[SeattleAccountant]

Guys and Girls,

When you wake up today, I wish you to see beautiful passing scores! Good luck and keep all posted!

Becker Class of Jan - Aug 2013: FARB DONE!!!!
CPA license pending 🙂

[MCLKT]

Little# – too funny! Can he help tutor you on AUD and you can tutor him on REG? Surely you have already thought of that.

I'm 3 for 3 now with my new study technique. It's time consuming and has taken an immense amount of dedication, self discipline, and quite frankly, a lot of pissed off “CPA Exam won't get the best of me” energy.

I made up my mind and passing the exams became my new life's ambition. I barely even care about actually being a CPA and serving the public anymore. If that were my only motivation, I would have quit after my 74, 73, 74 record. Now it's become about winning. I just want to attack this exam, prove I can do it, and get the hell on with my life.

My technique now is:

First, watch the lectures and take notes for each chapter. This takes about 2 weeks or so (While working through this, I listen to the NINJA audio for whatever chapter I am currently on, or have most recently finished. I only listen to the audio during down time, in the car mostly.)

Second, Rewrite the notes for one chapter and do the homework from the text book. Start my Fact Nugget book. Write down 1-2 sentence summary of any question I guess on, get wrong, or don't quiet understand. Repeat for each chapter. (As I work through these chapters I continue to listen to Audio. I also carry my Fact Nugget notebook around at all times and constantly reread it.) I also start an equation/mnemonic notebook for the concepts that are heavily repeated in the MCQ/SIMS.

Third, take a practice exam. This is the first time I use WTB. I use the results as a gauge for what I need to focus on. Also, review the missed questions and make fact nuggets for them all.

Fourth, Begin final review. Review each chapter, beginning with my weakest area. I read the Ninja Notes for the chapter and write in anything I know will help. Like mnemonics or little tricks I have made up to make stuff stick in my mind. Then I use the WTB to work through 24-30 MCQ practice sessions one chapter at a time. Also working 1-3 sims at a time. Continue to write fact nuggets. I stay on one chapter until my I'm scoring 80+.

Fifth, take another practice exam. And basically just repeat the above. This is usually when I create flash cards just for quick reference and easy way to quiz myself.

Last. I go through all of my notes. Create additional flash cards for anything I struggle with or seem very important. I also create my “brain dump” sheet. Which is basically a summary of quick reference mnemonics and equations on one page. Just so my brain can see it all. And on exam day it will be easier to write pieces if needed.

Basically, I write out the same stuff over and over and over again. As fact nuggets, flash cards, notes, brain dump, etc.

On exam day, sometimes I write it out on the scratch paper (or whatever we call it) and it is very helpful. Some of the things muscle memory has set in and I just automatically start writing TAISO… or whatever.

I don't know if this all makes sense, but it really is what I started with my AUD retake and has worked for me. YMMV 🙂

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

[littlenumberrobot]

Wow!!! When you say homework question from textbook you mean ones ya ever provides? Are there a lot?

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[MCLKT]

Yeah, Yaeger assigns homework, so those are what I start with. They will include all of the topics that are “most likely” to be tested.

That's the only time I use the text questions. After the first round I pretty much put my book away and just use WTB and notes. I go back to the book if I'm struggling with something though.

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

[Anonymous]

@littlenumberrobot Came on here to see if you passed, I'm sorry you didn't 🙁 AUD is your beast and REG was my beast. I'm a former auditor, so I totally get where your boyfriend is coming from with REG and I can understand why AUD is difficult for you.

Keep at it! Each time your score is going up. I took REG 3 times last year to finally pass on my last try. I have been where you are, thinking you are done only to find you, nope, still have one more to go.

I have to say, even as a former auditor, I found the NINJA notes extremely helpful in organizing all the necessary information in a way that truly helps you understand the concepts.

I say go for it in July, while it's still fresh.

I KNOW YOU CAN DO THIS.

Side note: Still not officially a CPA yet, just waiting for CBA to issue my license number, any day now!

[littlenumberrobot]

Hey DesperatelySeekingChupacabra! Thanks for checking back. And thanks for the words of encouragement. I am sending off my wonderful $50 to CBA today to get the ball rolling. I'm going to dive right back in. Maybe start back up next week and aim for late July. I have NINJA notes and plan to rewrite them like crazy. I've got in my habits to listen to NINJA audio while doing my hair and makeup in the mornings lol. Plus adding videos from a cram course I think will help me. I've passed the other without videos, so this just might be what I need.

