[Anonymous]

Hi all,

This will be my first time studying/taking the CPA exam. I think I’m going to start with BEC, then move to FAR, AUD, and finally, REG. I’ve already bought all 4 parts of Becker so I’ll be studying mostly from that?

For those who have used Becker, how did you study? Watch lecture, circle/underline as necessary, then hw questions? Do you take your own notes?

Also, I’m thinking about getting either the Gleim or Wiley test bank as a supplement to the Becker….any suggestions as to which one I should get? How does each compare to the actual exam?

Any other tips and tricks would be greatly appreciated!

[HustlinHustlin]

Welcome! I also am going through my first round, so though I may not have credible advice – I have learned a few things. I can totally understand being lost – I have been studying FAR since October and since I never really had a set plan or found a system I am three weeks away from the exam and behind. Here are a few things I have learned:

– Give yourself enough time to study, but not too much time. One of my problems is I studied the first chapters several months ago and they have dissipated from my memory. Becker can set you up on a self study plan, but it is usually garbage that assumes everyone is capable of doing 2 chapters, mcq, flashcards, sims and a quiz every week. Some can, but personally I am a slow learner and take it about one chapter a week, maybe 2 for the easy ones.

-Go section by section in each chapter, it helps to differentiate the mathmatics in each topic.

-Take notes! When you are reading and on any MCQ you aren't totally sure of. They will help in your final review.

-Mostly, have a goal per week, and reach it – no matter how miserable it makes your life. It will feel so much better to be ahead of schedule than behind.

After FAR I have 5 weeks for AUD and I am excited to actually start with an idea of how to go about studying. Good luck!

B 71 - 79 EXPIRED
A 69 - 75 EXPIRED
R 65 - 48 - 45
F 56 - 61 - 65 - 64

Becker, Wiley Test Bank, Wiley Text and Ninja Notes

"The fish who keeps on swimming is the first to chill upstream" -311

Experience - Done, like WAAAY done.
Still need 30 more credits, in basket weaving (gotta love new CA requirements)

[Givemesleep]

My advice is to play the powerball and hope to win before starting this process. It's a nightmare.

Reg 11/15/2011 - 80
Aud 02/28/2012 - 81
Bec 05/31/2012 - 78
Far 08/31/2012 - 83 Do you believe in Miracles, YES !!!

CPA License received 10/2012 !!
CFE License received 04/2013 !!
EA License received

Givemesleep

[Anonymous]

I am using Becker for my test. The first time I sat for all four parts and the second time for FAR, I didn't use anything but Becker. I didn't take notes, I didn't use Jeff's Ninja notes just half way prepared. After failing 5 times I said F this! and since then I have gone 2 for 2. This is what I have done and hopefully it will work for FAR when I take it on the 14th and also REG when I take it on 2/25:

1. Buy Jeff's Ninja Notes – the notes are really good and they have a lot of tips in them

2. Do not highlight – when you are watching the lectures, get out a big ol' notebook and take notes. It will commit to memory a lot better

3. Do all lectures – this is something that most people probably don't do but I watch and take notes on all the lectures first. If I am struggling with a concept then I may do more MCQ than what is in the lecture. After all the lectures are complete, I read my notes along with the Becker notes and Jeff's Ninja notes for one lecture and then do the MCQ for that one lecture and then move on

4. Do not beat yourself – by this I mean, make sure you have a plan and you stick with it. Yes you may have to miss a friend's party or something but going 6 months hard core is better than half way for a year and then finally deciding that the CPA is a top priority

5. Save your lunch money – instead of going to lunch with your buddies every day try to stay in your office and study for that hour. A lot of websites are blocked at my office so I spend more of that hour studying and less of it looking at random, unproductive sites

6. Do not panic – when you get to test day and every day before test day never ever ever say to yourself ‘I don't know what I am going to do if I fail' that applies unnecessary pressure. Trust me!!

Hope this helps some!! Just remember you have to find what works for you. What I do won't work for everyone!

[misanthrope87]

I'm also using Becker and this is what I've been doing : 1-Watch lecture 2-Read the section 3-Do the HW. After I do that for all chapters once, I repeat numbers 2 and 3, but study the HW more and do weekly refreshers for the older chapters. I also revisit topics a 3rd time if they're giving me trouble. I also utilize Wiley online testbank a couple of weeks before the exam as a supplement. I personally find taking notes way too time consuming. While I go through my 2nd overview of the chapters, I jot down facts that I have trouble remembering, and go over them a couple of weeks before the test.

For the real test, I suggest not spending too much time on MCQs. If you don't know a question at all, just do your best and move on. On the SIMS, utilize the research tool as much as time permits for any SIM you are unsure of.

B 2/12 87
A 11/11 90
R 8/11 86
F 5/12 88

[Anonymous]

I have been using only Becker and Becker Final Review.

My process is this: 1. Watch all lectures for Topic 1 (A1) ; 2. Do all Homework Topic 1 ; 3. Repeat 1/2 for the remaining topics ; 4. Read and make notecards for Topic 1 (reading and notecards involves basically copying the book onto notecards…takes forever but is worth every second) ; 5. Do Final Review Lecture and Homework for Topic 1 ; 6. Repeat 4/5 for all topics ; 7. Complete step 6 by 1 week before exam – Last week before exam = Progress Tests and Review Notecards (my notecards + Becker notecards)

I do the Becker Final Exam 1 a few days before the test and Final Exam 2 the day before the test.

Good luck!

[Author]

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