[Anonymous]

Hello,

I told myself that if somehow I managed to pass all four tests first time I would post on here and offer whatever advice I can to those struggling with a specific test. I feel like I have a pretty good grasp on the material needed to pass so if anyone has any questions feel free to ask! I don’t start work for another 2 weeks so I am all ears!

AUD:85
BEC:93
FAR:88
REG:87

[kakooakki]

Congrats, any tips for BEC, took it few times and all my score between 70 and 74. wanna retake it

AUD - NINJA in Training
BEC - NINJA in Training
FAR - NINJA in Training
REG - NINJA in Training

SICK OF HAVING THE CPA CLOUD In my life

[Anonymous]

hello!

@ineedthiscpa45

So AUD was the hardest for me because it was the last one and I was burned out. I actually think it is the easiest test to prepare for though. For Audit I think the biggest thing is to read through the different types of opinions multiple times. Then to understand the different types of engagements. I believe hand-writing each of the different types of engagements and opinions out helps so much so you can see the differences. Also, I think that AUD requires the most work when it comes to MCQ's. I focused primarily on them and only did one or two task based simulations before the test. They are super tricky and going through them multiple times will save you on the actual test. The task based simulations felt super random and I don't think drilling them during preparation would help that much. I used Becker and I 100% believe it is the best way to learn this stuff. If you have questions specifically about Becker I can help with that as well.

Best of luck!

[Anonymous]

@turo9992000

Hello Turo!

My study section broke down as follows: Reg – 2 months FAR – 2 months BEC – 1 month Aud- 1.5 months. I think life-wise AUD was the most difficult because it was my last test. However, material-wise REG was the hardest. The questions were very specific and took a long time to figure out so I was time-crunched. The REG simulations were also more complex than the other tests. If you have any more questions let me know!

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

@tncincy

Hello,

So FAR was my second test and required the most preparation. Unlike the other tests I feel like drilling both MCQ's and TB's is important for this one. While the TB's on the test are totally random I believe you actually learn a lot going through them. I did all of the MCQ's in becker twice and ran through every TB's. I made notes on what I missed each time and went back in the Becker book and reviewed the material. Before the test I reread (skimmed) the book and the notes I had created during preparation. I also drilled MCQ's very hard. I believe doing 40-50 MCQ's every day for the last 3 weeks is crucial. I took a practice test to make sure my time was correct when I would be taking the real test (dont look at the score it dosen't matter – I failed most of the Becker practice tests and passed all the sections). Finally, I know the acronyms are really big when you are preparing but I actually don't think they help that much. You need to understand the topics for this test and not memorize whats going on. All of my friends at school who memorized failed – you need to actually understand the topics (such as leases, bonds, etc.) to pass.

Best of luck and let me know if I can help in any way!

[Anonymous]

@ckcpa18

Hello,

BEC was the most random test I have ever taken. The questions seemed like they were totally out of left field for the MCQ's. The only thing I can say is to drill the MCQ's as much as you can before the test. For BEC I actually didn't do a single TB's prior to the test and received my highest score. The TB's are too random to actually prepare for them. I also think they were the easiest out of all the tests. Also make sure you have the format down on the written portion. I had no idea what the answer was on two of them but received a good grade because the format was correct. I think they are looking at wording/format over actual content.

For REG I think the most important thing is to just do MCQ's until you can't see straight. The TB's help some and are useful in understanding the type of questions that will be asked but aren't critical in preparing. The TB's on the test are way harder than Becker. For this test I read the book once, made notes, did all the MCQ's, and did 40-50 “review” MCQ's every day. Then during review I reread (skimmed) the book and probably did 100-200 MCQ's every day, focusing on what I was missing.

Let me know if I there is anything else!

[Anonymous]

@itooshallpass

Hello,

For AUD to study I just read and reread (skimmed) the book. I think that re-writing all the opinions and engagements and looking at the similarities/differences helps a ton and is one of the most important parts in passing. I really focused heavily on just re-doing all of the MCQ's a million times as I think it helps the most. The AUD MCQ's are the trickiest and require you to go through them a ton to understand exactly what they are looking for. When you get to the actual test go slow through the MCQ's and make sure you are not missing anything. One word in any answer can be the difference between getting it right or wrong. Like all of the other test (besides FAR) I don't think that doing the TB's really helps that much outside of understanding how much time you need to dedicate to them. I wouldn't harp on whether you are getting them right or wrong because the actual TB's on the test will be totally different! I believe that the Becker MCQ's are the reason I passed this section. I don't know much about Ninja/Roger MCQ's but I'm sure they are very similar.

Let me know if you have any more questions!

[Anonymous]

@chitown87

Hello,

For REG at the stage of the game you are at I would say just re-do MCQ's and look at the material that you do not understand. Also, when you get to the test and feel like you are failing do not panic! You are probably passing! The questions are extremely hard and everyone else is getting them wrong too. Just focus on wracking up as many points as you possibly can. The TB's are complex but even if you don't know them put something down! I'm saying this not to freak you out but so you don't give up midway through the test (I know someone that just walked out). This is your first test so it will feel overwhelming but realize that everyone else feels the same way and if you stay calm and focused you are one step ahead of everybody else. I didn't know how to do 3 of my simulations at all and was certain I had failed. I literally just put random numbers on one of them. You got this and good luck!

