After a fairly long journey, I have just closed the book on the REG section of the CPA exam. Showtime is tomorrow (7/23) at 12:30pm. I’ve honestly put everything I have into preparing. Likely, I’ve logged some 350 hours of prep on this exam if you consider that one of my classes in the spring semester covered a good chunk of this stuff. I’ve out studied my peers by a factor of 2x, at least. The average amount of time put into this section is just over 100 hours. Being unemployed at present gives me the asset of TIME. It is perhaps my greatest advantage right now.
As I flip through the materials, there is stuff I have forgotten already. But, I must draw the line somewhere. The shelf life of some of these details is a matter of 24 hours it seems. A good chunk is conceptual understanding, but much of it is outside of cognitive reasoning and just requires raw memory.
I’ve been using Gleim study materials and have an overall average of about 82%. However, all indications I have gotten indicate that Gleim prep is more difficult than the actual exam. Observation into actual metrics from those who have used Gleim (spoke to on internet boards) seem to indicate that the actual score comes in about 7-10 points higher than Gleim. By that token, I am potentially poised to pull in anything between an 82 and a 90. The minimum to pass is a 75.
No matter what happens tomorrow, I’ll be better off for having taken my first swing at this monstrosity of an exam. I remind myself that this is more of a marathon than a sprint. Even after all this studying and assuming I pass, I still have three more beefy sections all waiting for my brain to digest.
I’ve honestly put my ALL into prepping and all indications I have seem to indicate that I’ll find success tomorrow. But, if not, I’ll try again until its passed. Such is life and such is this game. It’ll make the goal that much sweeter.
For now, wish me luck. I am going to need it. Most people walk out of the exam feeling pretty roughed up. I will probably follow suit. However, 17 hours from now, I’ll be home and it’ll be over. My wife and I are going to have fun over the weekend and I am NOT going to think about accounting for a few days.
The FAR section is next up. I’ll begin tearing that one up Monday or Tuesday. Unfortunately, I will not get my REG grade until September in all likelihood. I’ll just have to be patient.
I’ll post a damage report next time I make it to the computer. For now, I just need to harness the power of the FORCE.