How Katie Dialed In and Passed the CPA Exams

How Katie Dialed In and Passed the CPA Exams

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In this episode of the CPA Exam Experience Podcast, you’ll hear how Katie was able to pass the CPA exams by locking in her studying each morning, making a plan, and sticking to it. Katie decided to join the SuperfastCPA coaching program from the start to make sure she did it right. And as you’ll see, once she got things figured out, she crushed the exams.

Katie was able to come back after failing BEC the first time with a 73 and pass each exam without failing again. You’ll hear her talk about how much of a difference studying in the morning made, as well as how important it was to study the questions first and to make flashcards. Katie discovered flashcards to be a huge difference maker for her. Katie was consistent and on top of the whole process, so follow her example and you’ll excel just like her!

IMPORTANT LINKS:

Master your study process by attending one of our free study training workshops:
https://www.superfastcpa.com/study-secrets/

Watch the interview on YouTube…

Episode Timestamps

  • 00:00 Katie Interview
  • 03:04 How Katie Got Into Accounting
  • 04:30 Studying in the Beginning with Becker
  • 05:49 The Biggest Flaw for Most Review Courses
  • 07:01 Finding SuperfastCPA
  • 08:15 Why Katie Chose the Coaching Program
  • 09:29 The Thing That Made a Difference
  • 11:36 Getting into the Rhythm
  • 12:21 Learning with the Use of AI
  • 13:42 Morning Study Sessions
  • 14:40 Planning Ahead to Make the Most Out of Your Day
  • 16:42 Sticking to Your Plan Boosts Your Confidence on Test Day
  • 17:40 Katie’s Daily Routine
  • 19:28 You Need to Be Committed to This Process
  • 20:09 Mini Sessions and the Importance of the Morning Study Session
  • 22:05 The Final Review Week
  • 24:29 Thoughts About the Sims
  • 25:31 Took BEC First Because It Was About to Go Away
  • 27:36 Time Management Led to Failing Her First Exam
  • 29:47 How Katie Used the Flashcards
  • 33:01 Katie’s Timeline with the Coaching Program
  • 35:50 How Katie Stayed Motivated and Committed to Passing
  • 38:09 Felt Like She Didn’t Have to Sacrifice or Miss Out a Lot
  • 39:58 Why the Coaching Program Made a Difference
  • 44:07 Learning Through the Questions First Method
  • 48:00 Top Tips for People Still Going Through the CPA Exams

Interview Transcript

Katie: [00:00:00] You just have to commit. Like I think that’s the other thing I tell people is like, if you wanna do it, you have to do some, you have to do something every single day. Like even if yes, like maybe you don’t finish your module or something like that, you at least did something every single day.

Like there can be no days off because that’s when you just start to forget stuff, at least 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 Katie.

Now, Katie was somebody that I had in the coaching program, so I was able to work with her directly and see her incredible progress. Katie was one of the coaching clients that I honestly didn’t really have to worry about.

Once Nate and I worked with her and kind of showed her a few things to improve her studying. She honestly just took it and ran and did incredible with the exams. She scored high, she passed almost all of them first try, especially once she got her rhythm, and I think this is a [00:01:00] great episode to show how changing habits and changing things to be more consistent can really give you different results.

Because that was a big thing that changed for Katie was that she became super consistent, never missed any parts of the process, and again, the results were, she passed all the exams with high scores was even able to take a break for busy season.

So I think this is gonna be a great episode. I think you’re gonna love it. She has some great tips, some great strategies. Now before we dive into the episode with Katie, I just wanna give one more reminder about our SuperfastCPA training webinar on superfastcpa.com. Again, that is one hour that will save you months and months of studying and failing exams.

So make sure you check out that one hour webinar on superfastcpa.com. And one more thing that I want to point out is we also have SuperfastCPA multiple choice question walkthrough videos on YouTube. Make sure you go check those out. I have been working on those for the past, over the past year where I have been making multiple choice question walkthrough videos for just about every topic in FAR, just about every topic in audit, I’ve done a lot for REG and TCP, [00:02:00] and I’m currently working my way through BAR.

So if you need extra help or if you need help with a specific topic, make sure you check out our multiple choice question walkthrough videos, and if you like those, you can get the full versions of those if you become a SuperfastCPA PRO member.

So make sure you check that all out. Now let’s dive into the interview with Katie.

Logan: All right, so it’s great to have you on the call today, Katie. I have talked to you a little bit before, uh, you know, not, not just a little bit. We’ve talked over the coaching, but it’s awesome to have you on the call today.

Uh, just wondering, where are you calling in from today?

Katie: Um, from St. Louis, Missouri.

Logan: Um, Missouri.

Okay. Um, uh, I know one person from, from missouri, and now I know you as well, uh, but it’s, it’s great to have you on the call.

Uh, let’s just dive into everything. Uh, so, you know, as we’re getting into this, uh, just so people who are listening to this are aware, uh, you were in the coaching program where, so Nate and I worked with you directly, uh, but for the sake of this call, you know, I’m gonna kind of treat [00:03:00] it like, like I, uh, don’t know some of your story very much.

How Katie Got Into Accounting

Logan: So, uh, let’s just start from the beginning. How, where were you at before you started wanting to get the CPA? Like what were you, how did you get into accounting? Really?

Katie: That’s a good question. Um, so I went to Ole Miss for my undergrad degree and kind of went in, like, didn’t really know what I wanted to do, like was general business and I was like, I guess I’ll, I’ll figure it out and figure out a way to, to kind of apply that. So had to just take an entry level accounting course and ended up being, I guess, pretty good at it.

Um, my mom’s also in accounting, so didn’t really surprise me, um, that it was something I was interested in, but ended up like changing my major, got my accounting degree from Ole Miss and then I got my master’s at Mizzou back here in Missouri.

So just like the buildup of, of that accounting knowledge, I was like, okay, I think like sitting for the CPA is something I will ultimately wanna do, just like unlock a lot of career opportunities, things like that. Um, I ended up interning with Deloitte, who I’m still working for Deloitte now, it’s been four years in [00:04:00] the audit practice here.

