Step 1) When you first login, the first screen you will see is your product dashboard. If you haven’t yet started your free trial, you can click “start trial” and you will instantly have full access to all 4 sections of Universal’s CPA test prep program. If you already purchased the course, then you will see the sections you have access to. Just click “continue” to move onto the dashboard for a particular section. In this video, we’ll go through the FAR section as that is what most students start with.

Step 2: Each section is organized into a number of chapters, and then within each chapter is a series of modules. We order in which material is learned was thoughtfully determined so that the information compounds in a way that helps you learn best and not burn out. Each section has been 100% mapped to the AICPA blueprints. If you are using the Universal platform as a supplement, you can easily locate a topic by using the AICPA blueprint reconciliation.

Step 3: Within each module, you will find video lectures, study guides, multiple choice questions. We have only included simulations for topics where the AICPA indicates the candidate must have the skillset to analyze and evaluate. If the module doesn’t have a simulation, it will be grayed out.

Step 4: For each module, you should start by watching a series of bite-sized video lectures. This is where we introduce the topic, teach you the mental map, and help lay the foundation for the topic. The video lectures use visual learning to help with comprehension and retention. We do not read the book to you, and we do not ask you to underscore and circle. Those methods are only helpful if you want to memorize the information, which is a recipe for failing the CPA exam.

Step 5: For each module, there is also a study guide, which is our electronic book. Minimal time should be spent on the study guides as all of the relevant information has been pulled into the MCQ and simulation explanations. It is extremely inefficient to have to constantly refer back to the textbook or lecture to help solve the MCQ or simulation, so that is why we pulled forward the relevant information. We recommend skimming through the study guide at least 1 or 2 times to refresh yourself on what you learned in the lecture.

Step 6: Once you have gone through the video lecture study guide, you have now built a foundation for the topic, and you can move to the multiple-choice questions. This is where you learn to apply the information. Unlike other courses, we don’t leave you to tackle the MCQs by yourself. Is it reasonable to think that you can watch lecture and then immediately be ready to tackle these complex questions? No. I recommend attempting each MCQ and then watching the associated video explanation. We explain the MCQ like if you had paid us to sit down next to you as a tutor. We explain the big picture, how to breakdown the question, and the steps to solve the MCQ. The explain video can be as short as 60 seconds and sometimes up to 5 minutes if the question is very complex. Don’t worry too much about our score on the MCQs the first time through as you are still in the learning process. Remember, the lectures only taught us the foundation for the topic, and now we are learning how to apply the topic.

If after watching the explanation video, you are still struggling, you can Ask Joey a Question by entering the question here. The co-founders of Universal CPA will follow-up with an explanation to your question within 24 hours.

Step 7: For simulations, you can attempt it after going through the MCQs or wait until you are in your final review phase. Simulations are quite a step up in terms of complexity when compared to MCQs, so you need to have a very solid understanding of the topic otherwise you will just get frustrated. At the very least, I recommend watching the explanation video so you can learn how the simulation is structured, how we recommend approaching the simulation, and then how to navigate through and solve the simulation.

Step 8: So, we’ve gone through the learning areas of each module. Every CPA candidate will work through the modules at a different pace depending on their study schedule. At least once a week, we recommend doing cumulative practice quizzes. You can setup the practice quiz by clicking here, and then selecting the chapters/modules that you have covered. I recommend doing sets of 25 MCQs.

Step 9: Now that we have taken you through how to use the Universal platform, it is up to you to put in the time and effort to pass the CPA exam. Only you can see yourself to the finish line. You know where you are going, and we are just here to help you get there!

If you have any questions, please reach out to the Universal team at [email protected]!