In this episode of the CPA Exam Experience Podcast, you’ll hear how Kátia was able to pass the CPA exams even as a busy mother. Kátia had moved from Brazil years before, but decided it was time to finally get her CPA license. She purchased SuperfastCPA, and even though sometimes it was hard to do the process, she kept going until she passed.
You’ll hear how Kátia was able to get past feeling bad or like a failure if she didn’t pass an exam or missed studying, and you’ll hear how she overcame the shame associated with those feelings. As a busy mother, sometimes the reality was that she couldn’t study as much as she wanted, but she didn’t let that stop her. She never gave up, kept going, and was able to pass the CPA exams. She mentions particularly liking the SuperfastCPA mini quizzes and audio notes, so make sure you check those out yourself!
IMPORTANT LINKS:
Master your study process by attending one of our free study training workshops:
https://www.superfastcpa.com/study-secrets/
Episode TImestamps
- 00:00 Kátia Interview
- 02:55 How Kátia Got Into Accounting
- 04:29 Why Pursue the CPA
- 05:28 Finding SuperfastCPA and What She Liked About It
- 07:43 Main Struggles She Had in the Beginning
- 09:14 Took Her Time Studying and Took Breaks
- 10:56 The Materials That Helped Kátia
- 12:31 Know What Works for You and Adjust Based on Your Situation
- 13:35 Daily Study Process
- 14:57 Finding Time to Study
- 15:47 Utilizing the Audio Notes Even When Life Gets in the Way
- 17:27 Kátia’s CPA Timeline
- 18:46 Thought BEC Was Easy But Failed
- 19:40 REG Was the Only One She Passed First Try
- 21:13 Her Realization When She Took AUD
- 22:26 Why She Passed REG First Try
- 25:03 What Her Daily Study Sessions Looked Like
- 26:39 Took A Week Off to Cram for Final Review
- 28:04 Studying with Roger or UWorld
- 29:55 Made Sure She Answered All the MCQs for the Sections
- 31:28 Why She Chose Roger as Her Main Review Course
- 32:36 How the Follow Along Notes Helped
- 35:41 Study Process for Difficult Topics
- 40:02 The Benefit Kátia Got from SuperfastCPA
- 44:58 Top Tips for People Still Going Through the CPA Exams
Interview Transcript
Katia: [00:00:00] For me, that two hours in the morning or two hours at night sometimes didn’t work. You know, sometimes with life and everything, it didn’t work so like I said, my, my reality was, was different for me. At first, the beginning I tried to stick to it, but at, for me, the, the main thing was to come to reality, to, to the conclusion that it’s not gonna work for me.
You know, some, some days I’m not gonna be able to study, that for me, that was okay. I learned to like, okay, no, feel like a feeling that I’m never gonna finish this because I didn’t study that day.
So when I got that point that I kind of like overcome that shame, oh, I didn’t study today. I’m behind. I’m gonna fall behind. That was the point, so even though your guys’ structure is a little strict for my reality, I tried to apply to a different reality and schedule that worked for me.
Logan: Welcome to another episode of the CPA Exam Experience podcast from SuperfastCPA. I’m Logan, and in today’s episode, you’re going to hear me talking to Kátia.
Now, Kátia had a really cool story. [00:01:00] She’s originally from Brazil, but has been in the United States for quite a while, and she has an interesting story because she was able to pass the exams while having a busy life as a mother.
And throughout this interview you’ll hear her mention that a whole bunch where you know, the SuperfastCPA method, a lot of it did work, but some of it, she just had to realize that she couldn’t do it the way that was prescribed. So she did the very best she could and she was still able to pass the CPA exams.
And I think this is a great episode as an example of still being able to take what you need from SuperfastCPA and pass the exams no matter what your life situation is. Of course, hopefully everybody can apply everything from SuperfastCPA, but even just applying a few things from it can still be super helpful.
And you’ll hear Kátia mention the SuperfastCPA quizzes, the audio notes, and doing the best she could with studying even when her kids were sick. So I think you’ll love this episode, especially as an example of how to pass the CPA exams even when you’re a busy mother.
Now, just before we jump into the episode with Kátia, I just wanna give one more reminder about our SuperfastCPA training webinar on [00:02:00] superfastcpa.com. Make sure you go check that out because again, it’s only one hour, it is free. And in that one hour we will teach you the key ingredients to passing the CPA exam so you don’t waste months or even years of your time failing exams.
And something that I also wanna mention is our SuperfastCPA multiple choice question walkthrough videos. I’ve been working on those for about a year and a half now, and I’ve created multiple choice question walkthrough videos for just about every topic in FAR, just about every topic in audit, a lot of topics in REG and TCP, and I’m currently working my way through BAR.
So watch those videos for free on YouTube so that you can get a little bit of extra help and a little bit of extra understanding. And if you like it, make sure you check out becoming a SuperfastCPA PRO member, PRO members get access to the full versions of those YouTube videos. The YouTube videos only have five questions. The member versions have 10 questions.
So again, if you like that and you like everything else about SuperfastCPA, check out becoming a SuperfastCPA PRO member. Now, with all that said, let’s dive into the awesome interview with Kátia.
How Kátia Got Into Accounting
Logan: So how did you get started with, uh, accounting [00:03:00] before you started the CPA journey?
Katia: Wow, that’s a long story. So I think I just mentioned when I moved to this country, my, um, major in Brazil was finance.
Logan: Okay.
Katia: And I was like a semester away to graduate and I decide that I wanna work in the stock market, you know, that back when I was young and free, right? And I have to learn English and being a, in, in a country that the primary language not English, so was kind of hard for me to do it.
So then I, okay, so I have to, one of my friend told, why don’t you go and do an, uh, exchange program and learn English? So then I moved here, uh, with the intent to United right? With the intent to go back, wait for two years to finish my, my, my degree down there. So after being here for like about two years, um, life turned, turned out not to be what I expect to be and I ended up being, staying here more than expect to stay.
And so I transferred my, my major, um, my college to United States and I changed my major to accounting. So that’s when, um, [00:04:00] you know, I started joining accounting and at the time I was working as a accounts payable clerk in a, a local office and I’m like, no, I don’t think I wanna pursue that career, and I not going for that way.
