How to Prepare for the Certified Public Accountant Exam (Barron's How to Prepare for the CPA Exam) [Paperback]

CPA Nick Dauber (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1998 | ISBN-10: 0764101854 | ISBN-13: 978-0764101854 | Edition: 6

Updated to reflect the latest Certified Public Accountant exam, the new edition of this manual presents two complete practice CPA exams. The author offers diagnostic tests and a review that covers all topics for which candidates are tested on the exam. All test questions have answers and explanations so that CPA students can score themselves and evaluate their individual strengths and weaknesses. The book's helpful supplementary information includes directions for obtaining application forms and applying to take the exam, advice on organizing an efficient study program, general reminders for dealing with the essay and computational questions, and test-taking tips.

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series; 6 edition (March 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764101854
• ISBN-13: 978-0764101854
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 7.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #819,230 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful Exam Format to Practice!, October 2, 2003

By 

Tiramisu (Walnut, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Prepare for the Certified Public Accountant Exam (Barron's How to Prepare for the CPA Exam) (Paperback)

I disagree with the previous reviewer's opinion. AICPA (The organization administering the CPA exam) announced to make the CPA exam a nondisclosed exam in 1996. That is what makes the last real exams even more valuable on the market. I personally called the Copyright Release Department of AICPA on 10/02/2003 to confirm this information is true. They say they release no more than 50 questions a year since 1997. The sample test given by all reviewing agencies now-a-days are derived from the Old test bank reformatted by applying new GAAP.

Yes, the exams in this book are out of date from 1995. However, Barron revised its old test answers to update with the current GAAP in the new edition. In addition, I personally find the tips given for writing short essays very very helpful. I think there are two essential factors to succeed in the CPA test. First, discipline studying. Second, try not to be anxious during the real test. I talked to lots people who studied and can¡¦t pass the test because of nervousness. I strongly encourage anyone who considers taking the test to do this two practice exams on two weekends. Get up in the morning get ready at the same time as if you were to take the real test. Take the practice exams the same schedule and pace as you would do the real CPA test. This is a great tool to kill the nervous cells during the exam. Most of us are just not familiar with the way the exam is structured, not the material of the exam itself.

Your Opportunity Cost is less than 15 bucks on Amazon!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars The exam changed so much since this book was published. You have to know which multiple choice questions to study and which to, April 4, 2011

By 

Citizen John (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

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This review is from: How to Prepare for the Certified Public Accountant Exam (Barron's How to Prepare for the CPA Exam) (Paperback)

It's just unbelievable to me that Barron's stopped updating their CPA exam study guides. This was a great book when it came out and I used it along with all the study guides available at the time, and passed. If you go to the Barron's site, this is the CPA book they offer - and they describe it there as the new edition!

At this point, the only exam value here is to take the time to ferret out the still relevant parts of the book. There are great questions from the 1995 CPA exam (before I took my first accounting class or decided to study accounting). There are many changes to the authoritative literature, what is tested on the exam, and how the body of knowledge is tested.

The fact is this book was published too long ago to be of benefit unless the candidate does the research to eliminate was is now out of date for the exam. The exam has changed and changed again. Now it can be taken part by part at a Prometric testing center. This book is based on when the exam was written and proctored twice yearly at large examination centers with many thousands sitting for the exam at the same time. Since then, the body of knowledge tested has changed as well as the methods for testing that knowledge, referred to as psychometrics.

The unique selling point of this book used to be that it was useful toward passing the CPA exam. Now it is that this book has historical value, to gain knowledge of changes in the body of knowledge and how it is assessed over decades. This book has historical value beyond its study guide value.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars DO NOT BUY!!!, March 20, 2009

By 

Scott J. Maddox (Bowie, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Prepare for the Certified Public Accountant Exam (Barron's How to Prepare for the CPA Exam) (Paperback)

Don't buy this book. It is so out of date. If you intend on passing the exam, you need more recent study materials. One of the reviewers complained about the price for Wiley, but if you remember how much textbooks cost in college, then you will think that maybe the Wiley books aren't that expensive anymore. The exam has changed considerably since this book's publication. It's like asking your grandfather how to fix a Toyota Prius. There are 4 exam parts, so wouldn't you feel better about having 4 separate books?