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Thanks for reading my story! :) It is possible to sit for two (even four) sections of the exam during one testing window. If you schedule your exam and you find yourself unprepared as test day approaches, you can change your appointment using the Prometric website. You'll incur a change fee, which varies depending upon how many days before your scheduled appointment you make your change. Best of luck on your CPA exams!
~Donna -
Professor Rick Gaumer at Lakeland College is the best person to answer your question. I recommend you email him directly at cpaprep@lakeland.edu for the most accurate information. Best of luck to you!
~Donna -
I used Becker CPA Exam Review to pass all four sections of the CPA exam. I'd like to refer you to Andrew Lee at CPAReviewMaterials.com - he offers Wiley, Lambers, Kaplan, Gleim & Bisk CPA exam review products and can help you find the product best suited to your needs. Best of luck on your CPA exams!
~Donna -
I share my advice for preparing for simulations on my blog at http://dh2bcpa.blogspot.com/2010/04/simulations-without-anxiety.html. Let me know if you have further questions. Thanks for asking!
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I was 9 credits short of the 150-hour requirement when I began preparing for the CPA exams, which is the reason for my scheduling pile-up. In mid-July, I enrolled in a for-credit CPA prep course through Lakeland College http://lakeland.edu/cpa.asp, which included Becker’s full courses and final review product. I completed the full courses for REG, FAR and BEC prior to November (when I became eligible to sit). I began my final review for REG in mid-October and sat for it Tuesday, November 3rd. I took one day off to “decompress” then began final review for BEC, which I took on Tuesday, November 17th. One more sanity day off, then completed the AUD course and final review and sat for AUD on Saturday, November 28th.
If this sounds like a crazy schedule, it was. Other facets of my life were put on hold while I buried myself in studying throughout November. (Thank heaven for the wonderful mother & mother-in-law who sent home-cooked turkey & all the sides to me on Thanksgiving Day!) I also took a long and well-earned break during December to recuperate and catch up with my life. This is not a schedule for everyone; however, if you are highly motivated and want to pass your CPA exams under strict time constraints, it can be done!
-Donna -
Schedule about 14 days for each final review. This is not the time to learn new material, but to review the topics you have already learned. Browse through the entire textbook, making notes of key areas, mnemonics, formulas, charts, etc. (I used note cards and mind mapping for this). If you are using a final review product, such as Becker's, begin there and refer back to full textbook for more in-depth topic information & details.
While increased exposure promotes familiarity with material, memorization is required to be successful on the exams. During your final review, use your note cards every day, as often as possible. Each time you flip through a pack, remove the cards you have memorized and spend more time with those you don’t. Schedule and simulate at least 2 complete practice exams before your test date to build up stamina and endurance. Last 48 hours before your exam, MEMORIZE anything you don’t already know, manage stress and anxiety and see yourself being successful on that exam! Best of luck to you!
- Donna -
I used Becker materials (Online & CD-ROM course, Pass Master, flashcards, and Final Review product) to prepare for each section of the exam. This sounds like a lot, but they all work together. Becker’s online course is a duplication of their CD-ROM course (without simulations and practice exams) but allows access to materials anywhere you can access the internet.
How to use the materials for success:
• Actively view each lecture topic by highlighting important parts of your book & flashcards and taking notes & making flashcards if you didn’t purchase them. Use Strategic Learning techniques.
• Pause the lecture for a short break roughly every 20 minutes to get up and stretch, run up and down some stairs, take a few deep breaths, or drink some water.
• Following each lecture topic, immediately do the MCQ for that topic until you achieve 100%. If the MCQ stump you, move to the next topic (view lecture and work MCQ again on another day if you have time). Remember, not everything you study will be on the exam, don’t sweat it.
• The next day, review your flashcards for the section just completed. Carry them with you at all times, so you can memorize them. Memorization is critical to success on exam day!
• Work every simulation for a chapter before beginning the next chapter. Focus on the written tab, as your performance here can earn up to 10 points on your exam.
• At the end of each week, review flashcards from earlier weeks.
Once you’ve completed all chapters, spend two weeks on your final review. Re-work all MCQ, paying attention to time; memorize flashcards; work at least two uninterrupted and timed practice exams; prepare & memorize a data sheet to produce on scratch paper at the exam station.
Thanks for asking, Jen. I’ve listed the basics here (see my blog at http://dh2bcpa.blogspot.com/ for additional study tips and advice). If you have further questions about my techniques, just ask. :D -
Be honest with yourself when planning study time. Can you dedicate 25 focused hours a week or 12? If you spend 4 hours every weekday with an additional 5-10 hours on weekends, you’ll have 150 hours of study completed in 6 weeks. Use that guideline for each exam and you’ll need about 6 months, barring major interruption or life event.
Personally, I spent 6 intense months preparing and passing pass all 4 exams, 5 of those as a full-time MBA student. I began the CPA exam process in mid-July. I became exam-eligible and took 3 exams in November, followed by a study break during most of December and January. I re-dedicated my efforts in late January and took my last exam at the end of February. This is the plan that worked for me. The plan that works for you will reflect the time YOU are able and willing to dedicate. -
Option 1: Consider your strengths. Customize your exam order to begin with areas of greatest knowledge. The goal with this approach is to build up confidence while progressing through each exam section. For example, if IT and business concepts are your strong point, start with BEC. If taxes are a breeze, begin with REG. If you are the guru of GAAP & GL entries, take FAR first. If you know GAAS inside and out, begin with AUD. When you prepare for your most worrisome exam, you will have taken three exams and be most comfortable with exam format, timing, and the Prometric process; your prep time can focus fully on material.
Option 2: Focus on your weakest areas to overcome fears. This approach times the candidate’s 18-month window to begin once the most challenging exam is passed, minimizing the chance for expiration of passed exams. Many suggest taking FAR first, because it has the greatest volume of topics and certain topics apply to other areas.
Personally, I prefer and applied option 1. This approach worked well for me and I believe people enjoy greatest success when focusing on strengths. -
This depends on your schedule and preference. Your goal is to study frequently, EVERY day. Use a single block of hours, many 15 minute power bursts, a marathon-study weekend, or any combination of these approaches. Start the day studying to take advantage of a brain that is fresh, alert and ready to learn or study in the evening to promote subconscious review during sleep. Study during your public commute might make it go by more quickly.
My favorite time to study was during and following a brisk walk, to take advantage of the increased blood flow to the brain. I set aside blocks of time each day to watch lectures, work MCQ and practice simulations at my computer. However, I was often seen flipping through my flashcards while in line at the grocery, in a doctor’s waiting room, and while a passenger in a car – each minute counts!
After intense study periods, take short “mindless” breaks, doing yard work, housecleaning, playing with your dog, resting, etc. These breaks allow your brain to absorb & solidify the most recent material and “make it stick” before adding new material. It is very helpful to set a schedule with goals for daily study time and record progress at day’s end. Be honest with yourself – does that hour of “study” during Survivor count? Each new day brings new opportunities and choices to help you pass the CPA exam. -
The best way to control exam anxiety is with adequate preparation. :)
If hyperventilating on exam day, try these ideas:
Exercise & hot shower beforehand. At test center: deep breaths with BIG exhale, shake your arms wildly, do neckrolls. Now close your eyes and tell yourself, "I have everything I need and I am here to pass this exam."
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Donna Harding’s Bio
CPA candidate; passed all CPA exams & helping others do the same through study tips, techniques, and positive thinking.