So after finished college, um, you know, I focused more like my personal life. You know, I started family and so on and forth. And at that time too, when I finished college, I was not working on the CPA, so in order to, you know, so like, you know, I’m gonna focus in my personal life and if time comes, it’ll come.
Why Pursue the CPA
Katia: So fast forward, I started working in that company that I’ve been working now has been 11 years now. So they hire a CPA has been about six years, and they’re like, okay, that’s opportunity that, uh, uh, uh, I was looking for. So then I started looking for CPA, so I went through the whole process because I transferred my credits to America, so I end up graduating with 180 credits. So I didn’t know I could skip the, the, the master ’cause I was looking maybe, well now you know, we’ve had babies and being a single mom, like, oh, now I [00:05:00] have to go back, do a master then I apply. So, and I was like, okay, so watching podcasts and everything, they’re like, let me see if I can get uh, uh, you know, uh, okay from the NASBA.
So I sent documentation, sent all my, my paperwork, they approved it so I can go for it. So that’s how I started. So then I started looking for courses, you know, and everything. And I started with my main course was uh, now it’s call UWorld, at the time was Rogers, you know, and know they bought out and everything.
Finding SuperfastCPA and What She Liked About It
Katia: So I think because at the time when I went back, I haven’t been almost like eight years that I had graduate, you know what I mean? So I have to go back and learn again, you know, and relearn everything that I, I had in the back of mind. So that’s what I did. So I started with, uh, Roger and what I noticed it’s with that I love the course, he explained everything well.
I was not the, the, the problem, but I think with the time that I didn’t have, you know, if I looked for something that I could, I think I took my first one, I failed miserably was like, I think 58 or 48, I don’t [00:06:00] even remember. Then I went for the second one, which was a little better, but I like, know what? I need to find something that gives me the, the extra help that the course was not having.
You know, because I went through the whole, the whole uh, program and did the MCQs. I was trying to find the style of studying that time. So that’s when I came across with you guys, you know, and what took me, I think I watched one of those YouTube videos, so was the five questions, you know,
Logan: The, the, the quizzes.
Katia: Yes, that’s the quiz, five minute pop quiz.
It’s, that’s what really helped me with the, the, the whole thing. You know, like, okay, yeah, the package that I got was just the, the, the, the lecture. At least to the car, you know, to, you know, at this point I know the, is is the brain in my mind, my brain, like in this section
Logan: Yeah. Yep,
Yep. Yep.
Katia: The car, so I had like about 30 minute commute. So I’ll listen, back and forth, back and forth and, you know, I, throughout the day taking, um, I reset alarms. You, no, I was getting closed to the exam, [00:07:00] to, you know, do the pop quiz at five, like an hour, an hour pop alarm so do the five questions, you know, rather than was getting right or wrong was just more practicing, you know, and get the, the material in the head, you know, so that’s the whole thing.
Logan: So just to make sure, kind of to go back to make sure that I’m, uh, that I understood like that I’m catching everything you said, so you, you know, you had gone to school and then you had a long time away from, from all this, and then you finally decided to go for the CPA and you got UWorld, which, or Roger, you know, whatever it’s called now.
Katia: Yeah, at the time, yeah.
Logan: Yeah, and then, uh, but then you wanted, you know, some extra things, some extra strategy.
Main Struggles She Had in the Beginning
Logan: And so you found SuperfastCPA and what was, like to kind of go back, so what was the big struggle the first time around where you, you just said that you got like a, in the fifties or something like that?
Like what was, what wasn’t working at that time when you were studying?
Katia: I [00:08:00] think like for me, and again, it’s the different world, and now we have several backgrounds here. For me, it’s more like, um, we starting study and by the time that I end everything, what do you study? In the beginning? You kind of like, eh, remember vaguely, you know, and uh, with the, those little five minute quiz or five questions was like, okay, was like a broad review.
And sometimes what I felt like with the course that I had, nothing wrong with it, but like look at the instruction, like, okay, I’m okay with this, because they have the percentage that you already have done and you, you kind of like gave, give you that false confidence that you okay that material, you know, like, okay, I, I mastered this.
I don’t wanna go back. And by having a Superfast and the five questions in the daily, during the, it would bring back topics that I started like three weeks ago. You know, with the brain already like off fried with so much information. And having it was like, what did I do, did last week? I don’t remember so that was kind of like got me my attention. Okay, maybe if I stick [00:09:00] for both, you know, uh, courses with what I do to review things that I need to review because I have been out of the school for so long, you know, or to help me, they gimme me the base, but I also need something that can keep pushing me to go back and review, even though I mastered.
Took Her Time Studying and Took Breaks
Katia: But like when it come to the exam has been six week, 10 weeks, sometime three month. Cause I did take, took my time, I think there’s a different idea. Superfast for me was not doing that in three months because, or four months. That’s not my reality. You have to apply to a reality. You know, like I said, I took the, the, the CPA and I took breaks between ’cause I felt so guilty that I’m here working, you know, 40 hours a week. Putting on the 30 hours a week of study, where my kids, I don’t know, Siri’s care of them, you know, somewhere in the room, you know, so I felt that guilty.
So sometimes I’ll go like, my, my strategy was like, spend three months studying, take the test, take a break, you know? And I got lucky because when I started they was, cha were changing, they, they structure the course.
So I got the exam. So I got a [00:10:00] few extra month to be able to pass. So that’s what kind of, for me also worked because I need the extra time to take a break and mental break to spend some time with my family and be able to get the extra, you know, motivation. Okay, now let’s go next, next, mountain and then climb that one.
I took like really like step by step and, and section by section. You know, again, there’s several people, there’s several realities. I’m not like someone that just came outta school and start taking the exam, sat down my mom’s basement and focused on the study. That was not my reality,
Logan: Yeah. Yeah. I mean it, the, the thing about SuperfastCPA is, you know, it can make or help people pass super quick, but I think the biggest thing about it is the strategies. Like it helps you, no matter how, you know, no matter what your timeline is, the, it makes it so that you can be studying more effectively and passing and hopefully a little bit more quickly passing because maybe you’re not failing as often.
The Materials That Helped Kátia
Logan: Um, and actually kind of along with that, so you, you [00:11:00] know, you said that something that really helped was the constant review, and so you’d be studying for like three months. And during those three months, uh, what did your studying look like? Like were you doing every, like did you get the SuperfastCPA PRO course or what did you have from SuperfastCPA?