Um, but interning with them and they, I mean, public accounting, you know, like they just push the CPA like heavily and I mean, as they should, um, so I was just like, okay, like I think this is something I’m gonna do. So in my master’s year I was like also doing classes, trying to study, working part-time at that point. Um, and so I, I studied for FAR, did not pass, and I was like, kind of crushed. I was just like, dang, like, this is harder than I thought it was gonna be.

Um, but it just ended up being like too much.

Studying in the Beginning with Becker

Logan: And, and just curious with doing FAR so, you know, you, you were doing too much at the time and how did you study FAR? Like what was your, did you get a review course? You just got Becker, okay.

Katie: So Deloitte gave me Becker, which was like super awesome, but I just like, was like, okay, I’m just gonna like, use the course and like do everything as the course says. Um, and for me, like, I mean, studying for that first test, I was like, okay, I think I’ve got this. Like, I think this is like the way to go.

And then I just sat for the exam and I was like, whoa, like I’m not [00:05:00] ready for this test. And like, I came out like not feeling well and so, like sure enough I didn’t pass. So, I, from that point, was very discouraged and took a huge break until I was working full-time at Deloitte. I was just kinda like, maybe the CPA thing like just isn’t for me, like maybe it’s just not, and that’s okay.

Um, but I’ve got great colleagues and friends at Deloitte who are like, no, you can so do this. Like you need to push yourself. Don’t give up. And I was just like, yeah, I’m not gonna sell myself short. Like, why would I do that? So, I found, I was like, but lemme step back, I was like, I can’t study the same way working full time like that just will not work at all. Um, could barely do it while I was in school. So I was like, I’ve gotta find something. I just started doing some research and that’s where I came across, um, SuperfastCPA and so that kind started the journey, but I know it’s longwinded.

The Biggest Flaw for Most Review Courses

Logan: So you, you were studying with Becker and were you basically just doing everything the normal way, like studying at night?

Katie: Videos. Yeah, at night videos and then doing, you know, multiple choice and [00:06:00] things like that. But I just like, I was not retaining anything. Um, I think that’s, in my opinion, I think the review course’s biggest flaw is just that it’s like, so much information, but there’s no re-review aspect until you’re to the very end.

And for me, like I just, my, I guess I don’t retain things like great, but like, it was just like, whoa, I forgot everything I just did the last six weeks. Like, this is a problem, so, so yeah.

Logan: Exactly. Yeah, I mean, and you know, I think a ton of people experience that exact thing. And, and also I find that a lot of times you, especially for the first exam, you have that kind of false sense of security. Like, oh, I have Becker, i’m doing everything Becker tells me to do, I should pass.

And then, you know, you go in and turns out you weren’t prepared nearly as much as you thought.

Um, do you remember your score? I’m just curious.

Katie: I think I got a 67, and that was back in like 2022.

Logan: Not far, but way super stressful, just to get a [00:07:00] 67.

Katie: For sure.

Finding SuperfastCPA

Logan: Um, so you took a break after the 67 and um, you were done with your master’s and everything at that point, and at what point, like what, you were researching and you found SuperfastCPA, was it through like YouTube or was it the website? How did you find it?

Katie: I think it was on YouTube, I saw a video of like, I don’t know if it was like the seminar or like a seminar or just maybe like even almost like his, like Nate’s pitch of like the method. And then I found like the website and started like reading through everything. And at first I was just like, okay, like this sounds like really great, but I was like, I just wanna make sure that like this is something people have used.

And then I started like watching the podcast and like reading people’s like experiences and I think I even got access to like the um, forum and started reading there and I was like, oh wow, like a lot of people are using this and like it’s actually working. And so I just knew too, like, cause I was like, okay, I could maybe learn the study method that, like through those initial videos, but then I was like, no, like I want something to hold me [00:08:00] accountable and have resources to like, if I do have questions or things like that from people who’ve actually done it. So that’s really why I chose to go the coaching route versus just like trying to figure out the method on my own.

Um, and I’m glad I did that.

Why Katie Chose the Coaching Program

Logan: Yeah, and, and it was, it was awesome having you in the coaching program. And I guess, just to make sure I’m remembering or understanding that right, so you got the bundle, the PRO course or whatever, but did you, buy the coaching bundle pretty quickly after that? Like you didn’t really do it without the coaching or

Katie: I didn’t do it without the coaching ’cause I just kind of told myself like, if you’re gonna do it, like you’re going to, we’re gonna fully do it. And so like, let’s just buy it because like then that’s gonna hold me accountable. Like I’ve spent this money, like we’re actually gonna do, we’re gonna do it. And so I don’t think if I would have pulled the trigger that I like would be really like where I’m at, like having now finished them. So I’m glad that I just, I did it and like, I think there is too, and this could be wrong, but like there was [00:09:00] something like, okay, if you don’t pass in two years, there’s, you know, some sort of like money back. And so I was like, okay, cool. Like worst case scenario, this just doesn’t work, like whatever.

But I was just like, I had a feeling, I was like, okay, I think this is like for me, just ’cause it was pointed towards people who were in my same scenario, like working full time or people who had kids, things like that, so I was pretty confident.

Logan: Yeah, and I mean, I saw you in the coaching program. You honestly have been one of the like gold star people in the coaching. You, you’ve done, you did amazing.

The Thing That Made a Difference

Logan: Uh, so let’s kind of talk about your process. So pretty much, I guess, you know, and I hadn, I hadn’t quite remembered this, but pretty much you were working with Nate and I through your whole study process besides that first FAR exam.

So when you got the coaching program, what was it that either in the PRO course or Nate and I said, or whatever the case was, what was it that started making a difference in your approach compared to when you were doing it the first time?

Katie: I think the first thing was just [00:10:00] that like there’s no videos, like we’re actually gonna like teach you how to like learn the material, but in like a comprehensive way ’cause I was like, I just never got much outta videos anyway, so I was like, okay, wait, like I can actually only study maybe a couple hours a day, but like, I’m gonna get a lot out of those two hours.

And so I was a little weary at first because I was like, am I really gonna grasp the concepts just from doing questions? I was like, I don’t know about that. But then like once I, I was like, I’m just try it. And then was like reading, like, you know when you’d get ’em wrong, you learn from like that little box so, I mean, it, it really started to work.

