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Studying for the CPA Exam goes beyond just cramming information for a night or two. Since this is such a challenging uniform exam that dictates whether you will or will not receive the prestigious CPA designation, you can imagine that it will require a great deal of time and dedication to prepare for your test date.
Since the exam consists of multiple sections, you will have the ability to plan out the areas you would like to study and those you will hold off on.
Read on, and find out which study strategies work and which materials have proven to be most helpful.
Find Out How the CPA Exam is Structured
You should never just jump into an exam room without first learning how the test you are taking is structured. Getting familiar with the structure will actually better your chances of passing when you are prepared and comfortable with the material you are tested on. Rather than just taking the entire test in a single day, CPA test takers will take four different sections of the exam on different dates. The sections include:
* Auditing and Attestation
* Business Environment and Concepts
* Financial Accounting and Reporting
* Regulation
What is the Best Study Strategy to Pass the CPA Exam?
No matter how hard you study, there is no guarantee that you will pass your CPA exam the first time around. Some test takers know the content inside and out and blank on test day because of nerves. With this being said, it is about studying hard and studying smart. You cannot expect to know absolutely everything word for word that is covered in the materials, but you also cannot expect to pass by cramming for a few hours.
Related: What are the Education Requirements to Sit for the CPA Exam?
According to the American Institute of CPAs, it is best to study for 2 to 3 hours for every hour of a lecture that you are reviewing. Since there is not a magic time frame, it can be hard to plan out how far in advance you need to get started. On average, students study for each section for about 15 hours per week for a time span of 5 to 8 weeks. More focus is often put on the Regulation section and the Financial Accounting and Reporting section because of their content.
Which Materials Can I Use to Study More Efficiently?
There are several different lectures and study guides that you can use to your advantage to cover the content. You can join study groups or take refresher classes, or you can study independently with the materials that are offered by publishing companies that have reviewed test questions and compiles lists. The Content Specification Outlines, Exam Tutorials and Sample Tests through the AICPA can also be extremely helpful when you want to cover topics and track progress.
Becoming a CPA can take you places in your professional life. Not only can you hold a prestigious credential, you can also secure a higher salary or senior-level position when you earn your license. It does take a commitment of your time and money to meet the educational requirements and to sit for your exam, but once you are done you will be happy you did it. Come up with a strategy on studying for the CPA Exam, and pass each section the first time.