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3…2…1 time is up. You finish typing your final sentence and lean back. A rush of thoughts may flood into your head:
Writing practice cases is a crucial part of exam preparation – but there’s another equally important step that candidates often rush through or overlook: Debriefing.
Debriefing is a skill that develops gradually. It requires time, patience and the willingness to critically evaluate your own work. Some candidates assume debriefing means skimming the marking guide, checking off “competent,” and moving on.
You should plan to spend two to three times the suggested writing time of the case when debriefing your response. If you rush through the review, you’ll likely miss important insights about where you need to improve.
It’s also important not to jump into the debrief immediately after finishing the case. Give yourself some time and space before reviewing your work. This break helps ensure you evaluate what you actually wrote, not what you meant to write. With that distance, you can approach your response more objectively and give yourself an honest assessment of your performance.
The Debriefing Checklist is a best practices guide outlining key steps to consider during your debrief. Engaging in a thorough debrief is essential—it helps you learn from your work, strengthen your writing skills, and determine whether you’re truly on the right track.
The following CPAWSB Blog Post: Supporting Future CPAs: Why Effective Case Writing Matters provides additional insight on how to improve your case writing.
If you are a CPAWSB candidate and have any additional questions about case writing, please reach out to the CPAWSB Learner Support team. Feel free to request to speak to a CPAWSB Academic Advisor by filling out the CPAWSB Learner Support Intake Form—we’re always happy to help.
- Did I include everything I needed?
- If I only had a couple extra minutes…
- That case was tough — How am I supposed to fit everything in?
- I am exhausted but at least it’s done.
- Honestly… this case could go either way.
Practicing Case Writing Is Only Half of the Work
Writing practice cases is a crucial part of exam preparation – but there’s another equally important step that candidates often rush through or overlook: Debriefing.Debriefing is a skill that develops gradually. It requires time, patience and the willingness to critically evaluate your own work. Some candidates assume debriefing means skimming the marking guide, checking off “competent,” and moving on.
But effective debriefing goes far beyond that. A thorough debrief gives you the opportunity to:
- Identify strengths in your response
- Spot weaknesses or gaps in your technical knowledge
- Catch errors or inefficiencies in your case writing approach
- Recognize patterns or trends in your performance across multiple cases
- Review the case triggers and ensure you didn’t miss key indicators
- Compare your response with a strong sample to see where you can improve
You should plan to spend two to three times the suggested writing time of the case when debriefing your response. If you rush through the review, you’ll likely miss important insights about where you need to improve.
It’s also important not to jump into the debrief immediately after finishing the case. Give yourself some time and space before reviewing your work. This break helps ensure you evaluate what you actually wrote, not what you meant to write. With that distance, you can approach your response more objectively and give yourself an honest assessment of your performance.
Remember
Success isn’t measured by how many practice cases you complete. It comes from understanding how you’re approaching each case and ensuring you consistently produce a solid, well-reasoned response. Debriefing your response will help you understand this process.The Debriefing Checklist is a best practices guide outlining key steps to consider during your debrief. Engaging in a thorough debrief is essential—it helps you learn from your work, strengthen your writing skills, and determine whether you’re truly on the right track.
The following CPAWSB Blog Post: Supporting Future CPAs: Why Effective Case Writing Matters provides additional insight on how to improve your case writing.
If you are a CPAWSB candidate and have any additional questions about case writing, please reach out to the CPAWSB Learner Support team. Feel free to request to speak to a CPAWSB Academic Advisor by filling out the CPAWSB Learner Support Intake Form—we’re always happy to help.
About the Author
Mandeep Bains, CPA, CA, is the Manager, Learner Support at CPAWSB. He advises candidates throughout their CPA PEP journey, helping them navigate challenges and build confidence. Mandeep draws on his experience as a CPA and professional education leader to offer practical, grounded advice tailored to each learner’s needs.
