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how should i study for the cpa exam

by Dr. Cordia Yundt Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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How Many Hours Do You REALLY Need To Study For The CPA Exam?

  • Aim to study 20 hours per week
  • Give yourself between 6-12 weeks to study maximium per section
  • Cut out all of your distractions in life
  • Study with high intensity
  • Set micro-goals for yourself attached to micro-rewards for hitting your goals

The Best Way to Study for the CPA Exam
  1. Take a CPA practice test to see where you stand. ...
  2. Make a CPA exam study plan and stick to it. ...
  3. Let your friends and family know you're taking the CPA exam. ...
  4. Take care of yourself. ...
  5. Find a CPA mentor. ...
  6. Begin studying for the CPA exam as soon as possible. ...
  7. Join a CPA study group.

Full Answer

What exactly should you study for the CPA exam?

These are some of the variables that should influence your allocation of studying time:

  • College education. Many of the topics covered by the CPA exam are taught in college accounting courses. ...
  • Real world experience. ...
  • Time away from the industry. ...
  • General knowledge and confidence. ...
  • Section familiarity. ...
  • Studying prowess and retention. ...
  • Test taking abilities. ...

When should I start studying for the CPA exam?

When Should I Start Studying for the CPA Exam and When Should I Take It?

  1. Becker CPA Review Course Endorsed by Big 4 Accounting Firms
  2. Surgent CPA Prep Course Best Technology + Save $1,100
  3. Wiley CPAExcel Review Course Best Instructor Support
  4. UWorld Roger CPA Review Courses Best for Engaging Video Lectures
  5. Gleim CPA Review Course Most Task-Based Simulations. When is the Best Time to Sit for the CPA Exam? ...

What are the best ways to prepare for the CPA exam?

How To Mentally Prepare For The CPA Exam

  • Prepare for the fact that you may fail this exam
  • Determine what is less and more important than becoming a CPA and prioritize your time accordingly
  • Communicate with your family about what it will take to pass
  • Keep a list of reasons WHY you must become a CPA
  • Expect to NOT understand everything you learn the first time around

How long should I prepare for my CPA exam?

  • FAR: 120 hours
  • REG: 110 hours
  • AUD: 100 hours
  • BEC: 90 hours

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How long should you study for the CPA Exam?

300-400 hoursFor the average candidate, you should plan to commit a total of 300-400 hours to your study and review period. The goal of 300+ hours of studying gives you 80-100 hours for each section of the test. You may find that you need to focus more study hours on one area over another, which is totally fine.

How many hours a day should you study for the CPA Exam?

Because it's the CPA Exam, you should commit to studying for 1-2 hours per day, as you'll need about 140-150 total study hours per exam section. The faster you'd like to pass your exam section, the more study time you'll have to fit into each week.

Is CPA Exam difficult to pass?

It is considered one of the most challenging exams for obtaining standardized professional credentials. When the national pass rate is approximately 1 in 2, those who will eventually need to take the CPA exam should use every resource possible to give them an edge against a nearly 50% fail rate.

How can I pass CPA Exam quickly?

Quick Facts on Passing the CPA Exam in 3 MonthsDevelop a study plan and stick to it.Don't spend all your time reading study materials and watching videos. ... Use practice questions and exams to prepare for the real exam format.Use digital flashcards or create your own for tricky subjects.More items...

Which part of the CPA Exam is the hardest?

Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)Students often report that Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) is the most difficult part of the CPA Exam to pass, because it is the most comprehensive section.

Can an average student pass CPA?

PROBABLY not. The reason being is that the educational requirements to sit (take) the CPA exam are 150 semester hours of college (ie 5 years) and the equivalent of a bachelors degree in accounting from a college/university accredited by an accreditation association recognized here in the USA. GENERALLY.

Is becoming a CPA worth it?

As growth continues for accounting professionals in both public and private firms, hiring managers look for candidates with experience and certification. Earning your CPA puts you in the spotlight for promotion, rapid career advancement – and a better salary.

Which CPA Exam is easiest?

BECBEC is the only CPA exam section with WCTs. Some students find this makes the exam easier, but some do find WCTs to be harder than TBSs. Either way, BEC is considered the easiest part of the CPA exam because it has the highest pass rate.

Is CPA tougher than CA?

Indian CA exam requires lot of hard work. You cannot compare two exams because one is orange and other is apple. You can pass CPA exam in 6 - 12 months whereas it takes 3 - 4 years to pass CA.

Can I self study for CPA?

If you are knowledgeable in financial accounting and audit procedures, and you are an extremely disciplined person, you can try the self-study route. However, the CPA doesn't just test your accounting knowledge.

Can I pass the CPA in 6 months?

12:2441:18How to Pass the CPA Exam in 6 Months - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd it's something that you want to wrap your head around passing. The CPA exam in six months andMoreAnd it's something that you want to wrap your head around passing. The CPA exam in six months and doing you know pass.