[Anonymous]

@mccpa

Hello,

So FAR was my second test and required the most preparation. Unlike the other tests I feel like drilling both MCQ's and TB's is important for this one. While the TB's on the test are totally random I believe you actually learn a lot going through them. I did all of the MCQ's in becker twice and ran through every TB's. I made notes on what I missed each time and went back in the Becker book and reviewed the material. Before the test I reread (skimmed) the book and the notes I had created during preparation. I also drilled MCQ's very hard. I believe doing 40-50 MCQ's every day for the last 3 weeks is crucial. I took a practice test to make sure my time was correct when I would be taking the real test (dont look at the score it dosen't matter – I failed most of the Becker practice tests and passed all the sections). Finally, I know the acronyms are really big when you are preparing but I actually don't think they help that much. You need to understand the topics for this test and not memorize whats going on. All of my friends at school who memorized failed – you need to actually understand the topics (such as leases, bonds, etc.) to pass.

Also, I solely used Becker for FAR and all the other sections. I don't know how many hours I devoted but it was a lot. Far takes the most time.

[Anonymous]

@Hamster C

Hello,

For REG I studied 2 months. For FAR I studied 2 months. However, I devoted a lot more time during those 4 months to FAR than to REG. I was in grad school during REG and studied for FAR over summer. So likely it would have taken 3 months to prepare for FAR if I had been in school or working. I've read that there is a time cap on the amount of months you should devote to a test- I think this is totally incorrect. You should study until you feel comfortable with the MCQ's/material.

For REG I think the most important thing is to just do MCQ's until you can't see straight. The TB's help some and are useful in understanding the type of questions that will be asked but aren't critical in preparing. The TB's on the test are way harder than Becker. For this test I read the book once, made notes, did all the MCQ's, and did 40-50 “review” MCQ's every day. Then during review I reread (skimmed) the book and probably did 100-200 MCQ's every day, focusing on what I was missing.

FAR was my second test and required the most preparation. Unlike the other tests I feel like drilling both MCQ's and TB's is important for this one. While the TB's on the test are totally random I believe you actually learn a lot going through them in Becker. I did all of the MCQ's in becker twice and ran through every TB's. I made notes on what I missed each time and went back in the Becker book and reviewed the material. Before the test I reread (skimmed) the book and the notes I had created during preparation. I also drilled MCQ's very hard. I believe doing 40-50 MCQ's every day for the last 3 weeks is crucial. I took a practice test to make sure my time was correct when I would be taking the real test (dont look at the score it dosen't matter – I failed most of the Becker practice tests and passed all the sections). Finally, I know the acronyms are really big when you are preparing but I actually don't think they help that much. You need to understand the topics for this test and not memorize whats going on. All of my friends at school who memorized failed – you need to actually understand the topics (such as leases, bonds, etc.) to pass.

Best of luck!

[Anonymous]

@kakooakki

Hello,

So based on your score it seems like you have a pretty good grasp on the material and are just missing a few key things to pass. I would suggest re-reading the material prior to the test in it's entirety. Also, do the MCQ's like a mad man until you feel comfortable with them and are scoring in the 80-90's (on Becker – not sure how it works elsewhere). When you get questions wrong on the MCQ's go back and re-learn that topic. Finally, make sure you have your format down for the written portion of the test! I think the format is what they really focus on here and not the actual content. Don't practice the TB's. They are not worth your time! I would also suggest doing a practice test to make sure you have your timing correct. Worst thing that can happen is you run out of time!

Best of luck and let me know if you have any more questions!

[kakooakki]

@nick

Thanks for your time.
yes, i think my problem is with the written communication. need to find a good one. any tips on that?
thanks

AUD - NINJA in Training
BEC - NINJA in Training
FAR - NINJA in Training
REG - NINJA in Training

SICK OF HAVING THE CPA CLOUD In my life

[Sunni]

I passed 3 out of the 4 my 1st time. My tips

1. MCQ
2. MCQ
3. MCQ
4. MCQ
5. MCQ

Be sure to know why the correct answer is correct and why the others are incorrect. Also if you see two similarly worded questions with different answers, find out what makes the answers different.

Do not skip GNP for FAR. In fact that is the chapter you should revisit the most since they can be close 50% of the test. Not joking. Took FAR twice and only got a few GNP questions 1st time but the second time GNP seemed to be never ending.

Sims should really only be studied so you know what to expect and how to go about it when you take the test. If you are studying sims thinking that will help you in any other way…. let me tell you something…..

B - 76 A - 76 R - 84 F - 75. Passed by the skin of my teeth!

[Anonymous]

@kakooakki

Yes! Becker TB'S have a great example of the format for written communication!

[Anonymous]

@Sunni

I totally agree that sims should not be focused on for AUD, BEC, and REG. For FAR I could not disagree with you more. I think I would not have received the score that I did without learning them. For topics such as bonds and leases you do not get an in-depth enough understanding to answer the more difficult questions on the test without running through task based simulations. Based on your score I would say maybe you should have looked through a few.

[Author]

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