Katia: I am, I didn’t have access to lectures. I just have the, uh, I don’t think it was the pro
Logan: The review materials?
Katia: The review material was the, uh, the, the one that can play in the car and the house. They, they, they, there’s a PDF version that you guys have that we can take notes and everything. So I liked the thing that you guys, uh, for me, I’m very visual and that’s also helped me a lot to get the, the, the material, because you guys have the one that follow along notes. So, you know, you to, to listen to you guys and also follow along with the notes.
That’s really, for me, was one of the big things that helped a lot, cause all the, the talking talk, talking, reading, reading, reading, nothing was getting my brain when I sat down for like sometimes 20 minutes and listened to you [00:12:00] guys at the end of the day and listen to the, the, the lecture and also follow along with the material.
That really helped me, you know, and again, go back to the, that’s my, my, my, my part that will help was like the five, five question quiz. You know, like I said, I would set alarm every, every an hour, and I would sit down, I would do the quiz. Sometimes at night, even my daughter would help me. This, this, the question know, like, we sit down and it’s not on the couch, and sometimes I would get like five rights, sometimes get like none. Sometimes three or four. It’s, it’s like, it’s a process.
Know What Works for You and Adjust Based on Your Situation
Katia: You know, that for me, when I finally understood what’s work for me, I did not have a structure, you know, I’m not a morning person. I love to sleep, so I could never wake up five in the morning and get up. I know people like, I woke up five. I like, oh my God, who are you people? You know, I cannot do that. I wanna sleep until mid, you know, noon. It’s fine. But my, for me, I could sometimes have to, keep, wash to bed. I took like an hour, sometimes two hours a night. It depends. Some nights I did, some nights I did not do it. You know, it’s impossible for me.
And since I have the kids every on the [00:13:00] weekend, the weekends that I did not have the kids, that’s the, the, the cram, I cram everything that I was kind of like, uh, behind, you know what I mean? So that’s week sometimes for me, sit down for six, eight hours. That’s what help, like study. And again, my study approach is different than everybody, you know, during the week, sometimes it’s too exhausted. Then I, the weekends didn’t have the kids. That’s the weekend. I locked the doors and then nobody saw me for like a long time.
Logan: Yeah, so, so it sounds like to me, the, because, you know, within the PRO course we’ve talked about a whole bunch of different things like, you know, studying in the morning and the like, do doing the questions first and things like that.
Daily Study Process
Logan: So you, so you had the materials and you, you’ve mentioned multiple times that the mini quizzes were something that really stuck out for you and really helped you.
Uh, what other parts of the SuperfastCPA process did you use, like you used the audio notes and the review notes, and then did you take any of the strategies from like the webinar as well? Like what, what was your strategy for studying every day?
Katia: Uh, for the webinars, I think. [00:14:00] Yeah, like, like I said, like the week, I cannot, uh, his strategy was like, you know, put it two hours in the morning, do a like 20 or 30 minutes review and then get a new material. That’s what’s the, the webinar at least once said was, and you know, I studied throughout the days with the mini quizzes.
For me, that two hours in the morning or two hours at night sometimes didn’t work. You know, sometimes with life and everything, it didn’t work so like I said, my, my reality was, was different for me. At first, the beginning I tried to stick to it, but at, for me, the, the main thing was to come to reality, to, to the conclusion that it’s not gonna work for me.
You know, some, some days I’m not gonna be able to study, that for me, that was okay. I learned to like, okay, no, feel like a feeling that I’m never gonna finish this because I didn’t study that day.
So when I got that point that I kind of like overcome that shame, oh, I didn’t study today. I’m behind. I’m gonna fall behind. That was the point, so even though your guys’ structure is a little strict for my reality, I tried to apply to a different reality and schedule that worked for me.
Finding Time to Study
Katia: Like I said, like the weekends that I didn’t have the [00:15:00] kids, I try to study like eight, nine hours a day. Maybe it’s not ideal for everybody, but work for me.
You know, sometimes, like with my hyperfocus, if I have the, this ability, a better focus, what’s worked for me. Sometimes the hyperfocus, I start in the morning and eight o’clock at night, I, I, and I stopped, I studied, just took a shower into bed, you know. Do I having a social life at the time? But that wasn’t the focus of, of my, my, my study, right?
But like when, and I did them mostly close to the exam. And even though I was studying Roger material through, I took, I still took the five day every hour break to do the review with the, the main course. And again, during the week, what I focus for me more was the, the, the review notes, the lecture in the car, you know, and, and, and listen again. And go back, listen again, go back, listen again.
Utilizing the Audio Notes Even When Life Gets in the Way
Katia: One thing that I didn’t follow that you guys always told to is to listen to the beginning, to the end. I did the first time, but then I went back and I listen to the sections that I felt that I was falling behind, [00:16:00] you know, that I was getting most question wrong.
You know, the first time that I listened to the, the whole thing I did, and sometimes I did too when I wasn’t that three month like, or sometimes I took a break between I would start next section that I knew I was gonna start taking and then listen to the, the, the idea just to have an idea what’s the, the next sessions gonna be about, you know, so that what was my strategy, didn’t follow along or like, you know, they want better guys advice to do it.
But again, go back to the same thing, it does not apply to my reality. You know, it’s, it doesn’t work, does didn’t work for me. Does work for someone maybe that doesn’t have kids and everything, but for me, with the kids, you know, sometimes I put my whole week and then someone got sick. They’re like, forget it. We’re not studying this week.
Logan: Mm. Yeah. I mean, when kids get sick, it, especially little kids, I mean, I have three little kids and man, like if one gets sick, it’s just, and then they’ll all get sick and, yeah.
Katia: And, the in the end, then when everybody’s better, you got sick because got the cooties that they had. You know what I mean? So it did not work.
But I remember, uh, at one point I spent a whole month without [00:17:00] study. It was like December, the December, January, the winter, you know, because one got stomach bug and then someone got the flu and then I got the flu.
That was like four weeks without study, you know? And the only thing that kept me like fresh things in my mind was the, they, they listened to the thing in the car, or even like doing, when I was doing some dishes or when I was cooking, you know, I was putting guys in the background and tried to listen them to the point that, you know, the, your guys’ voice was ingrained in my, in my, in my head.
