The Best Way to Study for the CPA Exam

The Best Way to Study for the CPA ExamThe Best Way to Study for the CPA ExamSo youve decided you want to become a CPA, but that exam is waiting out there on your horizon to trip you up potentially. You have three basic options when you plan to take the CPA exam. You can prep for it in a traditional classroom structure, in an online or recorded class, or you can self-study. Heres what you should know about your choices. Classroom Reviews Classroom reviews are extremely popular, but theyre also the most expensive. For example, the Northern Illinois University review course is very highly regarded, and it has an excellent track record of passing exam scores. But this comes at a price- it costs several thousand dollars to take the review courses for all four exam sections. If you have the funds available, classroom review courses are great as long as you do your research first to make sure the course has a good reputation. Many people find studying easier when they have an instructor to guide them through the subject matter. Online or Recorded Reviews Online or recorded reviews are similar to a classroom setting, but the pace of the course is controlled by the candidate rather than the course schedule. These reviewshave elements of both traditional classroom instruction and self-study. The courses have structure and format similar to that of a classroom, but motivation and the time you spend studying lie directly on your shoulders, like self-study. It is a good option for someone who desires a classroom setting but may not have the funds to attend a class or a candidate who cant commit to regular classroom hours due to work or other responsibilities. Self-Study Lastly, self-study is basically what it sounds like- the candidate does all his studying on his own. Theres nothing inferior about this method. The secret is to have the proper study materials, such as the Wiley series of CPA exam review books. Theyre very highly regarded, and they update every year so you can be sure that the content matches what will be on the exam. If you decide to study on your own, you can always take a course later if youre not successful on your first try. Youll also want to get your family or housemates on board with your study plan so youll be able to devote the time and energy necessary to be fully prepared. The Bottom Line Different review courses are available depending on where you live. Aquick internet search will surely give you a lot of choices. You might also contact your states CPA society for recommendations, as well as college accounting program faculty to see who or what they suggest. Its a big commitment and expense, so do as much research as possible. Regardless of what method you choose, one otherresourceshould be added to your study plan theCPA Review, available online.Its free, and itoffers free practice questions with ?afull explanation of answers. Theres some paid content here as well, but the free content alone should be an integral part of your exam prep. And one final note- whichever option you choose,make sure you onlyuse up-to-date materials to study. Dont rely on your college textbooks. Exam content changes every year. Studying dated materials from your textbooks, even something as basic as intermediate accounting, can give you inaccurate information and cost you points.