And then the big thing was every single day doing 30 multiple choice sets just to like, make sure I’m seeing old stuff because that, like in my mind is you, you have to constantly be re-reviewing or you’re gonna get to that week of and be like, I don’t know anything.

Um, so yeah, those are definitely the big points was just like, this works with my lifestyle and I’m getting [00:11:00] a lot out of the amount of time I’m putting in, versus I felt like it was the opposite before, so.

Logan: Yeah. Putting in a ton of time before thinking maybe it was working but, it turns out didn’t really retain anything compared to, now you can kind of prove to yourself that you’re retaining things ’cause you’re doing that review every single day and seeing your scores improve or finding your weak areas and things like that.

So from what I’m hearing, you know, the biggest things for you were, you know, diving into the questions, which was so that you could go straight to the material you needed to know and then reviewing every day.

Getting into the Rhythm

Logan: And when, was that like? Was it hard to get into that rhythm, or was it actually fairly easy?

Katie: It was easier than I expected because I think people look at the CPA, they’re like, okay, this is like a lot of information. It’s, it’s hard stuff too. So it’s like, am I really gonna get, like, am I gonna learn it that well? You actually do learn the concepts that well. I kind of like found that if I [00:12:00] can do multiple choice, like the back of my hand, I can do a sim and I can essentially, like, I can do the exam.

If I know the material, it’ll, whichever way you show it to me, I, I’ll be able to do it. Um, so no, it was actually easier than I expected. Um, and I think like the explanations that come with the questions are actually really good.

Learning with the Use of AI

Katie: And I’ll say like, I guess one like unconventional thing I did for just harder topics, maybe in FAR or REG, I mean, we’re in a era of like AI and, and ChatGPT, like I would use that sometimes like, okay, dumb, this explanation down for me.

Just like make it really easy to understand, and that just helps for like my own notes. So, I definitely like encourage people, just like even use your resources that way, like helps, helps you, you know.

Logan: Yeah, I, I think that’s a great idea. And honestly, like, I think most people are starting to figure that out, like AI can be helpful in a lot of ways.

I’m always a, it’s interesting cause I use AI for [00:13:00] certain things, like just ’cause the AI, the CPA exam’s so massive. So it’s like to be able to remember everything I’ve sometimes have to refresh myself but, um, what I’m trying to say is, I’m always like a little hesitant for people to use AI ’cause I’m like, I want you to learn it yourself, but at the same time, if, if all you’re using it for is making it so that you can understand something in your own words, I think that’s a great tool.

Uh, you know, don’t count on the AI to just, oh well, AI gave me all this information and so I, yeah, I know how to do it now.

Katie: Kind of silly. Yeah.

Logan: Instead, you know, using it to be like, Hey, I, this is a specific thing I don’t understand.

Can you explain this part to me so that the rest of this makes sense? You know, I think that’s a great idea.

Morning Study Sessions

Logan: Uh, and so you, you were doing that and was that all in the mornings? You were studying In the mornings now?

Katie: I was studying two hours before work, so like five to seven get ready for or go to work. And then well, and I guess another thing I did too, like I was very big on like planning every day out. So like I would [00:14:00] start, I know it’s, it’s honestly psycho now that I think back, but like that’s just kind of how I’m wired.

So I’d be like, okay, this is exam day, here’s what you have to do every single day. But it would be like down to the questions, like number of questions, ’cause I would just know like, okay, feasibly, I can’t do 50 questions in a day, like that’s just not gonna happen.

So like literally planned out every single day, and if I didn’t finish my module in the morning, like yeah, I was coming home after work and finishing it.

So just like being able to, I don’t know, change and, and pivot if something with my day got thrown off.

But, but yeah, I studied mostly in the mornings I would say, just you’re more fresh. I would definitely recommend people to do the morning.

Planning Ahead to Make the Most Out of Your Day

Logan: Yeah, the mornings are a huge deal and, and I do remember, I remember like, you know, ’cause we actually, this is something that I have started kind of implementing in the coaching program recently where I’ve had people start making their schedules ’cause you know, and you didn’t have a problem with this ’cause you just kind of did stuff on your own.

But [00:15:00] what we’ve noticed is a lot of people will take the PRO course, but then they don’t really apply it. Like they learn how to do it, but then they don’t make a plan?

Um, and so we’ve been making, I’ve been having people make their schedules like, this is when you’re gonna wake up. This is when you’re gonna start, you know? And I remember seeing yours, like just super laid out and super detailed. And obviously it worked really well for you, right?

Katie: Yeah, I mean, that’s how you know that you’re, well, and then even baking in review days too, because like I would usually give myself a full week before exam day to just re-review everything and I would do like a unit a day and just like go all the way back through it. But like giving yourself enough time is like key, but then like using your time obviously wisely is also key.

So I, yeah, I definitely agree with like the planning, your schedule, and just knowing like with your lifestyle, like what makes sense to get through in a day. Like I can’t do six sims on a Wednesday. Like it’s just not, you know, it’s not [00:16:00] feasible. So really like taking a step back of like, I can do, you know, unit three, module six today. It’s 30 questions. Cool. Like, let’s do that, but being smart about it.

Logan: Yeah. I, I, that’s something that I really liked when I saw you do that, and it’s somewhat similar to what I did when I was going through. What I did is I just counted up all the questions that my review course had and decided this is how many days I want to be done with them in which was usually it was four weeks and I would just divide it by that.

And that’s how many questions I was trying to get through every day. And sometimes it was a little bit less, sometimes it was a little bit more, but like average that was the idea.

And some seems like you kind of did a similar thing. Did you do something like that or?

Sticking to Your Plan Boosts Your Confidence on Test Day

Katie: Yeah, I did, I did it more like by the units and the modules. So it would be like, okay, I’m, this week it’s gonna be unit three, but like Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursdays, like each of the modules just so like by the end of the week I’m completing, you know, this one. But you know, like with review [00:17:00] courses, sometimes units are longer than others, so like, and I mean, and sometimes even the modules are longer, so you’ve gotta split that in half.

