[KNVB]

So guys, what are some tips that are not in the book? How should I prepare for the exam in the days leading up to it and the day before the exam? How did you prepare yourself in the morning and how did you calm your nerves? Did you get jacked up on caffeine to keep your mind alert for the 4 hours during the exam?

I’m looking for general tips on CPA test taking. I don’t want distractions such as tiredness or hunger or anything like that. Thanks guys!

FAR - Studying
AUD - 0
REG - 0
BEC - 0

[Anonymous]

1. Don't drink a lot of water before the exam. Try to avoid the bathroom. (Especially for FAR)

2. I usually chug an energy drink or 5hr energy right before the exam. Gives me that little kick I need to get through it.

3. No real cure for the nerves. Just get a good night sleep before, and breathe…..BREATHE!

[Sarah1421]

I'd agree with those tips – I wouldn't drink anything for 45 minutes before the exam… maybe just a sip of water. You really don't want to leave the room unless it's a complete emergency. I made the naïve mistake of leaving the room before my sims on FAR to “get some air,” water, bathroom break, stretch my legs… Instead, it took some serious time to get checked in and out… they couldn't get my fingerprints right! I freaked (and blanked!) when I got back to my seat.

What time does your exam start? I was really comfortable starting my exam at 12:30 so I could flip though my book the morning of… plus, eat something really boring beforehand that will fill you up. I think I had a couple pieces of toast and nothing else.

One other thing – for FAR, I found it really helpful to have a notebook of the things that were giving me the most trouble (or that I needed to memorize). There's something about writing it down that burns it into your mind. It's also a great, quick study guide that morning.

I probably wouldn't do any practice questions. Save that level of concentration for when you get in the room…

FAR - 90
AUD - 91
BEC - 86
REG - 87

[JamesBJames]

In the days before the exam, re-read over your weaker areas and do progress tests to get a feel for what you still need to fix.

I usually drink a Mountain Dew or some sort of soda with caffeine in it right before the exam. Sometimes two. I guess I have amazing bladder control — no breaks yet!

I don't think I've ever looked at my books the day of the exam. Go into the exam energized and confident. Make sure you get enough sleep the day before.

FAR: May 1st, 2014 - 91
AUD: May 29th, 2014 - 97!
BEC: July 16th, 2014 - 91
REG: August 29th, 2014 - 88

Licensed December 2015

Feel free to add me on LinkedIn by clicking my username!

[Anonymous]

Know how your stomach handles things. My routine usually consists of eating some dry fish from Whole Foods to serve as brain food on exam day …and drank a little water (along with a SMALL Iced Americano from my local Coffee Bean). In your case, if you know you have a 4.5 hour exam coming your way, plan your eating/drinking so you dont have to go during that period of time.

During the FAR exam, I remember freaking out because I didnt know the answer to a few questions (both TBSs and MCQs). The key thing I told myself was that, “There's plenty of time to freak out and cry when the exam is over, but for now, stay calm and think about what I've studied.” Also, I got mentally fatigued on the final hour of FAR… nothing you can do about that but to continue the exam the best you can.

Remember that proper analysis requires calm, and the more you freak out, the higher chances of failing. Just do the best you can with no exceptions.

[JamesBJames]

What @AgentJohnny said is definitely important. A couple of times per exam, I realize I have to slow down, breathe, and think about a very tough problem critically. Then, right after, I usually tell myself that I only have to do better than roughly half of all the other test takers, and I make it my goal to at least do that much. Just don't freak out — it helps to keep your mental composure intact.

FAR: May 1st, 2014 - 91
AUD: May 29th, 2014 - 97!
BEC: July 16th, 2014 - 91
REG: August 29th, 2014 - 88

Licensed December 2015

Feel free to add me on LinkedIn by clicking my username!

[Kimboroni]

Ditto on the notes to review right before the test– I had about 13 pages of that to review, which was very helpful. But don't do MCQs or practice tests right before, as they are most likely to kill your confidence than anything.

I do take breaks and haven't had a problem yet, so it must depend a lot on the center. If my blood sugar gets low, my thinking gets really fuzzy, so a preemptive snack is a must for me! I just plan on needing a break and build it into my time management.

