The Gleim Blog: Helping You Pass Your Exam on the First Try!

Here you will find helpful tips for the CPA, CIA, CMA, EA, and RTRP exams. We'll post exam updates, helpful hints, CPE information, and the study habits of fellow exam candidates. If you'd like to write about your studies for the Gleim blog, please email us at gleimblog@gleim.com.

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Last Days of Studying

May 8, 2013, by 1 comment

 

Written By Gleim CIA Guest Blogger Bev M.

I am now getting to the end of my studying for Part 1 of the CIA exam. My exam is in the next 24 hours. I spent the weekend studying and worked questions until I was blue in the face. I also rewrote all of the standards and read through them over the weekend. I must say that the 10 Study Units were a little daunting at first because it seemed like a lot of stuff to go through. However, I must say the Gleim study units were short. This made them a lot easier to read through before I reviewed the questions. My attention span is not the greatest. After a long day of work, who really wants to sit down and try to read through pages and pages of material? I think having more study units to cover this material was definitely a plus in using Gleim. I really learned a lot of information during this review, which I can apply during future audits.

All I have done in the last few days is work through questions, over and over. I have also been taking notes on the ones I get wrong. I am so glad that I get my score right after I am done. I cannot imagine what it would be like if I had to wait for my practice test scores like I have to wait for my actual CPA exam scores. I fell in love with Gleim so much during my review of the CIA material. I am going to purchase the Audit materials from Gleim as well. I have that exam scheduled for May 28th. One of my coworkers is also using Gleim, thanks to me of course. We will be studying for Part 2 of the CIA exam together. I hope to take that part in June. Hopefully, I can take it before my year-end performance evaluation at work. Hopefully my passing scores will have some influence on my raise. A girl can only dream.

Until next time.

Bev

 

BEC Studying Update

May 7, 2013, by No comments yet

 

Written By Jennifer K. for the Gleim CPA Blog.

I began using the Gleim CPA Review System on March 15th. So far, I am almost halfway through the Business Environment Concepts (BEC) section. As I mentioned previously, I took and passed BEC back in 2009. When I first took this section, I concentrated primarily on the multiple-choice questions and spent almost no time on worrying or practicing for the written simulations. This time around, the biggest problem I have had studying has been the written simulations. I do believe I am putting too much emphasis on them. I also need to pass two more parts of the exam by July 31, and I find myself wanting to complete each task perfectly.

My husband is finally home after being out of town for a couple weeks. Getting him home has been a real test. His flight was delayed several times, which resulted in a one-day setback . Hopefully, his return will grant me some additional time to study by relieving some of the additional home and child related responsibilities. However, I also received some bad news this week at work, which will most likely result in a significant increase in work hours for me.

Based on the difficulty I have had with the written simulations on the CPA exam, I have chosen to focus more on the multiple-choice and true/false questions. Despite my work concerns, I believe that the changes that have occurred over the last week will improve my productivity. So far, I feel that practicing the multiple-choice questions as much as possible has had the most impact on my performance. Also, since my study time has been spread out over a long period of time, I think it is important that I take practice test and reinforce the material I have already learned.

 

Getting Down to the Wire

May 7, 2013, by No comments yet

Written By CIA Exam Guest Blogger Bev M.

I was planning on completing CIA Part 1 Study Units 7 and 8 last week, but it was a short work week for me, so I decided to complete Study Unit 9 instead. I worked until Wednesday and then flew to Tampa with my boyfriend to visit his grandparents. I did not bring my laptop, but I did have my book with me just in case I got the urge to study. It was definitely a very relaxing weekend. I got lots of rest and got to go to the beach one of the days. Their house is only 3 miles away from one of the local beaches. I feel recharged and ready to tackle the rest of the study units before I take my exam at the end of April.

The main reason I chose Study Unit 9 during my short study week was because I had completed the engagement planning section when I was studying for the Audit part of the CPA exam. I took the quiz online and scored a 75%. I was quite excited about that. The last few times I took that quiz, I scored 50% each time. One area that gave me a little trouble was the preliminary survey. After going through the material, I realized that the preliminary survey is the same as our pre-planning activities where we review past audits, personnel interviews, and discussions with management. It’s all the activities we do during the planning phase of an audit to come up with the objectives. I also had to keep reminding myself that the working program was similar to our audit program. Study Unit 9 also came in handy because I have been working on two projects where I have taken on the role of a senior and have had to be involved in all the planning activities and coming up with the initial draft of the audit program (working program).

