Effective time management skills are critical to passing the CPA Exam. Learn four tips that can help you make the most of your time and increase your chances of success.
Summary
To maximize success on the four-hour CPA Exam, candidates should understand the testlet-based structure and prepare a CPA Exam time management strategy. This includes moving quickly through multiple-choice questions to save time for task-based simulations, and engaging in comprehensive mental, physical, and practical preparation.
How is the CPA Exam formatted?
Before we jump in, let's break down how the test works because it will impact how you'll manage your time. The CPA Exam consists of four separate sections (three Core sections and one Discipline), and test takers are given four hours to complete each one. Four hours may seem like a long time, but the CPA Exam covers a lot of material, and it can go by quickly.
The exam uses a multistage testing format and is broken into sections called “testlets.” Each section consists of seven testlets: the first two testlets contain multiple-choice questions (MCQs), while the following three contain task-based simulations (TBSs).
Use the following time management tips to help you navigate the testlets for optimal performance.
What is the best time management strategy for the CPA Exam?
1. Move through the first testlets quickly.
Do your best to move quickly through the first two testlets so that you have more time to tackle the likely more complicated TBS testlets.
As a general rule, try not to spend more than three minutes on a single MCQ.
2. Divide your time evenly on each TBS.
The CPA Exam includes three testlets featuring exclusively TBS questions, which collectively count toward 50% of your overall score (with the exception of the Information Systems & Controls (ISC) Discipline section, weighted at 60% MCQs to 40% TBSs).
Divide your time evenly between each TBS. Start with the easiest ones and finish with the hardest. If you run into a particularly hard problem, you can save it for the very end and quickly fill it out in the last five minutes. Try not to spend too much time on any one simulation to stay on track.
Above all, make sure you at least get to every TBS with enough time to throw out some guesses. The CPA Exam uses a positive scoring system, so you won’t be penalized for getting something wrong.
3. Flag the hardest problems for review.
During the exam, you'll face some questions that you are confident to answer and others that are very difficult. If one really stumps you, flag it and return to it after you finish the rest of the testlet. This will ensure that you don't spend all your time on a single question, and will help you maintain your momentum and keep stress at bay. But if you do skip questions, don't forgot to save at least a little time at the end to revisit them.
Similarly, if you have answered all questions and have a little extra time, review your work starting with the hardest questions first.
4. Prepare yourself mentally.
Performing well on the CPA Exam is just as much about knowing the content as it is about having the right mindset to confidently push through those four hours on exam day.
Organize your studying, create a custom study schedule, and find the resources to help you fully grasp the concepts and exam format while keeping stress at bay. When you stick to a well-planned study strategy, you're more apt to reach a deeper comprehension of the topics, which can quell nerves when get to the Prometric testing center.
As you approach the day of your exam, set yourself up for success by minimizing any last-minute preparations and decisions. For instance, read up on your test center's rules of engagement and gather all the items you'll need to bring in advance. It's even helpful to lay out your outfit the night before your exam. In the weeks leading up to your exam, take care of your physical health by exercising and eating and sleeping well. These simple actions can go a long way toward keeping you sharp, calm, and confident on the big day.
5. Practice your CPA Exam time management skills.
The single best way to make the most of your CPA Exam time is to practice, practice, practice. Sitting for practice and simulated exams allows you to try these time management tips in a risk-free environment, honing your test-taking skills and improving your confidence as you prepare for exam day.
With these success factors in mind, we design Becker CPA Exam Review to provide you with every tool needed to be Exam Day ReadySM. This includes unlimited customized practice MCQs and practice tests, a personalized study planner, and simulated exams that mirror the exact length and format of each CPA Exam section.
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