It’s just like really looking at every single day what I can actually get done in a day. And yes, I would, I would load my weekends up too sometimes, like just, you know, depending. But um, but yeah, making sure you have a plan is, is super important in that, it’s kind of like, is an insurance policy in a way that like, you know, when you get to exam day, you would’ve made it through everything, so you can be confident, so.

Logan: Yeah. So if you follow your plan, you know, you’ve done every question, you’ve done a review, uh, I think, you know, figuring that out is, is super important.

Katie’s Daily Routine

Logan: And kind of talking about schedules. What was your typical day like? So you were still working, I mean you, you obviously still are, you were working in audit, and so what did your typical day look like?

You said you studied from five to seven, but what did everything else look like?

Katie: I was at work in like 8:30 to nine and, and I’ll say to, or [00:18:00] 8:30 or 9, what am I talking about, till like five. So like a, a normal, like nine to five day, but then would come back and just depending if I finished or not, like I would have my nights free.

But if, like I said, I didn’t finish it or you know, there was something I was, I was confused on, like I would then kind of revisit it like right when I got home. Or maybe like take a small break and like look at it. But I would say for the most part, my nights were free ’cause I was making sure I was like executing in the morning.

Um, I will say like in my, in my review weeks, I was going harder. So like I would take like some days PTO even and like just really make sure I had no, and like I will say like my work was very supportive of me passing.

So like that’s a whole other aspect, like they were so willing for me to take a little bit of time off to like have days to review. So that’s like amazing. But um, yeah, I mean on my review weeks I would definitely like study longer, um, into the day. It just depends honestly. Um, [00:19:00] and, and weekends as well.

But yeah, I would say for the most part, my nights were free, which was like, great. Just because once you’re done with work, like at least for me, my brain is fried. Like I just need to go home and like not do anything. So definitely doing your hardest stuff, like the hardest part of your day. Just get it done in the morning.

So that’s why it was the best, so, yeah.

Logan: And, and it’s so much less stressful.

Katie: Yeah. Well, you know, you got it done like.

Logan: Yeah, exactly. You’re like, I did, I did it. I don’t have to worry about studying until tomorrow when I’m fresh again, you know?

You Need to Be Committed to This Process

Katie: You just have to commit. Like I think that’s the other thing I tell people is like, if you wanna do it, you have to do some, you have to do something every single day. Like even if yes, like maybe you don’t finish your module or something like that, you at least did something every single day.

Like there can be no days off because that’s when you just start to forget stuff, at least for me, but, yeah.

Logan: Yeah, and, and I remember you were pretty on top of it. Like I don’t really remember any times where you were inconsistent, like any of the things that we had to work on or that you had to work on in the coaching program or just [00:20:00] in general wasn’t really the consistency.

It was more just figuring out. Changing this small thing or changing this small thing, and maybe we’ll talk about that in a second.

Mini Sessions and the Importance of the Morning Study Session

Logan: Uh, and so your days, you know, you study in the morning, you have your nights free usually. Uh, what did your day look like at work? Did you do mini sessions throughout the day? How did those look?

Katie: Honestly, no. Um, I did, in the beginning because this was like when I was still learning the process, I was listening to the audio nodes, which I liked. Um, I’ll say as I got further in my like journey and felt like I had it down, I didn’t listen to those as much. But, um, I did the app a few times, but not, not as much, honestly.

I think I just like really made sure to execute on my daily session in the morning. Um, and then, like I said too, and I can talk more about like what I did for my review week ’cause I do think that was really important, but like, yeah, just making sure I like knew what I was reviewing was the biggest part.

Logan: Right. So we’ll talk about your review week in [00:21:00] just a second. So just to make sure I’m understanding with the mini sessions, you kind of did a little bit, mainly the audio notes. Uh, but your big focus was the morning sessions, which I do think is kind of the base of everything, you know, of course, we want people to be doing the mini sessions, but I would say the golden thing that people have to be doing in order to pass at, even be close to passing is the mornings is doing those two hour sessions.

Katie: Making notes too, like I think Nate sent one time or it was, it was one of like, maybe it was in the coaching program, but one of his videos of like, I use in Excel to do this. Like, you know how like that method is great ’cause like you really have to have something to kind of show for what you did, especially when you start reviewing like, so you can go back to it.

So yeah, definitely. Like, yes, do the morning sessions, but like I also think if you’re not taking notes while you’re doing ’em, that’s not

Logan: Understanding what you’re even doing. Yeah, yeah, uh, so yeah, we’ll talk about [00:22:00] your notes and I remember you talked about flashcards towards the end of the coaching program too, which seemed to be a big thing for you.

The Final Review Week

Logan: But first, let’s talk about your review week. So, you would get through your, through the modules and then after you got through everything, you had one week of final review. Is that what you typically did? So what did you do during that week?

Katie: Yeah, so I really would first like take a step back and look at like, kind of where sims are concentrated ’cause I think you can kind of figure out based on at least your review course, like where, um, like you might see sims at, right? Like if there’s six sims in one, you know, unit, but there’s only like three in another, like, okay, that one’s probably more important for me to like, make sure I know how to do those.

So really taking a step back first and like understanding like what do they want me to to know? Um, but then also, so what I would do is if, and I think now they’re all, each exam is like six units in every review course, at least for Becker. I don’t know if

Logan: Yeah, for the, for all of them, besides the disciplines. Yeah, I think they’re all six [00:23:00] units now.

Katie: Yeah. So what I would do is take that week and I would say, okay, like we’re doing a unit a day, like deep dive.

So I would do multiple choice tests until I got an 80%. And if I like, I would just keep doing it until I like hit 80. I was like, okay, I’m good there. Then I would look at all the sims and like, ’cause I really like, I didn’t do sims during my learning process. I did sims during that last week.

I don’t know if that’s just me or not, but like I felt like I wanted to learn the material and so once I learned the material I could do a sim, which is true.

But that’s, that week was then I would deep dive the sims for that unit on that specific day. And just do them and like watch the, like I would do them myself, but then I would like see what I did wrong, learn what I did wrong. But like, I, I think this is a part of the program too, like don’t overdo sims ’cause they’re not gonna be the same on test day.

So just like looking at ’em, I think is good to do. But I definitely didn’t do every single [00:24:00] sim in the review course.

