Syndication10 Dec 2010
Passing the CPA Exam - Increase Your OddsPassing the CPA exam can be a frustrating project, especially if you have heard of the multitudes of people who have had to take multiple sections a number of times before finally passing the CPA exam. Pass the CPA exam you will, finally ¨C unless you give up, it is inevitable.
Passing the CPA is by no means easy. Passing the CPA exam is a huge task that will need lots of tenacity and perseverence in order to accomplish. Many people fail more than one sections several times before eventually passing all four sections of the exam. On the other hand, remind yourself of previous achievements that serve as solid validation of your capabilities, for example having a college degree. Multitudinous other people have struggled through and passed the CPA exam in the end, and so will you.
Attempting the CPA is not an easy task, fortunately you won't have to do it alone. You should ask for assistance from your family members and friends by telling them the reasons why you want to pass the CPA and how time-consuming and difficult this project is.
3)Maintain Great Health
Poor health can have hurtful effects on mental acumen, which can greatly impact on your capability to study and think. 4)Get a Useful CPA Exam Review Course
The top CPA review programs available today come with lectures in DVD format that teach materials much better than textbooks ever could. The better CPA review courses are even equipped with a list of exam questions for you to concentrate on, that are most likely to be found on the live exam. In conclusion, investing in a good CPA exam review course can really cut your exam studying time and better your chances of passing the CPA exam.
5)Find People to Study With
Locate people who are also preparing for the CPA exam in your geogrphical area and invite them to study together. CPAnet.com has a forum where you can find study partners in your area. When you're feeling frustrated, your study buddies may be able to give you the support you need to continue - after all, they're in the same boat you are and are in a position to understand what you're going through.
Most people find it overwhelming when trying to tackle all 4 CPA exam sections at any one time. A more manageable way would be to focus only on studying for one section at a time, do the exam for that section, take a break, and then start studying for the next section etc. Another piece of advice would be to try for the most challenging section first (the one that is most difficult for you - this will vary from person to person), because as soon as you pass your first section, you only have 18 months to pass the remaining 3 sections.
7)Target Difficult Areas
Although reviewing materials you know well may make you feel confident, it probably won't help to increase your exam scores in the end. To get the highest ROI for your time and effort, spend it on studying materials you have the most trouble with. Flip through all of your learning materials, identify your problematic areas, and stay focused on them until you've conquered them.
8)Remember to Take Notes
Because you'll be using mostly your short-term memory during the exam, materials you review during those last several days will be remembered best on your exam day. This small window of time is just not sufficient for you to study all materials from beginning to end, so be sure you have a complete set of study notes that you can commit to memory during the last few valuable days before your exam.
9)Use a Timer
This will condition your brain to work under time constraints and prepare you more effectively for the actual exam. Furthermore, by preparing in this way, you'll be less likely to panic on exam day when you can't come up with the answer to a question.
10)Practice, Practice, and More Practice
Try to do as many practice problems for as many times as you have time for. By doing this, you will understand the material better, and also feel more self-assured about passing the exam - both of which will help increase your exam score!
Read about how Dave Bryant has ultimately managed to pass three previously failed sections over the course of only ten months, with flying colors, in his blog about passing the CPA exam.
Passing the CPA is by no means easy. Passing the CPA exam is a huge task that will need lots of tenacity and perseverence in order to accomplish. Many people fail more than one sections several times before eventually passing all four sections of the exam. On the other hand, remind yourself of previous achievements that serve as solid validation of your capabilities, for example having a college degree. Multitudinous other people have struggled through and passed the CPA exam in the end, and so will you.
Attempting the CPA is not an easy task, fortunately you won't have to do it alone. You should ask for assistance from your family members and friends by telling them the reasons why you want to pass the CPA and how time-consuming and difficult this project is.
3)Maintain Great Health
Poor health can have hurtful effects on mental acumen, which can greatly impact on your capability to study and think. 4)Get a Useful CPA Exam Review Course
The top CPA review programs available today come with lectures in DVD format that teach materials much better than textbooks ever could. The better CPA review courses are even equipped with a list of exam questions for you to concentrate on, that are most likely to be found on the live exam. In conclusion, investing in a good CPA exam review course can really cut your exam studying time and better your chances of passing the CPA exam.
5)Find People to Study With
Locate people who are also preparing for the CPA exam in your geogrphical area and invite them to study together. CPAnet.com has a forum where you can find study partners in your area. When you're feeling frustrated, your study buddies may be able to give you the support you need to continue - after all, they're in the same boat you are and are in a position to understand what you're going through.
Most people find it overwhelming when trying to tackle all 4 CPA exam sections at any one time. A more manageable way would be to focus only on studying for one section at a time, do the exam for that section, take a break, and then start studying for the next section etc. Another piece of advice would be to try for the most challenging section first (the one that is most difficult for you - this will vary from person to person), because as soon as you pass your first section, you only have 18 months to pass the remaining 3 sections.
7)Target Difficult Areas
Although reviewing materials you know well may make you feel confident, it probably won't help to increase your exam scores in the end. To get the highest ROI for your time and effort, spend it on studying materials you have the most trouble with. Flip through all of your learning materials, identify your problematic areas, and stay focused on them until you've conquered them.
8)Remember to Take Notes
Because you'll be using mostly your short-term memory during the exam, materials you review during those last several days will be remembered best on your exam day. This small window of time is just not sufficient for you to study all materials from beginning to end, so be sure you have a complete set of study notes that you can commit to memory during the last few valuable days before your exam.
9)Use a Timer
This will condition your brain to work under time constraints and prepare you more effectively for the actual exam. Furthermore, by preparing in this way, you'll be less likely to panic on exam day when you can't come up with the answer to a question.
10)Practice, Practice, and More Practice
Try to do as many practice problems for as many times as you have time for. By doing this, you will understand the material better, and also feel more self-assured about passing the exam - both of which will help increase your exam score!
Read about how Dave Bryant has ultimately managed to pass three previously failed sections over the course of only ten months, with flying colors, in his blog about passing the CPA exam.