There’s no way around it: studying is hard work, especially when it comes to the CPA exam. Fortunately, you can simplify your preparation by approaching your studies with a personalized plan built for your knowledge, experience and lifestyle.
Content and skills tested on the exam
The CPA exam is a four-part exam that tests entry-level accountants’ skills to practice public accounting. The exam contains three separate core exams and three separate discipline exams (students need to pass all core sections and one of the disciplines), referred to as sections. Testing time totals 16 hours, equal to four hours per section, and assessment occurs at a Prometric test center.
The exam includes three core sections: Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), and Taxation and Regulation (REG). Students must pass one discipline section of their choice: Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR), Information Systems and Control (ISC), and Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP). The following question types appear on the CPA exam:
Multiple-choice questions (MCQs)
- One-sentence to paragraph-length questions
- Four potential answers
- Candidates select the best response
Task-based simulations (TBS)
- Practical questions
- Require typed-in responses
- May include research questions, journal entries, form completions or account reconciliations
Candidates may take the exam sections in any order, and each of the four exam sections is subdivided into five testlets containing various question types. See a breakdown of the questions within each test section here.
CPA Exam
Check out our CPA exam resources to help you strategize for your exam.
Ensure the odds are in your favor with high-quality CPA study material
Whether you begin by sitting for the REG, FAR, AUD or BEC, your choice of CPA study material can significantly impact your final score. Considering that just over 50 percent of CPA candidates successfully pass the exam, this decision can mean the difference between moving forward with your career and spending many more hours studying for your second try.
The CPA Exam Review course you choose matters. Here are some things you should look for in a CPA Exam review provider.
Great exam review providers offer
Multimedia approach
- Choose a course with learning options: webinars and webcasts, printed material, and online self-study.
- Study variety boosts your ability to learn and retain information.
Easy fit into your life
- Consider the flexibility of course materials.
- Choose a review provider who allows you to study anytime, anywhere, so preparation fits into your lifestyle.
Focused learning
- The best CPA study material identifies your learning strengths and needs.
- Surgent’s adaptive Predictive AI technology utilizes AI to continually adapt to a learner’s needs.
Dynamic instructors
- Choose experienced faculty members with the communication skills necessary to relay complicated concepts.
- Make sure that faculty is readily available to answer any questions you may have.
Guaranteed results
- Find a provider who provides pass rate statistics for your program.
- Select a provider who guarantees their program’s effectiveness. (Such as Surgent’s Pass Guarantee).
Financing options
- Be prepared to pay for high-quality results – do not overlook quality courses based upon expense.
- Find a provider that offers reasonable payment plans.
“I wish I’d known about UniversityPASS sooner. This program is a huge time-saver for accounting professors!”
Bruce Leauby, Associate Professor of Accounting at La Salle University
CPA EXAM STUDY TIPS
As you study, consider these tips:
Let experience be your guide
Look to your personal experience when determining which test section to take first. For example, your financial accounting classes should give you a foundation for the FAR section of the exam — one of the toughest! Consider studying for the FAR first. And if you have the time, look into taking a course in Corporate Tax to help you with book-to-tax conversions.
Create an effective study guide
You do not need hours upon hours to get study time in. Try fitting in “micro-sessions” throughout your day in 5-15 minute MCQ or video sessions. Use Surgent’s audio courses during your commute and use our mobile compatibility for on-the-go studying.
Pace yourself during study sessions
As you answer practice questions, aim to spend an average of one minute and 15 seconds (or less) per multiple-choice question. If you don’t know the answer, make an educated guess, flag the question and come back to it later if you have time. Practicing working at this pace helps you know when it’s time to guess an answer on exam day. Additionally, use the unlimited practice exams to develop rigor in preparation for exam day.
Let Surgent help you save money and time.
Getting a quality CPA Review course doesn’t need to be expensive! Surgent offers affordable financing starting at 0% APR so you can get started for just $56/month.
You probably hear about candidates struggling to pass all four parts in 18 months. Well, it could take that long if you worked through every MCQ, video and textbook page for each content area and topic! Fortunately, there’s a better way to study. See how Surgent can help you pass faster with our adaptive learning experience.
And, even if you need more than 18 months to pass your exam, Surgent offers full access until you pass. Surgent supports candidates from start to finish!
Surgent is ready to help you pass the CPA on the first try.
Now that you know the best way to prepare for the CPA Exam, get started with the review course that fully personalizes your study plan. Get on the fast track with Surgent CPA Review today.
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