Logan: Yeah. Yeah.
Kátia’s CPA Timeline
Logan: And um, so what was your overall timeline? Like you said you would take about three months and then maybe take some time off. So when did you start? Officially, and then like when did you finish your last exam?
Katia: I started, um, oh my God, when did I start it? That’s a good question. I took my first FAR, the one that I thought was started failure. I, oh my God, lemme go back, we are in 2025.
I’m trying to go back, so. I remember that the first one that I, I passed, I took the exam and I took a [00:18:00] vacation. I went to visit my friend in Brazil and I learned in Brazil that I passed was the first exam.
I went to Brazil three years ago, so that was 2023.
Logan: Yeah, that,
Katia: 2023. 2023. Yeah, so, but then again, my schedule’s not like people that, okay, I’m gonna take four, four month and I’m gonna do that for a month. So then I passed FAR in 20, it was like, I think I learned it was December, 2023 that I passed FAR, and I think I procrastinated a little because I knew that I have until June of this year to pass all of the four.
Logan: Mm-hmm.
Katia: And they’re like. I have time. I have time.
Logan: Mm-hmm.
Katia: I like, no, I don’t have time. I need to get, you know, this going. You know, so I took FAR and then I took a little bit, like almost a year break because like now I was too tired, I don’t want to focus on this.
Thought BEC Was Easy But Failed
Katia: And then, uh, took, then that was the, the BEC, they said, we are not gonna have BEC anymore.
And that was supposed to be the, the, the easiest, you know, uh, subject. Like, I’m gonna take this one and I took that from granted [00:19:00] because like, oh, it’s easy. I’m not gonna focus so much, and of course I failed.
Logan: Yeah.
Katia: And they’re like, no, lemme focus on this and study. Then that’s when I start, because they said this was a lot of theory stuff.
I’m horrible with theory, you know, I couldn’t remember anything. I’m more like a math girl. So like, you know, FAR was good because there was a lot of calculation out and uh, BEC was the worst part for me because there was so much, you know, and I started getting confused also, this sec, you know, English not being my first language. Thing was like a mess, you know, and I’m like, this is crazy. So then I’d say I took BEC, I passed in December of last year, last year, 2024.
Logan: BEC was, they took BEC away in 2023.
Like,
Katia: that’s when I passed.
Logan: Yeah, okay.
REG Was the Only One She Passed First Try
Katia: Yeah. So go back though, so I passed for 2022. See, even back, yeah, I passed FAR 22, then I took a break, like, you know what, I’m gonna take my time. I have until 2025 to do it. The illusion that I had the time right. As I said, because when I passed the FAR, they extended like gave us, I don’t remember how much more month to it.
So I have until my [00:20:00] FAR score would expire now in June, 2025. So I can have time, I wanna focus on my family. And uh, then I passed BEC in 2023. But again, it was not because I was not studying or trying, just because I was not focused on it with the illusion that I had extra time and I could do it. And then in 2024, I passed AUD and in 2025 was May, no, April I passed, uh, regulations.
Uh, REG actually was the first one that I passed in the first try.
Logan: Okay, so, so, so FAR, BEC and AUD, y’all had, you had at least, two attempts, was it two? Was it two attempts each time or was there multiple attempts?
Katia: No, three attempt for FAR you know, and I think the third attempt, I got you guys. That’s when I purchased you guys like, okay, this is not working, you know, so something’s not working. And for BEC again, I just, not because I wasn’t studying or the study material, just because I did not, [00:21:00] um,
Logan: Didn’t prioritize it?
Katia: I like that it is easy and underestimated the thing. It was, again, because there was so much theory and it was very confusing. So when I, okay, I go back and then I, uh, I took a little seriously then I pass.
Her Realization When She Took AUD
Katia: AUD was the same thing, you know, I was, I really struggled for AUD, even though I took twice, you know, the first time I failed, but I didn’t fail too much.
I think the, my score was 73, the first attempt, you know, but for me it was a lot of information. I was like, way too much information. And one thing that in the second attempt that I understood, I, because again, timing like, I wanna do this. I should have spent more time studying, you know, I rushed to take the exam.
Cause the second time when I review, when I reviewed, and again, I took, like, I learned that I fail in June. I didn’t take the exam until December of that year. Again, I took my time like, no, I’m gonna take summer break. Forget about this, I’m not gonna, and then I start studying October and I took the exam in December, that’s when I passed.
And for me, understand was the type of engagements that [00:22:00] got me. Cause I got very confused with the, the type of engagement and when I sat down and uh, I think the AUD was very, um, helpful because I was going, I was listening to it and I was trying to understand, you know, the difference between them, so that’s what, when I failed, that’s definitely what got me because was very confusing.
The second time that I passed, uh, when I take it, I passed, I was there, I was going to the exam and standing the difference between of them and, you know, that’s what’s helped me.
Why She Passed REG First Try
Katia: And for, uh, regulations, you know, I like taxes. I know that’s weird. I like the laws. I liked everything, so it was very interest for me. And again, go back to stick to the schedule. You know, take the, the, the five, five question quiz, the mini quizzes, and the stick with it. And going back to review everything, the beginning.
And for me too, what I did, um, was print the, the, the forms, the text form, and write down the text form itself because again, I’m a visual learner. So that what’s made me to, to, you know, I think that’s what’s helped me to, to pass for the first [00:23:00] attempt.
Logan: Yeah, with REG, I, I, I, I’ve told many people a similar thing where I, cause I used to work in taxes before I started with SuperfastCPA and something that really helped me understand what I was even doing when I was working in taxes, cause you know, they have the software where you could just type in the numbers and it puts it in the right spot.
But, something that really helped me understand the flow and how things actually worked was seeing the forms and filling out actual forms and like comparing it. And so I think that’s really helpful when you’re doing regulation is to actually see the form that the questions and the sims are referring to, cause it helps you see, okay, this adds with this and gets to that. Like it helps you see how things work together.
Katia: Absolutely. Same thing with that. And I end up doing, you know, uh, uh, Excel schedule, which helped me, again, my confusion for AUD, uh, audit was the, the, the engagements and type engagements in our SSR, SSE. [00:24:00] Which one applies to what? So when I did, uh, uh, I put a schedule and I put like a table and I put the difference.
