Question: How Do You Study Best?
As I begin my second of four review courses for the four-part CPA Exam, I will soon be signing up for the dates which I will be officially sitting for the four sections. The CPA Exam is intense, and it will be unlike anything I’ve ever studied for before. I ask Allah to help me pass them all as soon as possible, inshaAllah.
With that said, a question for you: how do you study best?
What tips do you have for me? What methods helped you to do the best? In specific, what do you remember doing that worked for professional exams and graduate school that went beyond undergraduate studies?
Hopefully your answers can help me to study well for this exam and maybe even be a list of tips for others who want some studying tips for their own classes or exams.
March 2nd, 2009 at 5:14 PM
1. Go over your material at least 3 times. First time read to understand. 2nd time memorize important info. 3rd time review memorize and fit it into your understanding
2. Marginalize #1. do the 3 steps above according to chapter or section or topic. that way it is segmented in your brain better.
3. take short but frequent breaks. like study for an hour then get up stretch watch something quick on youtube then get back at it for another hour.
4. Eat healthy food. drink water.
5. Go to a library or place where you can study that no one will be able to find you are contact you.
March 2nd, 2009 at 5:34 PM
To expand upon what Faiez wrote:
#6.Keep your mind active and sharp(start a regular jogging routine)
#7. Energy Drinks/Coffee(Panera Bread offers bottomless coffee for $1.79; You need this weapon to defeat any type of macho exam: LSAT,PCAT, DAT, MCAT, CPA)
#8. Make du’a like crazy leading up to the exam.
#9.Avoid distractions(For example give your password for Facebook to a close friend/wife so you are allowed to only check it once per week for a few minutes. This is so you don’t check Facebook 5 times per day. I know it sounds ridiculous, but you have no idea how much time a person can waste on Facebook, MySpace, Gmail, etc…)
#10. Play video games once in a while so you don’t burn yourself out.
March 2nd, 2009 at 6:14 PM
i honestly dont really study. just learn it right the first time, and then review through your notes a few times, good to go.
March 2nd, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Do it for the sake of Allah, that will really motivate you, and whatever happens, you will always be happy. Whenever you feel bogged down, remember why you are doing it (studying).
March 3rd, 2009 at 12:29 AM
Assalamualaikum
I’m not sure how different the CPA exam is from the CA exam, UFE (the Canadian equivalent of CPA). But our CA exam in Canada is a 3-day intense exam:
1st day – 5 hours case study
2nd and 3rd day – 4 hour mini cases
Note: No MCs, all analysis
Ok, that said, our public accounting firm lets us off for the whole summer, so time is definitely what you need.
Secondly, study buddies. Colleagues who are going through the same exam, discuss and share ideas/ answers.
Thirdly, study mentor. A person who has went through the same thing, who can mark your mock exams, and provide emotional support.
Fourthly, don’t burn out. You may think the more you study, the more you will do better. But it actually is not the case. Take the nights and weekends off (no studying after 4pm). Because this is a mental exercise (as noted below), your brain needs rest so that when it comes to exam time, it is refreshed. (Trust me, I’ve burnt out, and it’s not a pretty sight….)
Last but not least, this is a mental/emotional exam. You have to go in confident, believing that you will pass (inshaAllah), even though may feel you don’t know a lot.
And of course, the most important thing is du’a and intention.
Hope that helps, inshaAllah. I may be taking one soon too…
March 3rd, 2009 at 11:23 AM
A lot of these tips are good ideas. I definitely believe in taking short but frequent breaks. Sometimes a couple of deep breaths can really wake you up.
One thing that hasn’t been said, but that is really important is to learn about the test itself. Make sure you know it in detail. Know what sections will be on the test, the format(s) of the questions, where you’ll be taking the test, etc. Figure out how long you can spend on each question.
March 3rd, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Don’t study at all and cram right before.
March 5th, 2009 at 12:54 AM
Following up with what I said in my previous post. Know that laziness is spurred on by the Shaytaan, and that mofo hates us. Ask yourself, do you want him to succeed? The answer to that question should also motivate you, : ). And definetly those study tips above, ‘They’rre Grrrrrreat’.
March 9th, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Studying early in the day is supposed to be good. Try after Fajr?
March 10th, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Salaam,
I haven’t taken my MCAT yet, but I’m in the process of studying and have learned what works best for me.
-Try turning off your phone when you study
-Find a place to study and be consistent with it
-Try taking your practice exams the same time of day you plan on taking your real exam. This has been really helpful for me, so far.
On a similar note, know your exam inside and out. Do as much practice as humanly possible, so you can walk into your exam with confidence.
Good luck, inshAllah. I also find the study duas at loyolamsa.com help me out.
March 17th, 2009 at 10:28 PM
Do as many practice problems as possible, and always go over the answers you got wrong on practice exams
I find my mind is sharpest when i’m eating and reading..that is a terrible habit, don’t do that
And face the Qiblah