[jeff]

I have a question that I hope you can help me with…. I purchased the Becker CD’s and installed them on my PC. I have taken and passed all but one of the exams (BEC left).. I was checking to see if my software was up to date and noticed an expiration date of November 2013.. Does this mean my software ( downloaded from my CD’s) will no longer work after November….or will it no longer be supported but I can still take practice exams and do study questions etc?

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

[Jennifer241]

@MCLKT I have the Roger Cram video's, I am going through them now. It seems for me on difficult topics that I have to watch the video 2 or 3 times for it all to sink in.

Action plan:

Hit area's I like the least first (Cost is first)

1.Watch lectures on difficult area's 1-3 times as necessary for me to “get it”

2.Notes

3.Flashcards on equations

4.MCQ

Rinse and repeat

AUD - Jan 9,13 Pass
REG - Aug 30,13 Pass
BEC - Oct 26,13 Pass
FAR - Dec 4,13 Pass

Licensed CPA in the state of Oregon

[Jennifer241]

@MCLKT I have the Roger Cram video's, I am going through them now. It seems for me on difficult topics that I have to watch the video 2 or 3 times for it all to sink in.

Action plan:

Hit area's I like the least first (Cost is first)

1.Watch lectures on difficult area's 1-3 times as necessary for me to “get it”

2.Notes

3.Flashcards on equations

4.MCQ

Rinse and repeat

AUD - Jan 9,13 Pass
REG - Aug 30,13 Pass
BEC - Oct 26,13 Pass
FAR - Dec 4,13 Pass

Licensed CPA in the state of Oregon

[Anonymous]

@bcjasper09…I'll make you a bet! You passed! You worry too much…I have noticed that those that got 70s in other tests…get 70s..those that get 80s on other parts…get 80s…and those that get 90s on other tests…you got it Mr. bcjasper09…they get 90s..so don't sweat it…Enjoy your time before you head out to California and relax!

Maybe you got an 87..but I would bet not below that!

Bet is on!

[Anonymous]

@bcjasper09…I'll make you a bet! You passed! You worry too much…I have noticed that those that got 70s in other tests…get 70s..those that get 80s on other parts…get 80s…and those that get 90s on other tests…you got it Mr. bcjasper09…they get 90s..so don't sweat it…Enjoy your time before you head out to California and relax!

Maybe you got an 87..but I would bet not below that!

Bet is on!

[Anonymous]

@MCLKT – great to hear from other moms balancing this ridiculous exam and everything else! I have a 5 month old and i'm on the third section and like you said, it def hurts the heart! you can do it all, but with lots of sacrifice…keep reminding myself it will all pay off someday.

[Anonymous]

@MCLKT – great to hear from other moms balancing this ridiculous exam and everything else! I have a 5 month old and i'm on the third section and like you said, it def hurts the heart! you can do it all, but with lots of sacrifice…keep reminding myself it will all pay off someday.

[Anonymous]

I'm joining this study group too. I took BEC in April and failed with a 60, but I know I didn't give myself enough study time and I was also sick the two weeks leading up to the test, so I lost quite a bit of study time there being sick. I did feel like I knew the material, which is why I pushed myself to take the test when I did. So now I'm going to do double studying with studying for both BEC rematch and getting ready for FAR too in August. I have a Wiley 2012-2013 book and Bisk 2013 books that I'm using for self studying as well as the Ninja notes/audio and Blitz.

@aklement – I think the writing portion doesn't really need extra studying, you just have to know the information in order to write the memos.

I'm taking this weekend off from really studying since I just took AUD yesterday (def hoping for a passing score in the release on Friday) and my apartment needs some major cleaning. But back to the studies starting Monday and I really think I need to use the study group this time. I've been lurking around for a while and following the blogs here since I decided to pass the CPA exam this time around.

[Anonymous]

I'm joining this study group too. I took BEC in April and failed with a 60, but I know I didn't give myself enough study time and I was also sick the two weeks leading up to the test, so I lost quite a bit of study time there being sick. I did feel like I knew the material, which is why I pushed myself to take the test when I did. So now I'm going to do double studying with studying for both BEC rematch and getting ready for FAR too in August. I have a Wiley 2012-2013 book and Bisk 2013 books that I'm using for self studying as well as the Ninja notes/audio and Blitz.

@aklement – I think the writing portion doesn't really need extra studying, you just have to know the information in order to write the memos.

I'm taking this weekend off from really studying since I just took AUD yesterday (def hoping for a passing score in the release on Friday) and my apartment needs some major cleaning. But back to the studies starting Monday and I really think I need to use the study group this time. I've been lurking around for a while and following the blogs here since I decided to pass the CPA exam this time around.

[Anonymous]

BEC writing is a killer: there is no source so its all from your memory. I dread those Sims. But fear is my best motivator so I am being extra meticulous in studying the items which they can throw at you. Someone said they know how to write professionally here; don't mean to be a troll, but that is a Fallacy my friend. Here is what worked for me; I combined reviewing notes & sims by banging out 3-5 short memos every morning for review. also blogs or forums on topics help; i will post some later ( yes there are people discussing ERM & Coso for pleasure out there). tell the you are a cpa candidate and want some critique.

[Anonymous]

BEC writing is a killer: there is no source so its all from your memory. I dread those Sims. But fear is my best motivator so I am being extra meticulous in studying the items which they can throw at you. Someone said they know how to write professionally here; don't mean to be a troll, but that is a Fallacy my friend. Here is what worked for me; I combined reviewing notes & sims by banging out 3-5 short memos every morning for review. also blogs or forums on topics help; i will post some later ( yes there are people discussing ERM & Coso for pleasure out there). tell the you are a cpa candidate and want some critique.

