Comparing CPA Exam Review Courses
Feb 4, 2010 accounting
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Choosing the right CPA exam review course can make the difference between passing on your first or second try and spending countless frustrating hours studying the same material over and over again for parts of the exam you have to re-take. Self-knowledge about the way you learn best and clearly understanding what each review course offers are key to making a good decision.
One of the most important decisions to make is which type of course you think will work best for you – online, video, or live classes. For those with the dedication to stick to a study schedule, online and video classes offer the ability to learn at your own pace and lower costs. For those who need a bit more motivation and structure, live classes typically are the way to go.
Second, determine the quality of the practice tests. The closer to simulating the actual exam, the better. There are practice tests out there that do not do a very good job of simulating the look, feel, and mechanics of the actual exam. You are doing yourself a disservice if you go with a course that has a sub-par practice test. When you take the actual exam, it will feel new and different and could very well disrupt your ability to answer the questions correctly.
Third, decide on the way you learn best. Some review courses emphasize learning and understanding the material while others emphasize memorizing the material for purposes of passing the test. The learning courses go a bit more in depth into the various subjects while the memorizing courses use devices like mnemonics to help you easily memorize important items.
Next, figure out what materials and features are included in each of the review courses you are comparing. Some courses include many different options and many of the courses charge you extra for things like flash cards and books. You may also see options for practice questions. If you will use multiple computers while you study, online practice questions or questions on a USB drive may work best. Some courses also charge extra for access to instructors or video lectures.
The last decision is how much you are willing to spend for your exam review. It can be tempting to go cheap on a review course in the hopes you will pass, but for most people, spending a little extra for the right review course means the difference between passing quickly and years of frustrating re-takes. Studies have shown that the most common reason people fail the exam is lack of preparation. Buying a quality review course that fits your learning style is a major step toward passing the exam and moving forward with your career.
To see which review courses may best fit your needs, check out this CPA review course comparison. It cuts through the confusion and enables you to make an informed buying decision.
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