[P29CPA]

Hi guys,

First time posting here, but a year long lurker who could use some advice.

I just took AUD and failed with a 74 – I’m using Becker software (already passed REG with 82 and BEC with 86, first test expires in Dec 2012). I came out AUD exam thinking that I aced it but clearly just missed.

So my question – how should I retake this beast? I want to take it first week of Jan 2012, which would give me about 4 weeks from now. I want to do it then so I can prep for FAR at end of Feb 2012 window (7 weeks studying for FAR).

As for AUD, I’ve heard that the best way to restudy is just do my course again. I just finished up Becker A1 today and obviously my understanding of the material now is night and day compared to when I first started A1 (not an auditor). So I’m assuming that A2-A5 will go just as easily and I’ll understand more – especially since my book is already all marked up and I’m actually listening this time.

After doing all 5 lectures again and having that done by the weekend..what should I focus on??

Just bang out MCQ’s for the next 3 weeks til the test? Buy Jeff’s Ninja notes and rewrite them as well? Rewrite my own notes from Becker? (I didn’t do any notes for AUD/BEC/REG and simply focused on MCQ’s)

Any suggestions for other MCQ sources I can purchase?

Any and all advice/comments will be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

This is the exact same situation with me and any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Anonymous]

Anyone?

[Anonymous]

I can give you two some inputs on audit, since I too got a 74 🙁 I too thought that I aced it but 74 🙁

When I took audit the first time back in July I did the following:

1) watched lectures and typed notes at the same time

2) read/skimmed the chapter after each lecture

3) did MCQs and took notes on questions that I missed

4) re-did all the MCQs again for a second time

5) did all the simulations that Becker and AICPA provided.

Second time I did the following:

1) went straight to Becker MCQs

2) any topics scored below 80% I re-watched the lecture on that topic

3) took some people's advice and decided to re-write notes, however, didn't want to re-write Becker so I re-wrote Ninja, ha!

4) re-did all the MCQs again for a second time

5) did all the Wiley 2011 audit MCQs (about 700+)

6) did all the Becker simulations, AICPA released questions (those are HARD), and some Wiley simulations.

7) read Ninja every day before I went to bed.

8) went online and watched some Roger demo audit videos, listened to Jeff's videos on youtube 😀

9) watched Jeff's facebook video on all the different types of reports.

I would say this, study the second time around MORE THAN the first time. Now I can truely say that I didn't study enough for audit my first time. and OMG, don't waste time on audit sims and practice exams, you might want to do it once for more practice questions but focus on MCQs.

Good Luck !! 😀

[RedRage00]

I just started studying for AUD a couple weeks ago and I think by taking FAR before AUD that it is actually helping me understand the whole process of AUD if that makes sense.

Texas CPA
Licensed, March 2012

[jelly]

Review your notes and add to them, but I don't think you have enough time to re-write. Definitely go over the questions again, twice or so. You are very close, so that means there's a few key areas to look at again. (I got a 74 on REG, and an 86 on my second spin). You know your material, and auditing on the job definitely helps – I wish you lots of luck!

Couldn't pass again!

[rgibson3rd]

I would supplement with Ninja notes. If you know everything in those notes and are able to aplly to mcq's…you are golden. I studied for 24 days using Yeager, Wiley Test Bank and Ninja notes so Becker & Ninja notes should do the trick for you.

BEC (11/10) 77 (Bisk)
FAR 7/2 - 63 11/5 - 80 (Yeager - Fail, Becker - Pass)
Reg (08/11) - 78 (Yeager)
Aud - 11/29 - 78(Yeager)

[Anonymous]

I was in the situation a few months ago. I scored a 74 in August 3 on Audit. I found out the end of September and tried to figure out the best strategy for my retake. I scheduled it for October 24th, leaving my 4.5 weeks to study (while working full time). I used my Becker self study from the first time around, and also bought Ninja Notes and Becker Final Review. Here's what I did in order…

1) Handwrote out Ninja notes for a good overall review to get me back into it

2) Went through Becker A1-5 without the lectures working every MC and reading every chapter.

3) Went through all Becker Sims for 2 days straight

4) Worked both becker Final exams (scored in 70's)

5) Did Becker Final Review (took 2 days off from work and had a 4 day week final review)

Hope that helps!

[P29CPA]

Thanks all for the great feedback!! Very much appreciated!

[Anonymous]

I'm going through the exact same thing right now. I'm using Becker… I felt like the lectures were not very helpful. I decided to actually read through the chapters and outline them on my own. This has helped a ton with A1 and A2. I've been scoring in the 80's and 90's for all of the homework questions so far. I bought the Wiley test bank just to get some different questions because I have seen the Becker questions too many times already. I am hoping that will help.

[Anonymous]

I also got 74 on audit but was not surprised. I came out of sims feeling pretty bad. Got my results and saw I performed well on MC and just bombed sims.

How are y'all specifically studying the sims? I've been using becker and consistently scoring >80% on MC. The sims always trip me up, however. Especially the research question!

[Author]

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