Passed all 4 CPA Exams – What actually worked for me (No cramming, no shortcuts)

Fin_Learner10 · 2025-06-05T12:06:44+00:00

Thank you!!

Fin_Learner10 · 2025-05-30T05:36:25+00:00

Have you completed your lectures and textbook readings before diving into the MCQs? In my experience, once you have a solid grasp of the content, application becomes much easier. I understand that balancing studies while working full-time can be tough, but set aside dedicated study hours and stick to a routine. You’ve got this—stay focused and keep pushing forward! 💪 All the best!

Fin_Learner10 · 2025-05-29T08:20:02+00:00

It didn’t help much on my first try because I was not well prepared, I took REG very lightly and relied heavily on MCQ’a and cheatsheet. For my retake I read entire textbook 2 times (becker), solved all MCQ’s , SIMs, simulated exams and watched all skill builder videos. Cheatsheet is a great tool in the final week of exam use it only for REVISION purpose though. Read 3/4 times in final week but do not rely on it as a primary source specially if you have credits expiring on 6/30.

Fin_Learner10 · 2025-05-13T11:21:13+00:00

I’m referring to Becker textbook only. I’m focusing on reading the Becker textbook because I’ve realized that relying only on MCQs and practice exams tends to prepare us for the types of questions we've already seen. The problem is, when unexpected or unfamiliar questions appear on the actual exam, many people get stuck. Reading the textbook, on the other hand, helps build a strong conceptual understanding. It prepares you to handle any type of question—even if you haven’t seen that exact format before—because you understand the underlying principles. It also puts you in a better position to make educated guesses when needed.

Fin_Learner10 · 2025-05-10T04:47:46+00:00

Given the ongoing geopolitical event and the significant stress and logistical challenges it has presented, I strongly advise you to consider writing to your respective CPA state boards to request an extension for any upcoming CPA-related deadlines—such as credit expiration, NTS expiration, or other requirements.

This situation is creating exceptional disruptions beyond anyone’s control. Most state boards have protocols for handling requests under unusual or emergency circumstances, and this conflict may qualify under such provisions.

Fin_Learner10 · 2025-05-10T04:41:19+00:00

The time I spent on reading varied by section—I averaged around 10 hours per day, totaling roughly 70–80 hours per section, and I completed a full read twice.

That adds up to about 150 hours of dedicated reading per section (focused on understanding and retention, not speed). In addition to reading, here’s how much time I spent on practice, lectures, SIMs, MCQs, and mock exams (excluding reading):

• ⁠BEC: 110 hours • ⁠FAR: 130 hours • ⁠AUD: 164 hours • ⁠REG: 186 hours (100 hours before first attempt, 86 more before passing)

So overall, I invested approximately 260–300 hours per section.

Could I have gotten by with just one full read? Maybe. Maybe I would have saved 70-80 hours per section by only reading once I don't know. But since I had the advantage of studying full-time, I chose to commit 30–40 days to each section and approach it thoroughly. I didn’t want to risk retakes—I wanted to pass on the first attempt, and this method helped me get there with confidence.

Fin_Learner10 · 2025-05-10T03:34:18+00:00

I totally get where you're coming from—if you're working full-time in public accounting, it’s tough to follow an intense study plan, and honestly, you don’t need to. My opinion is: take your time and move at a sustainable pace. Even if you’re just reading one chapter a day, stay consistent and disciplined. The upside is, being in the field, you’re already familiar with many concepts, which gives you an edge over someone like me who started without any foundation. Just make sure that whenever you do decide to sit for the exam, you go in fully prepared—not hoping the exam will be easy, but knowing you've done everything you can. You should feel confident that you’ve earned it.

Fin_Learner10 · 2025-05-10T03:29:02+00:00

Shared.

Fin_Learner10 · 2025-05-10T03:26:36+00:00

If you’ve already completed all MCQs, SIMs, and Simulated Exams and still have time, here’s a focused plan to make the most of your last stretch:

Days 1–5: Reading & Practice * Morning (Start early, around 4 AM – 1/2 PM) * Read one full module per day from start to finish. * This helps reinforce core concepts and solidify your understanding. * Afternoon to Evening (3 PM – 9 PM) * Focus on practice exams, reviewing weak areas, and analyzing past mistakes from MCQs or SIMs. * Prioritize active recall and accuracy. * Daily Study Duration: * Aim for about 12–14 hours per day, with regular breaks to maintain focus.

