[Anonymous]

Hi everyone, I’m taking BEC for a second time in April and I have a question about the written communication portion of the exam. When I took the exam the first time I was expecting to have to address the audience of the memo. But on the exam, the audience is already addressed. I didn’t sign the memo either. Does anyone know if we are supposed to readdress the memo in the body of our answer (i.e. To: The Board of Directors)?? Seems redundant, but who knows what response they expect on the exam. Thanks!

[Poohjure]

Becker says to readdress any information already given to you in the problem. I know that Jeff has an excellent write up about the written communications here: https://www.another71.com/50-things/ Look at question 21.

B - 77
A - 72, 74, 74
R - 88
F - 61

[RedStorm45]

Careful here, you're very close to breaking confidentiality of the exam. With that said, I don't think any of the review courses have actually seen a W.C. I won't go into detail because I may be giving away information from the exam by doing so.

Starting all over.

FAR - 11/27/13
AUD - 1/4/14

[Anonymous]

C'Mon man how can asking (or even answering) whether to readdress the addressee in the written sections be giving away secrets?

In my Wiley test prep it shows the WC already addressed to the intended reader (victim) addressed from a generic CPA student. What the OP is asking is whether in our response we should again write:

To: John Smith (memo) or Dear John Smith, (letter)

and

From: CPA Candidate Dale Carter

I think it is a good question and one I would like to know because I am taking the exam on Monday. My intuition is that if it is already presented, I would not repeat it but I don't want to lose points for it not being there.

[Poohjure]

No where did cc77 cite the specifics of the question he had on the test. The format of the written communications section is described in great detail in Becker 2012, and I'd imagine other 2012 review as well.

B - 77
A - 72, 74, 74
R - 88
F - 61

[Poohjure]

Taken FROM https://www.another71.com/50-things/

Look at question 21

1. Your written communication starts with a thesis statement.

A thesis statement is the main point of the entire memo.

Price elasticity of demand is a confusing topic that causes

many CPA Exam candidates trouble on exam day.

There is your thesis. I spelled out exactly what the memo is

about.

I follow the thesis with a few supporting statements.

Candidates often fail to remember the correlation between total

revenue and demand elastic goods. Similarly, the correlation

between total revenue and demand inelastic goods is also

easily mistaken.

2. The second part of memo is the body. This is where you

support your thesis statement.

It is often very difficult to remember that when demand for a

good is inelastic and the price is raised, total revenue goes

down. Conversely, when demand for a good is elastic and the

price is raised, total revenue goes up. CPA Exam candidates

have trouble keeping these relationships in check and not

getting them confused.

3. Finally, you recap your thesis point with a conclusion.

In closing, CPA Exam candidates often struggle with price

elasticity of demand, but if they can remember the relationship

between total price and elasticity of demand, they will have

success on exam day.

4. This is optional, but I always ended my CPA Exam written

communications with:

Sincerely,

Jeff Elliott, CPA

I wanted the graders to picture me as a future CPA, so I tried to

look the part.

B - 77
A - 72, 74, 74
R - 88
F - 61

[Anonymous]

Haha, I love people who take the confidentially so seriously, sheesh. Its like your about to expose a deadly military defense secret. Careful everyone, big brother is watching in on us. He's just asking a question and its really exposing nothing.

[Anonymous]

CPAwannabe84..it is considered acts discreditable and on top of that it is dishonest. Some of us take that seriously.

[Anonymous]

K, re-read the original question… To expose something concrete from the CPA exam, that is a serious matter and it should be taken seriously. Rather I am saying don't take one self so seriously.

[Anonymous]

Confidentiality???? Go to the AICPA website and take the BEC sample test. I didn't expose anything that anyone couldn't go look at right now.

10. What should I attempt to get out of the Sample Test?

The AICPA recommends that a candidate first review the Uniform CPA Examination Tutorial and then use the Sample Test. The Tutorial provides instruction and a presentation about the CPA Examination, how it works, and what is required of the candidate. The Sample Test allows a candidate to actually use the software and tools that will be available to the candidate during the examination. The combination of these tools will provide the candidate with a good understanding of the tools and techniques required by the computerized Uniform CPA Examination.

[Anonymous]

Ha let the CPA come after me…..here's a question from the 2012 BEC exam…..

Who among those listed below doesn't have to worry about deficit spending:

A. Congress

B. Our Children

C. osama bin laden

D. me

The answer is D. If the AICPA wants to come get me, I reside at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC.

😀

[Anonymous]

When I took BEC I did the following:

1. Address the topic being questioned in the opening paragraph. Such as “The purpose of this memo is to explain the reason elephants are pink”. Maybe one or two sentences.

2. Depending on the topic, I developed two to three paragraphs relating the the topic. In these paragraphs be VERY CAREFUL to read and re-read the requirements of what is being asked. ( Can't say anymore to that effect as it may be giving away too much information.) Two to three sentences per paragraph.

3. A summation paragraph as to what you have just talked about.

4. Always an ending such as “Feel free to contact me should you have any questions or cocerns regarding the content of this memo regarding blah, blah.” And I would give my actual number at work:)

5. Sincerely, best regards, something to that effect

6. Candothis

Whatever Title I may or may not be given in the instructions

I think it worked for me as I found out on 1/3 that I passed BEC.

I am using Becker and this is pretty much what their book says to do.

Hope this helps:)

[Author]

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