if i take cpa test what course should be first

by Loraine Brekke Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago 3 min read

Your First Section of the CPA Exam Should Be Your Most Confident Subject. Your first exam section should be the subject that you feel the most confident with. This is different for everyone. For instance, if the last two classes you took in college were business law and federal taxation, REG would be a pretty obvious first choice.

“Starting with the biggest one first, when you're fresh (from your studies), is often a good choice,” Brown says. Furthermore, FAR's material is considered foundational to material on other exams—particularly the Auditing and Attestation (AUD) exam.Jul 28, 2020

Full Answer

What I Wish I knew before taking the CPA exam?

Nov 09, 2021 · Well, FAR will take the longest to prepare since it has more material than Audit BEC or REG. The truth is that it could take 4-6 months to prepare for FAR if its your first time. Since you get 18 months to pass the others after you pass your first, start with FAR so you won’t be using any of your precious 18 month window.

What CPA exam is the easiest?

The logic behind this strategy is based on the AICPA’s 18 month rule, which says that you need to pass all four sections of the exam within an 18 month window. By taking the toughest exam right out of the gate, you’ll be able to take your time on that first one and more thoroughly prepare without having the added stress about using up your ...

What is the best order to take the CPA exam?

Nov 05, 2021 · If you are the type of candidate who feels success in knocking down barriers, taking the FAR section first may be the way to go. Reasons To Take The Easiest Section First. Starting with the easiest section of your CPA exam may seem like a smart plan and for many candidates. Beyond the FAR, there are 3 additional sections that you will be dealing with.

What is the most difficult part in the CPA exam?

AUD Auditing and Attestation First off, do NOT worry if you’ve never taken an Audit class before. Depending on your campus, an audit class is either an elective or a required course. If youre taking a prep course, the course should teach you the material.

What section of the CPA exam should I take first?

For your first exam, the section that you feel most confident about passing is your best bet. If you're fresh out of an audit class and still know the terminology, start with the Audit section of the CPA exam.Mar 9, 2021

What order should I do CPA exam?

You will likely hear many different opinions on this, but here is the order we recommend at Surgent CPA Review: Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR); Auditing and Attestation (AUD); Regulation (REG); and Business Environment and Concepts (BEC).Dec 4, 2020

What is the easiest CPA exam to take first?

BEC is often thought to be the easiest. It has the highest pass rate. AUD and REG tend to be middle of the road. The CPA Exam is difficult.

How do I start studying for the CPA exam?

The Best Way to Study for the CPA ExamTake a CPA practice test to see where you stand. ... Make a CPA exam study plan and stick to it. ... Let your friends and family know you're taking the CPA exam. ... Take care of yourself. ... Find a CPA mentor. ... Begin studying for the CPA exam as soon as possible. ... Join a CPA study group.More items...

What is the hardest CPA exam?

Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)Students often report that Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) is the most difficult part of the CPA Exam to pass, because it is the most comprehensive section.

How many hours study far CPA?

CPA Candidates often ask how many hours it takes to study for the FAR CPA Exam. The AICPA recommends that CPA Candidates spend a minimum of 300 to 400 hours to study for the CPA Exam. That's about 16.7 days of consecutive study time—needless to say, it's a lot.

Can you pass the CPA exam in 6 months?

9:2241:18How to Pass the CPA Exam in 6 Months - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn November but a six month window to sit for the exam. And pass really you can you can do it withMoreIn November but a six month window to sit for the exam. And pass really you can you can do it with any six months of the exam calendar.

How many CPA candidates pass on the first try?

You've probably heard quite a bit of intimidating details about how hard it is — it's long, it requires hundreds of hours of study time, it's so difficult that the average CPA Exam pass rate for first-time candidates is only 50%.May 13, 2021

What is the pass mark for CPA exam?

What is passing score for CPA exam? There are four sections to the CPA exam, and you must score a minimum of 75 (on a scale of 0 to 99) to pass in each. The score is often misinterpreted in several ways.Jul 9, 2020

Can I self study for CPA?

If you are knowledgeable in financial accounting and audit procedures, and you are an extremely disciplined person, you can try the self-study route. However, the CPA doesn't just test your accounting knowledge.Jun 4, 2019

How can I pass my CPA in 3 months?

Don't spend all your time reading study materials and watching videos. Reserve those for problem areas that you may encounter. Use practice questions and exams to prepare for the real exam format. Use digital flashcards or create your own for tricky subjects.

When should I study for CPA exam?

