[Journey to Fate]

Hi
I’ve taken BEC three times but recently got a 71 with comparable written communication. I’ve also gotten a 69 and 70 with stronger writing. Do you think the writing not being stronger this time around is the four points I was short? Dissapointing because I felt I did really well on the writing!

Aiming for a Q2 retake! Stay focused a71 fam!

BEC- 67, 69

[Good Lordy Me]

You can't compare one BEC to another BEC, I think it is easy to fall into this trap. You might have made one/two grammar mistakes and there you have it. I urge you to treat each and every BEC exam as a stand alone exam. Toss out anything you think you did in the past as far as those results and concentrate and learning the material. Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

I think you are doing comparable to stronger on the written sims, so you should be ok there. I think the MCQs might be the area I would focus on.

The math calculations are where I focused the most. Writing comes easy for me, and the law questions are so random, that I spend less time on those areas. I think I passed because I really worked to understand all the managerial accounting material.

I hope that helps! You are so close! I feel the same way about REG

[wanttochangejobbypassingcpa]

Do you have any tips on how to get points in the writing part. I am very weak on that because it's my second language. Thanks!

[livealittle]

if you are using Becker study guide, watch the written communication lecture. That gives a boatload of pointers.

What I did:

made a list of key words that were in the question – for example, let's say the instructions said you are a supervisor and to write a memo to your staff accountant regarding the capitalization policy. My list would be

Supervisor
staff
capitalization policy
specifics of cap policy (this would have to be given to you in the scenario)

then I would structure my memo around

cap policy is:
so staff accountant you need to make these adjustments/corrections/etc
then, as supervisor, state I am availble for further discussion this afternoon at 3.

the lecture in my review course talked about how important it was to BE the person in the writing they told you to be. if you are the supervisor, then supervise your direct report and give availability to clarify the memo in a meeting.

one thing a college English professor always said when asked how long an assignment needed to be:

It can be a Chihuahua or a Great Dane, it just needs to be a whole dog.

I think the BEC writing is the same way. make sure you answer the writing completely. It doesn't need to be a 500 word essay, but it needs to be complete. when you are finished, re-read for grammar mistakes and misspellings. also read for the incorrect word that is spelled correctly – their, they're, there, you're, your, to, too, two, etc.

good luck.

BEC - 8/8/16
REG - 66, 77
AUD - 81
FAR - 9/8/16

[cwlanders]

If I was you, I wouldn't focus on the writing section. For BEC, I would definitely focus more on the MCQ's since the writing is only 15% of the grade. That is where you will have the most opportunity to raise your score. As long as you can write an intro that restates the question, add maybe one or two thoughts (high level), then a conclusion that reiterates your thoughts and how they answer the question you are fine. You don't have to actually know much material for the writing portion, other than how to put your thoughts together and have good grammar. They are testing your ability to write, not you knowledge on the topic. If you study the material for the MCQ's and feel comfortable writing, you should do well.

BEC - 91 (2/29/16)
AUD- 74, 74

[Author]

Replies