Logan: No, and, and I don’t think that you need to because the thing with sims is, and I actually did something similar where I, uh, for me it was less about not wanting to do sims and more just like really, I just could not sit there and focus for that long on the weekends for me personally.

But I, since I knew that that was an issue for myself, I purposefully gave myself two weeks of final review, and I would always do, uh, sims every day for those two weeks.

Thoughts About the Sims

Logan: So I kind of like just, you know, did it all at the end, kind of like you were saying, where you didn’t really do a myung throughout the process, but then you get to the end and you really start, the, the thing about sims is you can, if you’ve done really good on the multiple choice questions and you understand the material pretty well, you can, the, all you need to know to do with sims is be comfortable figuring out a sim like,

Katie: Yeah.

Logan: Getting into it and being like this is what they’re asking.

Katie: They’re literally like multiple choice, all like lumped into one is kind of how I think that sim works. And so I agree with that though. It’s like, while you’re [00:25:00] still in that learning process, like I think it would be hard to do a sim ’cause you’re like, I don’t, I haven’t learned this yet.

So like, actually waiting to the end I think is good. If it’s like, okay, I have learned the concepts, I do know the material, now I can apply it. Um, but again, yeah, they’re never gonna look the same on test day but just going through ’em and, and getting good at multiple choice, that’s like the most important thing is how, like, how to pass Is like being able to just like crank out multiple choice I think.

Logan: Yeah, I, and I think that’s, I would, I would agree with that.

Took BEC First Because It Was About to Go Away

Logan: And um, you know, we haven’t really gotten to talk to this about this very much yet, but your, you took FAR, took a break, started with the coaching program and just so that everybody knows, how did it go with you and the coaching program, if I’m not wrong, you started with BEC with us, was that right?

Katie: So, ’cause that one was, so this would’ve been in 2023, so like November timeframe, like I think I took, I passed BEC in December of [00:26:00] 2023 and it was like going away. So I was like, okay, I wanna start with this one just so I can like be grandfathered in essentially and not have to do the specialty.

Um, so yeah, everybody thought I was crazy at first.

They’re like, wait, you’re starting with the easiest one. Which actually I think BEC was really hard.

Logan: I thought it was the hardest one.

Katie: I thought it was hard.

Logan: That was for me.

Katie: Um, and so, but yeah, I started with BEC, but then I, I passed that one in December of 23 and I passed all four. Like I didn’t fail one since like from doing SuperfastCPA, like,

Logan: Really. Okay, that’s good. I, for some reason I thought that you had maybe failed BEC and then you passed it the second time, but you fa, you passed ’em all first try, is that right? Once you

Katie: No, no, you’re right. You’re right. So I think in October, this might have been when I just started, then.

Logan: I think it was like at the very beginning.

Katie: October 2023, I got like a 73.

Logan: You were super close.

Katie: Yes, that’s right. And then I passed it for the first time in December, [00:27:00] 2023. But like after, from that first pass, I didn’t feel a single other one.

Logan: Yeah, and you do definitely got it dialed in, like you, we, I knew that you were really close, just, you know, ’cause you got a 73 with BEC and honestly, like some people in the coaching program, I talk with them a lot and I work with them a lot. And then some people in the coaching program, I’m like, you’re doing amazing.

Like, and, and you were that, you were that coaching, uh, client like you, you know, we did a few things with you. You know, like I think we did a few assignments. We kind of walked you through a few things, but then you just pretty much took it ran and you did awesome.

Time Management Led to Failing Her First Exam

Katie: Like my fir, this when I failed BEC for the first time. I really think, ’cause I hadn’t taken an exam since 2022. So like a while, I don’t know, was it 21? I don’t remember. It was, it was a while since

Logan: At least a year or two.

Katie: Right, exactly. So I was just like, I don’t even remember how to take the CPA exam. And I’ll say like, it is a, an exam, you have to learn how to take, honestly. Um, so [00:28:00] I, oh it is, and so I ran out of time.

Like I was going really slow on multiple choice ’cause like I wanna get all these right, I know, I know this stuff. But then I like didn’t have enough time for sims. I remember that and I was talking to a friend, which actually a great, this is a great piece of advice.

I was like, I just don’t, I ran out of time, I don’t know how to take it. And she was like, give yourself an hour per testlet like, ’cause you, it’s usually like two multiple choice tests I think, and then like three sim tests.

And so I think, she says like roughly an hour per test. And she was like, and you just like, you have to move on.

Like if you flagged, you know, two or three multiple choice, but it’s at that hour mark, like, put what you thought and move on. Like you have to have time for sims to like sit there and think through them. So learning how to take it and one, once I realized I, you know, wasted too much time and kind of used her method of hour per testate, then I was good from that point, but yeah.

Logan: And, and time management is a huge thing. Like there’s a lot of little strategies for test day, [00:29:00] uh, and time management is such a big deal because I think that a lot of the times people will either spend way too much time on the multiple choice questions.

Actually, that’s usually the problem is usually people take up like two to three hours doing MCQs and then they only have like an hour, hour and a half to do sims and it’s like there’s no way even somebody who’s really knows what they’re doing.

Katie: Yeah. Yeah.

Logan: And uh, so what we tell people a lot of times exact is exactly that, like by the halfway mark. Max maximum by the halfway mark. You wanna be done with MCQs, hopefully before that and then you wanna have two plus hours for sims.

And I think since there’s three sim testlets, you can, you know, 45 minutes per sim or something like that, um, I mean per sim testlet. Uh, but sounds like you got that figured out really well.

How Katie Used the Flashcards

Logan: Um, and after that, what I also remember, I do remember when we were talking in the coaching program, that something that you talked about, uh, somewhat frequently was that a big change for [00:30:00] you was your flashcards? If I’m, if I’m remembering right, like what, what changed there?

Katie: So with flashcards, what I did was I just kind of kept a running list of things I knew I struggled with, um, and so I would make flashcards. And I think it depends too, I think on the test, like I really used flashcards during audit and REG just because they are like, kind of like concept heavy in that way.

