[Anonymous]

Hello everyone,

I’d like to hear from the people who didn’t buy a full review course. What was your alternative strategy for passing the CPA exam? How would you rate your strategy? (What did you use to study? How long?) What were your circumstances? (employment, family, etc)

[Minimorty]

Why put yourself at a disadvantage by not purchasing a full review course? Have people passed without using a full review course? Of course. In fact, mIa passed a section without even paying for any review materials (she used cpareviewforfree). That being said, it puts you at a severe disadvantage. Its not worth the money saved. I suggest you buy a full review course.

[Anonymous]

I'm considering all my options and definitely don't want to put myself at a disadvantage. That being said, I'm a new college graduate and that means two things 1) the information should be easy for me to recall without much effort (which I would assume could potentially eliminate the need for a full review of the material/lectures) and 2) I'm broke. I've read a lot of posts from people who say that they didn't get much out of their lectures and they learned more from pounding MCQs. So, I'm a little hesitant to spend all of that money. I don't want to put myself in a position that would lead to me being under prepared either. I was thinking of just buying the Ninja notes, Ninja flashcards, Wiley software and book.

[Minimorty]

That is probably not a bad way to go since you are tight on funds. I would consider the Wiley book and software a full review course. Also remember that a lot of what is on the exam was probably not covered in your classes. You would have had to take a ridiculously broad range of courses. Don't be afraid to whip out the credit card. Remember, this is an investment in yourself.

[Anonymous]

I'm sure there will be topics covered in the exam that my college classes didn't cover extensively. I'm just afraid that I'll get video lectures and it will teach me a bunch of memorization tactics that I won't be able to recall during the exam. I need to really know the concepts and understand them. This is kind of where I'm torn, can I really learn new material by myself? Agh, decisions. I need to order SOMETHING this week, lol

Thanks for the tips!

[Anonymous]

I took Reg back on June only using the Wiley book at a total cost of $35-$40. I passed with a 79 but since that time I started using lecture program. I just found that I needed some more structured guidance and I found that I stayed on task a lot more if I knew I had lectures that I needed to review and take notes on. Since going the more structured route my scores have been 89, and 87.

Not sure how tight of a budget you have but I would recommend at the bare minimum the wiley test bank. I go through the MCQ's a lot quicker using the test bank. Not to undercut Jeff's business but I got a great deal through amazon for the book and test bank combo for somewhere around $120.

[Anonymous]

@dporter – When you were just using the Wiley book and test bank did you find it hard to go through the book and “teach yourself”? What lecture material did you end up purchasing?

[D]

EELCPA- a close friend of mine chose to study without lectures (which saves you a ton of money), and since she was fresh out of school she felt the lectures were overkill. She studied with the book only and did nothing but multiple choice questions, and passed all 4 parts in 8 months. If you feel like you can be motivated enough to just study with a book and multiple choice test bank, by all means go for it. Just be sure you understand the logic behind each question/answer (right and wrong).

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AUD - 74, 77! (1/2016)
BEC - 80! (5/2016)
REG - tbd (8/2016)
FAR - tbd

Study materials: NINJA MCQ/Audio/Notes

"I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me!"
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[Anonymous]

Please don't be cheap when it comes to studying for the CPA exam. Just buy whatever you need. It will cost you a lot more having to keep retaking the test because you didn't have the proper review materials.

[nextstopCPA]

I've used full review course but not the expensive ones. You may find that saving here and there may be efficient but not effective for some parts. Then you will find yourself shelling out more money to supplement what you already have. But do what you think will work best for you. At a minimum, Wiley Book and Testbank. I prefer Gleim multiple testank. Very challenging but great practice. Be sure to learn the concepts and not just correct answer when practicing MCQs.

FAR Passed
REG Passed
AUD Passed
BEC Passed

All aboard, this train's leaving. Next stop, TBD!

[Anonymous]

@CPAMan – In my book: Accountant = Cheap! Haha, I'm kidding. I didn't really think I was being cheap, I'm willing to spend whatever it takes. Determining what I “need” is my biggest issue. Isn't it more about the effort you put into studying the current material you have over what material or how much material you buy? What review ended up working out for you?

[regina6]

Hi EEL! Long-time lurker, but I had to join to throw in my two cents. I passed all four parts on the first try in two testing windows (Oct 2011-Feb 2012), and I only used the Wiley book and the Gleim MCQ test bank. The main reason was that I didn't have the time or the funds to invest in sitting through lectures. The other reason was that I graduated with my master's in December, and all of that information was still fresh in my brain. You're right – you'll pick up on concepts (even those not covered directly in your classes) much more quickly now than you would five years from now.

I spent about a month before each section, studying for 2-3 hours after my baby went to sleep each night, plus a couple additional hours on weekends. Ended up with a 96 on AUD, 87 on BEC, and an 84 on REG and FAR.

So I spent a total of $190 for all of my CPA exam review materials. If you're able to pace yourself and keep yourself motivated, it's definitely doable. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

@EELCPA- I was just saying that you should buy whatever you feel you need to pass. Don't hesitate. Take it from someone like me who learned the hard way, lol.

[Anonymous]

@EELCPA

I didn't use the test bank for my first section, it was all book (not fun).

I ended up getting Yaeger but like a true tightwade I purchased it second hand for Aud for about $120 and about the same for FAR. I won a free wiley test bank key here on this site that used for FAR.

For my last section (BEC) I'm just going to use the test bank and book.

Hope that helps.

[Anonymous]

@Regina – Thanks for sharing your story! That definitely gives me a little more confidence that I can do this without spending an arm and a leg.

@CPAman – Thanks for your advice! That's why I post questions like this so I can get feedback from people who have been there and done it 🙂

@nextstopcpa – Good point! I was thinking about buying Roger Review which comes with all the Wiley materials. So if I were to start out with just buying the book and test bank and then later have to supplement with his lectures (you have to buy the entire review) then it's like I'd be paying for material I already have.

Basically what I'm gathering is that yes I can do it with Wiley and a test bank as long as long as I practice good study habits. I'm also hearing that I may not want to chance it because it could end up costing me more money than I wanted to put towards the exam and materials. I think I'd better be safe over sorry.

[Anonymous]

@dporter – Yes, that does help! 🙂 Did you start your exams straight out of college or did you start working first?

[Author]

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