So what I did first was like, listen to my main course, cut the notes that I took and put it there. What’s the difference? So then I went back and used to your guys’ lecture and kind of like something that was missing or something that I understood. I made that kind of table with what’s the difference for each one of them.
And again, I’m a visual learner, so have that table in front of me, maybe able to see, you know, even when I answer the questions. Okay, that’s the difference, that helped for me too.
And I did the same, same approach for, for REG, which was regulation, which was was I made a table of all the forms, you know, and what’s, what’s going on each one of them, you know, some mnemonics that was there, put it there too to help remember of them and also have the form itself printed in my hand to see how they flow, how you know, which ones, I made like a diagram, make a diagram to like which form flow to which form, you know. So that’s helped understand the flow and makes you, when you have that question you can stand, which, you know, which [00:25:00] category goes to each. That’s definitely helped a lot.
Logan: Yeah.
What Her Daily Study Sessions Looked Like
Logan: And, uh, so kind of along with that, you know, you were just barely talking about how you, how you made sense of some things, you know, kind of a visual learner. Uh, and something I was wanting to ask was, when you were sitting down studying, you know, whether that was in the evening or at a different time of day, whenever you were sitting down for like a main session, what did that look like?
Were you doing questions? Were you watching le, like what were you doing to do when you were studying each day?
Katia: Uh, I listen to the lecture, you know, I like to, to, to the videos in the, in the, in the, the main course that I have, you know, and they, times that it spans in a car, I did the, the audio, you know, so I did like an hour, hour a day.
So then in the, uh, at night, sometimes, uh, I had like a schedule to see for example, each, you know, which week, which section that I’ll be done.
So listen today, today section, your guys section in the car, and again, I did not fall [00:26:00] out, we were at the back and tried to, to, the first time I did the whole thing, but every, every time that I was doing for this specific section with back at least your section over, over for that specific talk that I was studying, you know, to make sure that thing in brain, in my brain, but that was during the, the drive.
If I was at work just doing something that was brainless, I would put the lecture again, repeat, repeat, repeat, the same lecture. Um, and then at home, when I got down to study, I would do a lecture. The structure that, that Roger has was like, you do that lecture and take that the, the test, so I did that.
So I took, I listened to the lecture on, on a video, and then I took the, the, the, the, um, the, the multiple choice questions.
Took A Week Off to Cram for Final Review
Katia: And one thing that I did do, and I don’t, that’s only me, I did only one, uh, TBS for each section. You know what I mean, I did not go crazy on doing several TBS because I want to understand the structure or understand the topic first.
So, and before each exam, the ones that I mostly pass, I before the exam [00:27:00] again, I like to cram, so I crammed. I took a whole week off at work and I studied 8, 8, 9 hours a day. And those eight, nine hours a day, I did the TBS’s. You know, like the ones that, people say those source line, they tell this one is the most taking or the topics that’s more tested, let should put it like this.
So I googled which topics were tested for that specific area, and then I went do the TBS for those specific area because that point, I think I understood the material well enough to be able to take one, you know, because sometimes I, what I learned in the beginning, I barely understood the materials trying to do uh, TBS and I could not go through it or half of the thing was, was wrong.
So that was my strategy, focus on the lecture, MCQs, and then a week before I would just cram the TBS and, and again the, in the multiple choice that I thought that was, uh, error, that I was a weak in the area, specific area.
Logan: Okay, so you would, you know, listen to what you knew you were going to be studying that, that evening. You’d listen to that throughout the day, and then when you would sit down, you would watch the, [00:28:00] the UWorld or Roger lecture and then, you would do the multiple choice questions.
Studying with Roger or UWorld
Logan: And just curious how this works ’cause I don’t know exactly the structure of Roger, ’cause I used Becker when I was doing it. Was that like a, like a test or was it just the multiple choice questions for whatever area you were in? Uh,
Katia: It’s part of the area it’s broken down by, it’s similar to Becker because I also have access for Becker, back when I had Becker, she showed the structure before I purchase. So, uh, the only reason I chose Roger is because I like his lecture better. He’s more engaging, you know, of course, halfway through the, the, the content, they sold it, so that doesn’t work out well for me.
So, uh, so, yeah, they have the lecture and they have the test based on those lecture, you know what I mean? You can go back and create MCQs like, you know, for the whole course itself. But each, uh, lecture, similar to Becker, each lecture has your section of, to, to take, to study. You study, go to the next level.
Then they have like that indicator that you answer enough question that it seems like they have enough knowledge. So I think sometimes that’s why [00:29:00] people look at it and go by it. And sometimes people unprepared to take the test, which I mean by people, me, you know, I had that false delusion that, okay, I am good, I’m green, so I’m good to go, you know?
And sometimes, you know, that’s, they not going back enough. That was my fault, I should have reviewing it. One thing that I didn’t do it, I wish I did was every morning review the previous, previous or you know, whatever have I said before, I did not adapt to that ’cause I was so angled to go through the course first and I knew that I had like, uh, the week before the exam I would review everything.
And for me, sometimes spend two, three weeks and I think apply for, for everybody six weeks study for something, you start forgetting, you know, you, there’s only so much information our brain can, can absorb. So that’s why the cramming a week before the exam for me helped a lot.
Logan: And, and we definitely talk about having, we usually recommend like a 48 hour cram session. So a week cram, a cram session. I don’t even know how many hours that is, uh, is, you know, that’s pretty good. That, that definitely would be really helpful.
Made Sure She Answered All the MCQs for the Sections
Logan: And, uh, so kind of just getting at the [00:30:00] review, so you, it seems like the SuperfastCPA quizzes was like one of your main sources of review.
Did you, and just making sure I understand, did you review the Roger questions daily or was that more of something that you saved for the, the cram?
Katia: Uh, the ones that I answer correctly, no, you know, like outta the side of the mind, you know, because again, we are something that, everybody’s sitting for the CPA timing is a thing, you know? You know, even though you take your time to learn the material. This is my case ’cause I has been on scope for long, but I did not went back review, I just tag on new questions.
Once a week, I would go, if I was, you know, I actually try more hours ahead of my schedule. I would create, uh, multiple choice of questions that I missed, you know, and that’s to, uh, the question that I miss, I also review throughout the day, day, my cram like before session, uh, the, the, the section that I took.
