CPA

8 tips to keep your CPA Exam motivation going

October 28, 2024

10 min read

Content Marketing Specialist

We get it: the CPA Exam is a beast. On top of work, school, and a personal life, finding the drive to study may seem like a daunting task. But you’re not alone! Even the highest scorers struggle to find CPA Exam motivation.

Explore these tips from these Elijah Watt Sells Award winners, the highest achievers of CPA testing. Here, they share lessons learned from their journeys and advice to maintain your motivation.

Who are Elijah Watt Sells Award winners?

The AICPA awards the Elijah Watt Sells Award each spring to candidates who passed all four CPA Exam sections on the first try with a cumulative average score above 95.5. Only a handful of individuals each year achieve this honorable distinction, proving their exemplary preparation for and expertise in the CPA Exam content.

8 CPA Exam motivation tips

#1: Find a study space where you want to spend time.

“The main aspect that helped me stay focused was the right study atmosphere and changing things up. I would rotate between different libraries and coffee shops to study at to break up the monotony.” – Nicholas N.

Whether it’s changing up the location or arranging the perfect office, it’s easier to jump into CPA Exam prep when you like spending time in your study space. It should be comfortable, limit distractions, and give you an excuse to escape into study mode. Love coffee? Maybe you choose a café and indulge in your favorite drink when you go there to focus. Or maybe you set up an at-home office as your own private sanctuary where you escape from the day’s chaos. Wherever it is that helps you study, find that environment and press in.

#2: Find accountability

“Set specific goals: how many hours you want to study, when you will do your studying, what time frame you want to complete the exams in. Have someone hold you accountable to these goals, and hold yourself accountable to study in the manner you set out. Always keep your eyes on the end goal!” –Michael C.

A big part of the battle to studying for and passing the CPA Exam is having a support system that not only understands your journey, but also helps keep you on track. Find a study group or a person that will encourage you to study, make the process interesting, and renew your mentality when you’re feeling unmotivated.

Included with your Becker CPA Exam Review is entrance into our private student social media groups—where candidates at all stages in their CPA journeys share insights, motivation, and help each other remain accountable to stay on track.

#3: Remember that you don’t have to study 24/7

“Balance is key. It’s important to lock down and tune out distractions [to study], but it’s also important to give yourself some healthy mental breaks and spend some quality time with friends and family. You may be a CPA exam candidate, but you’re also a human being.” – Joseph R. “

Try to study somewhere without too many distractions and take breaks between sections if you feel yourself losing focus. Don’t deprive yourself of doing the things you love doing; studying shouldn’t be a punishment! I still took the time to go to concerts and spend time with my family and friends while I was studying for my exams. It’s hard to stay motivated if you let studying take over your whole life.” – Alexa K.

This CPA Exam motivation tip may seem counter-intuitive, but as these Watt Sells winners remind us: you’re not a studying machine. Mental fatigue is real and can easily set in if you don’t take care of yourself. Make sure to set aside the time you need to study, but rejuvenate your energy by including people and activities in your schedule that bring you joy.

Becker's CPA Exam Review includes a customizable study planner so you can map out how many hours you want to study each week, schedule days off and even vacations while still getting ready by your exam date. And if the schedule you set doesn't work for you? You can change it and continually customize it to meet your schedule and mental health needs!

Feeling worn out? It’s okay to rest, recharge, and circle back with new motivation.

#4: …but study if you want to pass.

“It’s very important to limit opportunities for distraction. I always looked for a reason not to study.” – Nathaniel P.

As much as it’s vital to take a break and find a healthy balance in your schedule, the motivation to study is this: you simply can’t pass the CPA Exam without it. Don’t spend every day and night non-stop in the books, but the time that you do schedule to study should be kept sacred and free of distractions.

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#5: Remind yourself why you started.

Why did you choose to become a CPA in the first place? Keep this in mind as you’re on the long path of preparation.

A CPA license will give you career opportunities that are impossible without the credential. Your salary, reputation, responsibilities, and ability to specialize and advance in the field grow exponentially if you are a CPA vs. a non-credentialed accountant.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, check out what a CPA can do that an accountant can’t to remind yourself why a CPA license is worth your efforts. This reminder is a great way to keep your CPA Exam motivation.

#6: Give yourself mini goals.

“I was able to stay motivated by pacing my studying over the course of a month or two for each exam. Long enough to have enough preparation time, but not so long that you procrastinate until the end.” – Matthew B.

Rather than looking at the CPA Exam as a whole mammoth, pace yourself. Find a good mini-goal: be it one exam section or even a unit within your CPA Exam Review, and set an achievable date of completion. This will give you something to work toward, without getting too overwhelmed.

#7: Set a timeline.

“My motivation was to finish the exam before I graduated from college and enjoy the summer off. Whatever I could do to be done with studying!” –Joe M.

If you establish a timeline, this can give you yet another reason to buckle down, study, and pass the exam. Whether it’s passing the first section within 3 months, before you start a new semester, or passing all four sections in 2 years, before you apply for a promotion at work; set a realistic timeline that’s both doable and motivational to keep on track with your studying.

#8: Remember how far you’ve already come.

“Studying for the exam is temporary. If you have to spend time studying, why not put forth your best effort.” –Peter H.

No matter what happens during your exam preparation, you’ve already gotten farther in the journey than many people ever will. The fact that you’ve studied at the university level in an area of finance or accounting—and/or professionally worked in these specialties—has already equipped you with the start you need toward CPA licensure.

Remember: you decided to pursue your CPA license for a reason. Don’t waste the decision, investment, and all the progress you’ve made by giving up now. Make yourself proud knowing that you put in your full effort. You've got this!

Start your path to CPA success

In 2023, 98% of Elijah Watt Sells Award winners prepared for the CPA Exam with Becker. You could be next! Becker offers over 60 years of experience in CPA Exam review, with constantly updated curriculum to match the latest AICPA guidelines. Becker also offers: