[jeff]

NINJA Study Notes, Flashcards, and Audio: https://www.another71.com/products-page/

Wiley Software: https://www.another71.com/wiley-cpa-software/

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS) | Another71 | NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE

[Anonymous]

@elsie: I think the main key is to understand how important every minute is. In 2 weeks time, there really isn't much of a chance to watch all the lectures, then read the books and then write notes. So I skipped the videos part and basically read the book thoroughly and made notes on important concepts (Not too many notes cause time was a huge constraining factor). I used Becker and after reading and making notes on the chapter, I would revise the notes (while keeping the book open so that I didn't miss out on tiny details). After that I just solved MCQs continuously! I don't think anything helps as much as solving MCQs! Audit MCQs also go faster than any of the other exams because most of them are theoretical.

I also think its important to be systematic – I made notes on all the MCQs I got wrong and highlighted them so I could get back to them later.

As for the reports, you should definitely learn the main unqualified report by heart and then concentrate on the differences in wording in the other reports.

Good Luck for your exam!!! 🙂

[Anonymous]

I just finished auditing last Saturday. This is my fourth attempt. It was just as difficult as all the other times. I really would have thought it would get easier the more you do it. I'm not terribly confident I passed. As a matter of fact I'm less confident then I was last attempt when I got a 72. I'm starting to think I really just can't do this. What if you just can't? Anyone ever just not be able to do it?

[Anonymous]

@countnchickn – I just took AUD Saturday and pass or fail it is my last exam for at least a couple of years. The truth of the matter is – I know I can, I just don't have an endless stream of funds to do it. I had to tell myself this was my last exam at least until my daughter goes off to college in 2 years. I have missed so much because of being in school and this exam that I have to just trust that I am exactly where I am supposed to be in life. If I don't get a passing score (and trust me I don't feel confident about my exam) then so be it and I am done. I gave it my best shot and just need to be happy with the 13 exams and several thousands of dollars I have put towards it.

Good luck!

[stp12986]

I took Aud for the first time on V-Day last week. I felt great about it (which scares me) and finished the test with over an hour left (which scares me even more) even going back and double checking every answer, but it seemed like the easiest one for me. I am on the audit staff at the CPA firm I work for so I guess my two years experience with it helped a lot. Really helped me with just not having to learn the simple terms if anything because I had already heard/seen them working. The first testlet for me seemed like a piece of cake and the questions were pretty short, with the last two the questions did seem a little harder topically but the main thing I noticed was the length of the questions, they got a lot longer, so maybe its a good sign. If I did not pass it would be because of the sims, they were a little tricky, but still easy compared to the other tests for me. I think they seemed a little tricky because the multiple choice seemed so easy. But overall I felt great about it leaving, which I seemd to be able to predict the other times I passed the exam by how I felt, only time I didnt was my 74 on far, I felt great leaving that one too, but not as good as BEC or AUD. I finally was able to nail down the best study techniques for me, I used Gleim and had Gleim online, the book, and the software question bank. I cant read a book and learn so I learned really quick that reading the books were not going to teach me anything because I get distracted too easily(I just used the book for referece when I didnt understand something specifically in the questions), I would just do the Gleim online and make sure I had a passing average for each section and then when I finished that I answered about 1000 questions from the software. Just answering the multiple choice questoins over and over are the way to go for me, you are still learning what is in the book but just answering questions just engages my mind a lot more. So hopefully this was my last test, because if not, I lose my REG credit which would just be terrible, I dont think me (or my wife) could handle studying for 2 more tests after thinking I was done. Good luck to everyone else.

Oh and by the way I did buy Jeff's ninja notes about two days before the test and read through them good once, and then skimmed through them again on test day and they really did help a lot, they just really helped bring together a lot of the info I already learned with gleim. Thanks

BEC-67,82
REG-82
FAR-69,74,78
AUD-77

[Anonymous]

I am taking AUD for the 3rd time on Friday. I have gotten a 74 twice. Anyways, today I was reading on the Becker website that the CPA exams have changed in 2011. Any tips on things I should prepare for in my limited time between now and then? Also, for those who have taken it, was there a lot of questions about international auditing standards? I have the 2009 Becker book, so I have nothing regarding IAS to use for studying for these types of questions. Any suggestions as to where I can find this information on such short notice? Any help is very much appreciated.

[Anonymous]

I think you will be okay with your 2009 material. In general, (I'm not saying on the exam), IAS is common sense stuff.. it's not that bad.