So, go back, I’ll look all the questions that are, uh, you know, so like all the answered wrong and I, I’ll, I’ll answer that wrong. One thing that I did, and I’m not sure if everybody does, I made sure that I answer all the [00:31:00] questions before I move to the next level. You know, some people like, okay, I think there’s a metrics that they use, for example, and 80% of that specific material, and you got a hundred percent or like that percent score, you good to go? I try to go back and I review all the questions. I didn’t, I didn’t move to next session, section until all the question for that specific section was answered. So maybe that’s why I also delayed my study because sometimes I spend way too long in a section because I wanna go back and review.
Why She Chose Roger as Her Main Review Course
Katia: And one thing that I like, um, about his course, you know, sometimes your guys, guys, also give that too. When you answer the question, explain to why it’s right, what’s wrong?
Logan: Yeah.
Katia: I mean, and some, but I saw Becker, I don’t know if Becker was too dry for me. You know, they didn’t explain deeply why it was wrong.
It won’t because this like, but why? You know, I’m gonna try to understand why. And one thing that Roger gave, you know, beside the lecture that they explained very well why that answer is not correct or why the answer is correct. Same thing [00:32:00] to the, to the mini quiz, five question, explain to you why this correct, why this incorrect, you know?
So that’s something that for me, it was helping to learn and move past to the next level.
Logan: Yeah. Yeah, that’s, and you know, our big focus with SuperfastCPA is the multiple choice questions. And yeah, that’s a big part of learning from the multiple choice questions, whether it’s from our mini quiz or for, or whether it’s from your review course is, like reading through the actual full explanation, because the explanation frequently will not only tell you why it’s right, but also why the other answers are wrong.
So that you know in the future why, like, why you wouldn’t choose that answer, you know?
How the Follow Along Notes Helped
Logan: Uh, and that’s a big part of the learning, is understanding the why behind everything. Do you feel like that was a big, uh, a big, like that was an important thing for you is to understand why something was correct? Yeah.
Katia: Yes, definitely. That’s what’s making, you know, not only say, okay, this is right because that’s the way it goes. No, but why go that way? So that’s more personality than, you know.
So that’s what helped me to understand some [00:33:00] topics that was hard to go back and instead why make notes and, um, again, I’m not a person that can read and, and, and, and focus on my ADD brain, cannot do that ’cause I’m dyslexic too. I start reading, I’m like out, you know, then I come back like, I just read that, don’t remember reading this. You know, and so that’s why they, the following notes was very helpful too.
Logan: Yeah.
Katia: Sometimes, sometimes had topics that are struggle. I was doing the test, I was listening to the lecture, but it still, I could not comprehend the damn thing, you know?
And they’re like, okay, let me open the I’ll, I’ll have the iPad. So, also put their iPad again, old lady has to be big letters, baby fonts. So I’ll open their iPad, I’ll sit on the couch at night with the kids, like watching tv and I’ll follow along. Sometimes listen, look into the words, would help me, you know, to like, oh, maybe that’s why.
You know, so that’s something that when I was struggle with specific topic, the follow along notes help me to, you know, get my focus and be able to understand. Cause sometimes the lecture they, they multiple choice even though they’re there, but, didn’t, some stuff sometimes didn’t go [00:34:00] through, so I have to sit down specific stuff that’s very complex. Mostly the ones that like I said, out, uh, it’s, go back again. It’s so similar. All the engagement letters and everything’s so similar.
Other thing that I did to for AUD was like, you print all the, the, the engagement letters and highlight the difference between them. So I think one has a material that’s so similar and so different, it helps you to kind of comprehend that, that that part.
So for me was never read any chapter, but when I struggle with something that was, I have to sit down and, and take time and read and understand.
Logan: Yeah, so, so you’re, I mean, you love the mini quizzes, but you also love the follow along notes. And you mean like, and when you say follow along notes, just for anybody listening, that’s where we have somebody reading it to you, like you can listen to it while you’re also following along on the end. Um, yeah.
And a lot of people, you know, we’ve had those for a while now, but those. We found that a lot of people really like those because you’re right, it really helps you hone [00:35:00] in your focus because it’s two different senses that have to be locked in.
Uh, so it seems like those were really helpful for you as well.
Katia: Absolutely, you know, again, speak from my crown, like the, the no neurotypical people. Right. So the neuro divirgents, like for me, beside we start listening, yeah, I start listening, but like driving 30 minutes later, like, what was that about? I have no idea. You know, like, huh, how did I get here? Then you remember, you know, sometimes like, okay, so this something like Julie in the background and because you have to, you know, memorize that kind of thing.
Yes, but on something that really struggle, I sat down, listen to the follow along notes. That’s kept my, you know, my, my attention in, in the, in the material.
Logan: Yeah.
Study Process for Difficult Topics
Logan: And, uh, one, one more question that I had, uh, kind of going back to, you know, some of the different things that you did with taking notes and things like that. How, what did you do when you were like sitting down and studying each day? Like, you know, during your evening sessions, what were you doing to make topics make sense to yourself?
Like did [00:36:00] you take notes? Did you make flashcards? Like what did you do to help topics that were difficult to make more sense to you?
Katia: I did use like OneNote to write down everything that was coming through, and I was kind of learn, I, and you know, I tried to review them, but I was bad, you know, like, write down what I’m understanding for that specific session as I was doing the session. So kind of like, uh, uh, vomiting of the, the information in the paper, you know, for the OneNotes.
Did I go back sometimes and review it? Yes, but not as often as I, I think I should. I did not do flashcard. I tried to do flashcard. Never look into them. So sometimes I wrote down the information, the paper, sometimes write down is better. But I like the, the one notes because I could go back and, and you know, like missing papers and everything on the personal note was good.
One thing also that I, uh, I did when I was studying daily was to, uh, take screenshot things that are, you know, like stuff that was important that I have to go back and write on. Took screenshot, made kind of like a flashcard into the, the, the, the [00:37:00] OneNote itself. And when I struggle with a subject, I also YouTube the topic and I went to YouTube.
Yeah, and, you know, and, there’s a, a doctor, professor, what’s his name? Jesus, I can’t say his name. He is like some lecture that the, the person goes more in depth with that specific subject. You know what I mean? So some lecture there, uh, or the specific topic, you know, that I struggle. So that day, or for like, I, I know that I’m taking the, the multiple choice questions and I’m still getting that specific topic wrong.
