Test anxiety is one of the biggest challenges CPA candidates face. If you’re anything like me, hearing about the 50% fail rate and the pressure to succeed can set your anxiety through the roof. I already struggled with test anxiety, and these statistics only made things worse. But I discovered strategies to reduce my anxiety and pass the CPA exam. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone.
In the past two weeks, I spoke to two accountants terrified of starting the CPA exam—one was a seasoned accountant working on his master’s degree, and the other was a recent college graduate. Despite being at different career stages, they shared the same fear: the time commitment and the possibility of failure.
It reminded me of the crippling test anxiety I had before starting the exam process. But here’s what I learned along the way—test anxiety doesn’t have to be a barrier. There are simple, effective ways to manage it. Here are eight tips on how I did it.
1. Letting Go of the Fear of Failure
Letting go of the fear of failure was a game-changer for me. Before failing three parts of the CPA exam, all I could think about was the worst-case scenario: failing. The worst happened, and I failed three times. It felt devastating—I felt like I had lost time, money, and confidence. But eventually, I realized that failure wasn’t the end; it was part of the process.
Once I accepted failure as a potential part of the journey, the pressure lifted. I retook the exams, and I passed! I would recover the money through a raise at work and reimbursements once I became a CPA, and the time I’d gain afterward would make it all worth it. Remember, it’s not your failures that define you—it’s how you bounce back from them.
If it weren’t for my failures, I wouldn’t be the success I am today – Roger Phillipps
2. Guided Meditation: A Powerful Tool for Anxiety Relief
At first, the idea of sitting in silence to meditate felt impossible. My mind was constantly racing, and the thought of being still only amplified my anxiety. Then, I discovered guided meditation, and everything changed.
In guided meditation, a person leads you through the process, helping you get into the right mindset. I would listen to audio or video sessions designed specifically for test anxiety, and even just two minutes in the morning helped me feel calm and focused. You can also do a longer one to relax. Start the day by listening to guided meditation in bed for a few minutes, which can set the right mood for the rest of the day.
The benefits go beyond stress relief. Guided meditation also boosts attention span and memory, a huge bonus while studying for the CPA exam. I also started journaling before meditating. Writing down what I was anxious about helped me clear my mind and feel more focused.
“Meditation is shown to boost attention and executive function” -Sean Kernan How to get smarter in 15 minutes or less a day
3. Journaling: Get Those Distracting Thoughts Out of Your Head
During my CPA exam prep, my mind was a whirlwind of distractions. It felt like something was always pulling my attention away from my studies—whether it was random errands I needed to run, laundry piling up, or TV shows I was dying to binge-watch. My mind was constantly buzzing, and it made focusing on the material nearly impossible. I realized that if I didn’t find a way to clear my head, I wouldn’t make any real progress.
That’s when I turned to journaling, which made all the difference. Whenever a random thought popped up, no matter how small, I would write it down in my notes app on my phone or planner. Writing things out allowed me to get those thoughts out of my head. Instead of mentally juggling errands or distractions, I could quickly refocus on my study materials and address them during my study breaks.
As I continued this practice, I noticed that my study sessions became much more efficient. By clearing my mind, I could dedicate more of my attention without constantly worrying about everything else. Journaling wasn’t just a tool for organizing my thoughts; it became a powerful way to boost my productivity and stay on track with my CPA exam prep.
4. Breathing Techniques: A Simple Way to Calm Your Nerves
I walked into the REG exam feeling confident, knowing I had studied hard and prepared for this moment. But as soon as the first question appeared on the screen, my mind went completely blank. I couldn’t focus, and my test anxiety crept in, making it even harder to think clearly. The exam pressure started to overwhelm me, and I could feel my heart rate increasing. I knew I needed to get control of my thoughts before things spiraled further.
Taking a deep breath, I decided to pause. I closed my eyes for a moment, focused on my breath, and slowly breathed in for seven seconds, then exhaled for seven seconds. I repeated this process a few times, focusing on calming my mind and body. Slowly, I began to feel the tension ease, and my thoughts started to clear. With a refreshed mindset, I decided to skip the first few questions that had thrown me off and moved on to the rest of the exam. When I returned to those tricky questions at the end, my mind was calm, and I could answer them confidently.
