[eaglescpa]

I am getting ready to start studying for my audit retake, which will be my last exam. I got a 67 the first time and I thought i did much better. I used becker and ninja mcqs. any tips or strategies you can share that you did that helped you pass on the retake would be appreciated. Thanks

[Goingallin]

eagles: I'm also studying for AUD using Becker. How would you describe your study method?

[mperez102204]

@ eagles & @going

I am also studying for my audit retake – got a 67.

I was comparable in MCQ, but was weaker in the SIMS. So, i am also curious on the study methods being used. I purchased the ten point combo. I began restudying tonight. Although, i am doing pretty well with everything but section 4 (audit and attestation: evaluating.) Ehhh 52% in this section, while everything else is above 80%!

[Anonymous]

Start from scratch. Begin your retake prep with A6, then A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5 for Becker. Read the book and write your own notes. Skip Tim Gearty's lectures. Listening to his lectures is a waste of time. You can play Mike Brown's lectures during commute and downtime. I think he explains A4 & A5 really good. Read and master flashcards while taking your restroom break or waiting in line or anywhere you get a chance. Finish the HW questions after studying each chapter. I wrote 89 pages of comprehensive notes for chapters A6, A1, A2, and A3. It was very time consuming and I ran out of time to do the same drill for A4 & A5. Mike Brown couldn't exphasize enough that examiners love love to test the candidates with audit evidence and sampling. Due to time constraints, I made sure I got the gist of those two critical topics in AUD. In the last 3-4 days before I tested in Dec 10th, I read the main outline and chapters of the Final Review Book of A3 & A4. I planned to take the final practice test, but I was against time. However, I managed to reread my 89 pages of notes. I had only 4 hours of sleep before I tested. I had probably answered around 500-600 MCQs/HW questions in total while I plan to finish NINJA MCQs. I practised with 3 SIMs and 1 AL research just to get the feel of AUD SIMS since I had been testing REG and BEC in the last 2 years. I was very discouraged that my study plan didn't materialize. It took me forever to study/read/write notes of each chapter. If I could only push my test back this quarter, I would. But that's not the case since I was testing in the very last day of the extended window. But I guess, my understanding of the auditing background and process was my saving grace. I scored an 81 and it's my very first time to score in the 80's.

Since you all scored in the high 60's, getting a new or different material would not do you any good. Stick with the same materials so you can master them. I passed AUD in 2013 with a 75 and it expired last year. I thought I would use the same materials that made me understand auditing and pass it easy even when I have no audit background. I am so amazed that while I was doing my self-study (even without Gearty's lectures), I was able to recall what I had learned almost 3 years ago. How much more with you guys who just took it this quarter? You just have to understand and relearn the entire concept of auditing from scratch. Do a ton of MCQs only after you study the concepts and theories.

[KaliKingz]

@ mperez, sorry about you nonpass on AUD, I es rooting for ya!

For my retake, I watched all the Roger lectures (he is great at AUD) read my Becker final review book, used Ninja audio and MCQ.
I feel that I could have passed using only Roger lectures and Ninja audio, imho.
My biggest advice is read the question extremely carefully and know where you are in the audit process. This test is about picking the best answer, but sometimes the only correct answer is obvious if you know what they are asking(review v audit v compilation).
The AL helped on 2 sims( i found the answer word for word!,) so use it too.
Lastly, study like its a new test, don't “brush up” on your weak areas. I did this on BEC, and my strong areas were weak or comparable on my retake. Good luck!

[Amortized and Energized]

I cleared all my statistics and started from scratch watching all the lectures again and doing allllll the homework problems. First time I would only do like half if there were more that 50 questions and then I'd move on and I feel like I jipped myself of a lot of practice I could have used. Then the week before the exam I just kept doing 100 mcq progress tests and would write down the questions I got wrong and keep studying those. I was scoring in the 70's on the progress tests, so I was writing a lot of questions down to re-study haha. That seemed to do the trick for me. Just got the passing score today!!

FAR - Aug 2015 (58), Feb 2016 (81)
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BEC - May 2016 (79)
AUD - Jul 2016
REG - Aug 2016

[tg7174]

I'm in the exact same position. Either we pass and are done, or we are kept in suspense until August 10th at the earliest.

[ericl2]

I would suggest the Ninja Plus videos. My first time with Audit, I got a 67. I bought the videos and renewed my mcq's. Bob Monette does all the videos. I think they are a total of 9 hours. I watched each video and took detailed notes on each one. I memorized the things that he said to. I also copied the Ninja Notes 3 times. Between the videos and notes…I just scored an 81 and am now completely done.

[mmccpa_ca]

I suggest doing MCQs as much as you can. I used NINJA MCQs and Wiley TB. I also purchased NINJA Notes, re-wrote them, and read the whole re-written notes twice.
Good luck!

[mperez102204]

@kalikingz… I was hoping I would get the pass. I did pretty well on the mcq. Relieved comparable on four sections, strong on one, and weaker on another (professional responsibility). I got destroyed my the Sims I belive. I am in the process on watching all the videos in blitz and plus. I also erased all the data in ninja mcq and wiley test bank.

Game plan is to watch all videos twice, since I am a visual learner. Rewrite ninja notes twice and write all questions wrong each day (avg 80% so far) and stick the fact nuggets from the questions on my front door. Plus, read the ninja notes 5 times.

Hopefully this gets the pass I need in 5 weeks.

Sorry for any typos.. replying with a new phone that adores auto correct.

[eaglescpa]

@goingallin I did everything in Becker, lectures, mcq, progress tests and final exams. I thought I was very well prepared for the exam. The one thing I regret is not doing enough NINJA mcq, I only started using it towards the end of my studying for audit. I scored stronger in all the areas except 1 and did weaker on sims, so this go around, I will spend more time practicing the sims.

Thanks everyone for your advice! I bought the Ninja notes and audio for this next attempt, I am hoping it will be the difference maker for me. I know it was for my FAR attempt.

[Author]

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