[Anonymous]

Hi everybody,

Just a quick question. Does anyone have experience using Exam Matrix for FAR?

How does it compare to CPAExcel and Wiley software?

thanks so much!

[porschify]

Im currently using Exammartix for FAR and have supplemented with NINJA notes and Roger CRAM because there were some topics that I still did not understand by using Exammatrix. I like Exammatrix because it is “adaptive” and keeps giving me questions on areas that I do poorly in. Additionally, any course that will refund the cost of it if I complete it and do not pass the exam is worth trying, imo.

Compared to Wiley, I think it is much more advanced because of its “adaptive” nature, and I think that the questions are more difficult and give better answer explanations. The questions in Exammatrix teach you the FASB's, and GASB's and are usually referenced in the answer.

I have not taken FAR yet, but am scheduled to take in on 7/18, so we see how it goes. Ive worked close to 5000 MCQ's through Exammatrix thus far.

REG- 81
BEC- 72,76
AUD- 67,88
FAR- 78

Done!

[mopena14]

I am currently using it for FAR for the second time, I believe that it is alright but i have supplemented it with the Wiley Test Bank and Ninja notes. I believe this is working well.

BEC 73, 71, 79 (1/3/12)
AUD 48, 70 (1/31/12), 85 (4/9/12)
REG 70, 61, 77 (2/29/12)
FAR 42, 74 (5/29/12), 80 (7/16/12)
Ethics - 98 (4/20/12)
Officially a CPA (8/9/12)

[LittleMoe]

I used ExamMatrix supplemented with Ninja Notes/Audio and a Wiley book. I don't like the book that came with ExamMatrix but love the adaptive software. Saves a whole lot of time grading yourself and looking up answers. I passed on the first try so I know it is doable. Just hope the same is true for REG!!

AUD 4/12/12 79
FAR 5/29/12 76
REG 8/2/12 82
BEC 8/30/12 72 Retake 10/18/12 76!!! DONE!!!!
ExamMatrix, Wiley Books, NINJA notes and audio
LICENSED ALABAMA CPA 11/30/12

[Anonymous]

Thank you for your input. The adaptive software is definitely a huge draw, as is a “change of scenery” during re-study mode. My plan is to watch all of Roger's lectures, create summary sheets, re-write NINJA notes, and do at least a sampling of questions in each topic before drilling my weakest areas. I got a 72 last time, and believe that not practicing enough problems definitely was my downfall, as hard as that is to admit. Live and learn 🙁

Porschify, good luck on your 7/18 exam.

[Roxwella]

I like the ExamMatrix system a lot actually. Ive used it on both my exams and supplemented it with some ninja notes/audio and some Wiley. The issue that I encountered with some of the Matrix questions is that they pull from the CMA and other exams in order to demonstrate topics covered on the CPA. Ive found these questions to be typically harder than whats on the CPA, but occasionally lead to confusion due to differences in naming of formulas or describing situations. But, if you understand and identify these exceptions, the system is great. Ive found doing 100 question sessions helps 75 seem easy.

In contrast to Wiley, Matrix has a better guiding system, which helps me focus the last week or so. It has numerous customization options for study sessions and its visualized scoring, though simple, kinda makes me want to make 100% (whatever that means to them). The book, cover to cover, is nonsense. But, if you read how they describe the study process, the book is a fall back instead of a starting point. As you go through the problems they link to anything from a few sentences to what might be a full page in a textbook, they typically describe all you would need to understand to solve the problem. The book has well written “mini” sections that describe distinct topics in a seemingly random order (which I believe is a technique to prevent resale. I believe that the software also expires a year after its activated). Every so often they suggest you print a reading list with page numbers based on specific topic sections you miss often and review the sections in the book. More than anything though I feel like Matrix gives the best explanation of a problem, and gives it to me randomly, which seems to work for me.

[Author]

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