As a CPA Candidate, you might be wondering if you should study with a CPA Review provider to help you pass the CPA Exam. Or you might be considering studying for the CPA Exam on your own with no assistance. While the former option can be appealing (usually for the sake of your wallet), why risk it? Studying for and successfully passing the CPA Exam is one of the most difficult endeavors you will undertake along your CPA journey, so set yourself up for success at the get-go by studying with a CPA Review course.
But before you dive into just any CPA Review course, it is important to make an informed decision to ensure the one you choose is right for you! Here’s how to do just that.
Do your research.
Do not make the mistake of assuming a CPA Review provider is the best just because they have been around for a long time or use a lot of fancy technology jargon to describe their course. For decades, some of the “oldest” CPA Review providers have been able to get away with an ineffective learning model and a lackluster program simply because they have been around the longest. Sure, one of your accounting professors or perhaps someone in your firm might have used them, but do your research before making an impulse buy based on a quick recommendation.
This can entail making a list of what each CPA Review course provides that you find valuable. If you’re an auditory learner, engaging lectures will probably be important for you. If you’re a visual learner, you’ll want to prioritize a course that provides educational illustrations. If you’re looking for a high-quality question bank or performance metrics, you’ll want to take these into consideration as well. And so on.
Remember: all CPA Review courses are the same in that their ultimate goal is to prepare you to pass the CPA Exam. What makes each course different is how they achieve that goal. So make sure you’re analyzing how each course is unique from one another.
Once you’ve cross-referenced and compared course features, narrow it down so you have your top 3 choices.
Sign up for free trials.
Now that you’ve done your research, it’s time to see if the courses you’ve chosen deliver on their promises. Sign up for their free trials to really give it a good test drive before spending your money on the full package. When you get into the course, be sure to focus on the features you’ve deemed important as well as the overall content provided:
- How is the information being presented to you?
- What are the lectures like?.
- How do they show you whether you answered a question correctly?
- Do they outline the “why” of any missed questions?
- Is the user interface easy to navigate?
- What type of performance metrics are provided to help you determine topic competency?
- Can you easily study on the go?
Lastly, watch out for technological gimmicks. Fancy words and convoluted technology do not mean a CPA Review course is going to get you from point A to CPA. The technology in your CPA Review course should be a streamlined user experience that helps you study smarter and with greater ease.
Purchase your CPA review course.
Once you’ve spent a good amount of time in each course’s free trial, you should be able to determine which course fits your learning style and budget best. And if you have any additional questions, feel free to reach out to the provider’s customer service team for answers.
Keep in mind that a good CPA Review course will help you confidently prepare for exam day. You will not be caught off guard after studying with high-quality content, relevant practice questions, a CPA Exam Simulator, flashcards, and data-driven study goals.
So when you’re confident about your choice, pull the trigger and purchase. Then get on your way to CPA!
There’s no question about it: Studying with a CPA Review course statistically improves your chances of passing the CPA Exam.
With so much to gain and so little to lose, the choice to study with a CPA Review course certainly will not be one you regret, especially if you do your research and choose the best course for you based on an informed decision.