Assuming you can study 15-20 hours each week, this translates to roughly 1-2 months of prep time per section. With this in mind, you should aim to start studying about 8 weeks before your CPA exam date.Jun 14, 2021

How long does it take to take the CPA exam?

But the best order to take the CPA Exams is up to you, and you also must choose how you’ll space them out—taking them over the course of six, 12 or 18 months, for example. First, it’s important to understand the breakdown of each part of the CPA Exam, so you know what to expect and can best determine which section to take first.

How many CPA exams are there in 2020?

July 28, 2020. The CPA Exam consists of four tests, and a common question is which CPA Exam to take first. The order you take them in is up to you—here’s how to decide the right order for you.

Take the Hardest Section of the CPA Exam First

You’ve probably heard this from your professors, co-workers, or even your CPA exam review course. Tons of people give this advice. On the surface it sounds good, right? Get the hardest CPA exam part out of the way first. Then you won’t have to deal with it later.

Your First Section of the CPA Exam Should Be Your Most Confident Subject

Your first exam section should be the subject that you feel the most confident with. This is different for everyone. For instance, if the last two classes you took in college were business law and federal taxation, REG would be a pretty obvious first choice. The material is still fresh in your mind and it shouldn’t take too much effort to study.

Why Should You Take This Section First?

So, why am I right and all of the other people are wrong? There are a number of reasons why this is the best CPA strategy.

How long do you have to pass the AICPA exam?

How many sections are there in CPA?

While there are 4 sections of the CPA exam and theoretically 4 possible options as to which exam you can take first, there’s really 3 main routes you can go: The “Toughest” Exam First Strategy. The “Easiest” Exam First Strategy. The Middle-Ground Strategy. Let’s see what each strategy is all about:

How do I prepare for CPA exam?

When you are preparing to take your CPA exam, one of the most important things you can do is determine which order you will be taking the 4 exams. There are many people who prefer to start with the test they feel will be the easiest and work their way towards the hardest. Others take the opposite approach and tackle the most difficult test they will be facing. It may seem like a difficult decision to make but it all comes down to your personal strengths and weaknesses, and how you prefer to take tests.

What order should I take the CPA exam?

What Order Should You Take the CPA Exam? The CPA exam consists of 4 separate tests and you have to pass all 4 to get your CPA. The 4 tests you will be taking are the Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), Audit (AUD), Regulation (REG), and the Business Environment and Concepts (BEC) tests. You are allowed 4 hours per test.

What is the most comprehensive CPA test?

The most comprehensive of the tests you will take on your journey towards becoming a CPA is the Financial Accounting and Reporting section. This test goes over all of the basics and builds a solid base of both financial statement knowledge and accounting principles.

What are the sections of CPA exam?

Beyond the FAR, there are 3 additional sections that you will be dealing with. Those are the AUD, REG, and BEC. The easiest sections differ from candidate to candidate. For some, it might be the content covered in a course they most recently completed. For others, it might be a subject in which they have work experience. The easiest section for some might simply be that it is a topic or theme that they enjoy the most.

What is the FAR test?

The FAR test consists of: State and local governments, select transactions, conceptual framework, standard-setting, select financial statement accounts, and financial reporting. Half of the test will be MCQs and the other half will be TBS simulations.

What happens if you fail the CPA exam?

If you pass your first exam, on the other, you may end up losing it later if the 18-month window elapses before you complete all four sections. Then you will have to retake your already passed hardest section.

Is it easy to take the CPA exam?

After coming off your big first section victory, you should feel pretty motivated and ready to crush another section. You also have the experience of taking a real, live CPA exam, so you know what it’s like and what to expect.

Who is Kenneth Boyd?

Kenneth W. Boyd is a former Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and the author of several of the popular "For Dummies" books published by John Wiley & Sons including 'CPA Exam for Dummies' and 'Cost Accounting for Dummies'.

First CPA Exam – Choose Your Strongest Section

Your first exam should be the section that you feel most confident about passing. I chose Audit (AUD)because I had just finished an audit class in my last semester and I still had all the terminology fresh in my memory. If you have been out of college for a while then you should cho…

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Why Is This The Best Strategy?

Passing your first CPA exam will boost your confidence through the roof and that excitement and momentum will motivate you immensely for the tests to come. I remember how much easier it was to stick to my study schedule after I found out I passed my first exam. The light at the end of the tunnel becomes much brighter as the reality of becoming a CPAin a matter of months sets i…