General Exam Advice

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  • #168681
    jmarsh
    Member

    I am currently a junior undergraduate accounting student who is very eager to earn my CPA certification as soon as possible. Ideally, I would like to pass all sections before completing my MSA in May, 2015. The major problem that I have is actually scheduling time to study and take the exam. I am taking a year off before enrolling in my university’s MSA program, because I was offered a work contract in South America from October until May. My work load abroad will be light, so I would have plenty of time to study, but I don’t think it would be useful to study for all of the sections and then take the exams separately. Would it make the most sense to put off studying for the exam until I return and complete it section by section? Would this be manageable to do while enrolled in my graduate program? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
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  • #335960
    Minimorty
    Participant

    Yes and yes.

    #335961
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I know that international candidates used to study for all four sections or at least several sections at a time and then come over here to take the test. I don't know how they do it now that the exam is given internationally. I'm studying for 2 at one time right now, not by choice, and I can tell you that it is a nightmare. Just the thought of sitting in Prometric for 8 hours straight is giving me a panic attack! I wish I had @minimorty‘s confidence.

    #335962
    mgoloubenko
    Member

    I'm in a MAcc program currently, and studying and it is manageable so definitely consider that route. But just be aware, your entire life will be accounting between classes and the CPA lol

    FAR 4/9/12- PASSED
    BEC 7/13/12- PASSED
    AUD 8/16/12- Ughhh 71, Rematch: 90!!!
    REG-12/6/12 PASSED

    USC MAcc- Fight on!

    They say good things come to those who wait, but only those things that are left by those who hustle.

    #335963
    MrNormalGuy
    Member

    Hey I was kind of like you. I finished college with a good gpa 4.6, and my biggest regret is splitting up between computer science and accounting. What this did is prevent me from taking corporate, partnership, and advanced individual taxation. Instead I took java I, java II, and java III.

    How does this apply to you? My recommendation is that if you have the money you get an online review class and start studying as soon as possible. Even if you aren't taking the exam for two or three years, I would do this for several reasons.

    Increasingly more universities are starting to realize that the students are grossly under prepared for the CPA. For me there were only two sections on this exam that were what constitutes review. The rest of it I am learning on my own. I'm sure financial reporting will be easier for me, I had one of the hardest professors ranked for financial reporting II and III in the world at rate my professor.com. So if you're from a school that isn't geared towards the CPA like niu university is and depaul university recently became…then I would start studying from now because most of the material will not be review.

    My recommendation is you just start watching videos from a point of interest, half hour a night, and approach from a scholastic academic angle. This way when you'll only have to study 14 hours a week to pass the exam instead of loading up to 30 hours a week for 8 weeks….you can take it easy and be good to yourself.

    All this being said, as soon as I finish this regulation exam, I'll probably have to take it again because I'm a perfectionist and I threw all my notes in the garbage yesterday……..

    I haven't passed any sections yet…but I know why I haven't…..I've just told you some reasons so that maybe you can avoid the same dead end alleys.

    Remember, if you do have some extra funds….I really recommend you start studying for your weakest section. A good cheap CPA review program to get you prepared for a Becker session is KAPLAN! It is very thorough, you get audio, and you get several tiers of multiple choice on a single web page….along with videos….I would ignore the flashcards and make your own.

    Hope this helps. You can also visit my blog. I'm actually a very versatile individual, and I've learned a plethora of skills over the years which I haven't yet monetized so my general learning strategies are worth a read.

    Sincerely, Steverinoe…

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    #335964
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @MrNormal Guy — On what scale is that “4.6 GPA” of yours?

    @OP — Yeah, it's very possible…I took all 4 sections during the MAcc program and while teaching an undergrad acc course…very manageable, but like @mg said, be prepared to have your life be just school and CPA.

    #335965
    MrNormalGuy
    Member

    Sorry…I meant 3.6. I've been typing like a madman tonight and switching into study mode.

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    #335966
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Oh haha ok makes more sense…I thought maybe you went to a school with a 5 point gpa system

    #335967
    MrNormalGuy
    Member

    What's easier in terms of man hours…CPA or CIA? I'm more concerned with man hours….I have trouble studying more than three hours a day…

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    #335968
    jmarsh
    Member

    Thanks for all the advice 🙂

Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
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