Exam content changes twice a year Many CPA exam candidates do not even realize that they are sabotaging their success by studying from outdated books, CDs, and practice question banks. New pronouncements are released twice yearly and if you are using a review course, you should be able to request updates to your materials.
Communication in simulations is not as hard as you think While many exam candidates panic at the thought of the communications section, it isn't nearly as hard as it seems. Only one of these (of two) is actually graded. Remember that it's just like writing a business letter - as long as you respect the rules of good grammar and proper punctuation, you'll be fine!
Attending review course classes is just one component to your study strategy Some students believe all they have to do is show up to class, take a few notes, and can walk into the Prometric center a few weeks later and get a 99 on FAR. It doesn't work that way. A good study strategy includes a recipe of success based on both lectures and multiple choice/simulation practice questions. The AICPA recommends 2 - 3 hours of self study (M/C and sims) for every hour of lecture watched.
Some questions on the exam are NOT graded In order to test the system and get preliminary feedback on new exam questions, the BOE often puts "pre-test" questions into the question banks. You may find that you know absolutely nothing about one certain question and get scared that you missed something while studying - chances are, this question is one of these pre-test questions that will appear on later exams and is not graded. So don't worry! They're just trying to get feedback on new material!
BEC is NOT easy just because it's small As a student who retook BEC several times so eloquently put it to us recently, CPA exam candidates will do themselves a disservice by assuming that because BEC is such a small section and does not contain simulations it is somehow easier and therefore doesn't require as much dedication as, say, FAR. All sections of the exam are easy/difficult in their own right and each requires an equal amount of focus. BEC, in fact, can be harder for students simply because they do not take it seriously enough. Don't make that error. Give it the full attention you would any other section or you will have to learn your lesson the hard way via retake fees and frustration.
You are not "dinged" for wrong answers When going through the multiple choice, you are given credit for right answers only, not wrong ones. If you have absolutely no idea how to answer a question, never leave it blank! Take a guess, you might just get it right!
Research is only worth 1 point No need to panic if you're in the middle of a simulation, running out of time, and haven't gotten to the research tab - it's only worth 1 point! It's not worth it to miss out on a tab worth much more points if you are pressed for time.
Performance in college is not necessarily an indicator of how you will do on the CPA exam Just because you pulled steady Bs and Cs in college does not mean you should let that discourage your goal of CPA licensure. How you perform in school is based on a lot of things; pressure, instructors, class loads, etc. The CPA exam is entirely different and as long as you follow a structured guideline of study/lectures, you can PASS!
Despite the rumors, BEC will NOT contain simulations in 2009 A lot of people are falsely spreading a rumor that BEC now has simulations. It DOES NOT and the plan between the AICPA Board of Examiners and NASBA is to integrate communications into BEC at some point probably in 2010.
The CPA exam is NOT an IQ test This is one of Roger's favorite points. The CPA exam is NOT an IQ test, it is a test of discipline. If you are disciplined enough to formulate a solid study plan that includes living and breathing the exam for the limited amount of time you spend studying, you will PASS! Source
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