I plan on going through Study Units 7 and 8 this week and then tackling Study Unit 10 by Saturday at the latest. That should give me at least three full days of final review before I take the CIA exam. I plan on staying in this weekend and studying both days.

Happy studying!

Bev

 

 

Getting Into A Routine: CIA Exam Studying

May 7, 2013, by No comments yet

One thing that works well for me when I’m studying is to create a routine and stick to it.”

Written By CIA Exam Guest Blogger Tracy C.

Well, I’m another week closer to exam day. I’m at four weeks and counting until the big day for Part One. I’m a little behind on my studying because the past few weeks of work have been so busy. I need to get back to the grind this week and make up for lost time. I have a lot more free time coming up, so I should easily be able to get back on track with my study plan.

One thing that works well for me when I’m studying is to create a routine and stick to it. I can focus more on studying when I have things laid out for me. I think a really important part of my routine is to eat healthy and exercise while studying. I have not had time over the past few months to go to the gym, but now that I’m back in study mode, I’m hitting the gym more regularly. This definitely helps reduce stress and it keeps me focused on what I’m studying. I do a lot of yoga, which keeps me from getting too stressed out.

Eating healthy is another major part of my plan for exam success. I’m not always the healthiest eater, but during exam time, I make much more of an effort to be conscious of what I’m eating. I know that healthy eating is important, but as things come up during the week, I don’t always make it a priority. Eating healthier and working out gives me much more energy, and that is something I certainly need. It also keeps my head clear and helps keep me focused. My routine during exam time is to do yoga in the mornings, go to work, maybe run after work, and study after that. I know that these things may seem obvious to some people, but it’s something that people may forget contributes to successfully passing the CIA exam and is worth the extra effort.

 

 

2013 Q1 CPA Exam Pass Rates Released

May 7, 2013, by No comments yet

 

Welcome CMA Guest Blogger Heather N.!

May 7, 2013, by No comments yet

 

Written By Guest Blogger Heather N.

Hello everyone! My name is Heather and I worked as an accountant for 15 years before I became a CPA. I have had jobs that didn’t require a CPA designation, but then I began teaching. I felt that I needed to become a CPA to be fully qualified to teach. Gleim software was my choice; it was the best I worked with.

When the school I teach at asked me to take over the teaching of cost accounting, I felt that taking the CMA exam was necessary. Plus, it had also been a very long time since I took cost accounting. I began researching the exam and reviews. I registered for the exam and soon decided I wanted to use Gleim. I know Gleim works because I had the best grades on my CPA while using their service. I purchased the books and began studying, but I need to do a lot more work for my CMA. I am hoping that the complete Gleim Review System will be helpful. I also like the idea of blogging because that will make me accountable. Accountability helps keep me on track. I understand that since I will be posting weekly, I will need to accomplish something and not just sit around pretending to study until the week before the exam.

I am a firm believer that educators need to have a top-notch level of education and be up to date. The CMA Review System will provide me with this. I also think my experience as a professor will play heavily into how I study and how I learn for this exam. I find that I learn from my students every day. I can also offer a perspective of the educator who is trying to relearn these topics. I feel that others can benefit from the learning style of an educator.

 

CPA Study Tips – What to do when you’re in a study rut

May 6, 2013, by No comments yet

 

Written By Guest Blogger Denise H. for the Gleim CPA Exam Blog.

Studying for REG has been going well for me, but I have definitely cranked it up a notch this past week and a half. I have also decided to take the multiple-choice quizzes after I have read the knowledge transfer outlines instead of before. I made this change because the low scores were very discouraging. This approach also gives me a better idea of what areas I really understand and what areas need a little more work. I am currently getting through an entire study unit (and some of the next one) each night. I expect to complete all 20 study units before this weekend so that I can begin my final review. Some of the things that I was struggling with earlier are starting to make more sense now as I complete the later study units. I’m hoping that the review this weekend will go smoothly.

After some unproductive study hours, I realized that a change of environment was just what I needed. Luckily, I live in a college town, so the library is open until midnight Sunday through Thursday. It has been enough of a change that I can still come home from the library and study for a couple of hours without falling asleep or being distracted. In the past, I have studied in dead silence because any music from the radio would distract me (I love to sing along). But I found these custom music stations that play easy-listening music. They offer a wide variety of music, from relaxing/soothing to a blend of jazz or rock (and a fair number of them have no vocals). If I find I am getting drowsy while studying, I just change the channel to one that isn’t as relaxing. Studying with headphones on at the library has kept me focused so much so that I am finding myself putting them back on when I get home. This focus is helping me get my daily studying to-do list done. I am no longer frustrated or discouraged with my progress, nor am I stressed about how close my exam is.