Get there earlier than the half hour they say to get there so you can allow for traffic, the unexpected, and centering yourself mentally before you go in.

They might let you start early. Mine does. So be prepared for that.

AUD 84 (1/9/14-Wiley books/TB + free materials)
FAR 83 (5/21/14-the above + NINJA 10 Pt Combo Lite)
REG 84 (7/9/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC/Notes)
BEC 76 (10/5/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC)

Disclaimer: My ninja avatar is not meant to imply that I have any affiliation with this site other than being a forum member. That's a pic of a T-shirt that my daughter gave me for my birthday. 🙂

[Tux]

GET THERE EARLY so you can relax, and adjust to your surroundings.

I was a little intimidated by the security checks – kinda like going into the pentagon. (ok, a little exaggeration, but you know – maybe closer to like the security checks at the airport) – fingerprints, empty your pockets, raise your pant legs, metal detector. They don't play around.

So, my senses were on high alert just absorbing the new environment and making sure I didn't break any rules.

Make sure to bring ear plugs (I forgot mine for the first exam. Thankfully, the prometric location gave me some)

And, yes – eat a couple hours before, but make sure not to drink very much about 1 hour before. Go to the bathroom immediately before you go in.

I had not planned to take a break for FAR, but going into the SIMS, I was doing good on time, and thought I'd concentrate better if I felt comfortable. I took a break and still finished 20 minutes early.

Don't eat anything heavy that will make you sleepy, but don't eat anything too light where you'll get hungry quickly.

I usually eat a Subway turkey sandwich.

Oh! and I always request a seat against the back wall so I'm not distracted when people come in or go out.

FAR - 86 - 2/27/14
AUD - 75 - 5/29/14
BEC - 80 - 8/31/14
REG - 89 - 2/27/15
Praise Jesus! I'm done!!

Study resources:
Becker
Wiley test bank

[thechapman]

I've only taken one section so far (FAR), but it seems like little things make a big difference to me. These are the things I think would've helped me be more on the calm side for exam day.

1. If you have time, actually driving to Prometric and just seeing the place, how to get there, etc can help ease your nerves later on the day of the exam. I didn't do this, and I think it would have made me a bit more comfortable on exam day. Sounds silly, but it could help.

2. This may just be me, but the WORST part of those 6-7 weeks was the night before and the time leading up to when you leave the day you take it. I would make sure to do whatever works for you to (try to) relax and get some decent sleep. This may have just been because it was my first section to sit for though. Good luck!

Edit – Also, take the advice Tux gave and bring earplugs. I found the over-the-ear type ones at Prometric to be very uncomfortable, and had to mess with them periodically to keep them from hurting my ears.

Passed - 2014

[Ganbatte]

Hi KNVB, I just sat for FAR yesterday and it was also my first time taking any section. Also, judging from your signature, that is also the same order I plan to take my sections in! 🙂

I think it's important to relax and not stress too much about the exam, focus, know where you are in your study journey and do what you can. I say this because I was really worried about FAR, to the point that I had nightmares that I would wake up late for the exam in the 2 days leading up to it. You still have plenty of time so I suggest that you MAKE SURE you constantly go back to old material and do problems to keep the topics fresh. I didn't review anything and didn't touch WTB at all and spent the last 3 days before the exam cramming everything…highly unadvised!

Regarding exam day (I agree with lots of the above):

1. Eat a big breakfast if you're taking it in the afternoon

2. Helps to look over notes during breakfast and on the ride to the test center

3. If you get there early, they let you take it early (I started at 11:50am instead of 12:30pm and got out early)

4. I didn't plan to take a bathroom/water break but had to go in between MCQ and Sims, it only took 7 minutes total. The sign-in/sign-out took a minute only so it wasn't a problem.

5. I was pretty nervous going in, but calmed down as I went along the questions. Build a pace, don't get caught up on any one question at the expense of the others. Don't worry about the “if the 2nd testlet is harder than the 1st, that means you're doing well and if it's easier that means you did badly”; focus on answering questions instead of trying to judge testlet difficulties. Don't let it cut into your test mode and confidence!

