[jeff]

Resources:

Free Study Planner + BEC NINJA Notes (Economics): https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-study-plan/

BEC Exam Experience: https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/bec-exam-experience-official-thread

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS) | Another71 | NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE

[sdgh1826]

@I Want My Life Back 10.12

I was also comparable in the WC, hoping to have been Stronger on that portion though. Got a 100% on the Becker simulations so I was “how could have I written a better memo” when I got my score report. Jumping 19 pts in your AUD ret-take is awesome! What did you do to improve that much? I hope to integrate that strategy after scoring a 70. Thanks.

Becker 2012, NINJA notes

[I Want My Life Back 10.12]

@ sdgh1826 –

Thanks! 🙂 I was completely stunned when I got my 89 haha. I actually still have a print out of my score at work so I can look at it occasionally 🙂 The first time around I watched all the Becker lectures, did all the MC and simulations. I was crushed when I received my 70… I thought for sure I would pass as I have been working in Audit in Public for 5 1/2 years and now in Internal Audit for a large corporation. After I got over the heartache I decided not to watch the lectures again and just read through the chapter, redid all the MC and I took typed notes of the all chapters. I then used only my typed notes to review, highlighting them and writing down additional notes. I didn't really focus on reviewing the sims. I would really recommend focusing in on Chapter 3 and 4 of Becker, the Engagement Acceptance and Evidence. Tim Gearty says these chapters make or break your score and I think he's right!

To be honest though… I didn't really feel like my knowledge of Auditing changed drastically between the 1st and 2nd time I took the exam. I do feel a lot of this exam comes down to the luck of the MC questions or simulations you get from one time to the next. I felt much more comfortable with the simulations I received the second time.

Each time I took Audit I did take a 5 minute break before starting the simulations, went to the bathroom, had a snack and some water, just to clear my head. If you have time, I really think this helps to get you focused and not run out of steam at the end.

Best of luck, you'll get there!! 🙂

REG - 72 (Oct 2011), 74 (May 2012), 80 (July 2012)
FAR - 77 (Feb 2012)
AUD - 70 (Aug 2012), 89! (Oct 2012)
BEC - 71 (Dec 2012), 75!(Feb 2013)

[SeePeeAyy]

Finishing up reviewing B1 today, a lot easier seeing the material the second time around. After reading the chapter and taking notes on pretty much everything, I understood it way more and did a lot better on the MCQ.

Hows everyone's review coming along?

[MRSJLeon917]

I really do NOT like BEC :/ Test is on Saturday and I don't feel anywhere near prepared enough

AUD (5/25/2012): 91
FAR (10/22/2012): 89
REG (11/28/2012): 89
BEC (01/05/2013): 82
Ethics Exam: 90

IL Licensed CPA - 7/15/2013

A long journey, officially DONE!

[SeePeeAyy]

@ MRSJLeon917

But you will be done forever!

I really wish I didn't listen to all the BS hype about BEC from people. “its so easy” “its a joke” I wouldn't say its as hard or as much volume as FAR but I wouldn't call this test a joke..

[terpcpa]

Test scheduled this Friday, the 4th. Feeling pretty good about most sections EXCEPT B2. All the cost accounting formulas and what not are stressing me out on Becker. I hate how the MCQ and solutions are so complicated and hard to understand.

BEC - Passed
REG - Passed
AUD - Passed
FAR - May 2014

[MRSJLeon917]

@SeePeeAyy – I really hope i will be done forever!!! I definitely agree though – this test is not a joke. I will admit, I scheduled it last because i thought that it would be easy. Boy was I wrong!! I am just hoping for a 75 at this point.

AUD (5/25/2012): 91
FAR (10/22/2012): 89
REG (11/28/2012): 89
BEC (01/05/2013): 82
Ethics Exam: 90

IL Licensed CPA - 7/15/2013

A long journey, officially DONE!

[Anonymous]

I am taking this exam in a few days as well! I really don't feel prepared either. The holidays kind of messed me up. I just hope I can somehow get a 75!!

[Anonymous]

I am scoring well in everything except for B2 and B3. I guess I'll spend the next few days on those chapters.

How do I prepare for the writing section?

[vt7]

Test is scheduled on Jan 8th. I am stuck on ch 2, I hate Becker's mcq for ch2. I redid ch1 and have been stuck on ch 2 for 3 days now. I just keep getting the mcq. I understand the formula/theory per the book & my notes but Becker's mcq just complicate it so much that it confuses me on what I already know.

I am really worreid/freaking out. I feel like I wont have enough time. (I failed BEC on 10/31 with a 70). Anyone have any tips for ch2? especially the budgeting & analysis part. I dont really understand the manufactorying overhead variance analysis. Should I just move on to the next chapter so I wont waste too much time? I have re read the book, taken notes a few times. The first half of ch 2 (Forecasting & Projections) I am ok in , its the second half mcq that I find so hard to understand.

What are your thoughs for BEC ch 2? how heavily is ch 2 tested on exam?

[todd6414]

VT7,

I couldnt agree with you more. The variance analysis has caused me the most problems. Just when I think I figured it out I get one wrong. Becker should take baby steps in teaching that subject, they jump right into figuring rates with the standard allowed and bla bla bla. Write down A BA BS A and really learn what those letters represent. Ive made progress with it for sure. Im also testing Saturday. Took 2 100MCQ progress tests and 2 40 mcq progress tests this weekend. When I was confused about one I right down the number and when I review I make sure I learn the concepts I was questioning and the ones I got wrong. This really helps put in all together one concept at a time. Also Chap 6 has a ton of different information which I breezed through last time and did see a few questions on the exam from 6. Hope this helps, I hate my life right now, please Saturday PLEASE!

Todd

[Anonymous]

Can anyone help or explain the difference between relevant and irrelevant costs? My assumptions thus far are that:

1) Relevant Costs (Avoidable Costs) will change and will NOT be incurred when selecting a different alternative

2) Irrelevant Costs (Unavoidable Costs) will not change and are incurred during any alternative option

I keep getting confused in the MCQ's for these type of questions and the answers include fixed overhead and/or fixed costs as Relevant Costs. Why????? Wouldn't they be Irrelevant Costs because they are Fixed and will always be present in either alternative?

If someone can help me, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

[sdgh1826]

Relevant costs – they change as a result of selecting a different alternative. Management has some control over these costs. These costs are associated with the decision.

Ex. Incremental costs (out-of-pocket/additional), Opportunity costs & other controllable costs.

Irrelevant costs – can't be changed, all in the past

Becker 2012, NINJA notes

[Khalidq]

I took BEC on 12/8, failed with 71, lot of calculation questions which delayed me getting to written portion, I used CPA Excel and none of the questions on actual exam were even remotely close to previous exam questions. Will take again at the end of February I only have two tries to pass this exam and I want to take my time so I get it right this time. I am still trying to figure out scoring math, I scored below other candidates in planning and written only still I failed while I was stronger on corporate governance and Economic and on par with others. Also if I see three or four questions on IT how does that weight transfers to 15% to 19% of the exam, I think there is secret negative curve and certain passing candidate number once that is reached everyone else fails and it changes with each testing and reporting period, that is why AICPA is not very forthcoming with scores and how they are calculated and weight assigned.

[nbad311]

I rescheduled for 1/19. 🙁

I'm still not feeling comfortably confident and this week at work turned to chaos over the weekend.

Prometric wins again!

REG - 65, 70, 80!
BEC - 35, 62, 79!
AUD - 73, 75!
FAR - 65, 73, 70, 75! DONE.

[Author]

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