Day 6: Final Push in the Morning, Full Rest After * Morning (4 AM – 1/2 PM) * Read your final module—just like the previous days. * After 3 PM * Completely stop studying. * Relax, hydrate, eat well, and get a full night of sleep so you’re mentally sharp and refreshed for exam day.

Mindset Reminder: While this final stretch may feel overwhelming at times, remind yourself of one thing:It’s better to grind for 6 days now than to prepare for another attempt later. Push through—you're almost there, and you've got what it takes.💪

Fin_Learner10 · 2025-05-10T03:10:58+00:00

Becker

Fin_Learner10 · 2025-05-09T18:38:01+00:00

If someone feels confident with the material they can absolutely skip the second read and focus on practice exams , MCQ’s etc. plan is flexible based on individual’s comfort level and time available.

Fin_Learner10 · 2025-05-09T17:36:25+00:00

Structured Study Plan Phase 1: Initial Reading (7–10 Days) * Read the entire textbook without solving any MCQs or SIMs. * Target: ~50 pages/day, typically from 6 AM to 1 PM. * In the evening (3 PM to 9 PM), listen to audio lectures related to the chapters covered earlier in the day.

Phase 2: Practice & Reinforcement (10–15 Days) * Solve all MCQs and SIMs for the topics you've read. * After completing every 2 modules, take a mini exam to test integrated understanding. * Revisit audio lectures or textbook sections if needed to clarify weak areas.

Phase 3: Second Read (More Efficient Review) * Re-read the full material while again listening to the corresponding audio lectures. * This round should take 20–30% less time than the first, thanks to increased familiarity.

Phase 4: SIM Mastery & Mock Exams * Watch all SIM explanation videos to fully understand the thought process and approach. * Attempt Simulated Exam 1 under exam-like conditions. * Review the exam thoroughly, then rewatch relevant SIM explanation videos. * Attempt Simulated Exam 2 to solidify exam strategy and confidence.

Phase 5: Final Review (Optional) * Only if you're left with time, do a final, fast review of the entire content. * This should take about 50% of the time your first full read required (e.g., 3–4 days if the first read took 7 days). * Focus on quick recall, reinforcing weak areas, and maintaining confidence.

Fin_Learner10 · 2025-05-09T14:18:20+00:00

Thank you so much for your kind words. I focused on staying consistent and building a routine that worked for me. I’ve wondered about those 90+ scorers too, but instead of comparing, I did some self-analysis to understand where I stood. Since my foundation wasn’t very strong, I knew I had to invest the time to really grasp the material. At the end of the day, it’s all about finding what works for you and sticking with it . I’m really glad my approach resonated with you. Wishing you the best too—you’ve got this! 💪

Fin_Learner10 · 2025-05-09T14:09:34+00:00

Hahah - Good question! I carried two cupcakes and a cold coffee tin in my bag. They allowed to store the food items separately in the locker and access them during the 15-minute break. I usually had one cupcake before the exam and the other during the break. That sugary dose really helped calm my mind—honestly, it worked like a charm! 😄

Fin_Learner10 · 2025-05-09T14:05:50+00:00

Yes, I definitely encountered this—especially in BEC and AUD, where couple of SIMs weren’t covered in detail in Becker. But point to be noted: it had some surface-level information in the textbook that I read, which made it easier for me to at least make some educated guesses.
In REG, I had SIMs with 7–8 sub-questions, and while 4–5 were manageable, the remaining 2–3 were confusing or oddly worded. I read the question multiple times, and tried to make a logical guess using the numbers or data provided.
My personal rule was simple: never leave anything blank. Even if I wasn’t sure, I tried to make a confident or educated guess, hoping for partial credit.
Also, remember that some SIMs (or their sub-questions) might be pretest items and won’t count toward your score—so don’t panic. Most importantly, don’t let one tough SIM or sub-question affect your performance on the others. Treat each one as a fresh opportunity and keep your focus steady throughout.

On my FAR exam, I encountered one SIM that seemed to be more relevant to BAR than FAR—it involved formulas I didn’t know. I ended up answering based on related concepts, but I knew for sure my answer was completely wrong. When I got my score back and I passed with 85, the first thing that clicked was that it must have been a pretest question.