In the end, I passed the test with an 83, and that experience reminded me of how powerful it is to control my anxiety in high-pressure situations. Even though test anxiety tried to derail me, taking a moment to breathe and refocus made all the difference. The key takeaway was trusting in my preparation and reminding myself I had what it takes to succeed. So next time you face a stressful situation, remember to close your eyes, take a deep breath, and give yourself a moment to reset. It could be the thing that helps you conquer your challenges.
5. Create a Music Playlist for Motivation
I created a playlist of my favorite empowering songs that became my daily ritual. Each morning, whether I was getting ready for the day or heading to the Prometric test center, music instantly lifted my mood and energized me for whatever challenges lay ahead. There’s something about the right song that can spark motivation and make you feel like you can take on anything.
Studies have shown that music can significantly impact mood, motivation, and even memory retention. I found that listening to my playlist not only helped calm my nerves but also kept me mentally sharp, which was crucial for both my studying and my performance on test day. It became vital in managing my stress and staying motivated during long study sessions. Whether it was high-energy tracks to start the day or calming tunes to focus, music helped me stay in the right frame of mind throughout my journey.
Try curating a playlist that pumps you up and makes you feel like you’re in control—it might just be the boost you need to stay calm, motivated, and confident as you prepare for the exam.
6. Exercise: A Natural Anxiety Reliever
Incorporating exercise into my daily routine during CPA exam prep made a huge difference in how I felt and how effectively I studied. Exercise became my mental reset, helping me break through the stress and tension that built up from hours of studying. I found that aerobic exercise, like a brisk walk or a quick gym session, released endorphins that calmed my body and mind—even just 20 minutes of light exercise made me feel more energized and clear-headed, which allowed me to dive back into my study materials with more focus and motivation.
For anyone preparing for the CPA exam, I highly recommend adding exercise to their routine. Exercise doesn’t need to be intense. A simple 30-minute walk with your dog or kids to school can help relieve tension and improve your mood, making it easier to focus and study for the CPA exam.
7. Getting Enough Sleep: Don’t Sacrifice Your Rest
I don’t know about you, but I get seriously cranky after a few nights of poor sleep. I learned the hard way that skimping on sleep only made my test anxiety worse. By sticking to a consistent sleep schedule, I kept my mind sharp and avoided the exhaustion that comes with sleep deprivation.
A study from the University of Kansas found that lack of sleep can actually increase test anxiety, making it even more important to prioritize rest. Sleep is crucial for mental and physical well-being.
I remember staying up until midnight, squeezing in four hours of study time each night to cram for two exams in a tight window. But to ensure my brain was functioning at its best, I made sure to stick to a bedtime routine that helped me get enough rest before my exams. On nights when I struggled to fall asleep, I turned to guided meditation to calm my mind and drift off.
Set the same bedtime and wake-up time each day to a solid schedule to get enough sleep.
8. Building Buffer Time into Your Weekly Schedule
As a working mom, I knew things would come up that might throw off my study schedule. That’s why I built eight hours of buffer time into my weekly plan to catch up if I fell behind with my study material. If something came up, I knew exactly the date and time I could make it up. It helped keep my sanity while studying for the CPA exams.
I created a CPA Exam Study Planner to help you set achievable goals, plan your week, and build flexibility for life’s unexpected moments, reducing stress and keeping you on track. This adaptable schedule gave me the confidence to stay organized and avoid feeling overwhelmed, and it can do the same for you.
You got this!
Remember, you’ve got this! Stay calm, stay focused, and know that every step brings you closer to your goal.
Ultimately, relieving test anxiety was much simpler than I thought.
- Letting Go of the Fear of Failure
- Guided Meditation: A Powerful Tool for Anxiety Relief
- Journaling: Get Those Distracting Thoughts Out of Your Head
- Breathing Techniques: A Simple Way to Calm Your Nerves
- Create a Music Playlist for Motivation
- Exercise: A Natural Anxiety Reliever
- Getting Enough Sleep
- Building Buffer Time into Your Weekly Schedule
Once I eliminated and conquered all my fears, I gained the mental clarity and control I needed to pass the CPA exam.
My favorite moment is excitingly telling my partner I passed the CPA exam.
To help you get started, download my free CPA Exam Study Planner and take control of your study schedule today!