11 Tips to Study for the CPA Exam

Wondering how to study for the CPA exam?

You’re not alone. And with average pass rates of about 49% on core exam sections and around 58% on the discipline ones, it’s clear that spending plenty of time studying is crucial.

Today, I’ll share some of my top tips for test prep and some valuable tools you can use to increase your chances of passing on the first try. Let’s get started.

Key Takeaways

• Build a Support System: Involve friends and family in your CPA exam journey to stay motivated and minimize distractions.
• Prioritize Health: Maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, and a steady sleep schedule is crucial for effective studying.
• Create a Dedicated Study Space: Set up a comfortable, distraction-free area to enhance focus and productivity during study sessions.
• Regularly Review and Adjust Your Study Plan: Continuously assess your progress and modify your study plan to address weaker areas and ensure comprehensive preparation.
• Take Practice Tests: Consider partnering with review prep companies like Becker or Surge to get access to review materials, one-on-one support, and more.

1. Focus on Pre-Study Prep

Pre-study prep is one of the best ways to set yourself up for success when preparing for the CPA exam. Luckily, this is one of the easiest steps in the process. Let’s take a closer look at some things you can do to prepare.

1. Lean on Your Support System: In my experience, having a support system that supports and motivates you to prepare to pass the exam is crucial. Talk to your friends and family about your study schedule and goals to avoid distractions and stay motivated and accountable.
2. Take Care of Yourself: Focusing on your health is more important than you might think. Prioritizing eating a healthy diet, maintaining an exercise routine, and having a sleep schedule are all crucial to the study process.
3. Create a Study Space: During study sessions, having a dedicated space that’s comfortable and free of distractions is helpful. This can help you maintain focus to get the most out of each session.
4. Consider Finding Help: Studying for the CPA exam is a daunting task. However, you don’t have to do it alone. Now is the time to consider hiring help, such as a CPA mentor, for guidance and support.

2. Assess Your Knowledge

So, you know you need to start studying for the CPA exam, but where do you start?

First, review the exam format and content to give you a better idea of what to expect. Don’t skip this step, as it’s easy to overlook. Then, take a comprehensive CPA practice exam to identify areas for improvement and use your results to tailor a refined study approach.

Then, focus on the troublesome topics and ensure they become a part of your study routine. There are also online practice courses available to use to extend your knowledge. Now that you know what you need to improve on and what the test will be like, what’s the next step to pass?

3. Create a Study Plan

You might be surprised at how much time you’ll need to study for the CPA exam. The average student spends about 300-400 hours of total study time for the CPA exam.

That means you can expect to spend 1,200 to 1,600 hours studying in total.

How will you balance studying with your other commitments? The answer is simple: create a study plan. Here are some of my tried-and-true study tips for creating an effective one.

4. Break up Sessions

Undoubtedly, the sheer amount of hours spent studying can seem overwhelming. A simple way to counter this is by breaking the CPA exam sections into manageable chunks. This allows you to create a straightforward strategy that avoids burnout.

5. Set Realistic Goals

Setting realistic goals for studying can help you stay motivated and on track.

Consider when you should start studying, how many months you should dedicate to the cause, and what time of day you are typically the most productive.

Remember: setting short-term and long-term study goals incentivizes you to stay on track and persevere. Make sure you have a list of goals that vary with each type. You’ll want to write them down. You can also post them somewhere visible from your space to maximize their impact.

6. Consider Your Strengths and Weaknesses

Many test takers need help deciding which areas of the CPA exam are most challenging and important to focus on. The simplest way to do this is to take inventory of your strengths and weaknesses.

Suppose you struggle with procrastination and often feel tempted to “cram” for tests. In that case, you’ll need a strategy to counteract that, such as breaking your schedule into short, manageable periods over several months.

On the other hand, test takers with solid time management skills might focus more on honing their test-taking skills by taking plenty of practice tests.

7. Use a Planner or Calendar

Perhaps one of the most successful methods for studying for the CPA exam is setting aside dedicated study time. However, it can be difficult to balance life and studying, especially if you have other commitments like a family or extracurricular activities.

The good news is that you can prevent over-commitment by keeping a planner or calendar. Depending on your availability, use these tools to set aside consistent blocks of time each day or week to target the material.

Remember to be realistic when mapping out this time. Doing so helps prevent burnout, helps you balance your prep with other commitments, and reduces stress levels overall.

8. Review Your Plan Regularly

Reviewing and adjusting your plan regularly increases your chances of passing the exam on test day. As you progress, you may find your knowledge weaker in some areas than you expected. In this scenario, reviewing your plan allows you to adjust your strategy to spend extra time on those areas.

9. Focus on Proven Study Techniques

According to the NIH, effective techniques help improve test scores. Let’s break down some of the most helpful study tips for passing the CPA exam.

• Use learning techniques like summarizing, self-quizzing, and elaboration.
• Review material regularly to reinforce learning and prevent forgetting.
• Use practice tests and task-based simulations.
• Use flashcards to familiarize yourself with key terms and concepts.
• Avoid burnout by taking frequent breaks to stay focused.
• Reward yourself for reaching milestones and celebrate small victories along the way.
• Consider joining a study group or funding a study buddy.

Remember: using a robust mix of techniques is the best way to maximize your study sessions.

10. Invest in CPA Exam Review Prep Materials

Studying with a popular CPA review course are an essential tool for students since they make it easier to pass the CPA exam. Start by looking into online options—with some on-the-go accessibility available on your phone as well—such as videos, study guides, practice questions, online courses, and apps to add to your arsenal. Use these to refresh your memory and remain current on changing tax laws.

Online test prep companies such as Becker and Surgent CPA offer services such as tutoring, success coaching, practice test simulations with multiple-choice questions, and video lectures. Having access to these prep tools can help you maximize your studying time. Many test prep companies also offer upgrades to include in-person or online tutoring services.

11. Stay Up-to-Date with CPA Exam Changes

Consider reviewing the AICPA’s website periodically to check for updates on the CPA exam. Consider test prep courses that include one-on-one academic tutoring sessions with an expert who can help you stay in the know. Review options like Becker or Surgent also update their course material to cover any changes in the exam.

You should also consider joining online communities or forums to connect with other candidates that are also becoming a CPA. This will allow you to stay informed about changes and connect you with a community of students with similar goals.

Final Thoughts

While studying for the CPA exam can be intimidating, you can do it effectively with the right tools and know-how.

Consider purchasing a review course to study for the CPA exam. While it is possible to prepare for exam day without one, partnering with a well-respected company like Becker or Surgent can simplify the process and increase your chances of passing on your first try.

If you don’t pass on your first try, don’t worry. Use this time to review your performance and identify areas for improvement. Then, you can retake any sections you still need to pass to earn your CPA.

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