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| August 2004 | The
Monthly Newspaper of the NYSSCPA |
Vol.
7, No.11 |
CPA Exam Tips
Editor’s
Note: The following information is provided by the American
Institute of CPAs (AICPA) for individuals planning to take the CPA exam. This
information, and more, can also be found at
www.cpa-exam.org/test/what_to_know.html.
What to Know Before Taking the Exam
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To excel on the Uniform CPA Examination, preparation and familiarity with the exam’s functionality and navigation, as well as with content, is crucial.
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Be comfortable with the use of a computer keyboard, mouse and common word processing and spreadsheet functions. Note, however, that the word processor and spreadsheet applications in the examination are not identical to Word or Excel features.
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Take the tutorial and sample test (several times, if necessary) before taking the exam. The tutorial and sample tests are available at www.cpa-exam.org.
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Pay special attention to the software features that are unique to the examination, especially in the “Authoritative Literature” section:
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History button: Use this to find the last page visited. (A back button is not available.) By clicking on the “history” button, you can obtain a list of up to 20 last-page visits, in reverse order.
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Copy/paste: You can only copy/paste one paragraph at a time in the Authoritative Literature section. A block of text, not separate lines or words, must be highlighted at a time. In the tutorial, find specific copy and paste tips, as follows:
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For audit simulation instructions, refer to “Review Letter Item Type”;
For far simulation instructions, refer to “Accounting and Reporting Item Type”;
For reg simulation instructions, refer to “Tax Citation Item Type.”
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Search: Scroll down to view all topics returned by a search. Misspelled words will not return any search results.
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Calculator: Enter numbers on the online calculator using the keyboard or the keypad, with the “Num Lock” feature turned on. Know how to move the calculator on the screen.
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Remember that the examination consists of several sections (groups of multiple choice questions called testlets or simulations). You can review questions within any testlet/simulation, but you will be unable to do so after exiting a testlet/simulation.
At the Test Center
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Bring your NTS (Notice to Schedule) to the testing center. Testing will not be allowed without it.
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Bring two valid forms of ID to the testing center. Information on the two forms of ID must match exactly the candidate information on the NTS. Check the “Candidate Bulletin” for details on what is acceptable ID.
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Arrive at least 30 minutes early and be sure to have your Exam Section ID on hand (it’s provided on the NTS) when seated at the workstation. There is a limited amount of time available to enter the examination password.
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Be sure to follow research problem directions. (If there is difficulty entering a response in the space provided, you may not be using the expected response format.)
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Report any functionality problems to the Test Center Administrator (TCA). If possible, wait until the end of the session. If you encounter a problem in a simulation, be sure to identify the “Tab” in which it occurred. At the end of the examination, you should receive a printout with contact information for reporting any concerns to the AICPA or the National Association of State Boards of Accoutancy.
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Don’t be distracted by any issue as long as you are able to continue testing. For example, if your responses do not generate the expected color changes in pencil icons, continue testing. Report the matter to the TCA at the end of the session so that a report can be filed. The system will verify the capture of your responses.
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Your appointment time is 30 minutes longer than your exam. In other words, you have been given 30 extra minutes for sign-in procedures and to fill out a survey. This time is independent of your exam. Completing these activities quickly will not result in extra time on the examination.
