Are you gearing up to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam online? Congratulations! This is a significant milestone in your accounting career, and with the right strategies in place, you can increase your chances of success. In this guide, we will provide you with tips and techniques to help you pass your CPA exam online.

1)    Set a Realistic Timeline for Your CPA Studies

Studying for the CPA exam requires careful planning and time management. One of the first steps in your exam preparation journey is to set a realistic timeline for your studies. Consider the amount of material you need to cover, your other commitments such as work and family, and your preferred learning style. Create a study schedule that allows you to cover all the necessary topics thoroughly and gives you enough time for review and practice exams. Be realistic about your abilities and the time you can dedicate to studying, and avoid cramming at the last minute. Ideally, you’re either going to choose a 12-month study path, a 6-month path, or an 18-month path.

2)    Identify What Motivates You and Learn What Rewards You Like the Most

Motivation is a crucial factor in exam success. The CPA exams can be an opportunity to inwardly reflect on what motivates you and how your mind works. Identify what motivates you and incorporate it into your study routine. It could include setting short-term goals and rewarding yourself after completing a challenging section.

Knowing what rewards you like the most can help you stay motivated and focused throughout your study sessions. It could be treating yourself to your favorite meal or taking a break to watch your favorite TV show. For me, taking coffee breaks and going for short walks is a crucial element to keep myself motivated. Find what works best for you and use it as a tool to keep yourself motivated and on track.

3)    Identify Your Gradual Improvement Over Time

Success in the CPA exam is not something you can achieve overnight. It requires consistent effort and gradual improvement over time. Keep track of your progress by identifying and measuring your improvement. Even if you're improving by a small percentage each day, it adds up over time. Focus on your improvements rather than how much better you would like to be studying.

4)    Learn from the Wrong Answer Options in Multiple-Choice Questions

For most of the CPA exam, the multiple-choice questions (MCQs) make up 50% of your exam score. When you come across MCQs with wrong answer options, don't just skip over them. Take the time to understand why they are incorrect and learn from them. This will not only help you improve your knowledge and comprehension of the material but also prepare you for similar questions in the exam. Understanding why certain answer options are incorrect can be just as valuable as knowing the correct answer, as it helps you identify common misconceptions and pitfalls.

5)    Identify Your High-Level Mental Tasks and Low-Level Mental Tasks 

As you progress in your CPA exam preparation, you will encounter different types of tasks that require varying levels of mental effort. Identify your high-level mental tasks, such as learning new material or tackling challenging concepts, and schedule these tasks during times when you feel motivated and energized. These tasks may require more concentration and focus, so it's best to tackle them when you are at your mental peak. 

On the other hand, identify your low-level mental tasks, such as reviewing material or practicing MCQs for topics you are familiar with, and schedule these for when you may be feeling tired or less motivated. This way, you can optimize your study sessions and make the most efficient use of your time and energy. The key is that you study no matter what, it’s just a matter of how difficult the topics you are going to study are.

Summary

The CPA exam journey is challenging and difficult, but it is a worthwhile journey. Throughout studying for the CPA exams, I learned many important introspective elements about myself and important self-discipline tools that I apply to my life on a daily basis. You can learn a lot about yourself throughout the exam process, which you can apply to any long-term project you face in the future.