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The time commitment for studying for the CPA Exam is nearly a full-time job; add in work, life, and personal obligations and the task might seem quite daunting. However, just because it is difficult does not mean it is not worth it. In fact, passing the CPA Exam can be one of the best things you can do for your career. 

Several students who have already taken, and passed, one or more parts of the CPA Exam were interviewed to find out what helped them most in their preparation. Here are the 10 most frequent habits that were identified from this group of CPA Exam success stories. 

Margaret Thatcher once said, “Plan your work for today and every day, then work your plan.” You would be hard pressed to find better advice than that as a CPA Exam candidate. Successful students used our customizable study planners to map out their daily study goals, days off, and contingency plans in case of unexpected delays. The first step is to lay out a game plan.

As Thatcher so deftly explained, creating the plan is only half the battle. Working your plan is the other half. Successful candidates understood the importance of consistency in their studies every single day. Not only does this develop good habits, but it also constantly refreshes the information and builds better recall for test day.

The mornings are often the best time to study. Many of our most successful students habitually rose between 4:00 AM and 6:00 AM in the morning to study. That early in the morning, there are much fewer distractions, and you have the added benefit of studying while your mind is still fresh, rather than in the afternoons or evenings when you are tired from the day. Students used this time to learn new material and then used accompanying tools such as our digital flashcards and practice exams during the rest of their day to reinforce the information they learned in the morning. Many also reported that starting early and accomplishing study goals first thing in the morning motivated them for the rest of their day.

The CPA Exam is not something that you can put on the backburner. For successful candidates, earning their CPA licensure is a top priority. When your priorities are set appropriately, you know what to make time for, what to say no to, and what is most important in the long run. A night out on the town is not as important as the studying you may miss in the morning. Healthy priorities generate consistency and discipline, which leads to success.

5. View the word “failure” as synonymous with “opportunity”

Let’s be realistic. With an exam as difficult as the CPA Exam, there is always a chance of failure. The difference between students that are ultimately successful and those who are not is that they do not let failure get in the way. If they fail a section, they find the silver lining and take it as a learning opportunity to do better next time. Maybe it leads to a new study method. Maybe they find out which areas they are weakest in and give those more review time. Whatever it may be, they pick up where they left off, analyze their strengths and weaknesses, and leverage the experience to be a positive one.   

6. Try different study techniques until you find one that works 

Everyone learns differently. There is no one best way to study for the CPA Exam. The key to passing the exam is finding the study techniques that work for you and sticking to them. Successful students are not afraid to try new things, learn what works, and then commit to it.

Time is valuable - anyone studying for the CPA Exam knows it. There are never enough hours in the day. But even if time could be frozen, passing the exam is not just about doing as many practice MCQs and TBSs as possible–it is about doing the right MCQs and TBSs that help strengthen weaker areas. Make sure your review course provides technology to help you identify and hone in on those weak areas. This will ensure you are studying with optimum efficiency, and focusing your time where it matters most.

8. Have a strong support system 

As the saying goes: if you want to go far, go together. Successful candidates know that the CPA Exam is not something that should be tackled alone. Of course, you must know the information and take the tests yourself, but it is incredibly important to have a support system around to help along the way. Let your family and friends know what you are undertaking. Tell them about the challenges. Explain to them how much studying is required. Help them understand what you will be going through over the months of studying so that they know how best to help you and support you. 

9. Understand the “why” behind everything you do 

Successful students do not just know the “what,” they also understand the “why.” Learning the underlying concepts behind a topic is vital to really understanding the material. Success on the CPA Exam does not come from rote memorization, but from a deep understanding of the subject. When you really understand the concepts, come exam day, you are able to apply your understanding rather than rack your brain for some crammed definition. 

 10. Always keep the end goal in sight 

Most people do not study just for fun. There is a purpose behind the effort being exerted. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Studying for the sake of studying will not get you far. There is no motivation in that mindset, no real purpose to keep moving forward. But when you have your eyes on the end goal, on your very own CPA license, you have a reason to keep working, a motivation to stay on the path, and a finish line just ahead. Successful students always keep the end goal in sight: that obtaining their CPA license will improve their personal and professional lives tremendously, and that the hard work they are doing to pass the exam is a small price to pay in the larger scheme of things.