So I’ll go to YouTube and try to find something or material online that could maybe in a different way explain that, that data, that information, so could get in my brain.
Logan: Yeah, and, and actually kind of along with that, uh. I, I remember seeing you in the forum a little bit. So did you ever use any of our walkthrough videos, like those multiple choice question walkthrough videos that we have?
Katia: On the YouTube?
Logan: And we have them on YouTube, and we have them in the forum as well.
Katia: I don’t think, I’m never using the phone, [00:38:00] but I do, I did take the one on YouTube.
Yes. I saw you guys walking through some stuff. Yeah, I did use those too, you know, I, I had playlists. I have, it wasn’t just one specific channel. It was like any channel, anybody
Logan: Anything that would help? Yeah.
Katia: Anything at this point, you know? You know, so anything, I remember, see some that you did too. There’s other courses there, not many. They also put stuff up there and that’s, that’s what I trying to, to use. No, and sometimes, uh, if I really stuck at that specific subject, like seeing people answer the question, explain them was very helpful.
You know those, and most of the time they take those AICPA questions, not something new, you know, they just take them and they try to explain them to you in a way that. You know, can make you understand. So that’s something that’s helpful too.
Logan: Yeah. Yeah. I, I think that, uh, you know, when, especially when you’re struggling with a specific topic, it’s, it’s smart to use your resources, you know, use, uh, an explanation on YouTube or look it up on the [00:39:00] internet. Uh, I mean, obviously, hopefully from a more trusted source. But, um,
Katia: Absolutely. Yes, yes.
Logan: Uh, but the, because sometimes the honest truth is the, uh, whatever review course you’re using, they’re usually quite good, but sometimes they just don’t explain things that are as well as they should, or maybe they kind of skip over something so it’s, it’s okay to, to go look look stuff up.
Katia: I don’t think that’s a course itself. I think it’s more like how each person, each individual learn. You know what I mean? Sometimes you have so much information, brain and sometimes that specifically due to be for that specific accounting chain or whatever it is, explain the way that that moment like, oh, they like turns on.
Again, it’s not blaming. Of course the material is the same. You know, it’s like sometimes the time that you are, they stress that you’re under, and your brain is so overload with so much information already, and some way that someone say something that kept your attention. That’s when you learn,
you know, like you said, if you have the resource right now, use it.
Don’t be ashamed, you know, whatever you, whatever works for you, yeah.
Logan: And, uh, just, [00:40:00] uh, the last, last couple questions that I have for you.
The Benefit Kátia Got from SuperfastCPA
Logan: So if you could kind of summarize the benefits, even if you’ve kind of already mentioned them, but summarize the benefits of SuperfastCPA in your CPA journey. What would be the most impactful things that you, that you, were able to use?
Katia: Okay, let’s start, um. I think, uh, the content, even though if you don’t go to the PRO, the full package that I guys offer, I think the one that I purchased at the time was affordable. I was looking off that my company paid for all my, uh, course material, not Superfast, because I felt like that was my fault, that I was failing it.
I paid that personal outta my pocket. But like my, my other course was paid for my company. My test was paid for my company. The retakes I, I paid because I, again, it’s me that, that failed the test, not them, but for me, when I put Superfast and I listened to the first, the, the YouTube video that Nate has out there was affordability, you know, the first thing.
You know, uh, because sometimes I have [00:41:00] been, I have some YouTube Facebook groups that people complain that they don’t have the resource to pay because not everybody has my luck to have someone pay for you or have three or $4,000 to drop in the course. You know what I mean?
Um, the second thing was the mini question, mini quiz, that was, so for me what sold. Because again, have to redo, redo, redo, redo helped me to learn the, the material. You know, sometimes the mini quiz what’s, was the resource for me that made me overview the course all the time. Sometimes I was answer question of material that I didn’t learn yet, but I didn’t care if I was right or wrong, I was exposed to the material.
That was my kind of like overview for day, which when I focus in my main course just to go through the course and, you know, like a, a bull in the chinatown destroying the whole course and then go back and review.
And the third thing for me was the auto, audio notes in the car. You know, be able to listen to it. And I think I did try the other one that has the audio note too, that has the same, similar, I don’t remember the name of the course. But it’s not personal to the [00:42:00] guy, but I could not stand him. And with Nate, and again, your, your voice too, like more calm me, you know, for my personality, don’t think guy was too hyper was gimme anxiety rather than help me learn.
Or like, you know, for me every morning I’ll listen to you guys in this section like, okay, let’s start.
Logan: Yeah,
Katia: I don’t miss that, guys. Don’t take personal, don’t miss to listen. I’m glad that I can listen to music and now the podcast that I wanna listen to,
Logan: Yeah.
Katia: That was for like, you know, they, he calming voice. I think at one point too, you guys were in the middle of a degrading things and has like a Siri type of AI voice.
Logan: Yeah. We were, yeah, we were trying some different things out.
Katia: For the love of God, please don’t do this. Go back. I miss the guys’ voice and you guys recording the new material and you guys put in that AI thing that was reading was like, no, I can’t that week and two guys got back. I did not listen to the material. You know, for me, again, that was the experience, you know?
And, um, you know, again, affordability, the mini quiz and then be able to sit in the car and listen to it. You know, even though in the line of something, or even though in place for me was [00:43:00] the opportunity to be mobile and listen to every, everywhere with the course that I had, like the questions to, I tried to do five questions throughout the, the day, but the question was so freaking damn complex.
You know, we have to sit there trying to do math, you know? And you guys, even though there was five question was simple math.
Like a monkey could do, you know? But the idea was not the math, they just understand the, the, how to apply the concept. You know, that that was the sellout for me.
Logan: Yeah. And that, that’s awesome. I love that those ’cause a lot of times, um, people talk about like, you know, the morning strategy and things like that. But I love that for you, the big thing that made a huge difference was the mini quizzes and the audio notes, like the, those are just so easy to use and they, and yet they can make such a huge difference, you know? So I’m so glad that they were able to help you and, and that is funny. Yeah, that was very short time with the, with the AI voice, uh, we, we were like almost [00:44:00] done, but we weren’t done with some of it, so we were just like kind of trying to get it out there. And so yeah, that was definitely, I’m glad
Katia: That one I wanna complain, felt like, for the love of God I can’t stand that thing. And
Logan: Yeah, yeah.
