[Amay]

I feel like I am wasting too much time watching the lectures, taking notes, and then moving on to the HW questions section by section. My test is the 16th and I still have not covered IT and Operations Management, although I have gone through once the rest of the topics (halfway done with B5 – Economics). Should I change my strategy at this point and skip the lectures and just copy the E-book notes and then do MCQs, but once I’m done writing notes for each chapter? Pleas advice. Thanks!

BEC: 73, 81
AUD: 85
FAR: 71, 77
REG: 74, 75...finally DONE! 😀

*This is my 2nd attempt at the CPA exam. For all of you who have failed this exam many times, given up on it, or taken a break like me, remember that it is still possible to finish what you started...failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently 🙂

[Anonymous]

Hmm,

Since your test is so close, I would focus your time on the topics most likely to be tested. The problem with IT is that it is so vast, that what you study or haven't studied will probably not be tested anyway. If I was you, I would have a strong understanding of COSO, Variances, CVP analysis, project evaluation/selection (IRR & NRV). Those areas are prime for test questions for all angles. Give IT a few good reads take some notes of flowcharts/what different roles do & segregation of IT duties. That should be enough for you to prep for IT related questions.

Honestly, if you haven't already, buy Jeff's notes and use that as an outline of “what's most important” and study those topics from your book. It will save you time.

Good luck!

[I'm, Ron Burgundy?]

I agree with Dutkas on this. I would focus mostly on doing MCQ's until you are sick of doing them and then do some more. About a week before my exam I started re-writing my notes and scribbles into a more organized form and for some reason everything started coming together. BEC is the test where the devil is in the details. You can know all of the formulas but they will trick you in the wording of straight up questions and that's where the re-writing of notes gives you an edge. But if you are on a time crunch, MCQ's are the way to go.

Side note: Don't rush yourself with this or you will stress out, become sleep deprived, worn out, lose motivation and ultimately not perform to your optimum level on test day. Is there any way you can push it back another 2-4 weeks? Or is your NTS about to expire? It's only $35 to re-schedule and perhaps that extra 2 weeks will give you the cushion you need. Small price to pay over another re-test fee.

I recommend scheduling your exam for a Monday morning at 8 am. Thursday night before the test study like normal then at about 10 PM close your books and notes and say to yourself that you are done looking at them for the rest of the weekend. Then relax all weekend. Wake up refreshed Monday morning at about 6 am, take a walk outside, come home, eat a light breakfast and GLANCE over your notes. Then go in there and kick the s&*t out of that test!

BEC is a bastard, I've tried knocking it out 3 times now, I shall find out in 4 weeks whether or not my 3rd attempt was successful.

"If you're going through hell, keep going"
- Winston Churchill

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed."
- Michael Jordan

BEC: (54), (72), 80 (losing credit on 02/02/15 - nervous)
AUD: 78
REG: (74), 91
FAR: (71)

[Anonymous]

I agree with the above posts. I would say to concentrate on the areas you KNOW will be heavily tested- that way you have those covered really well. I can't really speak to what you strategy you should spend most time on, as everyone is different. I am a visual learner and get more out of watching lectures and reading the text than the MQ qusetions. But, you may be the other way around. It is all up to you. Just whatever you decide to do, stick with it if it is working- adding more stress to your studying strategy is the worst- especially so close to your exam.

Good luck!!!

[Amay]

Thanks for the input guys. What I have been doing with some of the chapters is writing the emphasized notes in little 4X4 note cards, that way I am re-writing the important items right after the lecture (I also take good notes watching lecture) and then I can flip through them when I review. Maybe I will just finish my B5 lectures tonight using my previous method and for B4 and B6, instead of watching the lectures, I will write notes on the most important topics as noted on the e-book and do my little note cards. By Thursday I should be ready to continue doing MCQs like crazy which should give me 5 solid days of MCQs before exam day.

I have never been good with taking the practice exams, but I will make it a point this time to take it Sunday, that way I can focus on any weak areas until day of exam.

@JaredSchultz42 My exam is at 3:30pm, and yes it is the last day I can take it as my NTS expires…I should definitely not study that day right? Maybe some light reviewing in the morning? What do you guys do on exam day? I am seriously thinking about going to get a facial or massage in the morning to relax. LOL.

BEC: 73, 81
AUD: 85
FAR: 71, 77
REG: 74, 75...finally DONE! 😀

*This is my 2nd attempt at the CPA exam. For all of you who have failed this exam many times, given up on it, or taken a break like me, remember that it is still possible to finish what you started...failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently 🙂

[Author]

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