[Natsu]

Well, ironically, I got Another 71 on BEC… I looked at the score sheet and noticed that they scored me as “weaker” on written communications. This is my 3rd time taking BEC and I’ve score stronger, weaker, weaker, respectively. From my understanding, the written communications is solely based on sentence structure and grammar and not based on the accuracy of the information. While not the greatest writer in the world, I have basic writing skills. I really don’t understand how I could possibly score low in this respect, twice. Any help would be appreciated, as my study guide does not provide a lot of help in this respect.

In addition, time is also running out for me at my current job and I need to pass two parts in the next test window (in the middle of busy season). I know the smart thing would be to study for BEC again in Dec and take it early January, but I have Reg scheduled first week of January. Should I flip Reg and BEC? Keep in mind that I will have more time to study in December then I am going to in January. Thank you all for the help, it’s nice to have such a great community to support you.

[lswang]

1. The written communication portion is not based solely on grammar and sentence structure. I believe when you go in for the exam it tells you that it's based on grammar and on your knowledge of the actual content.

2. If you're this close to passing, I'd study hard for a few weeks and retake BEC. And I'd focus on practicing multiple choice questions since the written portion is only worth 15%. The written portion I was able to do well on just by making sure my sentences are coherent and by throwing in a bunch of related key words.

FAR | 81 - July 21 15
REG | 66 - Oct 1 15 | 87 - Jan 7 16
AUD | 90 - Oct 29 15
BEC | 86 - Nov 25 15

[TheHoundThatRides]

1) Use as many keywords from the prompt whenever possible.

2) Maybe keep your sentence structures simple. Don't try and get all elaborate.

3) Plug your weaknesses in the other parts of the exam.

4) I got a “stronger” in my score. I didn't know the EXACT answer to one of my prompts and I was completely clueless about another one. But I still tried to relate them to concepts I knew from the material.

5) Did you remember to structure it like a business letter?

BEC - 78 (August 2015)
FAR - 80 (November 2015)
AUD - 73, 67. (Ok I gotta confess I was even more lazy this time around)
REG - August 27th, 2016

[EuroAddict]

@thehound

I agree with this. I dropped as many key words as I could in BEC writing. I would say don't be too wordy. I am basing that on the examples in backers review. Their writing examples were short and to the point.

-----------------------------
BEC - 77, 03/2015 (first try)
FAR - 79, 05/2015 (second try)
REG - 83, 12/2015 (first try)
AUD - 84, 03/2015 (first try)

I got 99 problems but the CPA ain't one.

[Natsu]

Thank you for all the replies. I will try to use more keywords. I definitely need to review some examples because I think it's in the format of a business letter but maybe what I consider a business letter might differ from what the CPA thinks is a business letter. Do you guys have thoughts on moving to REG or trying BEC again? As I noted before I have more time to study in December, but I need to shoot for 2 this window regardless

[EuroAddict]

Tough call on what you should study. What I did was FAR then started studying BEC while I was waiting on my score from FAR. I didn't pass FAR (73 the first time) but by the time I found out I was 3 chapters deep into BEC. So I just kept studying BEC. Passed that in March and retook FAR and passed that in May.

-----------------------------
BEC - 77, 03/2015 (first try)
FAR - 79, 05/2015 (second try)
REG - 83, 12/2015 (first try)
AUD - 84, 03/2015 (first try)

I got 99 problems but the CPA ain't one.

[MOAC]

It depends how much you have studied so far for REG. If you're just starting then go for BEC. If you're already around half way then I would suggest keep studying.

As far as WC is concerned, you need to use some technical knowledge of the question as well. If you structure it properly and use some adequate knowledge (does't have to be 100% correct but relevant to the topic) you would be in good shape.

FAR May 2012 81 (lost credit, didn't sit for other sections.)
FAR 86 Aug 2015
AUD 85 Nov 2015
BEC 84 Dec 2015
REG 78 Mar 2016

Passed ALL sections in first attempt!!

[Anonymous]

@ Natsu English is my second language and I don't even able to talk English fluently but I did all my study in english medium (not in USA).
So for the written communication I had 45 minutes and I focus on the basic structure like intro, body and conclusion in all my three wc.
I had some idea for only one of my written communication , I tried to use the related words like for risk word beta and so .
and for the rest of two I copy paste from the question in intro and conclusion and for body I put some basic stuff .

I studied with Yaeger and for all the financial and cost part CINDY is awesome , so I suggest you to buy yaeger cram , I also used youtube video for costing part that is variance by varun jain , if you have any difficulty with the variance go and watch his video you never forget the variance till you exam.
hope this help and yes for written communication Introduction and conclusion, someone in this forum specifically wrote it down and I copied exactly the same on my exam. thanks to him.

[hasy]

I would consider myself a decent writer and I was surprised that I got comparable in WC. So I think reading a lot of examples helped. Looking for the type of structure for a memo and an email. Also seeing how a certain topic is answered. I think that WC are more like bonus points, it seems that you should definitely brush up on the topics you scored weaker on.

I invested so much time in the topics and for WC, I only spent barely an hour to read examples and see how they wanted the question answered. So you should focus your efforts in MCQs…. before they add TBS in BEC.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

-

BEC 80 (10/23/15)
FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
REG 52 (4/28/15)
AUD (9/9/16)

Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

[Warm]

Hi,
I had the similar experience. Failed BEC with 72. The report was confusing: only one part is weaker (which is 14% of the exam).WC are weaker too. No surprise, English is my second language. After reading the report- first, I decided to concentrate on multi choice and leave less time for WC.Now, i have second thoughts after reading the Report FAQs where an applicant did not pass BEC with all parts being “comparable” except WC.

FAR 83 (lost credit)
AUD 88
REG 83
BEC 73 , 79

[sar_rah]

I say just work harder on nailing the MCQs. I didn't get a score report since I passed, but I definitely made it to 2 ‘harder' testlets…which caused me to run out of time. After panicking and rushing through the 2nd half of my 3rd testlet I made it to my WC's with 22 minutes to write 3 memos (I don't recommend that for your mental sake…I walked out in tears). There is NO way I scored too many points on those though. Each one just had an intro that stated “The purpose of this memo is…” where I then copy and pasted the prompt they gave me. A few sentences in the middle which probably didn't make much sense. And a one liner conclusion saying “If you have further questions, don't hesitate to get in contact with me”. I timed out on my 3rd memo, and walked out 100% sure I bombed.

I don't think I did ridiculously well on the MCQs, but making it to the harder 2 testlets must have gained me a hefty amount of points to make up for my less than stellar memos. Focus on MCQs! I couldn't have gotten any more than 1/2 credit on my WC…

AUD: 98
REG: 91
BEC: 86
FAR: 83

DONE DONE DONE and DONE all on the first try! It IS possible, just keep on studying!

[Author]

Replies