How did the CPAs before you Pass the CPA exams?
Before I became a CPA, this question lingers in my mind – How did those CPAs already done it – knowing how hard it is to pass the CPA exams.
Those days, passing the CPA exams is like winning the slot machine or maybe the sweepstakes. Because of its history of severely low passing rate, 12-15% range, the CPA profession is well known for its high mortality rate and to pass the exams you have to be near genius. Why I say this? Even cum laudes and some magna cum laudes I know did not make it, at least, the first try. And I heard this story many times. The top students failed in the CPA board exams. Scary isn’t it?
So I always wondered, does it really take a ton of effort to pass the CPA board exams? How will I pass the exams if I only have mediocre mind?
In the advent of computerized CPA examination, the perception about how hard it is to pass the CPA exams has somewhat changed. People now are saying there is an element of luck in some cases. But the truth is, the exams are getting harder and trickier than ever before as Examiners give more and more tough questions. Also, so many things have been added including new Accounting standards, new tax laws, the computerized accounting, international and global finance, forex derivatives and complex management accounting topics that I have never seen before. So despite the element of luck, you still need to be ready in real life applications of what you are supposed to know as a CPA. The expectations are high of being a CPA. If you are just lucky in the CPA board exams, you are sure to be embarrassed once in the workplace.
So how did we, those before you, pass the CPA exams?
First of all, I don’t believe in luck in the CPA exams. It is my personal choice not to gamble with things that are much too important for me. This does not mean that luck is not true. In fact, some fools may sit in the next board exams, answer blindly the multiple choice questions (at 25% success rate per) and pass the CPA board exams without a sweat. The question is, do you take it by chance? Do you just sit there without any CPA review and gamble? I suggest not.
In my case since I do not believe in luck helping me pass the CPA exams, I have to make sure I study and boy when I study back then I can say it is hardcore – no fun at all.
- I dream big dreams.
- I am very focused in my goal.
- I followed my study plan to the letter.
- I developed self discipline along the way.
- I isolated myself from distractions and nuisances.
- I read books and reviewers like there is no tomorrow.
- and I continue to hold on to the belief that I will become a CPA someday.
The good old study-hard-now-pray-later-plan is my game plan back then. There is nothing I would not do in order to pass the exams.
I guess what I am lucky for is that by brute force of nature I should not and (therefore) I cannot fail for me to realize my dreams. My poor family rest upon me on becoming one – becoming a CPA. Big hopes and expectations are on my shoulder that I need to fulfill. But more importantly, passing the CPA exams has become a personal quest for me than just a dream. It is a challenge that I took upon myself in order to survive.
If you ask many CPAs before you and most especially before my time, they would say one or more of the following:
- Start the review while you are still in college
- Focus on your Accounting subjects above all else
- Review like crazy; follow a study plan
- Learn study techniques and exam-taking strategies
- Manage your time effectively
- Be healthy during the review
- Listen attentively to reviewers (if you are in a review school)
- Find and study only updated materials
- Do not underestimate the Examiners
- Review your answers before you submit your papers
- Do not be boastful and proud; overconfidence may kick you
- Find a review buddy; someone whom you can talk to anytime
- Study smarter not harder; do not study what you already know
- Practice solving problems and answering multiple questions
- Never, never give up no matter what happens
I am sure there is much much more than this list of how someone pass the CPA exams. There are many ways to skin the CPA exams so to speak.
One more thing that I need to add is the power of visioneering. Visioneering is the engineering of a vision. Why is it important? It’s the process one follows to develop and maintain vision. Vision is a clear mental picture of what could be, fueled by the conviction that it should be. For this purpose, you should visioneer becoming a CPA in the near future using the power of your imagination. Close your eyes and create a clear picture in your mind of who you wanted to be, what you want to become, where you want to work after, what you want to have by that time and where you should be in the future.
Did it work for me? Yes it did. Let me tell you a short true story…
When I am still in college, the SGV recruitment folks came to our school and spoke to the Accountancy students via a mini seminar to entice them to join the firm when we graduate. The guy who presented to us what SGV is all about is wearing a white long sleeves tucked in to a nice shiny black pants with matching dark shoes. He wore a matching tie that looks really neat and complements the way he carry himself confidently. He is young, passionate about the profession and seems to be a successful man in his age.
That day I visioneered my future. I have dreamed of becoming like him and promised myself I would work in SGV after the board exams. I created a vision of myself in the same shimmering white long sleeves polo tucked in a nice dark pants and black shoes wearing a matching dark tie and more importantly, how can I forget, his dark attache case.
Fast forward after 2 years… One day, while walking along Ayala Avenue from the SGV 1 building going to my client, I saw a man exactly as I saw it 2 years ago in my vision – it was me in the mirror-like glass of the building before me…. And I just smiled to myself and moved on…
So how did we pass the CPA exams? We worked on it and did not rely on luck. You can do it too for sure. Remember my last advice. Visioneering is a key element to your success. Trust me. I knew what I am talking about from experience.
That’s my tip for you today… Go on and pass the CPA exams!
Manny
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