Not that like FAR isn’t ’cause it is, but like that’s more, FAR for me was more like making sure I know how to do these problems versus like, it’s less memorization. I, or, and I hate to say memorization, but just like not as concept heavy. Um, so yeah, making like flashcards of like, you know, the big, like acronyms, like, um, different frameworks, things like that.

So just so things I didn’t forget. Um, but definitely like keeping a list of things that, you know, you struggle with, ’cause I think it’s like you start with this big pool of information and you’ve gotta shrink it down to the point where you’re like, a sheet of paper is like, these are the things I struggle with.

[00:31:00] That’s kind of what I did with my flashcard. So like, I would, once I mastered a flashcard, I’d kind of throw that out and so I would get to, you know, test week or, or whatever it was. And have maybe like 10 flashcards if that.

It was almost like a process of elimination once I was able to like cut down on things I like didn’t understand, then it was like, okay, maybe five things that I still struggled with, if that, I don’t know if that makes sense, but that

Logan: Yeah, that makes sense, and was it like, were they like actual flashcards? Were they in BrainScape or was it more like notes that you said were flash, like, I’m just curious

Katie: I kind of did a little bit of both. So, on certain things, I could fit on a flashcard. I had flashcards, but then I did kind of keep like, ’cause in my study, like ex like giant Excel workbook, I would have like a pay, like a tab, right? Of like work

Logan: Of those running things,

Katie: Right? So it was kind of like a little bit of both.

Like I did have flashcards just for like actual memorization practice, but then I would keep that list and just kind of like mark ’em off as I [00:32:00] felt like, all right, I got this now. Like now it’s these things, so.

Logan: Yeah, and, and that’s the exact idea behind flashcards, whether you’re doing that list that you were talking about, or you know, like actual flashcards with BrainScape or physical flashcards.

The idea is you’re not making this running list of things that seem important or that you’ve missed a couple times. It’s things that you really struggle with.

Things that you really need help with, and then, uh, you’re using that to take things from the one bucket of, I don’t understand this and putting it into the bucket of, I do understand this over time, and that sounds like exactly what you were doing. You, as soon as you were like, I understand this, it wasn’t in that bucket anymore.

You didn’t focus on it anymore. At least focus on it heavily.

Katie: Yep. Nope, that’s right. For sure.

Logan: Okay.

Katie: It’s just how you, it’s like the method of how you have to get through like large amounts of information, like how you consume it, but then like how you continue to re-review it and get to a point of mastery on like so much stuff. So that [00:33:00] was kind of how I did it.

Katie’s Timeline with the Coaching Progam

Logan: And what was your timeline, if you can remind me? I mean, I know that, so we were working with you in 23, like October-ish, and then

Katie: October to like December, yeah, 23 was BEC and I will say, like I was, I think I was kind of a slow poke with the exams, like I liked to study for a long time.

Logan: You, you were very detailed and you, ’cause you wanted to make sure you passed. I remember that.

Katie: Yeah, I just, I didn’t wanna have to do anything over again, so I was like, I’m gonna give myself the time. So, okay, did BEC pass that December of 23?

Then I did audit ’cause that, oh, ’cause I always took a break for busy season.

Logan: I do remember that.

Katie: So January, March, like I just knew there is no way. And so you guys didn’t hear from me then. Um, but then I started studying like fresh out of audit, busy season for audit. I was like, oh, like coming right out of busy season, like that’s probably a good one to do.

Which actually for all my audit people out there, like that’s the one I would do like right after busy season. Um, that’s kind of what I tell, like my friends at work, it’s like you do this stuff for a living, like. [00:34:00] You should start with that one. It’s a confidence boost too, honestly. Um, so yeah, did audit, I took that one end of May, 2024.

So like end of March, April, May, I guess. Um, then I did REG and I took that one end of, I’m trying to remember, ’cause I do wanna say I took like a little break in between on those two. I can’t remember, but I think I

Logan: I feel like you had a bi, uh, like a second busy season is that right? Or is that

Katie: I don’t remember, but I do think I took like, oh my, oh, I did have a second bus, yeah, it was in like Q3 ish, like July, August timeframe. I was busy with work then, so I took REG September of 2024 past that.

Then I was like, okay, how FAR, FAR is the last one? Let’s knock this out before busy season again. So I took FAR December of 2024, got my last score back in [00:35:00] January. Like I was in busy season. I was like, because my BEC would’ve expired June, this June.

Logan: Yes.

Katie: So I was like, yeah,

Logan: Yep. So many people are struggling with that right now. I’m so glad that you didn’t have to worry

Katie: I was like, studying in like that December timeframe was rough, just ’cause like work was busy, holidays, things like that. But I was like, you have to take this before busy season. Like you just have to, like, even if you fail, it’s okay.

Like you’ll have time to like re-review and retake, but like you’ve gotta take it before busy season and like, thank God I passed ’cause I was like, I’m done. Like, so yeah, literally like my journey was all of 2024.

Logan: Yeah.

Katie: It, I mean, it took me a whole year.

Logan: Yeah, and, but you know, you took a couple breaks, so overall, maybe more like eight or nine months of actual studying

Katie: Probably nine months of like hardcore, like studying, like without breaks. Yeah, for sure.

How Katie Stayed Motivated and Committed to Passing

Logan: And, and I, and I remember that like, and I was not surprised at all when you, when you finished, I was like, I didn’t worry about you pretty much at all throughout the whole process.

Um, [00:36:00] whereas, uh, I don’t, I don’t, can’t say the same thing about all of my coaching clients, but, um, but that’s okay.

Uh, and you know, it’s different for everybody and the thing that I really liked seeing when you were going through it was that you were just so dedicated and so on top of it. Like that’s the kind of thing that. Um, if there’s something that I could like tell people about, like, like using you as an example, is the consistency? Like just being on top of it every single day. No breaks. I, I think that was something that was really big.

Katie: That too a little bit. ’cause I mean, I think there’s a thing in the coaching program that’s like, you fill out the page of like, why do you wanna do this and like that. It’s like your reminders, right? And so like for me, like being in public accounting, like CPA, like tons of CPAs at Deloitte and like everybody has their own journey.

