Task-Based Simulations: High Scorers' Guide

To prepare for the CPA Exam, it is essential to know precisely what to study for, what to expect, and how the Exam is structured. A major part of the CPA Exam is task-based simulations (TBS). Task-based simulations create detailed, real-world scenarios that a CPA may encounter at work. The exam presents a scenario, and may also include documents, communications and data. The candidate draws on their knowledge and skills to answer a series of questions based on that scenario and the supporting information.

Preparing for the TBS portion of the exam is different from getting ready for multiple-choice questions; it begins by understanding what types of questions might be asked and practicing simulations ahead of time.

Elijah Watt Sells Award Winners Share Their Strategies

One way to prepare for task-based simulation questions is to get a little insight from highly successful candidates. Those who have a cumulative average score of 95.50 or above across four sections of the Exam, and who have passed four sections on the first attempt, are eligible for the prestigious Elijah Watt Sells Award, given annually by the AICPA in recognition of outstanding performance.

Those elite candidates shared their study tips and advice on how to successfully prepare for TBS questions.

A consistent message from the 2024 Sells Award winners is that preparing for task-based simulation questions is about more than rote memorization. Their top strategies included:

• Focusing on understanding the underlying concepts, not memorizing
• Focusing on areas where you need improvement to build confidence
• Finding multiple ways to approach and solve the problems
• Taking advantage of all resources, ranging from YouTube videos to authoritative literature
• Reviewing the CPA Exam Sample test to get the feel of the exam
• And above all – practicing!

One award winner’s approach involved several tactics. He repeatedly practiced task-based simulations from an exam review course provider, “watching the solution walkthroughs for every single one,” and looking up YouTube videos of accounting topics to see alternative ways to approach and solve them.

One high-scoring candidate urged candidates to embrace getting questions wrong. “Every time I got something wrong, I made sure to understand why it was wrong, waited a couple days, and then retook it. If things were still off, I repeated the process.”

Another candidate suggested building familiarity with the resources available. Candidates can visit the CPA Exam Sample test to become familiar with the format and functionality of the exam testing software before test day. The sample test is a shorter version of the exam that uses the software you will experience in a test center.

“Task-based simulations were one of the most challenging parts of the CPA Exam,” said another. “I found that having a strong understanding of the material and grasping the ‘why’ behind each concept was essential.”

The Bottom Line

Preparation and study for task-based simulations is an essential step to passing the exam. These award-winning test-takers nailed it with strategies that went beyond memorization, to include taking advantage of both mainstream and alternative sources of knowledge, understanding mistakes, and taking time to understand the underlying concepts of each simulation. Their experience offers a valuable roadmap for anyone hoping to succeed in this challenging portion of the CPA Exam.

If you're a CPA Exam Candidate, be sure to check out Everything You Need to Know About the CPA Exam, including CPA Exam Blueprints and the CPA Exam Sample Tests referenced above.