As a CPA candidate, you’re probably wanting to pass the CPA Exam as quickly and easily as possible. And, you probably realize that passing the exam requires an increase in mental prowess as well as a real commitment of your time. The good news is that there are ways to prepare more efficiently and more effectively, making your path to a CPA license much less difficult than it must be.
Here are five quick ways to pass the CPA Exam.
1. All things in Moderation
Too much work, too much play, and too much studying can all cause issues for a hopeful CPA candidate. There really can be too much of a good thing. Work is good, free time is good, and studying is good, but you should not take any one of these things to the extreme.
When you are preparing for your CPA exams, it is important to keep a well-balanced schedule to avoid common issues like burnout or sleep deprivation while still maintaining a strong study schedule and high performance at work.
Our CPA review course can help you find the right study balance with our 3, 6, 9, and 12-month study planners. Whether you want to move quickly or more slowly toward your CPA goals, we can show you how much ground you need to cover, how much time to spend on it, and what you need to study to be successful on the CPA Exam.
2. Spaced Repetition
There may not be a “wrong way” to study, but there is definitely a better way to study. Science has spoken, and the consensus is clear. The spaced repetition learning method is by far the most effective way to study, especially for the CPA Exam.
What is spaced repetition? It is not as foreign of a concept as you may think. You have seen spaced repetition in action with study methods like flashcards or when your college professors told you to go home after class and rewrite your notes. These are just variations of spaced repetition.
The concept of spaced repetition is that our brains learn and recall information better if that information is learned in multiple sessions over time. Applied to study, it means that instead of cramming and memorizing facts, concepts can be learned more completely and effectively if done in repetitive increments over a longer period.
Our entire course is built around the science of spaced repetition to help you learn better, quicker, and with less effort. Our digital flashcards are the perfect way to study via spaced repetition no matter where you are – at home, at work, on the bus, anywhere.
3. Study Smarter, Not Harder
It does not matter how you study if you are not studying the most relevant information. Our CPAs and CPA Exam experts are constantly reviewing and updating the information provided in our course to make sure that every section is as relevant and up to date.
Not only that, but with our SmartPath Technology, you can get tailor-made recommendations on what to study, how much to study, and what level of mastery to attain to be confident of a passing grade on exam day. Study the right topics in the right proportions and avoid wasting your time!
4. Get a Support System
When you are going through a challenging journey like the CPA Exam, you are always better off with a support system around you when things get difficult. Tell your friends and family about your goals, the challenges that lie ahead, and the support you will need from them. Let them know before you begin so that they are prepared and proactive in giving you the assistance you may need.
When you are down in the trenches, reach out when you need help. Maybe it is just a quick phone call to take a little study break, maybe it’s a time to vent over coffee, maybe it’s just some good old-fashioned fun. Whatever you need, do not be afraid to ask for it.
5. Take Care of Yourself
You will need to spend a lot of time studying for the CPA Exam. If you have a job, you will still need to work. Hard work does NOT mean neglecting your mental health. Sleep eight hours a night. Say no to other commitments if they are going to overload your schedule. Communicate with your support system. Take time for yourself – exercise, meditate, listen to music, whatever it is that recharges your mental batteries. Take care of yourself.
After all, the whole point of this process is to better yourself, your career, and your livelihood. Again, the road to CPA licensure is not an easy one. But with these 5 quick ways to pass the CPA Exam, you’ll make the path as straight and smooth as possible.