Wow, you are still waiting for your license?! Didn't you finish in December? Yikes, but hey at least you are free from studying. 🙂 Hope it happens so. This whole process has taught everyone patience if nothing else LOL

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[Anonymous]

@littlenumberrobot Well I took a break and didn't take the PETHOL until March and then there was an issue with my fingerprints not going through, but now my packet is complete, all fees are paid.

The CBA take a long time to cash the checks, so I'm guessing I have a week or 2 more before I get my license number. Can't wait unil I can add those 3 little letters to my title!

I think you've got a great study plan in place and I know you are going to get it this time around!

[Anonymous]

Littlenumberobot what review material are you using? Yaeger?

[littlenumberrobot]

Hi Adamdenton1. I was using Roger, but am pretty set on buying Yaeger Cram. Any advice?!

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[MCLKT]

@Seattle

Do my eyes deceive me????

Is that a 96 I see!!!!????

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

You totally earned that score, I know your help was essential in my passing score 🙂

I bet the 96 makes it worth the wait 🙂

Good job Study Buddy!!!

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

[SeattleAccountant]

@MCLKT,

Funny, I thought my hearing was faulty as well! I've asked twice over the phone thinking maybe it was 86 🙂

Now, waiting for the printed out “proof” that should come sometimes during this month.

Thank you for all the warm comments and encouragement, it really helps and especially, appreciate meaningful discussions and interactions that took place shortly before our exam – it was very productive time!

But, give yourself FULL credit for passing b/c while others goofed around, you were here either discussing relevant REG issues or studying! It was fun session, hoping to see similar in BEC although you are way ahead of me and will be done much sooner. Thanks again, off to BEC we go 🙂 Let's do it and enjoy summer!

Becker Class of Jan - Aug 2013: FARB DONE!!!!
CPA license pending 🙂

[MintsRGood]

Amazing score Seattle!!!!!! Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂

REG: 75 DONE 🙂
AUD: 61, 71, 68, 92 DONE 🙂
BEC: 76 DONE 🙂
FAR: 72, 74, 79 DONE 🙂
Licensed Michigan CPA 🙂
-Some people dream of success...others wake up and work hard for it!!!
-The cowards never start and the weak die along the way!
-You better work, b***h!
-Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.-JFK

[Tncincy]

Wow SeattleAccountant,

Great scores….I'm getting a study adrenaline rush…..if I can only get a 75. two more correct answers and you would have got a 99. Please send he score Gods my way. Simply Awesome

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[J]

@littlenumberrobot – I know nothing about the Yaeger Cram course but I did use the 2012 Yaeger course for AUD (it's not that long – 19 hours and you can put the speed at 1.3 or 1.4x without missing much) and highly recommend it. Obviously you would want to go with the 2013 edition given the clarity standards that are being incorporated into the test, but Gary Bulmash is excellent. He gets you right into what you really need to know for the exam. His style is different – he skips through most of the book and spends half the time on MCQ and simulations, but it works if you stick with it.

My experience with AUD is a class that I took 3 years ago to meet the educational requirements to sit for the CPA; I ended up with a 97 and much of the credit goes to Yaeger and specifically Gary Bulmash.

[littlenumberrobot]

@InterFC1 good to know! Thanks. Yeah the cram is only 8 hrs. I bought the new Wiley book also. I'm shooting for 99 (but would be more than happy with 75!)

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[MintsRGood]

@LittleNumber The Wiley text was the only book I used for my successful audit attempt!!! If you go through that dry, boring, awful, but comprehensive book and take detailed notes, do every question and sim when prompted, read every auditing standard when prompted, etc. you will kill it!!! 🙂

REG: 75 DONE 🙂
AUD: 61, 71, 68, 92 DONE 🙂
BEC: 76 DONE 🙂
FAR: 72, 74, 79 DONE 🙂
Licensed Michigan CPA 🙂
-Some people dream of success...others wake up and work hard for it!!!
-The cowards never start and the weak die along the way!
-You better work, b***h!
-Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.-JFK

[Author]

Replies