CPA Exam Lab
Section 1: 40–50%B2

Managerial and Cost Accounting

Exam Insight

BAR tests whether you can separate fixed from variable cost, cost a product through job-order or process systems, and pick the relevant numbers for a make-or-buy or special-order decision. These mechanics underpin half the section's quantitative questions.

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What AICPA Wants You to Know

  • 1Classify costs by behavior (fixed, variable, mixed) and split mixed costs with the high-low method
  • 2Distinguish product costs from period costs
  • 3Compute equivalent units under weighted-average and FIFO process costing
  • 4Reconcile income under absorption vs. variable costing
  • 5Apply CVP analysis: contribution margin, breakeven, target profit, margin of safety, and operating leverage
  • 6Identify relevant costs for make-or-buy, special-order, and sell-or-process-further decisions