How to Reduce Your CPA Exam Study Time

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Passing the CPA exam is a task that requires dedicating considerable amounts of time and effort to covering, understanding, and retaining a huge quantity of accountancy knowledge. However, when preparing for the CPA exam, one of the most important things to remember is that a lot of people actually end up wasting time by studying the wrong material in the wrong way. So, as an aspiring accountant, what can you do to reduce your study time?

1. Choose a CPA Exam Review Course

CPA exam review courses are a popular way of covering the necessary material ahead of your exam. Exam review courses such as Becker CPA and Surgent CPA contain everything you need to know for the test. Typically, CPA exam review courses use adaptive learning technology to judge your current understanding and identify any gaps in your knowledge. Study planners can also help you to schedule your revision and adapt your learning accordingly. Finally, practice exam resources such as multiple-choice questions and simulations can help you put your expertise to the test.

When deciding on a CPA exam review course, there are lots of things to consider. Preparing for the CPA exam often involves juggling commitments such as family life and a thriving career, so it is important to consider how much time you are able to dedicate towards your studies. Price points for CPA exam review courses can also vary, so these should also be acknowledged. Depending on your own needs, expiration dates, availability of updates, and types of resources supplied might also need to be taken into account.

2. Tailor Your Studies to Your Learning Style

Effective studying is largely a case of finding a method of learning that works for you. In order to retain the quantities of information required to pass the CPA exam, it is crucial that your learning is personalised and enjoyable. By tailoring your studies in a way that works for you, it is possible to spend less time labouring over content in a way that your mind simply will not retain. To elaborate, some people find that the VARK learning styles help them to work more productively.

If you prefer to see information and picture the relationship between ideas, then it can be helpful to process your study materials in a visual way, through charts and graphics. Auditory learners find it more useful to hear information, so this is where audio lectures can come in handy. People who learn best through reading and writing work well with text, so quizzes and note taking can be a powerful way of taking in facts. Finally, kinesthetic learners store information when it is presented in a practical way, for instance, by working through real life examples of accounting dilemmas.

3. Take a Break from Your Studies

Although stepping away from your CPA study materials can seem counterintuitive, preparing for the CPA exam can take a huge toll on your wellbeing and relationships. For these reasons, it is advisable to not be too hard on yourself. Burn out and frustration can seriously impact your ability to think clearly and retain information, so treating yourself to regular 10-15 minute breaks can help to make your studies more manageable.

Maximising your study time involves a significant amount of removing distractions, which in turn, can relieve your stress levels and make your learning process smoother. Although some people claim that study groups can be useful, if you want to reduce your study time, it is usually easier to focus in isolation. Furthermore, try to work through the bulk of your studies in the morning when you have more energy and can avoid mental fatigue. Consider planning regular treats and rewards to motivate yourself to get the work done. Positive reinforcement can make the whole process even more worthwhile.

Ultimately, taking some time to review your study habits and find new ways to process your course material can significantly reduce the amount of time required to cover the topics for the CPA exam. Above all, being successful on a busy schedule involves maximising your study time and taking steps to minimise stress.

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