This study unit will give you an overview of the CPA exam and outline our suggested method of preparation.

1.1  FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO PASS THE EXAM

1. Read the Introduction of your Gleim CPA Review book to familiarize yourself with the content and structure of each section of the exam. In the Introduction, you will find
   1. An overview of each section and what it generally tests, including
      1. The AICPA’s Content Specification Outlines (CSOs), cross-referenced to the Gleim study units that contain each topic
      2. The AICPA’s Skill Specification Outlines (SSOs)
      3. The AICPA’s suggested references
   2. A detailed plan with steps to obtain your CPA certificate, including
      1. The order in which you should apply, register, and schedule your exam
      2. The studying tactics on which you should focus
      3. How to organize your study schedule to make the most out of each resource in the Gleim CPA Review System (i.e., books, Test Prep Online, Audio Review, Gleim Online, Simulation Wizard, etc.)
   3. Tactics for your actual test day, including
      1. Time budgeting so you complete each testlet with time to review
      2. Question-answering techniques to obtain every point you can in the multiple-choice, simulation, and/or written communication testlets
      3. An explanation of how to be in control of your CPA exam
2. Scan this Gleim CPA Review:  A System for Success and note where to revisit later in your studying process to obtain a deeper understanding of the CPA exam.
   1. CPA Review:  A System for Success has seven study units:

      Study Unit 1:  The CPA Examination:  An Overview and Preparation Introduction

      Study Unit 2:  AICPA Content Specification Outlines and Skill Specification Outlines

      Study Unit 3:  Content Preparation, Test Administration, and Performance Grading

      Study Unit 4:  Multiple-Choice Questions

      Study Unit 5:  Task-Based Simulations and Written Communication Questions

      Study Unit 6:  Preparing to Pass the CPA Exam

      Study Unit 7:  How to Take the CPA Exam

   2. If you feel that you need even more details on the test-taking experience, watch our Free Tutorial at www.gleim.com/accounting/cpa/basics.php.
      1. This tutorial is best for candidates who have little or no experience with the basic computer skills required for the CPA exam (e.g., copy/paste, search, etc.).
   3. Additionally, the AICPA requires that all candidates review the tutorial and sample tests at www.aicpa.org.
3. Before you begin studying, take a Diagnostic Quiz at www.gleim.com/gleimCPADQ or use our Gleim Diagnostic Quiz App for iPhone, iPod Touch, and Android.
   1. The Diagnostic Quiz includes a representative sample of 40 multiple-choice questions and will determine your weakest areas in the section you are studying.
   2. When you are finished, one of our Personal Counselors will consult with you to better focus your review on any areas in which you have less confidence.
4. Follow the steps outlined in Study Unit 6, Subunit 7, “How to Study a Study Unit Using the Gleim CPA Review System.”  This is the study plan that our most successful candidates adhere to. Study until you have reached your desired proficiency level (e.g., 75%) for each study unit.
   1. As you proceed, be sure to check any Updates that may have been released.
      1. Gleim Online, Simulation Wizard, and Test Prep Online are updated automatically.
      2. Book updates can be viewed at www.gleim.com/updates, or you can have them emailed to you. See the information box in the top right corner of page ii of your book for details.
   2. Review this CPA Review:  A System for Success and become completely comfortable with what will be expected from you on test day.
5. Shortly before your test date, take a Practice Exam (complimentary with the CPA Review System) at www.gleim.com/GleimCPAPracticeExam.
   1. The Gleim Practice Exam is designed to emulate the CPA test-taking experience at Prometric.
   2. This timed and scored exam tests you not only on the content you have studied, but also on the question-answering and time-management techniques you have learned throughout the Gleim study process.
   3. When you have completed the exam, consult with your Personal Counselor to discuss where you should focus your review during the final days before your exam (question-answering techniques, time management, specific content areas, etc.).
6. Take and PASS your selected section of the CPA exam!
   1. When you have completed the exam, please contact Gleim with your suggestions, comments, and corrections. We want to know how well we prepared you for your testing experience.

1.2  PURPOSE OF THE EXAM

The CPA examination is designed to measure professional competence in auditing, business law, taxation, accounting, and related business topics, including

Passing this exam validates and confirms your professional accounting education and requires your complete dedication and determination. The benefits include higher salary, increased confidence and competence, and recognition as a member of an elite group of professionals.

1.3  AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS (AICPA)

The AICPA is the national professional organization of CPAs in particular and professional accountants in general. The AICPA determines/prepares the content and scoring of the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination. See Study Unit 3, Subunit 3, for more information.