[MCLKT]

Sorry 1Bent, I disagree.

To: 1BENTCPA

From: MCLKT

Subject: Professional Writing Fallacy and BEC Written Communication

Date: June 2, 2013

This communication is written in reference to the statement “Someone said they know how to write professionally here; …but that is a Fallacy”. If someone states they have exceptional professional writing skills, that is not a fallacy. A fallacy is a logical argument. While possessing a skill has nothing to do with logic, it is a true/false statement. Furthermore, the Written Communication portion of the BEC exam does not require an exuberant amount of preparation for candidates currently possessing the ability to produce professional memos.

There are specific characteristics to a well written professional memo. The AICPA states ” your response will be graded for both technical content and writing skills”, which includes development and organization. The memo should contain a proper header including the fields “To”, “From”, “Subject”, and “Date”. The second portion of a professional memo is the Introductory Paragraph. This paragraph needs to reference the subject and summarize the purpose of the memo. Following the Introductory Paragraph is the body of the memo which includes additional information and possible examples. Finally, a well written professional memo will include a Closing Paragraph. The Closing Paragraph will summarize the content of the memo and offer additional assistance.

Another concern of a candidate could be the graded technical content. There is no reference material provided to assist in building technical content for the Written Communication. If this is troublesome, the candidate should not focus on the skills necessary to write professionally, rather, he or she should spend additional time studying. Examples of successful study methods include working multiple choice questions, reviewing notes, watching lecture videos or participating in open discussions regarding the CPA exam.

In conclusion, it is not a fallacy for a CPA Candidate to contain professional writing skills. Therefore, it may not be necessary for said candidate to spend a large portion of time preparing for the Written Communication section of the BEC exam. It may be wise to perform a cost-benefit analysis when determining the allocation of time while preparing for the exam. Especially considering the Written Communication section is only worth an average of 15% of the complete score. If you would like to discuss this subject in additional detail, please reach me via email.

Thank you,



MCLKT

CPA Candidate Advisor

mclkt@cpacandidateadvisor.net

lol, sorry, I couldn't help myself!

BTW, I don't plan to spend much time on WC. I will do them for the practice exams and maybe one per chapter.

I'd much rather score well on the MC section, because it is possible to pass the exam and sore a zero on WC.

🙂

A:[73]97 F:[74]85 R:86 B:[74]82
*NINJA 10 Pt. COMBO & Yaeger*

[MCLKT]

Sorry 1Bent, I disagree.

To: 1BENTCPA

From: MCLKT

Subject: Professional Writing Fallacy and BEC Written Communication

Date: June 2, 2013

This communication is written in reference to the statement “Someone said they know how to write professionally here; …but that is a Fallacy”. If someone states they have exceptional professional writing skills, that is not a fallacy. A fallacy is a logical argument. While possessing a skill has nothing to do with logic, it is a true/false statement. Furthermore, the Written Communication portion of the BEC exam does not require an exuberant amount of preparation for candidates currently possessing the ability to produce professional memos.

There are specific characteristics to a well written professional memo. The AICPA states ” your response will be graded for both technical content and writing skills”, which includes development and organization. The memo should contain a proper header including the fields “To”, “From”, “Subject”, and “Date”. The second portion of a professional memo is the Introductory Paragraph. This paragraph needs to reference the subject and summarize the purpose of the memo. Following the Introductory Paragraph is the body of the memo which includes additional information and possible examples. Finally, a well written professional memo will include a Closing Paragraph. The Closing Paragraph will summarize the content of the memo and offer additional assistance.

Another concern of a candidate could be the graded technical content. There is no reference material provided to assist in building technical content for the Written Communication. If this is troublesome, the candidate should not focus on the skills necessary to write professionally, rather, he or she should spend additional time studying. Examples of successful study methods include working multiple choice questions, reviewing notes, watching lecture videos or participating in open discussions regarding the CPA exam.

In conclusion, it is not a fallacy for a CPA Candidate to contain professional writing skills. Therefore, it may not be necessary for said candidate to spend a large portion of time preparing for the Written Communication section of the BEC exam. It may be wise to perform a cost-benefit analysis when determining the allocation of time while preparing for the exam. Especially considering the Written Communication section is only worth an average of 15% of the complete score. If you would like to discuss this subject in additional detail, please reach me via email.

Thank you,



MCLKT

CPA Candidate Advisor

mclkt@cpacandidateadvisor.net

lol, sorry, I couldn't help myself!

BTW, I don't plan to spend much time on WC. I will do them for the practice exams and maybe one per chapter.

I'd much rather score well on the MC section, because it is possible to pass the exam and sore a zero on WC.

🙂

A:[73]97 F:[74]85 R:86 B:[74]82
*NINJA 10 Pt. COMBO & Yaeger*

[JustWannaBeACPA]

@MCLKT – Thanks for posting about writing section.

I have fallen behind with BEC due to my classes and this weekend I am going out of town. Becker has 6 sections in BEC. My goal is to finish the first section and to get at least half way through the second section. GOAL finish all 6 chapters by June 23 so I have a whole week of review. I am off track and need to get back on it!! I gotta motivate myself.

[JustWannaBeACPA]

@MCLKT – Thanks for posting about writing section.

I have fallen behind with BEC due to my classes and this weekend I am going out of town. Becker has 6 sections in BEC. My goal is to finish the first section and to get at least half way through the second section. GOAL finish all 6 chapters by June 23 so I have a whole week of review. I am off track and need to get back on it!! I gotta motivate myself.

[shsh1340]

SeattleAccountant…Thanks!

[Author]

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