Goal setting for Candidates – Start Your Year Right

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Author: Dina Barabash, Content Development & Web Specialist
Posted: Jan. 20, 2022

As you begin this new year, it is important to consider your goals for the upcoming months. As a CPA candidate, there are many ways to prepare and succeed on the journey to becoming a CPA. At NASBA, we want to make sure that you have the tools and resources needed to help you every step of the way.

A great way to prepare for the Uniform CPA Examination (Exam), is by reading NASBA’s Candidate Guide. Before applying for the Exam, be sure to familiarize yourself with this important guide. When you apply for the Exam, you will attest that you have read through the Candidate Guide. Here, you will be given key information on everything you need to know, from preparing for the Exam to receiving your score(s).

Do you feel ready for the Exam? If you are not sure, refer to NASBA’s Candidate Checklist for tips on taking the Exam. The checklist will inform you about the Exam’s partners, tips for scheduling your Exam (including the best days to schedule and why), testing time, what to familiarize yourself with and so much more. These tips are sure to help you prepare and plan for your upcoming Exam section.  

NASBA understands the road to becoming a CPA is not an easy one. To help make the journey a bit smoother, it rolled out its CPA Exam Candidates Forum, a Facebook Group that provides a platform for Exam candidates to connect, share advice, tips and tricks, ask questions and have fun while they prepare to become CPAs. Although there are currently several candidate forums online, many of them are created by third party sources who are not affiliated with any of the three Uniform CPA Exam partners – NASBA, AICPA or Prometric. Today, candidates can use the Forum to network with peers around the world and NASBA when needed, allowing candidates to receive important information and share best practices in an efficient and timely manner.

Practice tests are another great way for candidates to exercise their test taking skills and understand how the Exam will be laid out. There are many online resources for practice tests, including the AICPA. As mentioned on the association’s site, the primary purpose of the practice Test is to have candidates become comfortable with the Exam format and functionality. As you begin or continue your journey to CPA, be sure to set your goals and to take advantage of the resources available to you before sitting for the Exam.