[FLCPA77]

I am in the process of studying for Audit using the Becker review material. I have finished the first chapter and felt that I had a decent understanding of the material, however I was shocked with how poorly I did on the multiple choice questions. After skimming the reminder of the material I am very nervous that I am going to have a hard time with this section. I am a tax guy who only had one audit course in school, which I learned nothing. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to go about studying this material? Does Becker do a good job with this material, because the first chapter lectures were almost unbearable to watch and it doesn’t seem like its going to get any better. I basically have 4 weeks left to prepare myself for this exam and I desperately need advice on the best and most efficient way to approach this exam. I am able to study 25 to 30 hours a week.

FAR - 90
AUD - 82
REG - 93
BEC - 80

[Anonymous]

don't worry about not taking auditing classes. I took 2 in undergrad and 1 with my masters. None were relevant to passing the exam.

READ THE BOOK. becker lectures especially by Gearity aren't useful except to fill in the blanks. The BOOK is VERY GOOD though.

[kts1010]

I am also studying for audit being a tax guy who only took one audit course. I just started A3 today but it just seems like a lot of memorizing terms and applying them. So far I have just been reading the book and watching the lecture than I do the MC questions. This technique so far for me as been giving me in the 80-90% range on the HW. I have the flash cards which seem to be extra helpful on the section since there is so many terms.

AUD - 08/20/12 - 82
REG - 10/30/12 - 82
FAR - 01/05/13 - 80
BEC - 04/15/13 - 84

[Keely]

Read, read, read, read some more, read again, etc. A1 is the most tested, in my opinion, and the foundation of everything else. It will come together if you read slowly enough, and over again enough.

BEC: (4/2012) 88
AUD: (5/2012) 91
REG: (8/2012) 82
FAR: (1/2013) 78 🙂

VA CPA #42010

[Anonymous]

Don't worry. I only took 1 Audit class in college and was also completely useless. Take notes and understand why you got the answers wrong. Watch the lectures, read the book (don't every word, just the paragraphs that Tim Gearty told you to highlight), do the MC and make flashcards while doing the MC. I got some Becker questions that were on the exam so keep hammering away those MC.

[Anonymous]

I started studying for AUD (first section) in early June and am taking the exam next Friday the 27th. What I have been doing is watching a lecture and doing the homework right away for that particular lecture, then reviewing the becker flashcards after I finish an entire chapter. I took a few progress tests along the way as well so that I wouldn't forget the older stuff I learned before. Once I went through the entire book and all the lectures, I started re reading each chapter and doing all of the homework for it and all the sims, (did not watch the lectures a second time EXCEPT for Transaction Cycles…and still dont get that crap)

I have improved alot from the 70s to 80s and above on the HW and got a 91 on a 90 question progress test I took comprising all 6 chapters. So I feel like it's been working for me that way. (I still suck at chapter A4 however…) anyways, that's my plan of attack and I hope it works. Taking the final review test on Friday. Maybe this way will work for you as well.

I also bought and browsed through NINJA notes quickly, might do it again. (and taking notes on questions I get wrong, etc)

[Keely]

@David, your study plan sounds almost identical to what I did. It worked out well for me, so I think you should be good to go!

BEC: (4/2012) 88
AUD: (5/2012) 91
REG: (8/2012) 82
FAR: (1/2013) 78 🙂

VA CPA #42010

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the good news Keely!

[FLCPA77]

Thanks for the feedback, a lot of great tips. Does anyone know where I can find a good summary of the whole audit process? I am the type of learner who likes to see the big picture which helps me apply the material. I just went over the attest engagement section and I must admit that it really didn't click. I have gone a head and pushed my exam back a week, because I am certain that I will need more time to prepare for this section. I am not a fan of how Tim Gearty just reads the text and I wish he would give more examples.To me the best way to learn is by applying the material to real world examples.

FAR - 90
AUD - 82
REG - 93
BEC - 80

[Mbh6333]

Do as many MC questions as possible. I used becker also and I used cpareviewforfree when I was bored. I swear I saw 8-10 word for word on the exam…

REG - 88
AUD - 96
BEC - 76
FAR - 79

Done

[greenli2]

@Mbh nailed it…I had one auditing class in undergrad and no related experience….The key is just pound out multiple choice over and over again….

BEC - 2/13 - 87
Audit - 4-16 - 99
Reg - 5-29 - 94
Far- 8-13 - 97

I use becker self-study, final review, flash cards, wiley test bank, and I make my own flash cards using studyblue.com

[Anonymous]

know the multiple choice questions inside and out…do the practice exams, and understand what to expect in the simulations. also know the reports inside and out i.e. knowing when to use explanatory paragraphs, reporting on comparative financial statements, the differences in qualified and clean reports and when to use each, etc.

also it probably wouldn't hurt to focus on A4 as well, understanding audit procedures and when to apply them (knowing the assertions and what procedures to apply to test them)

[Author]

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