Study Tips for US CPA Exam
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is the highest professional qualification in the United States related to accounting. One can become a US CPA by clearing the Uniform CPA exam conducted by AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants). This designation is highly regarded and accepted worldwide, including India.
Here are the study tips for the US CPA exam.
- Just listening to the lectures doesn’t help. Read through the textbook fully and make your notes.
2 . Do not get carried away while making your notes. You will end up having another copy of the textbook if you do. Just make crisp summaries which you can go through. Throw in flow charts or diagrams if that makes you remember better, especially for procedural topics.
3. Always note down any new points you come across when solving MCQ’s and SIMS. This nitty-gritty may, at times, help you more than the text in the chapter. Skill master videos as well are great to cement the topics firmly in a precise manner.
4. Even if you have done MCQ’s, revise using the unlimited practice tests. They give you the test feeling as you won’t be able to check your answers immediately. Take these tests in the exam pattern; it will help you to sit through a four-hour exam as well as revise it module wise.
5. At the end of the day, try flipping through the pages you read that day and try to remember the points you studied earlier under each topic. Flashcards are another great source to help with this quick revision session.
6. Take the Mock exams after one round of revision. And review your weak areas. Try to sit for these tests during the timings you booked for your actual exam. It helps you to mentally focus during the time as our study timings may be different from test timings.
7. Have a credibility partner even if it’s just to push you during your downtime or to help you look at your progress from a different angle.
8. Never leave any part of the syllabus. You never know what will get tested in your exam. Be familiar with the terminology.
9. Keep looking at the questions and if you can just try to answer them. When random topics pop up and are being discussed, it helps you to revise. Some of the members are super helpful, and the files section has really good notes in excel, which the authors have published. They can help you if you do not have the time to make your own notes.
It’s a lot of ups and downs, frustrations and emotions, but it’s all definitely worth it.
All the Best with the preparation and Happy Studying!!
