How to pass the CPA Exam

Taking the CPA Exam is on the minds of a lot of people who have just graduated with an accounting degree, making a career change, or just want to gain a valued certification. Whatever the case my be, it is a smart choice and it will add tremendous value to you and your resume for the rest of your life. However, it is also one of the most challenging tasks. If you follow these steps you will have a better chance of passing the exam on the first try, like I did. Work hard and you will succeed!!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Exam materials (books and questions), preferably Becker CPA Review
• Highlighters
• Pens/Pencils
• Computer
• Time

1. Determine your budget for study materials.
   Becker(http://www.beckercpa.com/) is approximately $2,800. However, depending on where you are employed, you might be eligible for a discount. Check online to see if you are eligible for a discount. Self study CD course (http://www.beckercpa.com/enrollnow/orderTree.cfm?productCode=CDROM) or live course (http://www.beckercpa.com/enrollnow/ orderTree.cfm?productCode=Live).
   
   There is a large variety of other study materials including but not limited to:
   -Bisk Education (http://www.bisk.com/)
   -Gleim CPA Review (http://www.gleim.com/accounting/cpa/?Google_cpa&&PHPSESSID=ab2bba5d45d9e2a37de531f88e707402)
   -Wiley CPA Review (http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/Section/id-300207.html)
   
   (I have only used the Becker review materials, so I cannot recommend any of the other review materials above).
2. Purchase study materials.
3. Determine what time of day will work best for you to study; morning or evening. You will need a block of time at least one to three hours long.
4. Make a study schedule that includes at least 2 hours of study time each day (half of the time reading or listening to lectures and the other half doing practice questions). For FAR (Financial Accounting & Reporting) and REG (Regulation) I would recommend studying at least 2 to 3 hours each day for approximately 2 months prior to your scheduled test date. For BEC (Business Environment and Concepts) and AUD (Auditing & Attestation) I would recommend studying at least 2 hours each time for approximately 1 to 1.5 months prior to your scheduled test date.
5. Take the Exam (most exam materials should recommend how to budget your time between the multiple choice questions and simulations while taking the exam - remember to follow there recommendations)!!

Tips & Warnings

• Get enough sleep while studying
• The most important part of studying for the CPA Exam is to make sure that you attempt enough practice questions. Try and complete at least 100% of the practice questions and if you have time review questions for a second time.
• During the simulation part of the CPA Exam there is a research tool, which allows you to access all rules related to the subject(s) you are being tested on. If you can't remember something from your study materials, look it up here.