There is no denying that studying for the CPA Exam can be quite the stressful experience. While you can't completely eliminate pre-exam anxiety (and, in fact, the stress can be a motivator!), you can take control to mitigate CPA Exam stress and use it to fuel your success.
Summary
To effectively mitigate CPA Exam stress throughout the eligibility, application, and preparation phases, candidates should leverage organized study tools and realistic planning, prioritize physical and mental self-care, and strictly adhere to exam day logistical requirements.
What Causes CPA Exam Stress? (And How to Face It?)
Several factors can cause anxiety leading up to and during the CPA Exam.
- CPA Exam Eligibility Requirements
The first factor that may cause CPA Exam stress is determining whether you qualify to take the exam.
It doesn't help that the CPA Exam is offered in 54 jurisdictions, each with its own rules regarding exam and licensure eligibility.
The good news is that you don’t have to figure this out on your own. Becker has created a complete compilation of state CPA requirements, with information on each jurisdiction. All you need to do is determine where you plan to get your CPA license, look up that state's exam eligibility requirements, and determine whether or not you meet them. If you don’t meet the requirements, you don’t need to worry about the CPA Exam yet. If you do meet the requirements, you move onto the next step in the process: one CPA Exam anxiety eliminated!
- CPA Exam Application Process
The next major factor that may cause CPA Exam stress is applying for the exam. This may cause stress because of the front-end paperwork, exam cost, and time you will have to wait before you receive your Notice to Schedule (NTS).
But again, you can take control to reduce this stress:
- The NASBA website provides links to the exam application for every specific jurisdiction. You don’t have to search for the right application, NASBA will help you find it.
- Block out time to fill out the application and upload supporting documentation, like transcripts.
- Be prepared to pay for the CPA Exam when you register. The cost varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but can easily come up to about $1000 for all four parts. If this cost adds CPA Exam stress, check if your employer offers a payment program for exam registration fees. Don’t be afraid to ask your company to help you cover this expense.
- Submit your application 6-8 weeks before you plan to take your first exam, as approval takes several weeks. This is especially important if you want to take your exam at a busy time, like over the weekend or at the end of a testing window. You are more likely to get your desired exam date and time if you schedule early, and you cannot schedule your exam until your application is approved and you have your NTS.
The key to eliminating CPA application stress is starting early, being organized, and leveraging the resources you have available.
- Studying for the CPA Exam
Once you have understood your eligibility and completed your application, you start what is for many the most stressful part of CPA Exam prep: studying! While studying difficult materials does cause some unavoidable stress, careful planning and clear direction are vital to decrease the amount of this stress while increasing your overall exam preparedness.
Successful candidates generally spend 400 to 600 hours studying for the exam, and a realistic study plan can remove loads of stress.
- Be realistic. If you work full-time, you may only be able to study 10-20 hours each week. Make sure you start early and give yourself months to prepare, so you aren't cramming late nights last minute.
- Prioritize your study schedule. Keep the hours that you block out for study free from other plans, distractions, and anything that will get in the way of your ability to maintain your study commitment. Consistency is vital to reducing stress and your overall exam readiness.
- Be organized. It's stressful to spend significant, repeated time gathering study materials and figuring out what you need to learn. Have everything in one place and ready to go for each session before you sit down to study.
Becker's CPA Exam Review includes a customizable study planner that lets you input information like your exam date and how many hours per week you can study. You'll get a personal tracker that tells you exactly what's next and shows your progress toward Exam Day ReadySM, so you never have to stress over knowing what to study, when.
- Procrastination
Another major cause of CPA Exam stress is simple procrastination.
If you use Becker's Study Planner and determine that you need 10 weeks to study for your next exam, your exam date may seem far away. You might be tempted to use the first few weeks of "study" to do any of the million other things more fun than CPA Exam prep. And although you might justify this as stress relief, your CPA Exam anxiety will reach new heights if you are two weeks from exam day and only halfway through your Becker course materials. Sticking to your study plan isn’t always fun and does require some sacrifices. But it will save you from the stress of knowing on exam day that you aren’t properly prepared.
