So, you’re going to sit for the CPA Exam? Great! Becoming a Certified Public Accountant is a fantastic step to take in accountancy, and one that doesn’t have to be too difficult – if you put in the study time, and choose the right CPA Review Course.
On this page, we’re going to break down how you should prepare for each of the exam sections, so you feel confident come exam day.
Before you start
So, before we dive into each of the exam sections themselves, we first need to be sure you’ve chosen the right CPA study prep course for your learning style. Did you do your research; does it align with your study schedule, and come with the different study materials you’re looking for (i.e. flashcards, or video lectures)?
CPA candidates will often assume they have to start the studying from scratch, but that’s not the case – in fact, test takers should base the order they take the exam sections on previous experience (through accounting classes or work experience). Plus, the right review materials can actually home in on what your weak points are – take Surgent CPA Review for example, with our adaptive learning technology, we’re able to identify what you don’t know and efficiently focus on those topics so you can pass first time.
Study Tips
Now we can get into a couple of study tips focused around fitting the study schedule in to get you started – want personalized tips based on your experiences, thoughts and concerns? You can get them here.
1. Study Whenever You Can. Study during your commute, during your lunch hour, during your free time in the evening – and set aside time on the weekends. Even if one study session is only 15 minutes, it’s important to study as often as possible. We know it’s a rigorous schedule, but studying with intent is the fastest way to pass the exam.
2. Make Sure Your Friends/Family Know What You’re Doing. Hey – it takes a village. And passing the CPA Exam will take time. That’s why we recommend you make your friends and family aware of what you’re doing, the study schedule you’ll be following and when your exam date is scheduled for. This will help set expectations, and prevent you from feeling guilty if you can’t make your weekend plans with them.
3. Make Time For You. Having said that, while it is important to study often and vigorously, it’s important to take time off between the sections, at least two weeks. Also, during your 20-hour study marathons, schedule some fun into your plan. If you do not find a balance, you will burn out.
Now, onto Preparing for the Sections of the CPA Exam
Find Out How to Pass in Three Weeks
Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)
What is FAR:
Many candidates consider the CPA FAR exam to be the most challenging of the four because of its length and scope of information covered on the test, but with the appropriate exam prep, you can get a passing score easily.
Topics to study:
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