How to Prep for the EA Exam

Trying to get ready for any exam can be nerve-wracking. The bigger the exam, the bigger the nerve-wracking experience, especially if you are anticipating a professional exam such as the CPA exam, CIA exam, or EA exam. It doesn't need to be nerve-wracking. Here are three simple tips you can follow in your EA exam prep to fight the fear, study successfully, and pass the exam.

• Know what to expect. First, understand the lay of the land. Orient yourself with the test, the requirements, and other essential EA exam prep facts. Moving forward with confidence means moving forward with a full understanding of when the exam will take place, what documentation you will need to provide before or during the test, all the relevant exam requirements, and the specific topics covered on the test.

• Know how to study, what to study, and how long to study. It goes without saying that EA exam prep is going to mean a lot of studying. Accept it. Next, draw up a plan. First, you will need to know how to approach your study. There are EA exam prep study materials available for you to purchase and use, which will provide insight as to how to study. Equally important is that you know what to study. The EA exam is designed to be a comprehensive overview of federal taxation, so the exam is divided into three sections—1) individual taxation, 2) business taxation, and 3) representation, practice and procedure of taxation. How long should you study? As long as it takes to master the material. You want to study until you've reached a level of confidence regarding your ability on the test. At that point, you're ready to study some more. A recommended rule of thumb is to study three months intensively for the test.

• Practice. Practice. Practice. Thankfully, there are practice tests available for EA exam prep. Taking one or more of these practice tests is an ideal way to improve your knowledge, gauge your ability, and direct your continued study. Practice tests can expose where your knowledge may need improvement. In addition, if you take the EA practice exams in a simulated exam atmosphere, you will be able to better prepare mentally for the actual exam experience.

Before the test, relax. Once the hard work is over—the months of study, the grueling practice tests, the thorough research, and the late nights—it's time to relax. Take a day or two before the exam, not to cram, but to take it easy. Get enough rest, eat well, and enjoy some recreation. If you've been serious about your EA exam prep, you'll do great on the actual exam.

About the Author

Jon Harwokey recently read that the IRS is considering requiring anyone accepting a fee for income tax preparation to be licensed by the federal government. ExamMatrix is getting ahead of this by offering an Enrolled Agent exam review. To ensure compliance with a very complex tax law, using EA review and exam software is a step in the right direction.

Author (Jon Harwokey33). Submitted on Sun, 8 Aug 2010 Time: 10:23 PM

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