Passing the CPA exam may be a frustrating project, particularly if you have heard of the vast number of people that have had to take multiple sections several times before finally passing the exam. What follows are a number of tips for CPA preparation that have served me well in the past, and I am certain that they'll help you also. Pass the CPA exam you will, ultimately - it is bound to happen unless you give up.

1)Obtain the Correct Mindset

Passing the CPA is not easy. Passing the CPA exam is a tremendous task that will take a great deal of perseverence and time in order to succeed. Numerous people fail more than one sections multiple times before finally passing all four sections. Ready yourself for the likelihood that you may fail some of the sections before you can pass them, and accept that as a normal part of the journey of getting your CPA. But then, you'd want to remind yourself of past accomplishments that serve as concrete validation of your mental capabilities, e.g. . Unnumerable other people have persevered and passed the CPA exam finally, and so will you.

2)Request Help From Loved Ones

Passing the CPA is not a simple task, fortunately you do not have to attempt it alone. Start enlisting help from your family & friends by telling them the reason why you want to pass your CPA and how time-consuming and complicated this task is. If they're supportive of what you're trying to achieve, they may help you out with some of your current obligations (for example chores such as cleaning & cooking), and will understand if you can't make it to every gathering.

3)Maintain Great Health

Poor health has deleterious outcomes on concentration, which can seriously impact on your ability to study & think. Eat a balanced diet, get adequate exercise, and above all, get at least 6-8 hours of sleep each night, and take a 15-30 minute nap in the afternoon if you have to. As Well, do not forget to schedule regular study breaks - they will help you to stay refreshed and focused, and will also help your brain to absorb materials more easily when you resume after the study break. Preparing for the CPA exam can be quite a battle. In order to pass the exam, you need to keep your body and mind in good shape.

4)Purchase a Solid CPA Exam Review Course

The best CPA review programs available on the market are equipped with DVD lectures that clarify hard-to-understand concepts much better than books do. The best CPA review programs are even equipped with lists of practice problems spend time on, that have the highest likelihood of being found on the real exam. The most worthy CPA review programs come with phone support that you can call to ask for clarification on study materials, and obtain answers and detailed clarification from live instructors. In conclusion, investing in a good CPA review course can considerably reduce your exam studying time and increase your chances of passing the CPA exam.

5)Find a Study Buddy Or Two

Seek out people that are also studying for the exam where you live and invite them to study together. CPAnet.com has a forum where you can post or answer to a request for study partners. Create a strict schedule and get everyone to commit to it by putting studying ahead of other obligations. Studying with others can help you to stay focused, and two (or three) heads are often better than one when it comes to working out difficult questions or problems. When you're feeling frustrated, your study buddies may be able to give you the emotional support you need to keep at it - after all, they're in the same position as you and should understand how you feel.

6)Only Take On One Section At a Time

Most people find it overwhelming when trying to tackle all CPA exam sections at any one time. That would be too much material to understand at the same time. A better way would be to concentrate only on one single section at a time, do the exam for that section, take a break, and then start studying for the next section etc. Another piece of advice would be to study the most difficult section first (the one that is most difficult for you - this will vary from person to person), because as soon as you pass your first section, you only have 18 months to pass your remaining three sections. Getting rid of that most difficult section first will minimize your chances of running out of time and having the 18-month window expire on you.

7)Focus on Problem Areas

While reviewing materials you know very well may make you feel good, it certainly won't help your exam scores by much finally. To get the most effective ROI (rate of return) for your time and effort, spend it on materials you have the most trouble with. Look through all of your learning materials, identify your weak areas, and stay focused on them until you feel confident that you can handle them.

8)Take Lots of Notes

It is important to take lots of notes when you're studying, so that you'll have something to study from during the last few days before the actual exam. Because you'll be using mostly your short-term memory during the exam, materials you cover during those last few days will be remembered the most clearly on your exam day. This small window is simply not sufficient for you to review all your materials from beginning to end, so be sure you have a complete set of study notes that you can commit to memory during the last few valuable days before your exam.

9)Race Against Time

While you're doing practice problems, pretend you're actually doing the exam by timing yourself. This will train your brain to work under time constraints and prepare you more effectively for the actual exam. Also, by preparing in this way, you'll be less likely to panic on exam day when you don't know the answer to a question.

10)Practice, Practice, and More Practice

Do as many practice questions as you can. By doing so, you will understand the material better, and also feel more positive about passing the exam - both of which will result in increasing your exam score!