[jeff]

Trying something new …

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

[mrwills12]

@vt7

I have similar feelings about Becker. I think the questions in Becker's homework/final exams are definitely harder than what is on the exam. I dont think the AICPA scales down your scores purposefully. I wouldnt make much sense to scale it down because the pass rates arent that high to begin with.

FAR - 88 (Jul 2012)
AUD - 85 (Oct 2012)
BEC - 82 (Nov 2012)
REG - 92 (Jan 2013) DONE!

Using Becker Self Study 2012

[Annie]

@mrwills12 What a relief! Glad to hear that. I hope my exam would not be like the #2…by the way, how was your written communication portion of the exam? Did you think it was manageable? I have done nothing to prepare for it besides just reading the answers for the simulations Becker provided. Did you do anything for WC before taking the exam?

[mrwills12]

@happykcho

To be honest i did not think the writing portion was that bad. I did not practice when my writing simulations… To study for that i would just formulate what i was going to say in my head and then read what Becker suggested. I did that because i feel like i can BS my way through writing. Plus it is only worth 15 points on the exam which i know are huge and can make or break you but you still need to get 60 points on the MCQ in order to receive a passing score, so i studied those. The writing portion was pretty easy very basic knowledge things. I did take AUD and FAR before this exam so i used terminology from what i learned from those tests. However, you could answer the memos without any knowledge.

I would say hammer out as many MCQ as you can if you feel competent in your writing skills because you can pass BEC without the written communication. If you are using Becker i would follow their advice and study the first 3 chapters pretty heavily.

Good luck with your exam hopefully we both get a perfect 75

FAR - 88 (Jul 2012)
AUD - 85 (Oct 2012)
BEC - 82 (Nov 2012)
REG - 92 (Jan 2013) DONE!

Using Becker Self Study 2012

[Annie]

@mrwills12

I consider myself an average writer but it takes a relatively longer time for me to write a memo, which makes me concerned. Also my lack of BS skills is another reason that I'm concerned lol I guess all I can do at this point is to keep beating MCQs since my exam is in two days. Thanks for sharing your experience. It was very helpful. Hope we both get the magic score! 😀

[Anonymous]

Oh man, you're right. Test 2 is harder. I got my fanny kicked! 71, 62, 58. Ouch!

Kids were screaming and I kept having to get up to mediate. I ran out of time and was exhausted before the end. I'm going to review like crazy and say a prayer. I think I got COSO now but internal audit tripped me up.

I need to go duct tape these boys to a tree…hopefully some neighbor kids will come take them somewhere. Eek!

[mrwills12]

@happykcho

It did take me a while to write the memos. I dont think that 15 mins a piece for them like becker says is enough time. I think i left myself with 1 hour and 15-20 mins for the memos and i barely finished on time. I did not get to review my writings very thoroughly, which i would have like to do more. I think you should shoot for at least an hour or more to be spent on the written portion. Dont under estimate how much time it will take

FAR - 88 (Jul 2012)
AUD - 85 (Oct 2012)
BEC - 82 (Nov 2012)
REG - 92 (Jan 2013) DONE!

Using Becker Self Study 2012

[mrwills12]

@happykcho

Just remember the written portion is not really testing your knowledge of the subject. It is just testing how you formulate a memo and seeing if you can write in a professional sounding tone. As long as you are somewhat on topic it really does not hurt you (at least what becker and the AICPA state). Keep that in mind. If you are using becker i would just watch their video about the written lecture to refresh yourself about what they are looking for.

FAR - 88 (Jul 2012)
AUD - 85 (Oct 2012)
BEC - 82 (Nov 2012)
REG - 92 (Jan 2013) DONE!

Using Becker Self Study 2012

[Anonymous]

What is your thought on, if you are completely lost in a certain topic in the writing portion, stating in the memo what you do know and then suggest that they hire a consultant specializing in that area? Perhaps offering to refer them to someone.

I could see contacting a specialist in IT, for example. While I know the five objectives of COBIT or could possibly go a little deeper into one of the specific objectives, I am not a specialist with regards to batch processing or IT security issues. So would offer to refer them to someone who specializes in that area.

I guess it would be admitting weakness, but would also directing them to someone who will be able to assist.

Thoughts?

[supervisor]

@happykcho

Not sure if anyone answered your question about the square root function on the calculator, but there is one!! I learned that from Cindy Simpson while reviewing my lecture. Wished I knew that when I took BEC for the first time!!

BEC 10/13 PASSED 77
AUD 04/12 PASSED 83
FAR 08/12 PASSED 76
REG 02/13 PASSED 76

Licensed in PA on 12/23/13. Yea boy!!

[Annie]

@mrwills12

That's exactly what I thought. I don't think 15 minutes are enough time for me to finish a memo. I'm planning to leave at least one hour for the WC portion hoping my MCQ sets would take me less time than usual. I'm going to re-watch Becker's WC lecture today. Thanks for your tips!

[Annie]

@supervisor

Thank god the calculator has the square root function! I was worried what to do if I get a question asking me to calculate something that relates to square root lol Thanks for letting me know 🙂

[KJAX]

@AnnaNuthaCPA- A coworker of mine said he had no idea what the answer was to a WC so his response was.

” I am not prepared to discuss this topic at this time, however, I would be more than happy to discuss it at our next meeting in November.”

Not that I recommend that… just thought it was humorous!

I took BEC right before Thanksgiving and found the WC's to be very straightforward. I think if you have a general idea you can BS your way through the rest. Good luck tomorrow!

AUD -8/2012- 84
BEC -11/2012- 76
REG-5/2013- 81
FAR- 10/2013 - WAITING TO FIND OUT IF I GET MY LIFE BACK!!!!!

"Push your limits... then watch them back down."

[mrwills12]

@KJAX

That is exactly what i thought of the Writing portion as well. I thought they were straightforward, now i could see if there were a couple FAR or AUD or REG written sims it might be harder to write something. Just like i said in my previous post, if you go by what Becker and the AICPA say, the written portion is not really testing technical competency as much as it is testing writing ability/structure. I wouldnt suggest you say that you arent prepared to talk about it because that for sure wont get anywhere lol

FAR - 88 (Jul 2012)
AUD - 85 (Oct 2012)
BEC - 82 (Nov 2012)
REG - 92 (Jan 2013) DONE!

Using Becker Self Study 2012

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much for your advice.

I retook the second test and got an 83, 95, 83. I'm still missing some of the COSO questions but am feeling much stronger all the way around.

I guess I'll rework test one and get some sleep. I'll pop in to the test experience thread when I get out tomorrow. Have a great night everyone!

[Author]

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