[Anonymous]

I learn much better when I take extensive note – which I did for FAR and REG. But I’m finding with AUD that I’m literally rewriting the entire chapter. I think that because this is how I learn I really can’t cut back on my note taking but it’s taking forever. Just wondering if there are any serious note takers out there that found themselves doing this for AUD as well?

[Anonymous]

Initially, I was just rewriting from the notes I read. I find it more effective to re-write words I can recite that I've already memorized and understood. There are fresh notes that I just newly understood then rewrite them too. In less than a week, I have just written 26 pages and yet my right middle finger is seriously calloused now.

There are so many mnemonics to remember. Hopefully rewriting them many times over would eventually sink in especially in the big day!

Godspeed all!!!

[Tina82]

CPA Driven – the same thing happened to me. I actually typed the notes for audit because I don't think I could hand write all of that stuff. It definitely helped me though so I think it was worth while. Also, the notes were a great review before the exam – I read both mine and ninja notes.

R - 74;88
A - 84
B - 74;89
F - no study = 67; May 15 = 87 & done

[neika822]

I also take notes. It's the most dreaded part of my study process, but I think it helps me with the big picture of what I'm studying.

I'll watch the Becker lecture, and anything that's highlighted or underlined, I'll write in my notes. It takes HOURS and I feel that it's really hard to keep up with. But I know it works for me, so I keep trucking along!

R - *77*(02/'13)-Becker & NINJA
A - 71('11); *87*(04/'13)-Becker & NINJA
F - *76*(08/'13)-Becker & NINJA - "server upgrade" survivor
B - 60('11); *82*(10/'13) -Becker & NINA

DONE, DONE, AND DONE.

CPA in Massachusetts; issued 01/24/14

[Anonymous]

Thanks! I decided not to give up and I'm still over here taking notes. I'm on page 41 of chapter 3 and so far have 35 pages of legal pad filled up. This is awful but I know I'll remember more this way.

[RandomAlt]

@CPA_Driven

I haven't started AUD yet, I'm still working on FAR…however, I have always found that writing (and re-writing) helps me because:

1)It causes me to slow down and actual read the material

2)When I write it in my own words, I make connections

With that said, I started taking serious notes with FAR, but it was driving me crazy. So I've compromised, and I do extensive notes for the really important sections, and minimize them for others.

FAR - [10/07/2013 --> 66] [07/07/2014 --> 86]
BEC - [08/31/2014 --> 86]
AUD - [11/24/2014 --> 88]
REG - [02/14/2015 --> 92]

[samdiegoCPA]

I type up notes for every chapter and then go through all of the multiple choice available to me and incorporate answers into my notes. I usually end up between 10-22 pages of notes for each chapter in the Roger book (between 4-8 chapters). Anything more, I don't think would benefit me.

Because of my extensive notes, I HAVE to type them… writing just takes forever and I write terribly! I am super proud of my notes cus I think they are very organized and helpful.

AUD: 84
REG: 84
BEC: 79
FAR: 83

[samdiegoCPA]

double post

AUD: 84
REG: 84
BEC: 79
FAR: 83

[J]

I did not really take any notes of substance for the first two sections (BEC and FAR)… I might have written a few things in the columns of each module in the Wiley book, but I generally stuck to listening to the Yaeger lectures (I didn't even go through all of them in FAR) and highlighting here and there.

With REG and now AUD, I really changed approach. Most of the tax stuff in REG is straightforward, but I did find myself typing out basis equations and rules, mostly just to reiterate the structure to myself. However, when I started to go over business law (to which I have very little practical exposure), I went through and typed out my own notes. This really helped to memorize important facts and put things into my own words, and more importantly, forced me to review what I consider boring material. I'm doing the same thing with AUD now; given that it's mostly memorization rather than actual calculations, writing my own notes means that I'm at least thinking about it and putting it into my own words. I also know where everything is and can organize it to my own liking.

[Almost Done]

I read the sections and only hand write notes to questions I get wrong in the MCQ's or those that I have trouble with but answer correctly. I scan those notes to PDF, save them on my phone and read them on the train/during lunch or at the gym. I must look like a complete psycho when I read all these hand written notes at the gym. lol. I have almost filled up a second spiral notebook with notes. I find it helps Immensely.

BEC: Passed
REG: Passed
FAR: Passed
AUD: Passed

[RandomAlt]

@Jreuther381 – Haha, I do the same thing. I always scan my notes into a pdf so I have quick access to them anytime on my tablet.

FAR - [10/07/2013 --> 66] [07/07/2014 --> 86]
BEC - [08/31/2014 --> 86]
AUD - [11/24/2014 --> 88]
REG - [02/14/2015 --> 92]

[jpat1980]

For me and perhaps most, studying requires repetition…

I write and rewrite notes as I am going through the MCQ's.. Ill write some general notes prior to working on the MCQs, but going through the MCQs shows me how to understand the terms and methods. I also found it helpful for me to use colored pen… Perhaps color coding topics, or similar situations which has helped me to gain a broader perspective or recognize correlations between the subjects and topics.

IMO, Ninja notes is a great starting point..and from there I add more.

When writing my notes, I use a 10,000 foot view mentality and then work my way down to the specifics. I include all areas, because even though only one or two questions covered a specific problem, chances are I will forget it..so I document it in my notes and with math type questions will show the steps used to solve the problem.

There is too much information to be able to recall it all efficiently, the more times I see it, rewrite it the greater my chance of getting the correct answer.

AUD-68,74,88
REG-81
BEC-75
FAR-71,79
(Primary: Becker | Supplemental: Wiley MCQ's, Ninja Notes)

CFP - passed(3/2013)
(KIER, College for Financial Planning-cffp.edu, Jeff Rattiner Books and Notes)

[TPratt]

I'm huge on taking notes as well…the nice thing about Audit though, is it is very repetitive. You will see a lot of the same concepts sprinkled throughout later chapters, so you may not end up taking as many notes on this one as you think. I took close to 100 pages of notes on FAR, but only about 30 for AUD.

Good luck to you!

REG - 87
BEC - 81
AUD - 80
FAR - 81 AND DONE!!

[Author]

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