Katia: My, it was overloading my ADD brain. something that calmed down.
Logan: Yeah, no, I, no, I totally get it. And we were definitely like, okay, we’ve gotta, we’ve gotta get that fixed fast but, uh, I’m glad that it was all still so helpful.
Katia: I remember the course now was like another 75. He also has this Yeah, he all has the same thing. He has like audio notes. Oh my God. But he’s just like me, all over the place. Like, dude, focus, not against him, but again, it was just like, for me it was too much. You know, like, no, uh, I think I did try, he has like a, a try your version.
I tried and they’re like, no, it’s, it’s not working. So that’s when I came across you guys like, okay. He seemed more like, you know, he had his stuff together because I don’t have my thing together. I have someone that has his thing together.
Logan: Yeah, yeah. Well, it’s been awesome talking to you on the call today.
Katia: Thank you.
Top Tips for People Still Going Through the CPA Exams
Logan: Uh, I do have one last question, and this is the [00:45:00] same question we always ask everybody. If you could give two or three tips to somebody who’s still going through the CPA exam, what would be your top two or three tips?
Katia: Don’t give up, you know, you know, I see people there, uh, one thing that is stuck with me and uh, was a person that she, uh, took the test 17 times and my goal was like. She was like my hero, like lady, I would be given up by then. Again, we don’t know people’s situations now, but 17 times I was like, wow. And like, and something, everybody says, it’s not like you don’t have to be as smart to take the CPA test.
It’s definitely, uh, stick to the course, you know, be more, um, be consistent. It’s, it’s a, it’s, it’s, it’s like each step of the way, be consistent. Try to, to take your time, you know, I, I know your ideas Superfast, but each person has thier fast. Not everything has to be done in three months. Not everything has to be done as other people, you know, pay.
And for me it was just like, don’t give up, [00:46:00] you know, also every time that the score release are out, you know, I have like some groups that gave us that support. You know, I know a lot of people also did the studying group. I was never able to study group. You know, for me, I’m a solo flyer and my schedule, so I try and, uh, but my schedule change all the time with the kids.
I feel like it’s, I don’t wanna have someone holding there and waiting for me to study. But yes, stick the course, you know? 17 times took someone to get the CP, she got her CPA, so we can do that. You know, it’s, it’s, it’s, it’s get there, keep going, you know, and forget about family for a while, like I said.
Logan: Yeah.
Katia: My friends now that I’m going back, like to, you know, spend time with my, my family, friends, you know, and that’s the keep going.
You, you know, it’s, it’s, you’re gonna get there, you know, throughout the storm. We don’t see the end. And I think for me, uh, I remember that stick, stuck to me. I was struggling so badly in the last one. You know, I was like, not the material, but like tired. I was tired. I was done with this, this, [00:47:00] this, uh, this journey.
I was done. And my 11 years old look at me like, why don’t you give up? I’m like, no, how dare you, you know, my mental health is down the drain already, so I’m gonna finish this. You know, we have a same Brazil that’s, it’s just cultural thing. We say we are Brazilian, never give up. And I stick to that too, you know, I won’t give up, I’ll burn to the ground, but I’ll finish this, you know, and it, sometimes I don’t believe it.
I remember the other ones that I passed are like, I passed. Okay, next one. You know, take a break. Let’s start next. When I, last score that was from, uh, regulation, I looked and I’m a tough person. I broke down, started crying. I, you know, from was like, oh my God, this is over. You know, but took a while to get here.
But you know, I finally did.
Logan: Yeah. I, I mean, it was, it was a long journey and you, but you got through it and you, you’re, are you a CPA yet, or are you still getting the, the
Katia: I got the license last week actually. Yeah. I sent the forms and, yeah, actually they [00:48:00] sent everything PDF now, right? Yeah. The state here so fast because, uh, one of my, the, friend that I’m in, that made in of those groups, I think she’s in New York, take about six months to get eight, eight weeks to get the the thing.
I applied and I sent the paperwork three weeks ago and I got the information, uh, I think it’s beginning this week. Now, I’m good.
Logan: Yeah.
Katia: License and certified, ready to go.
Logan: That’s awesome. Congrats on having the license. Congrats on being done.
Katia: Yeah.
Logan: So yeah, thank you for being on the call today and, and it’s Kátia, right?
Katia: Yeah. Mm-hmm.
Logan: And, uh, ’cause I, I, I, I almost said Kátia when we, when we started the call.
Katia: They say Katya, yeah, you can say like, gotcha. Gotcha, gotcha, gotcha. Yeah, gotcha. See Kátia.
Logan: Gotcha. And uh, but yeah, again, you did awesome. Thank you so much for being on the call today and I hope you have a great rest of your day.
Katia: Thank you guys. Thank for inviting me.
Logan: Alright, that was the interview with Kátia. And again, I think it is an awesome interview because she was able to pass the CPA exams even [00:49:00] as a busy mother.
I appreciated her honesty throughout the interview because she said, you know, sometimes it just didn’t work for me. Sometimes I just couldn’t study two hours in the morning or I just couldn’t study two hours at night. Sometimes there were weeks where she just barely got any studying in, but the key here was she didn’t let herself feel like a failure because of life circumstances, and I think that this could be a really good thing to focus on for those of you who are struggling with the CPA exam, whether it’s because of family or work situation or whatever the case is, do whatever you possibly can and do the best you can, and you can make it through this with consistency and with hard work and with the right strategies.
Don’t give up and you’ll be able to pass the CPA exams. The only way that you can be stopped from passing the CPA exams is by stopping trying. So don’t give up, just like Kátia did not give up, and you can make it through this.
Again, I think that was an awesome episode and I hope you liked it. If you did like it, make sure to like it and leave a comment in the YouTube video or leave a rating in your favorite podcast [00:50:00] app.
Again, make sure you check out our SuperfastCPA training webinar on superfastcpa.com for free, and also check out becoming a SuperfastCPA PRO member to get access to a whole bunch of great stuff, including the full versions of our multiple choice question walkthrough videos.
Thanks for watching or listening to this episode, and I will see you in the next episode.