But like I just looked at them like almost like a level above, like they’ve got a license, like, you know, they can make manager, they’ve got more like, ’cause that’s, that’s something you do cap out if you don’t have a CPA in public accounting. [00:37:00] So it was just motivation for me of like, I wanna be that person where there’s just no, there’s no limit for me.

Like, at that point like, I can make manager, I can make partner, I can, I can do this, I can do that. You know, and so I just like, I was like, and people would just pass all the time and it was like, oh, like I, I’m gonna have my moment. Like I wanna be that person. But people get discouraged when they’re working full-time and it’s like, no, you can do it.

It’s not gonna be fun. Like you definitely have to commit and do it, but like, it is so still possible and just like the feeling of being done and like, there’s nothing above having a CPA, so it’s like now you’ve got it and it just unlocks a world of opportunities. Um, and just like you work hard for, what, nine months or a year, and then that’s a career

Logan: That’s it.

Katie: Yeah, and that’s it. So it’s just, it was so worth it. Um, and just now it’s cool to like step back and be able to like, inspire other people that like, Hey, just ’cause you didn’t pass it before you started working, like, doesn’t mean you’re outta luck. You know, like [00:38:00] you can still do it. So yeah, seeing everyone around me, everyone around me was a huge motivation of like, you should do it, so.

Logan: Yeah.

Felt Like She Didn’t Have to Sacrifice or Miss Out a Lot

Logan: So you said that your evenings were free, what did doing it this way allow you to still do in your life? Did you still have hobbies? Did you still have time with friends and family? Like, did you feel like you didn’t out too much?

Katie: I really don’t think I missed out, like I definitely had to be disciplined of like, maybe you can’t stay up as late now, because I, I’m knowing I’m gonna have to get up early in the morning, but like, I was able to integrate studying, like, into my life. So like, I still traveled, like I still, it’s like my family lives, you know, a couple hours away.

So like was still able to go see them and do things. The, I mean, I was studying around several holidays, was able to still do those and be with family and things like that. So it’s really just like making time for it if it’s like, you know, this is a part of my daily routine. It has to happen. So like that’s getting up early on trips, that’s, you know, like [00:39:00] making sure you, if you aren’t gonna study one day while if you’re out of town, like making sure you make that up, things like that.

So, no, I do really feel like I was still able to, um, live the same lifestyle. It was just more like, this is a non-negotiable and like, we’re gonna have to find a way to, to make it work. But, um, yeah, for the most part, I don’t think it like, took over my life in any way where I like missed out. Um, and it was worth it.

I mean, maybe, maybe a couple things here or there. I had to make like a few decisions of like, you know, but I was, it was all worth it. Like I had a goal in mind and like now, you know, I don’t, I don’t have to make those decisions. So short time suffering, long time payoff is what I would tell myself.

Logan: Oh yeah, for sure. And and do you have your license by now?

Like, is that, okay. Awesome.

Katie: So I got, I’d passed, like I said, in January. Finished busy season, but then like submitted all my stuff like with the state of Missouri, like right after busy season, so.

Logan: Like March-ish or something.

Katie: Mm-hmm.

Logan: That’s awesome.

Why the Coaching Program Made a Difference

Logan: Yeah, and, [00:40:00] uh, a couple, like one more like kind of big question. So, you know, like I was kind of saying throughout this interview, you were somebody in the coaching program who really took it and just ran with it and did really well on your own. Uh, but I still want to hear why did you feel that the coaching program was worth it in the end? You know, at at the beginning you said you wanted it for accountability, but what did the coaching program give you that that helped you make it through all of this?

Katie: I think it helped me execute on the method itself because I will say like, it is a, I don’t know how to like word it, but like it’s a different type of study method. Like when I’ve told people how I studied in past, they’re like, oh, I could never do that. Like, you didn’t watch a single video, you didn’t like read the book, you didn’t do, I’m like, you didn’t do sims.

I’m like, not, no. Like not really. And so it’s uncon, unconventional. That’s what I was looking for. It’s, it’s definitely an unconventional study method and so having the coaching program to actually learn how to do it and then execute it. I think if I didn’t have the [00:41:00] coaching, I would’ve maybe like 50% done the method or you know, and I think too, like having the coaching is like when something does go wrong or you’re confused or something’s not working, not clicking, like you have people to help you work through it, who’ve done it, who know the method. So it was just like, this can’t fail because I have people to help me if I do struggle.

Um, and yeah, I do, I think I, I did take to it pretty well on my own, but just kind of knowing I had a safety net of like, if I do have an issue or something there, I’m like, really not getting this, like I had people to talk to.

Um, but yeah, I, I do think the coaching is like integral for making sure you get the method down, um, so that you’re able to then go do it on your own.

Logan: Yeah, I, I remember that like at the beginning, you know, you had that BEC score of 73 and, uh. I remember that you were just like, there was just like a couple [00:42:00] things that we talked about. I think we maybe did like one show me assignment or something like that.

Like we really, and by the way, I, I guess for people listening to the podcast show me assignments in the coaching program are where we have our coaching clients record themselves studying so that we can give them tips and be like, Hey, this is less effective, or, Hey, yeah, this is great.

And I think we only did like one or two of those with you. And just from that you were able to be like, okay, I know what I’m supposed to do now.

Katie: Yep. Exactly. Yeah.

Logan: Yeah. Uh, and, and that I wish I, I, I loved that that was, that that was the case.

Uh, but honestly, I mean, I don’t, I I don’t think I really have too many other questions.

I mean, your process was pretty, pretty, straightforward once you got it figured out. And what, uh, before I ask, you know, the final question, is there any other part of your process that, you know, before we started the call, you were thinking, I hope I get to talk about this. Is there anything else that you wanna share about your process before we finish up?

Katie: No, I think I hit on it like, you [00:43:00] know, executing the daily sessions super important just for the learning process itself. But then like making sure you have a good review week is also so important ’cause I think like the, the distance I made probably in just that week. Like if I wouldn’t have had it, I don’t know that I would’ve passed some of them.

So just like really stressing that. Um, and it’s hard to re-review for like comprehensive exams like this, but like splitting it up and, and just tackling it that way. And, but yeah, I really think those are probably the two, the two biggest and just kinda like tone out the noise, like really stick to the method.