Obtain AICPA Student Affiliate membership for FREE!  College graduates who have not yet passed the CPA exam may obtain a discounted CPA Candidate membership for $50. Information regarding all memberships can be obtained from the AICPA website at www.aicpa.org.

1.4  NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE BOARDS OF ACCOUNTANCY (NASBA)

NASBA’s mission is to enhance the effectiveness of state boards of accountancy in meeting their regulatory responsibilities. It is also a major component of the computerized CPA exam. As part of the exam application process, NASBA issues a Notice To Schedule (NTS) to each CPA candidate after completion of an application. While applications may be made and forwarded to individual State Boards, NASBA handles some, or all, of the application process for most State Boards. NASBA also receives all CPA scores from the AICPA and records them in their National Candidate Database before forwarding the grades to individual State Boards, which ultimately send the grades to individual CPA candidates.

1.5  STATE BOARDS OF ACCOUNTANCY

All 50 states (and the District of Columbia, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands) have an administrative agency that administers the laws and rules that regulate the practice of public accounting. Each of these 55 jurisdictions contracts with the AICPA to use the AICPA’s Uniform CPA Examination.

The rules and procedures for applying to take the exam and becoming licensed to practice public accounting vary by jurisdiction. Accordingly, you should contact your state board for a CPA exam application form. With the form, you will receive that board’s rules, regulations, and directions to you as a CPA candidate.

Visit our website at www.gleim.com/accounting/cpa/requirements.php to access up-to-date State Board CPA requirements. You can find the state boards’ contact information at www.nasba.org.

1.6  CPA EXAM FOR INTERNATIONAL CANDIDATES

August of 2011 was the inaugural offering of the Uniform CPA Examination outside the U.S. The international exam is offered only in English, has the same licensure requirements, and is the same as the current U.S. exam. The international exam is administered during the same testing windows as for domestic test-takers (i.e., Jan/Feb, April/May, July/Aug, and Oct/Nov), and international exam scores will be released on the same timeline as domestic scores. In addition to passing the exam, international candidates must meet educational and experience requirements.

International testing in the new locations is open to citizens and long-term residents of Japan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, and the UAE. In addition, citizens and long-term residents of Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen are allowed to take the exam in any of the designated Middle East locations. The exam will also be offered in Brazil to citizens and long-term residents of Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, and Colombia. U.S. citizens who live in the Middle East, Japan, or South America are also eligible to take the exam at one of the new locations.

The jurisdictions through which candidates can apply to take the CPA exam in an international location can be found at www.nasba.org. Prospective candidates must select the U.S. jurisdiction (i.e., a state board of accountancy) to which they will apply, contact the board of accountancy in that jurisdiction to obtain application materials, and submit the completed applications and required fees as instructed. After receiving the NTS, candidates may then register to take the examination in an international location through the NASBA website.

1.7  SUBJECT MATTER -- AICPA AND GLEIM

The AICPA publishes Content Specification Outlines (CSOs), which outline the subject matter tested on the CPA exam. The CSOs have three levels:  areas, groups, and topics.

I.  Area

A.  Group

1.  Topic

The CSOs for each of the four sections of the CPA exam are presented verbatim in Study Unit 2. We have also provided cross-references to the study units and subunits in the Gleim materials that correspond to the CSOs’ coverage.

The listing below contains the CSO areas covered by each section of the CPA exam with the AICPA percentage weighting for each CSO area. NOTE:  The AICPA provides ranges, e.g., 17 to 23%. We changed each range to a single number, e.g., 20%.

Your authors have divided the overall task of preparing for the CPA exam into 20 study units for each section of the exam. As you will see in the Study Unit 2 cross-references, these study units conform to (or parallel) the AICPA CSOs. Note that the scope of most AICPA areas is broad, resulting in coverage by more than one Gleim study unit. The Gleim CPA Review books have AICPA CSO/Gleim study unit cross-references listed in its Introduction so that you are assured of being completely prepared to PASS.

1.8  WHEN TO TAKE THE EXAM

The CPA exam should be taken immediately after graduation (or while in the last semester of school, if permitted) while your education is still fresh. If you take the exam before taking all relevant accounting and business law courses, you will have to study (rather than review) the relevant subject matter. Courses relevant to the CPA exam include

Out of the 55 U.S. jurisdictions, 54 have implemented the “150-hour rule,” which requires a bachelor’s degree plus 30 hours to be certified. As of 2012, only the U.S. Virgin Islands had not passed this requirement. The 150-hour rule for four states, however, will not become effective until a future date. These states are as follows:

* Becomes effective January 1, 2014

** Becomes effective July 1, 2015

*** Becomes effective July 1, 2014

Twenty-nine of the states and jurisdictions that have implemented the 150-hour rule allow candidates to sit for the exam before completing 150 hours:

* Pennsylvania is still an optional 150-hour state but requires 150 hours for licensure.

