[CPA Dex]

I haven’t taken an exam yet. I read somewhere as soon as you put in your NTS number on the screen, you have 10 minutes to start the exam. Do they make you put in your NTS number as soon as you sit down? I would like to spend about 20 minutes before the time starts running writing down some things that will assist me in the exam, but I don’t know if they allow that.

Noah

[jeff]

No – you have less than 10 minutes to start or you're toast.

AUD - 79
BEC - 80
FAR - 76
REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[MyLifeisCPA]

The same as Jeff! No, You have 10 minutes to completely log in or your exam is gone. Now what you can do is, get through the first screens and start the exam. At that point you can write down everything you remembered but also remember at that point your time is ticking on the exam. So if you use 20 minutes to write down everything. You will have 20 minutes less to complete the exam.

BEC-Passed
AUD-Passed
REG-Passed
FAR-Passed (I AM DONE!!! THANK U LORD!!!!)
Licensed Texas CPA - 10/2012

[mds86]

If we're talking about FAR, and you know your stuff well enough to be able to write it down, then just start taking the test. Don't waste time writing your memory down. If you can do that, you know it well enough. Every MINUTE counts on FAR. Other tests? Whatever.

AUD - 64, 75
BEC - 67, 75
REG - 33, 58, 76
FAR - 41, 73, 84
DONE.

Tip: If you don't feel like you're studying hard, you'll probably fail. Study harder.

[Anonymous]

Don't write anything down until you start the exam. Make SURE you get through the initial screens which is about 4 or 5 clicks into the exam within 10 minutes or else you'll kicked out and you'll have to wait until the next testing window.

And like mds said, if you know it well enough you shouldn't have to write it down.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Its upto you, but my advice would be to spend every valuable minute you have in the exam solving the questions, than writing down stuff. Maybe you can write down stuff when the question asks for it? If you question is asking for a specific formula, then write it down, then solve for it. Else don't waste time.

[Hut-Hut]

I would actually recommend writing some notes down before the test. Take 10-15 minutes and write down all MAJOR acronyms, tables, formulas, etc. I emphasize “major” because chances are, you will get a few MCQ on it and maybe even a sim or 2. So you might as well write it down in the beginning and have it locked and loaded because those major concepts will make an appearance. And you’re not wasting time. It’ll reverse itself out when you save time on not writing this stuff down when the questions/sims appear. But remember, major concepts only. Forget the trivial stuff. If it takes more than 15 minutes, you’re either too slow or jotting down nonmajor info. Take a practice test and try it out. See if this works for you. Most people would disagree but it works for me so I stick with it.

BEC - 67, 79 - (expires 5/24)
REG - 74, 72, 77 - Key to Passing: RTFQ
FAR - 77 - Chance favors the prepared mind.
AUD - 64, (5/14) - FREEDOM!! (i hope)

[RedRage00]

I didn't waste time writing anything. You either know it or you don't at that point.

Texas CPA
Licensed, March 2012

[Hut-Hut]

Yes that's true, but I know people who choke under pressure, blank out midway through, forget easy journal entries and formulas, and it's disappointing to hear when they had a sim on a major topic and the concept slipped their mind. Just depends on the person. I know every minute counts on the test, but 10 minutes isn't a big deal. Plus, as I mentioned before, you'll get that time back when you refer to your notes rather than having to write it. Anyway, to each his/her own.

BEC - 67, 79 - (expires 5/24)
REG - 74, 72, 77 - Key to Passing: RTFQ
FAR - 77 - Chance favors the prepared mind.
AUD - 64, (5/14) - FREEDOM!! (i hope)

[PasstheCPA7]

Hi guys, I am bumping this post from 3 years ago.

I had a quick question regarding the page where you get 10 minutes to read all the rules. During this 10 minutes, are we allowed to write down mnemonics or formulas on our paper? I figured it would be better to write down formulas or mnemonics in this 10 minutes before the actual exam started. That way, we don't waste time when the exam starts. But, can someone confirm for sure if we can do this? I'm not sure if we can write down mnemonics/formulas until when the exam actually starts.

Thanks!!

[iloveaccounting220]

No, you're not allowed to write down anything until you get to the first question.

BEC - 76 (1/24/15)
REG - 82 (4/13/15)
AUD - 89 (5/31/15)
FAR - 78 (8/16/15)

Starting right now I'll be strong
I'll play my fight song
And I don't really care if nobody else believes
'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me

[Anonymous]

I wrote down mnemonics beforeIi took BEC in the 10 minute window. Maybe I wasn't supposed to, but nobody said anything.

ALWAYS PAY ATTENTION TO THAT 10 MINUTE CLOCK, IF IT HITS ZERO, NO EXAM FOR YOU

[Mamabear]

I jotted down notes before my tests. You don't have to wait until the test starts to write things down.

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[PasstheCPA7]

@ Mamabear, interesting. I keep hearing different stories on this, and don't know what is correct. The person above you “iloveaccounting220” said you're not allowed to write anything until the actual exam starts. This is what I had thought as well. Would this be a good question to confirm with NASBA or the actual prometric center?

[taxgeek83]

As others have said, I don't think there's a rule against using that 10 minute window to jot down a few notes, but be VERY careful should you choose to go that route. I've read a horror story or two on here about folks who were too absorbed in note jotting and not absorbed enough in clock watching and let the timer run out, thus losing their exam. And their exam fee. And having to reschedule/restudy to take the exam in the next quarter.

[PasstheCPA7]

Good to know guys. Thanks, I'll keep that in mind!

[Author]

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