Good luck! I'm sure you'll do fine; don't worry too much about exam day. It's not as bad as it seems 🙂

7/14 FAR ☑
8/14 AUD ☑
10/14 REG ☑
1/15 BEC

[gflurry]

DO WHAT YOU KNOW WORKS FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!! Advise is great but everyone is different. I plan to go to the rest room during the exam, why hold it—that distraction from your body will cost you more than 7-8 minutes or less. I went to the rest room and was back in my seat in under 5 minutes. I suggest consuming what ever helps your energy/focus level–coffee, 5 hr energy, there are some good options at Whole Foods for Focus help. Stick with things you have consumed before, you don't want to get stomach cramps or worse because you drank juice from the Amazon for the first time. Also, forget relaxing and not being nervous, especially for your first test. You will be, no avoiding it. Just know how to manage it. Totally agree with getting to testing center early, just to get comfortable. If smoking a pack of cigs calms you down and makes you feel good walking in—DO IT–you know yourself–wahtever it takes to be completely focused when you sit down.

AUD: 67, 81 (NINJA MCQ's ONLY for 2nd Attempt)
FAR: NOT GOOD, LARRY!
REG: ??
BEC: 4/4/2015

"F**K CALM, GET MAD. DESTROY!"

[jobach_lsu]

I've found that taking the day before the exam off from studying and anything test related to do something fun instead really helps me. Makes sure my brain is well rested and ready to go the following morning.

AUD 4/4/2014 - 97
FAR 5/29/2014 - 97
REG 7/10/2014 - 90
BEC 8/1/2014 - 89

[Gatorbates]

I'd advise against the energy drinks … I took one before one of mine and I got jittery.

My advice: Get there about an hour early, so you can relax. And poop.

Definitely poop. Maybe twice if you can. Avoid Taco Bell the night before. You don't want to hear or feel some thunder from down under while you're in the exam. You have more important things to worry about than your digestive system.

And for the record, I am dead serious.

Licensed Florida CPA:
B: 71, 73, 79
A: 83
R: 78 (expired), 77
F: 74, 74, 80

It's finally freaking over.

[Anonymous]

Before you key in your launch code you will have time to jot down some notes/formulas/mnemonics (brain dump). Take advantage of this time as it will keep you from having to write things out during the exam….just to give you an example (hypothetical)….for REG I might write down the AMT formulas. This would make solving AMT problems quicker because I wouldn't be thinking of the formula while the clock is ticking.

[Tux]

Ditto to what thechapman said above –

Drive to the Prometric center on a day prior to the exam.

I did that too just to be sure that I knew where I was going and wouldn't get lost.

I'm so glad I did it, cuz it was hard to find at first. The entrance was on the back side of the building. I had to drive around a little bit before I realized that.

So, knowing what to expect and reducing chances of surprises on the test day is very helpful.

FAR - 86 - 2/27/14
AUD - 75 - 5/29/14
BEC - 80 - 8/31/14
REG - 89 - 2/27/15
Praise Jesus! I'm done!!

Study resources:
Becker
Wiley test bank

[meagan_s]

I think it is important in your review week before the exam to start with the topics you are least familiar with, and really hammer into those. Then, a day or two before the exam, do a light review of topics that you do know well! I think this is incredibly important for two reasons. One is that you make sure you cement your strong topics, and can really crush them come exam time. Secondly, it boosts your confidence going into the exam, which is important. Because we all CAN do this, and seeing the high MCQ scores right before the exam will remind us of that.

I agree with other posters that you should write down some memory aids right when you sit down.

Finally, I think that something a lot of test takers struggle with is break vs no break. This one is completely personal. Just think of finals that you took in school. If it was a two hour final, could you stay completely focused and engaged for that entire time? If not, chances of you doing so for 4 hours are slim to none. So take 7 minutes between the MCQ and sims. For many people that “brain break” will be a positive influence on your score than 7 more minutes staring at a screen ever could.

B: 84
A: 8/8/2014
R: 7/11/2014
F: 84

[Author]

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