How to Know When You Are Ready to Take the CPA Exam

The CPA exam is considered one of the most rigorous professional certification tests in the US. Candidates are subjected to four tests, covering the topics of auditing, business, financial reporting, and regulation. These sections require a great deal of time, as the tests are spread out over the course of several months. If you want to pass all four tests the first time, it's important to know when you are ready.

Instructions

    • 1

      Compare your qualifications to local state requirements. The content for the CPA exam is uniform across the country, but states differ in their education and experience requirements. Most states require roughly 150 credit hours of education. Your college's accounting degree program may meet the local state's requirements, but if you intend to practice out-of-state, you may have more work ahead of you.

    • 2

      Try a practice exam and test your proficiency. Sample questions, and practice exams are widely available. Commit to testing yourself, long before you schedule your first exam. You won't know if you are ready for the exam until you've tried it.

    • 3

      Assess your test results. Testing has two components; structure and content. Structure refers to the form of the questions being asked. The best way to address issues with structure is to practice. Content refers to the overall subject matter. Concerns in this area are best solved with review and studying. Make note of the areas where you are the weakest.

    • 4

      Create a study plan. This should include when, and in what order you intend to take your tests. You should establish benchmarks, so that you know when you are comfortable enough with the material to sign up for your first exam. A good example of a benchmark, would be a when you achieve a certain score on a practice exam.

    • 5

      Get help if you can't improve on your own. There are a number of firms that offer CPA review classes. Many of these have proven track records. It's a costly option, but they can help you pass the tests on your first try.

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