CPA Exam Preparation Presented by: Steve Shin March 26, 2014
Background Hometown: St. Louis Graduated: May 2013 Integrated Master of Accounting Program CPA Exam Study Period: Jun 2013 – Oct 2013
Exam Order & Dates 1.Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) – July 5, 2013 (5 weeks) 2.Auditing (AUD) – July 31, 2013 (3.5 weeks) 3.Regulation (REG) – August 31, 2013 (4 weeks) – September is closed month – Started work September 9 4.Business Environment and Concepts (BEC) – October 12, 2013 (6 weeks) Review course used: Becker with self-study option
Some Advice Use a review course Learn how to use the review course – Flagging questions – Chapter outlines – Progress tests Set a schedule/routine – Software can help Stay on track (try to not to fall behind schedule too much) *Find a study buddy Most important: Study to pass on the first time
My Routine FAR: – 2-3 chapters per week – Monday: Listen to entire lecture – Tuesday: Do all of the HW and simulations – Wednesday: Progress test and listen to next lecture – Thursday: HW and simulations – Friday: Progress test and listen to next lecture – Saturday: HW and simulations – Sunday: Progress test and listen to next lecture – 1 week of review
My Routine AUD, REG, and BEC: – Monday: Listen to lecture and do hw related to lecture – Tuesday: Finish lecture and finish hw related to lecture + simulations – Wednesday: Progress test in the morning; Listen to next chapter’s lecture and do hw – Thursday: Finish lecture and hw + simulations – Friday: Progress test in the morning; Start another lecture and do hw – Saturday: Finish lecture and hw + simulations – Sunday: Progress test; start next lecture and do hw – 1 week of review
Review – Go over all flagged questions – Do multiple progress tests – Go over flagged simulations – Flashcards – IMPORTANT: Understand why you got the question wrong Practice Exams – Do all of them – Take it under real testing conditions
To Conclude… Take it seriously You’ve worked hard to get this FAR… Remember to take small breaks Get to the testing center early During the exam, stay calm….you’re more prepared than you think – Mark questions you don’t know and move on
Questions?