Like, don’t think that you, you know, because somebody else is watching videos or doing this, that like what you’re doing is wrong. Like, I think you just have to commit to this process. And if you do it, I promise it works. Like I would not have passed any other way. Um, especially working full-time, but honestly not working full-time.

Becker didn’t work for me when I was just a student. So like, just really like, I just encourage people, like this [00:44:00] method really does work. You go into it a hundred percent, you will have good results, so.

Logan: Awesome.

Learning Through the Questions First Method

Logan: And uh, you know, that’s fairly similar to, actually I did just remember one more question ’cause we didn’t really get to talk about this, uh, because you said you kind, you kind of mentioned it. You know, this might feel like we’re kind of going backwards, but what was your, how did you learn when you were going through the questions in the morning?

Like you kind of said you had a process for learning from the questions, so what

Katie: So I would just like do, I would like read the question and then a lot of the time, like I just didn’t know what the answer was. So I would guess, and then like it was most time wrong, but that’s when you read the

Logan: But it doesn’t matter.

Katie: It doesn’t matter. And you read the explanation, you really like pull the key concepts out of that answer ’cause some of those are like pretty lengthy answers, but it’s like, okay, what does this want me to know? And then like, that’s when you like note take of like, okay, if it’s some, you know, I’m gonna use like REG as [00:45:00] an example, but if it’s like some, you know, tax, um, you know, code or acronym, whatever,

Logan: Tax law or tax rule.

Katie: Okay, tax law, whatever, you know, jot that down because like, that’s what it’s asking you questions on is like that piece of like the tax law.

And so then you go to the next question and it’s like pulling out the key concept from that explanation, but then it’s like. As you’re doing questions, you’re like, oh, like I already know that that, you know, acronym to help me answer these other questions. It’s just like, I feel like the questions themselves are like very similar and just asked in different ways.

It’s the same concept, so like coming out of a module, it’s like, I was supposed to learn this and I got that concept, and then like you go to the next one, you’re like, okay, all these 30 questions were geared towards this one thing. So just kind of being able to like, go through that explanation and pull out the key information is I did it.

Logan: Exactly. And, and that’s exactly what we try to teach, like the pillar topics, if you remember that like, like you’re going to [00:46:00] naturally as you’re going through the questions, notice like you said, like the one, two, maybe four or five things over the course of those questions that you know, even though it was 30 questions, really all of them touched on a few different things and you just pull out that concept.

Katie: I think people that’s harder than what it is, but like really if you are just reading the questions, like you will see themes with them and you’ll be like, oh, they want me to know this, this thing. So when you remember that, that’s how you know then how, what they’re gonna ask on the exam ’cause like, I don’t think Becker would just want you to know so much about this one thing if it wasn’t gonna be on there kind of thing. So just like, really like listening to the course in a way and like, you know, I don’t think that they do things necessarily by accident. Like if there’s, you know, three or four sims and two units about it, it’s probably important, so.

Logan: Yeah. Oh yeah. No, it’s, it’s, it’s, it is all with a purpose. Uh, the, uh, kind of along that with, um, like I’ve been making walkthrough videos for the [00:47:00] different exams and I’ll like learn from the AICPA questions and things like that. And yeah, it’s like always shocking, like, you know, you look at a blueprint topic, but then you actually go through the questions and it’s like super heavily focused on one piece of that blueprint topic, even though you think you need to know everything else, and that’s what you learn from doing the questions, is you learn what is actually most important.

Katie: Versus watching the videos where it’s like, oh, this whole chapter’s important. It’s like, no, the whole chapter really like, isn’t gonna be tested. It’s like five things from, from that chapter. So I, and I wouldn’t have seen that though without SuperfastCPA because you guys teach to, to find those key things and then focus on those and really learn it.

It’s just a whole different way, but it makes so much sense, like once you learn

Logan: Once you do it, yep.

Katie: Once you do it, yeah. It makes so much sense, so.

Logan: Exactly. And, and I totally agree with that, obviously.

So it’s been awesome talking to you, Katie, uh, especially since you were in the coaching program. It was really cool to hear from [00:48:00] you.

Top Tips for People Still Going Through the CPA Exams

Logan: Uh, just to finish things out, you know, even if it’s something we’ve talked about throughout this interview, what would be your top two or three tips that you would give to people still going through the process?

Katie: Um, I’d say first one, execute daily. Have to do daily re-review. That’s how you retain information. Um, two would be, have a really good review, like lined up, have a good plan that you’re gonna stick to. Um, and then three, I would just say like, be consistent and don’t get discouraged. I mean, it’s like a hard, it’s, it’s so hard.

Um, and it’s a long time, but like, just knowing that like there is going to be an end and like you’re gonna get there. Um, but you’ve gotta do everything in between to get to that point. So that, that’d probably be my, my big things.

Logan: Those are great tips and uh. Again, I think those kind of summarize a lot of what you embodied in going through this. So [00:49:00] thank you for sharing those and thanks for being on the call today. Katie, it was awesome talking to you and uh, I hope you have an awesome day and congrats on being done.

Katie: Thank you. Yeah, this was great. Thanks guys.

Logan: ​ All right, that was the interview with Katie. And again, she did exceptional. She was a really awesome coaching client. Again, she was one of those coaching clients that once we kind of helped her tweak some things, she pretty much just went with it and was able to do it almost all on her own.

She was really good at the whole process , and again, I think she’s a great example of consistency. She was extremely consistent, extremely regimented, extremely detailed. And that helped her so much in getting this process down and in passing the CPA exams. So follow Katie’s example and be totally consistent and you’ll start seeing a lot of improvement as well.

Now before you go again, make sure you check out our Superfast CPA training webinar on superfastcpa.com. That is one hour that will save you months of struggling with the exams. So check that out, and also check out becoming a SuperfastCPA PRO [00:50:00] member, because PRO members get access to the full versions of our multiple choice question walkthrough videos.

Those are on YouTube, but the full versions are for PRO members. So if you like the ones on YouTube, you can get more of it by becoming a PRO member. I’m sure you liked this episode with Katie. If you liked it, make sure to like it and leave a comment in the YouTube video or leave a rating in your favorite podcast app.

Thanks for watching or listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode.

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