Delaware’s first-time pass rate is the lowest of all states, at just over 21%, and Utah has the highest, at over 65%. So, avoid Delaware when sitting for your CPA exam. We have compiled a list of the best study tips to help you pass the exam.
Study tips for the CPA Exam
Everyone’s style is different when it comes to studying, so we compiled a list that suits everyone. These tips can help you efficiently prepare for the CPA exam and take your focus and motivation to the next level.
Tip #1: Take it step by step
The CPA exam is challenging. Therefore, you must build a consistent study routine and consume small amounts of data daily. It will help you reinforce what you already learned and retain newer material.
There are also excellent resources to help you study for the CPA exam, like Wiley’s efficient learning platform. They have helped close to a million candidates pass the CPA exam. If you want to learn more about Wiley’s products, you can visit the link provided.
Tip #2: Eliminate all distractions
When studying for the CPA exam, you need to ignore your friends who like to party and distract you with social media. Turn off your phone. There is time for you to relax, but there is no room for distraction when you are studying.
Tip #3: Allow yourself to relax
As mentioned earlier, you do not want to exhaust yourself mentally or physically. So, allow yourself to have some downtime. Go out with friends to watch a movie. Or stay home instead to catch up on the latest episodes of your favorite show and order up some food. You can even listen to your favorite music for hours. The point is to relax and not think about the exam. It will help in the long run because you will stick to your study routine more consistently. Remember, preparing for the CPA exam is like running a marathon, and you do not go all out from the start. Instead, you take it step by step and take breaks when you need them.
According to Psychologist Dr. Bea, PsyD, overworking your brain can lead to chronic stress problems. “When you take breaks, you can solve problems in fresher ways than you could if you just kept your nose to the grindstone,” says Dr. Bea. “Our brains are like any machine: They need a rest.”
Lastly, how long you take a breather depends on you. It could be that taking a one-day break can help refresh you. Or, you might need a week to help your brain and body feel refreshed.
Tip #4: Know your “why”
Why are you taking the CPA exam? What is your motivation behind it? What can you hope to accomplish bypassing it? Ask yourself these questions and write down the answers. After writing the answer, post them somewhere where you see them every day. It will help you stay in touch with the core reasons for taking the exam and putting in all the study hours. Additionally, it will help you feel like giving up and remind you that this difficult period will end and that there are brighter days ahead.
Tip #5: Create a study group
Studying with a group is more effective than studying alone, as more than 20 years of academic research has proven.
R. Keith Sawyer, Ph.D., associate professor of education in Arts & Sciences at Washington University, says, “Study groups are so effective because they provide a way for students to make the lecture notes their own,” Sawyer says. “When students hear the voice of the professor and are taking notes, they are so busy writing that it’s hard for them to absorb the material. What happens in the study group setting is that through these interaction dynamics that we identified, students could absorb the lecture notes and make them their own.”
When you study with a group, you can retain more information. In a study group, everyone reads a specific section then explains it to everyone else. This technique helps improve your retention. Another advantage is the increase in motivation to study. You can slack off when you are by yourself, but people will help you stay on track.
Conclusion
Studying for the CPA exam can be stressful. However, taking it step by step, removing all distractions, allowing yourself to relax, reminding yourself why you started in the first place, and studying with a group can help increase your chances of staying focused and passing the exam.
