CPA Progress

So I took the first section of the CPA exam on Monday, April 14th. I may or may not have passed (I hope I did, obviously). The thing is, even if I had studied more, I probably wouldn’t have studied the things that I wasn’t sure of. The questions were tough!

Here are some pointers for when you take your first (or 2nd, 3rd or 4th part of the exam)

• Study…a lot. You have to dedicate at least a few full weekends to studying. I know it sounds awful, but just suck it up and put in at least 8 productive hours on Saturday and Sunday for 2 weekends.
• Do the practice questions. Some of the questions from the practice exams are almost exactly the same as the real exam.
• Don’t get too worked up. If you are nervous in the exam, you won’t be able to focus. Just tell yourself you’re going to pass and everything will be fine.

I won’t lie to you – your social life is going to suffer while you’re studying for the CPA. Don’t take the exams in the summer - it is too tempting to go to happy hour. When the weather is dreary and cold, sit down with your books and get it done.