| Passing the CPA exam may be a daunting task, | | | | There are online CPA forums where you can post or |
| especially if you've heard of the number of people | | | | answer to a request for study partners. Set up a strict |
| who have had to take multiple sections multiple times | | | | schedule and get everyone to commit to it by |
| before finally getting their CPA. Below are ten CPA | | | | scheduling other obligations around it. Studying with |
| preparation tips that have served me well in the past, | | | | other people can help you to be more disciplined, and |
| and I am sure they will help you too. Pass the CPA | | | | oftentimes two (or three) heads are better than one |
| exam you will, eventually - it is inevitable unless you | | | | when it comes to figuring out difficult concepts or |
| give up. | | | | problems. When the going gets tough, your study |
| 1)Acquire the Right Mentality | | | | buddies may just be able to give you the emotional |
| Nobody said passing the CPA was easy. This is a | | | | support you need to keep going - after all, they're in |
| huge undertaking that will require much time and | | | | the same boat you are and should understand how |
| tenacity before you will succeed. Many people fail | | | | you feel. |
| multiple sections multiple times before finally passing all | | | | 6)Only Take On One Section At a Time |
| four sections. Prepare yourself for the possibility that | | | | Many people find it overwhelming when trying to study |
| you may fail some of the sections before passing | | | | for all four CPA sections at the same time. There's |
| them, and accept that as a natural part of the process | | | | simply too much material to familiarize yourself with all |
| of getting your CPA. On the other hand, remind | | | | at once. A better strategy would be to only |
| yourself of previous achievements that serve as | | | | concentrate on studying for one section at a time, |
| concrete proof of your mental capabilities, such as | | | | pass the exam for that section, take a break, and then |
| getting your college degree. Countless other people | | | | start studying for the next section and so on. Another |
| have struggled and passed the CPA exam in the end, | | | | piece of advice would be to go for the hardest section |
| and so will you. | | | | first (the one that is hardest for you - this will vary |
| 2)Get Help From Friends and Family | | | | from person to person), because once you pass your |
| Trying to pass the CPA is not an easy task, but you | | | | first section, you only have 18 months to pass your |
| don't need to do it alone. Start enlisting help from your | | | | remaining sections. Getting that hardest section out of |
| friends and family members by explaining to them why | | | | the way first will minimize your chances of running out |
| you need to pass your CPA exam and how difficult | | | | of time and having the 18-month window expire on |
| and time-consuming this task is. If they are supportive | | | | you. |
| of what you're doing, they may help you out with | | | | 7)Focus on Problem Areas |
| some of your current obligations (e.g. household chores | | | | Although reviewing materials you already know well |
| such as cooking), and will understand if you can't make | | | | makes you feel good, it certainly won't help your exam |
| it to every social gathering. | | | | scores much in the end. To get the highest ROI (rate |
| 3)Stay in Great Health | | | | of return) for your study time, spend it on learning |
| Poor health has detrimental effects on concentration, | | | | material you have the most trouble with. Flip through all |
| which greatly impacts on the ability to think and study. | | | | of your learning materials, identify your weak areas, |
| Eat a balanced diet, exercise adequately, and most | | | | and studying them one by one until you've conquered |
| importantly, get at least 6-8 hours of sleep every night, | | | | them. |
| taking an afternoon nap in between if you need to | | | | 8)Take Lots of Notes |
| (don't go beyond 15-30 minutes or you'll feel groggy). | | | | It is important to take ample notes while you're |
| Also, don't forget to schedule regular study breaks - | | | | studying, so that you'll have something to review during |
| they will help you to avoid feeling burnt out, and will also | | | | the last few days before the actual exam. Since your |
| help your brain to absorb materials more readily when | | | | short-term memory is, well, short-term, materials you |
| you resume after the break. Studying for the CPA can | | | | cover during those last few days will be remembered |
| be quite a battle, where your mind and body are your | | | | best on your exam day. This small window is just not |
| weapons, so to speak. If you want to win the battle, | | | | enough for you to review all your study materials from |
| you need to keep your weapons in good working | | | | start to end, so be sure you have a good set of study |
| order. | | | | notes that you can commit to memory during the last |
| 4)Invest in a Good CPA Review Course | | | | few precious days before your exam. |
| Some of the best CPA review courses available | | | | 9)Time Yourself |
| today come with DVD lectures that explain concepts | | | | When doing practice questions during CPA exam prep, |
| so much better than textbooks do. The better CPA | | | | time yourself as if you're actually doing the exam. This |
| review materials will even include lists of practice | | | | will train your brain to work under time constraints and |
| questions to focus on, that will be the most likely to | | | | better prepare you for the actual exam. Moreover, by |
| appear on the actual exam. The best of these CPA | | | | getting used to being timed, you'll be less likely to panic |
| review courses come with live support where you can | | | | on exam day when you don't know the answer to a |
| call in to ask any questions related to the CPA exam, | | | | question. |
| and get answers and detailed explanations from live | | | | 10)The More Practice the Better |
| trainers. In short, investing in a good CPA review | | | | Do as many practice questions as you can, for as |
| course can drastically shorten your exam preparation | | | | many times as you have time for. By doing so, not |
| time and increase your odds of passing the CPA | | | | only will you know the material better, but you'll also |
| exam. | | | | feel more confident about your odds of passing the |
| 5)Find a Study Buddy Or Two | | | | exam - both of which will help increase your actual |
| Seek out other people who are also studying for CPA | | | | score! |
| exams in your area and invite them to study with you. | | | | |