[Anonymous]

How should I be practicing for the BEC SIMS? Should I be looking at ‘how to write a memo’ and/or finding out the correct answers to the topic on the practice BEC SIMS? Previous takers, what did you do to prepare and how much time did you spend? I know most of the practice SIMS are self graded but I feel like that doesn’t help me “practice” for the real thing… suggestions/comments would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I'm studying for BEC right now and if I were you I would be focusing on your writing skills in general rather than the actual topics because they don't grade you on content rather they grade you on your writing abilities. It's worth 15% of you grade so I wouldn't really worry about it that much.

[Minimorty]

You are graded on both writing skills and content. Those who swear that content doesn't matter are wrong.

If you have Becker, just watch the 45 minute lecture that Tim does on the writing portion. That should be all you need. Focus on scoring high on the multiple choice.

[alh87]

I just took BEC on the 26th. I prepared using yaeger homestudy.The wiley book has 13 WC, all I did was read them over a few times. I did this both nights following up to the exam. My questions I felt were very easy, one of them had nothing to do with any information that I studied for in BEC.

Make sure you have a strong intro, and conclusion. I made sure I had the intro, 2 body paragraphs, and summary of what I wrote in my conclusion. In all the paragraphs I reiterated what they were asking for, and mentioned as many key words that I could.

You are graded on both content and writing, it says so right in the instructions. Also, make sure to go back and reread carefully. There is spell check, but it won't pick on one words that are spelled correctly, but used wrong. Or if you meant to write “for” but wrote “got” instead. It sees this as correct, but in reality it makes no sense, in your sentence.

Budget your time. I left 1 hour for the WC, and time expired as I was rereading my last paragraph.

Hope this helps!! good luck!!

"You must experience failure to appreciate success!"

[Anonymous]

How long do they need to be? Is a few sentences each adequate enough?

[RedRage00]

I didn't practice the Writing SIMS. I studied my butt off with MCQs and then the night before the exam I read all of the WC in the Wiley book just to study the formatting, etc of the memos.

Good luck.

Texas CPA
Licensed, March 2012

[Anonymous]

You don't really need to study for the WC. Just make sure your writing is well structured and doesn't have any typos. And I would recommend a minimum of three paragraphs. I would focus more on doing as much MCQs as possible since they're a whopping 85 points.

[Anonymous]

Thank you : ] – Unfortunately I have CPAexcel and they don't give any “examples” of memos… may have to buy the Wiley book or check it out at the bookstore

[Author]

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