Study strategies I used to pass all 4 parts of the CPA exam.

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #184393
    Jasper
    Member

    Besides studying the Wiley Book from cover to cover several times, and doing every online and book MCQ and SIM several times, I utilized several study strategies which have helped me not only on the CPA exam, but through college and high school as well. You may already being using them, but if not, they could help.

    1) Study from memory. Once you know the topic material, do not open the book. Open your mind and study from it. If you need reassurance that the information in your brain is correct, then open the book for verification.

    2) Mnemonics are helpful, but do not get carried away. If you use to many, you may only confuse yourself in the end.

    3. Remember only one side of opposites. Let me explain this one. If dog =1 and cat =2 and they will always equal this, then only remember dog =1 because by default you will know that cat =2. You will never get confused and erroneously think dog =2 and cat =1. I hope this make sense.

    4) Regurgitate formulas. When I was studying for BEC, there were over 100 formulas. I wrote each formula by its name on a piece of paper (ie breakeven point), and then I would try to recall the numeric formula by its name by writing that numeric formula on a piece of paper. It helped me remember over 100 formulas.

    Just a handful of hints. If you use them already, great! If not and you think they might help you, give them a try.

    FAR 82
    BEC 82
    AUD 93
    REG 87

Viewing 12 replies - 1 through 12 (of 12 total)
  • Author
    Replies
  • #531638
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @Jasper I see that you had the best score for Audit out of all your exams. Do you have any specific tips for Audit because I took it recently and failed pretty badly.

    #531658
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @Jasper I see that you had the best score for Audit out of all your exams. Do you have any specific tips for Audit because I took it recently and failed pretty badly.

    #531640
    Jasper
    Member

    @bchan224, When I took the AUD test, I knew it was the one exam I would probably have the most time to finish. There was a very low chance of encountering any formulas on the test especially on the MCQ's. However, the MCQ can be tricky so the best way to counter this is to read the questions carefully the first time and pick the best answer, and then reread it a second time and make sure you are happy with that answer. Still budget your time on the test.

    Also, review any GAAP material from the FAR study guide because there is a possibility that this could appear on the test. Remember part of auditing is checking others to make sure they are following GAAP. So with this in mind, you need to know GAAP well.

    When you are doing the SIMS, do not forget you have access to the AL. If there is any test, you might have a chance to look at the AL, it's Auditing. Auditing is the one test that most finish with plenty of time to spare. Why not use that time to your advantage.

    FAR 82
    BEC 82
    AUD 93
    REG 87

    #531660
    Jasper
    Member

    @bchan224, When I took the AUD test, I knew it was the one exam I would probably have the most time to finish. There was a very low chance of encountering any formulas on the test especially on the MCQ's. However, the MCQ can be tricky so the best way to counter this is to read the questions carefully the first time and pick the best answer, and then reread it a second time and make sure you are happy with that answer. Still budget your time on the test.

    Also, review any GAAP material from the FAR study guide because there is a possibility that this could appear on the test. Remember part of auditing is checking others to make sure they are following GAAP. So with this in mind, you need to know GAAP well.

    When you are doing the SIMS, do not forget you have access to the AL. If there is any test, you might have a chance to look at the AL, it's Auditing. Auditing is the one test that most finish with plenty of time to spare. Why not use that time to your advantage.

    FAR 82
    BEC 82
    AUD 93
    REG 87

    #531644
    Wanna_B_TXCPA2014
    Participant

    @Jasper what is AL an abbreviation for?

    #531666
    Wanna_B_TXCPA2014
    Participant

    @Jasper what is AL an abbreviation for?

    #531646
    Study Monk
    Member

    AL stands for authoritative literature. Basically the research tabs on your sims. So he is suggesting that when you come across a definition or concept you don't know that you should use the key word function in the “AL” to research the item.

    I actually found some limitations in the AL when researching Sims, like the scope of the items were reduced to keep people from looking up to much information. I looked up certain items that were in the Audit Sims and I had more knowledge than what was represented in the AL.

    I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

    "Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

    #531668
    Study Monk
    Member

    AL stands for authoritative literature. Basically the research tabs on your sims. So he is suggesting that when you come across a definition or concept you don't know that you should use the key word function in the “AL” to research the item.

    I actually found some limitations in the AL when researching Sims, like the scope of the items were reduced to keep people from looking up to much information. I looked up certain items that were in the Audit Sims and I had more knowledge than what was represented in the AL.

    I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

    "Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

    #531648
    Wanna_B_TXCPA2014
    Participant

    Thanks for explaining that study monk. Im studying for a FAR re-take and need to get my act together as it relates to sims. On my last exam I was weaker so I have to force myself to take more time to do the ones in the WTB.

    #531670
    Wanna_B_TXCPA2014
    Participant

    Thanks for explaining that study monk. Im studying for a FAR re-take and need to get my act together as it relates to sims. On my last exam I was weaker so I have to force myself to take more time to do the ones in the WTB.

    #531651
    Jasper
    Member

    Do not forget to also study the SIMS and MCQ's in the Wiley Study Guide (if you own the book). I found the SIMS and MCQ's in the book to be more diversified and better than the online WTB. The online test bank especially for the MCQ's tends to repeat questions and also not cover all topics listed in the book

    FAR 82
    BEC 82
    AUD 93
    REG 87

    #531672
    Jasper
    Member

    Do not forget to also study the SIMS and MCQ's in the Wiley Study Guide (if you own the book). I found the SIMS and MCQ's in the book to be more diversified and better than the online WTB. The online test bank especially for the MCQ's tends to repeat questions and also not cover all topics listed in the book

    FAR 82
    BEC 82
    AUD 93
    REG 87

Viewing 12 replies - 1 through 12 (of 12 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.