The Core Principles
MCQs are everything
Multiple choice questions are the backbone of the CPA exam. The candidates who pass are almost always the ones who did the most questions — intentionally.
Focus on highly tested topics
Not all content is weighted equally. Knowing which topics show up most is the single biggest lever you can pull. That's exactly what CPABee reports give you.
Your notes are your anchor
Build organized notes from the start and return to them constantly. On exam week, your notes — not the textbook — are what you review.
The Full Study Arc
Three phases that cover your preparation from Day 1 through the week before your exam.
Phase 1
Read & Build Your Notes
This is your foundation phase. Go through your review materials chapter by chapter. The goal is not to memorize — it's to understand and capture.
- Read actively, not passively. Slow down when something is unclear.
- Take organized, structured notes as you go. These will be your most important resource later.
- Highlight concepts you don't fully grasp — flag them for extra attention.
- Don't skip sections, but know that not all topics are tested equally. Use your CPABee report to understand which areas deserve the deepest focus.
- Keep your notes in a single, organized document or notebook you can return to easily.
Your notes are your lifeline. Candidates who take thorough, organized notes during Phase 1 dramatically outperform those who rely on re-reading the book later.
Phase 2
Multiple Choice Repetition
This is the most important phase of your preparation. Multiple choice questions (MCQs) are the core of the CPA exam, and volume and repetition are the key to mastering them.
- Do as many MCQs as possible — this phase should dominate your study time.
- Focus your heaviest MCQ volume on the highest-tested topics. Refer to your CPABee report consistently.
- When you get a question wrong, don't just note the answer — understand why.
- Return to your notes often. When a topic surfaces in questions, review your notes on it immediately.
- Track your performance by topic. Weak areas that are also highly tested need the most attention.
- Use timed practice sessions to simulate exam conditions.
The candidates who pass are almost always the candidates who did the most MCQs — and who did them intentionally, not just to check a box. Quality reps beat passive volume.
Phase 3
SIMs — About One Week Out
Task-Based Simulations (SIMs) should receive focused attention for roughly one to two days, approximately one week before your exam. No more than that.
- Do not spend excessive time on SIMs. Two days of focused SIM practice is sufficient for most candidates.
- The goal is not to master every possible SIM — it's to understand how SIMs are framed and what they're asking.
- Practice recognizing the format: what data is given, what's being asked, and how to navigate the interface.
- Focus SIM practice on the highest-tested topics in your section. Your CPABee report shows you which topics are most likely to appear.
- After SIM practice, return your focus to MCQs. Do not let SIMs dominate your final week.
A common mistake: spending too much time on SIMs at the expense of MCQ volume. SIMs test the same content as MCQs — strong MCQ preparation translates directly to SIM performance.
Why it matters
Know which topics are most highly tested before you start.
Every study plan is only as good as your ability to prioritize. CPABee reports tell you exactly which topics are generating the most discussion among active CPA candidates — so you know where to focus your heaviest MCQ volume, your SIM practice, and your final-week review.
The Last 10 Days
What you do in the final stretch matters enormously. Here's exactly how to use each day.
10 Days Out
High-Intensity MCQ Sprint
Shift into high gear. This is your most productive window before the exam. Volume and focus matter enormously right now.
- Push your MCQ volume as high as sustainably possible.
- Prioritize the highest-tested topics from your CPABee report above everything else.
- Review your notes on any topic where your MCQ accuracy is still weak.
- Minimize new content — reinforce what you know rather than introducing unfamiliar material.
7 Days Out
SIM Familiarization (1–2 Days Max)
Spend one to two days on SIM practice. Understand the format and question framing. Then return to MCQs.
- Work through SIMs in your highest-tested topic areas.
- Focus on understanding how SIMs are structured, not on memorizing every possible variation.
- After SIM practice, return immediately to MCQs for the remainder of the week.
- Do not let SIM anxiety pull you away from your MCQ foundation.
3 Days Out
Highly Tested Topics Only
Narrow your focus completely. Only study the topics your CPABee report identifies as most highly tested. This is not the time to cover everything — it's the time to be ruthless about prioritization.
- Pull up your CPABee report and identify the top-ranked topics for your section.
- Do MCQs exclusively in those areas.
- Review your notes on those topics.
- Let lower-priority topics go. Trust the preparation you've done.
1–2 Days Out
Notes Review Only
Put down the question banks. Your job now is to review and reinforce — not to learn anything new.
- Read through your organized notes carefully.
- Focus especially on the topics you've flagged as weak or highly tested.
- Do not attempt large MCQ sets — light review only if you need to feel active.
- Start protecting your sleep and mental energy.
Exam Day
Rest, Fuel, and Execute
Do not study today. You have done the work. Your job today is to show up in the best possible physical and mental state.
- Do not open your review materials or question bank.
- If you absolutely must review something, limit it to a single page of notes or a handful of flashcards — nothing more.
- Eat a real meal. Stay hydrated.
- Get enough sleep the night before — this is more valuable than any last-minute studying.
- Arrive early. Give yourself time to settle before the exam begins.
Sleep and nutrition directly affect cognitive performance. A well-rested candidate who studied well will outperform an exhausted candidate who crammed the night before. Don't undo weeks of preparation in the final 12 hours.