[NotAgain]

Hello everyone! I need some advice. The last time I took this exam was back in 2001, fresh out of college. Obviously, that didn’t work out so well (taking 4 exams in two days while working public accounting=friggin impossible), so I’m back. I HATE studying, but I am finally back in the mindset that it neeeeeeeeds to be done to pass this exam from hell!

So I’d like your advice on:

1) What/who offers the best study materials to pass the exam. I’m pretty sure I’m going to purchase the Wiley Test Bank, but other than that, should I also buy the study materials from Becker/Yaeger/Bisk/Roger?

2) What order do you recommend taking the exams? This 18 month thing didn’t exist the last time I took the exam…

3) For those of you in the working world without extra vacation time to spare for the exam—how much time/how many hours did you study for each section in a successful passing effort?

Any help you can give will be HUGELY appreciated! Thanks Everyone!!

[Anonymous]

You sound a lot like me! I graduated in 2001 and took the paper and pencil exam twice (both times without adequately preparing). Getting my CPA license has always been a goal of mine, so I decided I was finally ready to make a commitment last summer.

Here are my recommendations…

1. I think you definitely should use a teaching course. There are lots of concepts that I either didn't learn in college b/c they're new or things that were never covered in any of my classes b/c I only have a Bachelor's degree. I'm using Yaeger and it's been perfect for me. However, people learn differently so I would recommend you also check out Roger. Yaeger comes with the Wiley test bank, however if you don't use Yaeger definitely purchase it separately.

2. I am taking the exams in the order Yaeger recommends which is FAR, AUD, BEC, REG. It's good to start with FAR b/c of the sheer volume of material. With having a time limit to pass, it makes the most sense to start with the section that requires the most amount of studying. There are many differing opinions about this, but this order is working good for me.

3. I would suggest taking 1 section per window. I don't really understand why anyone tries to take more than 1 in a window unless they have no other choice (but to each his own). I'd rather study enough to make sure I pass 1 part than to try to study for 2 parts and end up not passing both.

Good luck to you!!

[NotAgain]

Thank you so much apbandj!! Your response was very helpful. We definitely had the same experience with the pencil & paper exam. The first time I took it I clearly had NO CLUE how difficult the it would be. The second time I stupidly signed up for the May exam, once again, not realizing how bad my first public busy season was going to be!

I was leaning towards the Yaeger study system, but have also heard good things about Roger. I have to say–after seeing your results, I'm leaning more towards Yaeger.

Good luck on BEC & REG! Thanks again!

[Author]

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