Our October 2016 Student of the Month is Vishakha Banwat Patel. Vishakha is an international student from India who passed the exam in 12 months. She gives her advice on which section of the exam to take first, why it’s helpful, and how Roger CPA Review gave her confidence with English being her second language.
Student: Vishakha Banwat Patel
Exam Sections Passed: AUD, BEC, FAR, REG
Current Firm: ICAI, Mumbai, India
Why did you take Roger CPA Review?
I was looking online for various review courses and I felt Roger’s video lectures were very interesting. He is simple, focused and super energetic. Frankly it was his way of teaching which made me buy this review course.
How did you hear about our review course?
Online and through different forums.
What was your favorite aspect of the course?
The video lectures! They are engaging and not too long. Roger Philipp has a unique way of teaching and with his sense of humor he makes learning an enjoyable experience. The material is divided into small strata and properly linked. Being from India and having finished the Chartered Accountancy course (the equivalent to a CPA in India), I was really confused and apprehensive as to how to approach this exam. The laws and regulations were totally different.
However, Roger teaches the key concepts and takes it to the next level assuming we just have preliminary knowledge. This in a way helped because the exam focuses more on basic concepts. The 12 month timetable was very useful too. As mentioned by the course, the strategy of watching videos, doing the homework, and then repeating the process indeed helps you.
How has passing the exam affected your personal and professional life?
Passing this exam was a big thing for me. It has made me more confident. And I am sure that professionally it will open many more doors and opportunities for me.
What piece of advice do you have for other CPA Exam candidates?
Don’t quit! Even if this journey seems never ending, just keep going. It’s a learning experience and every exam you take teaches you how to approach the next one better. As Roger says : If you study, you will Pass!
Anything else you would like to share?
Start with FAR. Because it covers so much material, in a way it helps you get into the exam mode. It also helps builds the foundation. FAR needs proper planning, execution, and implementation, so it will also prepare you for rest of the parts. In addition, making out handwritten flashcards and reviewing them was also a game changer for me.
Favorite quote?
"It always seems impossible until its done!" - Nelson Mandela
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