 

Pass the CMA Exam Video Series – Video #7 is now Available!

May 2, 2013, by No comments yet

 

Good news CMA candidates!  Video #7 in the Pass the CMA Exam Video Series is now Available!  The seventh video in this series focuses on the final review week.  If you’re wondering what to do during the last week of your exam preparation, check out this video for tips.

 

 

 

Let us know if you have any questions regarding becoming a CMA, and we’ll try to answer your questions in an upcoming video.

 

72 Hours Only – Flash Sale on 2013 CPA Auditing Review Systems for Q1-Q2

April 30, 2013, by No comments yet

 

Customers will receive immediate online access, so CPA applicants will be able to commence studying right away.”

 

For 72 hours only, Gleim, the leading provider of CPA review materials, is holding a flash sale for the Q1-Q2 edition of our 2013 CPA Auditing Review System!

 

This sale will run from May 1, 2013, through 11:59 p.m. (EST) on May 3, 2013. CPA candidates sitting before July 1, 2013, can take
advantage of our limited-time 33% discount. The total cost of the 2013 Q1-Q2 CPA Auditing Review System during the flash sale will be $184.22*.  Save now!

 

Gleim is holding this sale for our 2013 Q1-Q2 CPA Auditing Review System (which includes a book, Test Prep Online, Audio Review, Gleim Online, Practice
Exam, Simulation Wizard, and access to a Personal Counselor) in order to encourage CPA hopefuls to take the Auditing exam before the new Clarification Standards become testable.

 

Customers will receive immediate online access, so CPA applicants will be able to commence studying right away.

 

If you’re sitting for the exam on or after July 1, 2013, you’ll need to prepare with the Q3-Q4 edition of our CPA Auditing Review System (not
available at the flash sale price).

 

Questions or concerns? Want to talk about Auditing? Contact us today at accountingteam@gleim.com or 800.874.5346.

 

Happy studying!

 

Team Gleim

 

*Discount on 2013 Q1-Q2 Gleim CPA Auditing Review Systems does not apply to previous purchases, or the price of the full review system (consisting of Auditing, Business, Financial, and Regulation).

 

Only candidates who are sitting before July 1, 2013, should purchase the discounted Auditing review system. The Gleim Replacement Guarantee does
not apply to purchases made during the Q1-Q2 flash sale; candidates may upgrade Q1-Q2 editions of the CPA Auditing Review System purchased during the
flash sale to the Q3-Q4 edition simply by paying the difference between the flash sale and retail price (plus any applicable shipping charges).

 

CIA Exam Studying Update

April 29, 2013, by No comments yet

I spent most of Saturday going over Study Unit 6. For some reason, studying controls is always a struggle for me. I can never seem to grasp the whole concept. This week has been very interesting. We finally moved and are settled in our new place. The new house has a fenced-in backyard, which is great for our little basset hound, Brutus. The weather was nice on Saturday, so I studied outside for some time. While I was studying my books and drinking coffee, Brutus was sun bathing. He loves basking in the sun.

I tend to be a visual learner. I know this about myself, yet I sometimes forget. I have been relying heavily on the audios lately. However, for Study Unit 6, I watched the audiovisual presentation and jotted down some notes. This helped tremendously when it came time for me to answer the first set of questions. On one of my attempts though, I scored a 50% and was very disappointed in myself. This is material that I know, or at least should know and at some point in my career have been exposed to, so scoring in the a 50% is definitely not acceptable.

One area I really enjoyed studying was the “Business Continuity Management (BCM)” subunit. This is something that my team was exposed to last year, and I never really had a full understanding of what BCM was all about. I have really been enjoying studying for the CIA exam, mostly because I can apply a lot of what I am learning. It’s always discouraging when you find yourself studying for something that you will probably never use during your career.

I will be leaving for Florida this week and will be packing my Gleim CIA exam textbook for some reading by the beach. I plan on getting through Study Unit 7 and part of Study Unit 8 this week. I have my exam scheduled for the end of April, so I need to finish all of the study units by the end of this week. This should give me a good week to final review and answer questions over and over.

Happy Studying.

Bev