CPA Exam Study Tips during the COVID 19 Lock down.

As our hope continues to grow that there will be some light after the end of April 2020, it is a good idea to continue with your CPA exam preparations during this time amidst the worries, stress and life pressure that the pandemic has created.

The best way to read during this time is to use PAST EXAM questions. Read a topic first and look out for related trial questions and attempt these. The more you attempt, the greater chances that you will master what the examiner always looks out for. It is also common that several questions test different techniques meaning practicing many questions is a plus for yourself. As you practice as many questions, you can also refer to the solutions as provided by ICPAU on their website or remotely ask a friend to try out and share the solutions via WhatsApp.

By the time COVID 19 pandemic become intense, many had completed studying some topics while other topics weren’t. At this time, it is prudent to master the topics you had completed studying first and then embark on new topics.

Embarking on new topics means you need to have some resources like study materials which you can find from your tutors, online or the study packs just incase you had purchased one or you have a friend that can lend you one through a boda boda delivery… or you walk to their house.

Above all, as we look towards the announcement of the new exam dates, it is a good idea to read substantially all areas of the syllabus as all these have chances of being examined. Don’t concentrate on only the topics that you prefer or find easy as this might risk yourself spoiling your 2020 more even after the COVID 19 stress. Strive to pass your CPA papers… you never know this is where your tweny tweny joy lies.

Here are also my winning tips on practicing and passing Scenario or Case study questions.

Learn how stick to your timing. One of the reasons many students don’t finish in the exam is because they don’t practice the issue of time as they are preparing for the exam. Learn how to divide your time appropriately to all questions and make sure you use the first minutes on a question to earn all easy marks as fast as possible. A case in point, if a standard paper requires you to do 5 questions each with 20 marks in 3 hours (180 minutes), it will mean that on average, you have to earn 1 mark in each 1.8 minutes. Depending on the papers, it is important you do this mathematics and plan your time appropriately both as you prepare and when you get to the exam. You may need to carry a watch to the exam or keep an eye on the clock.

The next steps after time planning are to;

1. Read the requirements first for each question and understand before you go to the case study or scenario.

2. Read the Case study or Scenario and conceptualize it very well while noting down the key numbers and necessary information (You can highlight these as well).

3. Choose the best layout of your answer. This will come easy if you have understood the requirements, can relate the case study as well and have practiced similar questions.

4. Work efficiently and neatly. This is key since it will ensure the one marking understands your approach and increases your chances of earning nearly all the marks on the question.

2020 is still a fruitful year for your CPA Journey. Don’t give up on the big prize ahead of you.

Samuel Ibanda, CPA Tutor at Achievers Professional Trainers.