How International Candidates Pass the CPA Exam

Step 1

Make the commitment to take the CPA exam. Also make the commitment to prepare adequately to pass the exam. If you do not commit yourself to achieve success, it will be impossible for you to outperform other CPA candidates. Our system for success will enable you to pass the exam.

Step 2

Determine to which state board you are going to apply. Please visit our recommended state list for more information. If you are interested in sitting in a jurisdiction not included on this page, see our CPA Requirements and Instructions by State for State Board website links. Most state boards require that you have your educational credentials evaluated to make sure they are equivalent. Please visit our International Education Credential Information page and pursue your credential evaluation in a timely manner so it does not hold up your application process. The evaluation services generally suggest contacting them and starting the process 4-6 months in advance of the selected board's deadline, which will give you time to make your travel arrangements. Begin your travel plans by gathering and filling out any forms necessary for a U.S. Visa.

Step 3

Order CPA Gleim Online. We offer a very structured online course for CPA candidates who need discipline. International students should begin with the CPA Gleim Online course as it offers one-on-one counseling in addition to study and testing environments that mimic those you will find at Prometric on test day. Books, Test Prep Software Download, Test Prep for Windows Mobile, and Audio Reviews are also available; just check out our CPA Product Catalog. If you need the additional study materials, you can order them through our Online Store, which will automatically calculate your shipping options for you. Please see the Gleim International Sales page for more information.

Step 4

Become an expert on the CPA exam. To outperform other CPA candidates, you must know more about the CPA exam than they do. This expertise includes knowledge of the subject matter covered on the exam, how the exam is prepared, the types of questions on the exam, the rules for exam administration, and the procedures that will be followed when you take the exam. Rely on Study Units 1-8 in System for Success and our tutorial on the Basics of the CPA Exam.

 

Step 5

Prepare a study plan. Study discipline is critical as you prepare for the CPA exam. Our 80 easy-to-complete study units prepare you for the entire CPA exam. Each study unit takes about 1-5 hours to complete. If you complete one study unit each day, it will take about 12 weeks to prepare for all four sections of the CPA exam.

Complete one study unit at a time. Each study unit in CPA Gleim Online includes 10 to 20 pages of outline material defining, explaining, and illustrating the subject matter tested on the exam. You will also answer 40 recent CPA exam multiple-choice questions in an interface that emulates Prometric. If you miss a question or have trouble understanding it, study the answer explanation in a review session. For Auditing, Financial, and Regulation, each study unit also contains a simulation that you should use to perfect your test-taking skills so you are confident in your abilities on exam day. Use CPA Test Prep Software Download and Test Prep for Windows Mobile to assist with your study of multiple-choice questions. The Test Prep Software Download and Test Prep for Windows Mobile contain over 4,000 questions in an interactive environment that keeps track of your performance.

Step 6

Make your travel arrangements. Make all necessary flight, transportation, and hotel arrangements early so that you can get the best fares and focus on your studies instead of worrying about travel arrangements at the last moment. Make sure to take care of your U.S. Travel Visa if needed. Visit our U.S. Visa information page for more information.

Step 7

Plan your exam execution. CPA Review: A System for Success contains a detailed listing of suggested steps to take in planning your exam execution. It describes techniques for time budgeting, order of answering questions, and the question-answering techniques you should use for each type of question. CPA Review: A System for Success also provides a complete explanation of all the examination procedures and rules.

Step 8

Attend the exam and execute your plan. After using CPA Gleim Online and the other Gleim materials of your choice, you will be prepared to pass the next CPA exam.