If you have already graduated and have not signed up to take the CPA exam, do so as soon as possible and start studying.

1.9  WHERE TO TAKE THE EXAM

An important consideration in deciding where to take the exam is continuing professional education (CPE) requirements. Most state boards require CPE to renew a license to practice. Many accountants take the CPA examination, obtain the experience necessary to become licensed to practice public accounting, subsequently leave public accounting, and do not maintain their CPE requirements. If you are not going to practice public accounting or do not need a license to practice public accounting, you may wish to sit for the CPA exam in a state that has a CPA certificate separate from its license to practice and where CPE requirements apply only to the license to practice.

Seven jurisdictions (Alabama, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, and Oklahoma) issue CPA certificates that are separate from the license to practice. Some of these states do not require public accounting experience to receive the CPA certificate, do not require CPE of their CPA certificate holders, and/or do not require residency to sit for the CPA exam. Contact the individual state board for more information.

Call, write, or check the website of the state boards of accountancy for those states in which you may want to be certified. Communicate your intentions and confirm your expectations in writing, i.e., separate CPA certificate, no experience required for CPA certificate, residency not required, CPE not required of certificate holders, etc.

1.10  PASS RATES

The passing percentages for the CBT-e exam have dropped to the mid to low 40s when only one section is taken per exam window. We expect the per-section passing percentages to continue to be 40-50% as candidates adjust to the new exam.

The implication for you as a CPA candidate is that you have to be, on average, in the top 45% of all candidates to pass. A major difference among CPA candidates is their preparation program. You have access to the best CPA review material; it is up to you to use it. Conversely, if you do not apply the suggestions in you will be at a disadvantage to the tens of thousands of candidates who pass with Gleim. Even if you are enrolled in a review course that uses other manuals, you will benefit with the Gleim CPA Review System.

1.11  EXAM COSTS

Cost estimates, which vary from state to state, appear below. Some states offer lower fees if you apply for all four sections at the same time. However, note that in most states, your NTS expires after 6 months. You should only apply for those sections you plan to take within the next 6 months. To determine your current State Board fee, see www.gleim.com/accounting/cpa/requirements.php.

1.12  THE GLEIM SYSTEM FOR CPA SUCCESS

The following is an abbreviated description of the information that is covered throughout the rest of this CPA Review:  A System for Success.

The Preparation Process -- In order to be successful on examinations, you need to

1. Understand the exam, including its purpose, coverage, preparation, format, administration, grading, and pass rates.
2. Learn and understand the subject matter tested.
3. Practice answering actual exam questions to perfect your exam-answering techniques.
4. Plan and practice exam execution.
5. Develop confidence and ensure success with a controlled preparation program followed by confident execution and control during the examination.

1.13  OTHER CPA REVIEW MATERIALS, SYSTEMS, AND COURSES

Dr. Gleim has been helping accountants pass the CPA exam for 5 decades -- far longer than any other review provider. He innovated; the others followed. We have the experience and knowledge to help you pass the first time!

There are many other CPA review providers. We, of course, want you to be successful with Gleim, but we recognize that you will look at alternative products and may use one or more CPA products in conjunction with Gleim to prepare for the CPA exam.

A major distinction is self study vs. group study. The Gleim system is self study (unless you use our Professor-Led Review; see below). Group study is assembling with others to obtain live instruction, audio, and/or video lectures. Make sure the “instructor” of such a course is a professor or passed the CPA exam the first time; not just a PR person who merely turns a recorded lecture on or off!

The Gleim Professor-Led Live Review is ideal if you prefer group study. This program provides personalized and individual attention within a group dynamic. Professor-Led provides you with a live weekly meeting with a professor, the Gleim Review System, a supportive online community with chatrooms and calendars, and access to Gleim Personal Counselors.

1.14  STEPS TO BECOME A CPA

Once you have reviewed all of the information in Subunits 1.1 through 1.13, you are ready to begin taking the steps to become a CPA. Use the checkpoints below to keep yourself on track and to make sure you do not omit any important steps. If you would like, check off the boxes as you progress to give yourself a sense of accomplishment regarding the huge undertaking you have embarked upon.