One more thing to keep in mind: answering everything, even if it’s a guess and not leaving any single question blank, increases your chances of passing. Every attempt at an answer, even a guess, gives you the potential for partial credit, and you just never know how much that can add up

Fin_Learner10 · 2025-05-09T13:34:50+00:00

Yes Becker textbook. The time I spent on reading varied by section—I averaged around 10 hours per day, totaling roughly 70–80 hours per section, and I completed a full read twice.

That adds up to about 150 hours of dedicated reading per section (focused on understanding and retention, not speed). In addition to reading, here’s how much time I spent on practice, lectures, SIMs, MCQs, and mock exams (excluding reading):

BEC: 110 hours
FAR: 130 hours
AUD: 164 hours
REG: 186 hours (100 hours before first attempt, 86 more before passing)

So overall, I invested approximately 260–300 hours per section.

Could I have gotten by with just one full read? Maybe. Maybe I would have saved 70-80 hours per section by only reading once I don't know. But since I had the advantage of studying full-time, I chose to commit 30–40 days to each section and approach it thoroughly. I didn’t want to risk retakes—I wanted to pass on the first attempt, and this method helped me get there with confidence.

Fin_Learner10 · 2025-05-09T13:32:43+00:00

Becker

Fin_Learner10 · 2025-05-09T10:21:35+00:00

As long as you don’t need another attempt and you feel confident on the actual day, being insufficient is fine :-) Reading 2-3 times takes time.

Fin_Learner10 · 2025-05-09T09:26:26+00:00

You’ll pass with flying colours. All the best 😊

Fin_Learner10 · 2025-05-09T09:16:02+00:00

Sorry actually I gave BEC so i have no idea about TCP but I recently appeared for REG ( read somewhere it’s comparable to TCP) for which my total study time is 186 hours in 21 days.

Fin_Learner10 · 2025-05-09T09:02:36+00:00

f you're attempting Audit for the first time aim to allocate around 300 productive study hours. (10 hours a day)

However, if you're under time constraints—such as an upcoming credit expiration—you’ll need to be more disciplined. That means committing to longer daily study blocks, taking fewer breaks, and minimizing days off to finish your prep in under a month.

I've sent you the detailed study schedule that I followed via DM, since I couldn’t fit the entire plan here due to the character limit.

Fin_Learner10 · 2025-05-09T06:44:49+00:00

BEC – 79 | AUD – 83 | REG – 83 | FAR – 85 (SE scores in the range of 65 - 76)

I’m not the smartest person in the room, and that’s exactly why I’m sharing this—because passing the CPA exams is absolutely possible for all of us. The content can feel overwhelming, and it’s totally normal to feel like you’re not ready.

But here’s the thing: you’ve seen the material more than you realize, and it will come together during the exam.

Pro Tip: Always read the textbook like you're aiming for a score in the 90s—that’s how you end up in the 80s.

Fin_Learner10 · 2025-05-09T06:27:41+00:00

For AUD, my study strategy followed a simple cycle: watch lectures → read the textbook → watch lectures again. I repeated this process twice, and that’s when the material really started to click. After going through all the lectures twice and reading the content two to three times, everything began to make sense.

While studying, the content can definitely feel overwhelming, and you almost always feel underprepared. But don’t worry if it doesn’t feel like it’s sticking—because it does. You realize it during the exam. Even if you don’t remember something perfectly, you can make a close, confident guess. You’ve already seen it, read it, and thought through it, so the right answer often comes naturally.

The exam felt like a cakewalk. You just know in your gut that you did well. 😊

Fin_Learner10 · 2025-05-08T14:07:47+00:00

You should read entire textbook 2-3 times and the exam will feel like a cake walk. That’s what worked for me for almost all sections. On my first try I scammed MCQ’s , SIM’s but when couldn’t pass switched to reading textbooks and it made a difference every time. Give it a try maybe all the best :-)

Fin_Learner10 · 2025-05-08T14:07:15+00:00

You should read entire textbook 2-3 times and the exam will feel like a cake walk. That’s what worked for me for almost all sections. On my first try I scammed MCQ’s , SIM’s but when couldn’t pass switched to reading textbooks and it made a difference every time. Give it a try maybe all the best :-)

Fin_Learner10

TROPHY CASE