Can you pass the CPA in 4 months?

10:4612:34CPA Study Plan | How to Pass the CPA in 4 Months - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut just break it down into a longer time period so maybe for you you would say okay I'll getMoreBut just break it down into a longer time period so maybe for you you would say okay I'll get through far in three months I'll get through audit in three months. I'll get through regulation.

How much should you study for the CPA Exam?

between 300-400 hoursThe AICPA recommends that candidates spend between 300-400 hours to study for the entire exam CPA exam. Because we all learn differently, some sections will require more study hours than others due to the volume of material included in a section and how quickly one is able to grasp and retain the study material.

How many hours study for AUD?

The AICPA recommends that CPA Candidates spend a minimum of 300 to 400 hours to study for the CPA Exam. That's about 16.7 days of consecutive study time—needless to say, it's a lot.

How long should I study for far Becker?

between 350 to 450 hoursMost candidates spend between 350 to 450 hours of time studying for the entire exam; that's about 20-25 hours per week, which can be a substantial time commitment on top of your other obligations.

Can I pass the CPA Exam in 6 months?

12:2441:18How to Pass the CPA Exam in 6 Months - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd it's something that you want to wrap your head around passing. The CPA exam in six months andMoreAnd it's something that you want to wrap your head around passing. The CPA exam in six months and doing you know pass.

How many hours per week should I study for the CPA exam?

Typically you will want to devote at least 20 hours per week to studying for the CPA Exam. Your focus should not be on number of hours. Instead foc...

How hard is it to pass the CPA exam?

Passing the CPA Exam is no easy feat. In fact the average pass rate of any given section ranges from 48%-55%. The people who pass the CPA exam opti...

Do you need a CPA exam mentor?

You do not need a CPA exam mentor to pass the CPA exam, but it sure speeds up your learning process. Helps avoid making rookie mistakes and helps y...

Which is the hardest section of the CPA exam?

The hardest section of the CPA exam by pass rate is clearly Financial Accounting and Reporting or FAR. But in terms of density of content tested, I...

What is the best order to take the CPA exam?

Typically you want to sit for FAR first as it is the largest section. The next section you take should be your primary focus for work, so either RE...

My First Attempt

After I finished my Master’s, I had 3 months before I started my new job in public accounting. My plan was to pass FAR before I started working in August. I bought my review course, and I jumped right in. My plan was to study 4 to 5 hours per day.

The Turning Point

I’m a pretty even-keel, not-much-gets-to-me kind of person, but something about failing the section and the shock of how busy and lost I felt at work (I was had now started my public accounting job) really lit a fire under me. I was determined to not let it happen again, and I also knew I was going to have to do something different.

How to Study for the CPA Exams

So, I decided to start studying in the mornings before work. I could really only fit in 2 hours each morning, so that’s what I did. From my previous study experience, I just wasn’t getting great results from watching the video lectures first, so I just skipped it and went straight to the questions.

How to Study for the CPA Exams: Ongoing Review

Okay so I was now getting through lessons much quicker, but I knew I wasn’t mastering them on the first time through. And, from my first FAR attempt, I was acutely aware that on test day it’s easy to forget a huge portion of what you’ve studied… especially “easy stuff”.

Strategy for Re-Studying a Failed Section

As you can see from my scoresheet, I took FAR and AUD 4 days apart. That FAR was my re-take from failing the first time, and the reason AUD was 4 days later was because I scheduled all 4 exams in the beginning, and I didn’t want to re-schedule AUD.

Victory!

After a few weeks, I had my study routine grooved in and at that point it was just executing it every single day.

Master YOUR Study Process

SuperfastCPA “Study Hacks” Training: This training is free and walks you through in detail the study approach I outlined in this article. A session takes about an hour and will save you months of time. If you have all 4 sections left then invest an hour in a session of this training.

How to prepare for CPA exam?

Start studying as soon as you’ve scheduled your exams. Take a step back and look at the next year of your life. Circle each date on a calendar that you are going to take each CPA exam and hold yourself accountable to do it. Do not let yourself push back the dates and keep the deadlines firm.

How long does it take to pass the CPA exam?

There are many roadblocks to passing the CPA Exam - time commitment is a major one. It takes a total of 16 hours to complete the CPA Exam, and that’s if you pass each section on the first try. That doesn’t take into account the hundreds of hours required studying during the 18-month exam testing window.

Why do you put CPA letters on your name?

With these letters, you will instantly receive recognition and respect because the entire world understands what it takes to pass these exams. Before you begin this difficult journey, it’s important to know how to study for the CPA Exam, using resources that fit your learning style.

How long before the real exam should I take Becker mock tests?

These practice tests allow you to test yourself and see how prepared you are before taking the real thing. I suggest you take the mock exam at least two weeks before the real exam.

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