re weaker, a little less for topics where you’re pretty strong. Similarly, if you know you are not a natural test-taker, try increasing that time to 120 hours. Plan your study time so that you finish the 100 – or 120 – hours one week before the exam, allowing for an unforeseen job trip, family catastrophe, or mental collapse.

Train, don’t study 

It should go without saying that your aim is to pass an exam, not to grasp accounting theory. To that aim, treat test preparation like you would prepare for a sport. You don’t get better at basketball by reading books or watching basketball videos. You improve by practicing one ability at a time until it becomes second nature. The majority of the concepts that apply to training for a sport also apply to preparation for the CPA test.

A textbook will most likely be provided by your test prep provider. Please do not read it! Similarly, don’t squander your important study time by watching the hours of video lessons they give. If you’re like most people, your eyes will glaze over after 5 minutes of reading an accounting textbook or watching an accounting lecture. You could think you’re studying, but you’re not getting anything out of it. This is due to the fact that reading and watching are both passive pursuits. If you want to learn something, you must keep your mind busy. As indicated below, just use the textbook as a reference. You can view the videos while cooking or working out if that is convenient for you, but not while studying. The purpose of study time is to answer practice questions.

When you get a question wrong, rejoice because it indicates you’re going to do some real studying! Examine the explanation to ensure that you understand it. If you don’t, go back to that portion of the textbook and go over it again until you do. Then, without glancing at the explanation, work the question again right away. Then repeat the process. Again and again. Continue doing so until the actions you use to acquire the answer become instinctive. Then, either mark the question or write down the question number in your program. Redo any questions you’ve gotten wrong in the past at least once a week. As you master each, you will be able to cross them off your list. Consider this to be the same as establishing muscle memory for a sport. Few students really follow these instructions, but those that do have a significant edge. Carry it out!

If you answer a practice question correctly and are satisfied that you understand the material tested, move on to the next one without reading the explanation. Yes, reading through the explanation may be beneficial in cementing the material in your mind, but your time is better spent moving on to the next inquiry. Of course, if you were confused about an answer or just got fortunate, approach the question as if you had answered incorrectly.

On test day 

What you can and cannot bring, what ID and documents you must bring, and other testing facility regulations may be found here. However, keep in mind that rules may and do change, so make sure you follow the advice provided by Prometric and NASBA.

When you finish a testlet, it is preferable to submit it and go on to the next one. If you finished your practice exams early and are confident that you have plenty of time, you should immediately go back and examine your answers. Keep in mind, though, that the aim is not to rewrite issues or second-guess oneself. Instead, simply search for areas where you may have been careless. Pay special attention to queries that contain negative terms such as “not” or “unless.” On the exam, some terms will be bolded so that you can find them easily. Even the greatest students can misinterpret negative question stems, so double-check that you interpreted them correctly.

These exam preparation tips should help you pass the CPA Exam as quickly as possible; nevertheless, let’s face it, there is no simple method to pass the CPA Exam. The most crucial thing you’ll need to go through it isn’t good exam prep software, a decent education, or even a sound strategy. It’s old-fashioned grit! Expect to fail at least one or two sections. It is simply a part of the process. The key is to roll with the punches and stay in the battle. You can do it if you persevere.