But you also have to go study the AICPA standards, like Independence Rule 101 or 201, 301, etc. This is found in your REG book. Make sure you review that entire section. And SOX and PCAOB. This information is now suppose to be on the AUD exam. Good Luck 🙂

[magster]

so – I was scheduled to take the exam for a third time last week. I got cold feet and re-scheduled to April 2nd. I really really do not ever want to take this again after this test so I will be doing multiple choice questions until they come out of my ears. I am using Becker and got the Gleim questions…….. anyone else feeling the same way?? Let's get this over with!!!! Been at it for 1 1/2 years and all I can show for is a passing REG score that will expire in January and a bunch of charges on my credit card that will take a while to pay off.

REG - Passed
FAR - Passed
BEC - Passed
AUD - 2-25-12 PASSED - DONE !!!!!!!! WOOHOO

*** One day I will get my life back.... maybe today is the day ***

[smrichard]

Yes Magster I feel the same way. I have been trying this off and on for over 3 years now. I passed AUD back in 2007 but things got complicated in my life and I had to take some time off. I took a few more, failed them, and now I'm back and seriously trying to pass. I passed FAR in May of last year so I only have until November to finish everything. I know I can do it, but it's really difficult working full time and being a mom and a wife too. Ugh. I am starting to study for REG today with the Gleim MCQ's. Hang in there – we can do it!!!

FAR 82
AUD 81 (2007), 73, 80
REG 68 (2010), 76
BEC 58 (2007), 75 DONE!!!!

[Anonymous]

Big Advice to MAgster,

Please don't go through an open window without sitting for an exam. Just bite the bullet! I know you know the material better than you think you do. I was never confident walking into Prometric.. but look at my passing scores below! You can do it!!!!!!!

The window is still open till this weekend.. maybe you should try it!!!!! You can do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[WheresMyLuckyCharm]

Hello All, I am new to this…I just took AUD on 2/16 and it was my very first exam so I did not really know what to expect and especially since it was the first window with the 2011 changes I didn't have alot of insight. Now, I am anxiously awaiting to see how I did and have moved onto studying FARE. I flagged so many MCs and tried to narrow down my answers the best I could and the SIMS definitely took me by surprise. I am so nervous that I may not have passed. Either way, I won't let myself give up, I will just have to try harder next time. =) Well just wanted to sort of introduce myself, I have read this forum for months and never signed up until today. All the motivation on here is great!! Good luck to everyone!!!

AUD(2/16/11) 51,64, retake Oct.
FAR(8/5/11)

[wantmylifeback]

Come on!! Bring us some AUD scores tomorrow!

BEC - 83 (10/22/10)
REG - 87 (11/30/10)
AUD - 76 (02/26/11)
FAR - 79 (04/26/11)

[Anonymous]

I totally agree on the AUD simulations. They were so out of left field – or outer space… I feel like I did reasonably well on the MCQ's but the sims are a real wildcard. Not feeling too confident and ready to get the waiting over with! Am trying to stay focused on studying BEC but it's a little hard not knowing if I'll be back in AUD soon…….

End of whine….. that feels better! 🙂

AUD 2/22

BEC 4/26

[Anonymous]

I take AUD next Saturday… I have the final review and flashcards from Becker. I have 9 days to cram and I'm hoping for some advice on what to focus on. I've been thru the Becker lectures and the homework… as of right now I'm starting to re-write out my notes and watch the final review videos. However, that's what I did for FAR and didn't pass so I'm thinking I need to make some changes to my study plans.. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[mago20]

So I have AUD scheduled for April 1st, the last day of my NTS and didnt study yet. can i just not show up and reregister for AUD the day after, its my last exam and its the last window before my FAR expires, so I wanna put 2 solid moths of studying in, so i can get it done! if anyone has experience with this please let me know if i can just not show up and reregister the next day or something. thank you.

[Tosha]

I took AUD in February and one of my SIMs was regarding all the ratios. Thank goodness they gave me the ratios, otherwise I definitely wouldn't have remembered them all!!

I felt really good after the test, which means I probably failed. 🙁 I'm starting to stress out a little bit, waiting on the scores, while still trying to study for REG. Ugh.

@Mago – I don't think you can do that. I think you have to take it by the NTS date. I would say to just go ahead and take it (since you've already paid for it) and then if you don't do well, re-take it. It couldn't hurt to go ahead and take it (since you will be out that money anyways).

AUD: 2/12/2011: 84
REG: 4/4/2011: 82
BEC: 5/9/2011: 78
FAR: 7/7/2011: 75

[Author]

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