[Keely]

I’m new to this (just graduated in December)…got Becker and am starting to study TOMORROW 🙂 🙂

Is BEC the portion of the exam with Cost Accounting on it? If so, I’m strongly considering taking BEC first. I just had Cost Accounting my last semester of college, and I did really well. However, it took a lot of hard work and long hours of studying. But I feel like the material is somewhat still fresh in my mind, or at least I could relearn it without too much difficulty.

Any advice on taking BEC first? Thanks guys!

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

VA CPA #42010

[Anonymous]

Which is your weakest area?

Tax (REG)? Audit (AUD)? Financial accounting (FAR)? Business Law (REG)?

Pound on that exam first.

Which is your second weakest area?

Pound on that exam next.

Save the easiest for last. You want to cruise into your CPA, not have a heart attack on your final section.

[mla1169]

I agree with taking the most difficult first. Once you pass your first section, the 18 month clock is ticking to pass the other 3 or lose credit. If you were going to fail FAR (for example) and took it first, you haven't even started that clock ticking and have a better chance of passing all 4 in the 18 month window.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[makinthemagic]

I took BEC first and recommend it especially if you are comfy with non-accounting topics like econ and IT. There are only 5 Becker sections so its one of the smaller exams and a lot of the material ties together so it's even less material than you think. But if you aren't comfy with those topics and cost accounting it will be hard.

Bec 4/11/11 91
Aud 7/11/11 75
Reg 8/31/11 80
Far 5/24/11 86
Ethics - 98
California Licensed CPA
Illinois Registered CPA

[Keely]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I understand the starting with your hardest subject first, but…I don't know. Surely I can get them all knocked out in 18 months I would think. I'm not working (and won't be until I'm done with the exam), no kids, etc. All I'm going to do during the day is study. I'm trying to take them Every five or six weeks, except when the testing window isn't open.

My Auditing professor was very adamant that I take the part I am most comfortable with first, give myself some momentum and keep going. I guess there are quite a few ways to go about it!

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

VA CPA #42010

[gns121584]

@keeley I kind of agree with your professor, but also can understand where others say to take your most difficult first. Passing one will make you motivated for the others. I would say people told me to take one of the ones with the most material as my first or second, meaning REG or FAR. Everyone has their own techniques. Good luck to you =)

AUD - PASSED - 84 -(11/21/11)
REG - PASSED - 83 -(1/17/12)
BEC - PASSED - 86 -(2/28/12)
FAR - PASSED - 84 -(5/14/12)
I AM DONE!!!!

[ROACH]

it don't really matter in the grand scheme of things. like you said you're not working and will be studying all day.

i'm taking bec first myself. why? i don't know. my weakest subjust is taxation. i'm taking that last.

i figured once i pass 3 sections my motivation to pass the last is gonna be strong.

so my opinion… go with whatever you think you'll do good in. good luck.

btw bec isn't that hard imo.

BEC: 66 | 69 | 7/23/2013
AUD: 8/28/2013
REG:
FAR:

[NYCpat]

I decided to take BEC first as it had the least amount of material and thought it would be the easiest from my personal perspective.

I understand the idea of taking FAR or REG first so your 18-month clock wouldn't begin until you passed it, but I feel VERY motivated after passing BEC to tackle the next and realize that I will likely have to study more for AUD than I did for BEC.

It would have been less motivating for me to get a 65 or 70 on FAR and feel like I had nothing to show for my first test.

Just my opnion though, as many have said, one person's “beast” is easy for another and vice versa.

BEC - 82
AUD - 65; retake Feb 2013
FAR - April 2013
REG - July 2013?

[MChro12]

I'd probably take REG or FAR first since the scope of those exams is the greatest. Also, what was in your college cost class only covers roughly 20% of what will be on the BEC exam. BEC has a little bit of everything (econ, finance, cost, IT, corp governance)

Reg 77 (Aug 11)
Aud 80 (Nov 11)
BEC 79 (Jan 12)
FAR 80 (April 12)

[Author]

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