Which cpa test should i take first

The different types of questions are weighted differently. In each section, the two MCQ testlets contribute to half of your exam score. Based on decades of experience helping candidates pass, Gleim strongly suggests that students take the exam immediately after graduation or while in your last semester if permitted by your chosen state board. Candidates already in the workforce should start studying now, because the sooner you earn your CPA certification, the sooner you can begin enjoying the benefits it brings.

Make a CPA Exam study plan and get going! Short answer: it depends. Think about your recent accounting classes or work experience. Then, read more about each exam section in detail for more specific advice, and play to your strengths! Both will equip you with all the information you need to become a CPA. Contact Us : Financial Modeling Institute. Investment Banking. Certified Investment Management Analyst.

CAIA Curriculum. Certified Financial Planner. Excel for Accountants. Introduction to Accounting. Project Management Professional. My biggest problem with this strategy is it defies common sense.

If you choose the most difficult section first then you are giving yourself the greatest chance to fail! I respect the fact that you want to conquer the world on your first voyage but this logic is flawed and can be detrimental to your success. 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 choose the area that is most relevant to your work. If you are coming straight out of college I would suggest taking a section that relates to a class that you did very well in or have a strong interest and desire to learn about.

If no subject clearly stands out then you can always do what I did and choose a class that you just recently took because the information will still be fresh and easily retrievable. Another option is to take one of the shorter exams first. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more. When it comes to becoming a certified public accountant, the first major hurdle you will face when getting started in your career is passing the certification exam.

Whether you want to start with the easier sections first or with the most challenging is ultimately up to you. You are allowed 4 hours per test. You have 18 months in which to complete and pass all four tests, and there are only 4 testing windows per year.

Something you may have noticed while readying yourself for your certification exam is that you get to choose the order you take your test. Some students choose to take the most difficult section and get it out of the way first while others choose to start easier and work their way up the difficulty scale. Make sure to look into the benefits of each order before you decide on how you are going to get through your exam. At the end of the day, the best order for you all boils down to personal preference and your personal test-taking skills and abilities.

Before you can decide which order to take your tests, it is important to know what the contents of each exam will be. Having a general idea of what to expect from each test will allow you to rank each section by difficulty level.