To remove CPA Exam stress caused by procrastination, remember:
- Plan your study schedule to include planned breaks; they're good and needed. But take your breaks on plan, and don't stray far from this schedule.
- Keep in mind that studying for the exam is like preparing for and running a marathon. Your body and mind will get tired and you need to prioritize self-care. In addition to taking study breaks, you need to make sure that you get enough sleep (7-9 hours per night), eat well, and take time to exercise regularly (also proven to reduce stress!). You may be tempted to sacrifice some of your healthy habits, like exercise or sleep, but your study time will be more effective if you are caring for your mental and physical health.
Once you have finished your studying, you are ready to take the CPA Exam. No one ever feels ready, and you may not either, but if you've completed your Becker CPA Exam Review and your dashboard tracker says that you're Exam Day ReadySM, you're likely prepared to take the plunge.
How to Deal with CPA Stress on Exam Day?
The days that you sit for the CPA Exam will be your most stressful days in the process. But there are exam stress management techniques you can employ to minimize your stress on CPA Exam day.
1. Know how to get to your testing center.
Make sure that you know the exact location of your Prometric testing center and how long it will take you to get there. If you have never been to your testing center before, it is a good idea to do a practice drive before your exam day. Make sure to do your practice drive around the same time as your exam, so that you can see how traffic affects the commute.
2. Arrive early.
You must arrive at Prometric at least 30 minutes before your exam start time in order to check in. If you don’t arrive on time, you may be denied permission to test and you will not get a refund. Plan ahead and don’t get stuck sitting in unexpected traffic.
3. Bring the correct documents.
Prometric will expect you to provide your current Notice to Schedule (NTS) and two forms of identification when you arrive to take your exam. At least one form of identification must have a current photograph, and both forms of identification need to show the same name that is on your NTS, bear your signature and must not be expired. If you mistakenly bring an old NTS or you don’t bring the required forms of identification, you will not be allowed to sit for your exam and you will not get a refund.
4. Be prepared to be screened.
The AICPA and Prometric are very serious about exam security. On exam day, they will take a digital photograph of your face and you will be scanned using a hand-held metal detector wand with your pockets turned out. Prometric also uses a bio-metric fingerprint-capturing system and you will be required to provide a fingerprint when you enter and before and after any breaks. Breaks are only allowed between exam testlets. If you leave the testing room without exiting a testlet and selecting the break option, you will not be allowed to return to your exam.
5. Be prepared for the CPA Exam functionality and testing conditions.
The Becker CPA Exam Review course provides you with two Simulated Exams in each section of the course that replicate the CPA Exam experience, including the introductory screens and the break options. Take advantage of these simulated exams to become familiar with details like:
- Testlet format
- On-screen calculator
- Timed exam
- Question formats and functionality
How to Decrease CPA Exam Stress While Waiting for Your Score?
Many candidates leave the exam feeling that they did not pass. But you don’t know whether you have passed until you receive your score. Don’t waste time after exam day second-guessing your exam performance before the CPA Exam score release dates.
At Becker, we talk to many candidates who are distraught after exam day because they are “sure” they failed, but the vast majority of these candidates later tell us that they did, in fact, pass their exam. Here's a boost of confidence: Becker Exam Day ReadySM students pass the CPA Exam 64% more than all other test-takers. So, if you've prepared fully with Becker, you're 64% more likely to pass.
Decrease CPA Exam Stress with Becker
Becker's CPA Exam Review is designed both to help you pass and to make your study experience as smooth and stress-free as possible. Whether it's the study planner that adjusts to your schedule, customized practice tests that focus on your areas of weakness, or NewtTM AI assistant that answers your questions in real time, Becker's advanced and personalized study tools work to reduce the CPA Exam stress you feel, while equipping you for success on exam day.
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