[gr8dane]

Just curious what other peoples methods are for handwritten notes? I use becker to study and their chapters are laid out in outline fashion which is the same method I used to take notes in college. I’m finding it hard to take notes on each chapter without writing the whole book down. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

BEC - 78
AUD - 91
REG - 80
FAR - Nov 26th 75 I'M DONE!!!

[kandisjoy]

I used the Ninja notes and just made additional notes as needed on there, although I made most of my notes on note cards. It helped me to keep my notes clear and concise and provided an excellent study tool.

FAR: 71, 77
BEC: 70, 82
AUD: 62, 78
REG: 71, 68, 85

CA Licensed 11/2011

[Veronica75]

You know, I thought the same thing – I'm also using Becker. I only write down pass keys and pneumonics that I need to actually memorize. Then when I answer homework questions, I write down notes on anything I miss, even if it's just a phrase or a list of things I need to keep “straight” in my mind.

Good luck!

FAR - 79 (2x)
AUD - 81 (expired), 77!
REG - 74! omg (3x) 87!!!!!!! I'm done! OMG!
BEC - 81 (4x)

[kandisjoy]

@Veronica – I also wrote down anything that I got wrong. I spent hours taking practice exams and then reviewing every single question (even those I got correct). I'd write down the correct answer for any that I got wrong or that I wasn't sure about. It helped a lot!

FAR: 71, 77
BEC: 70, 82
AUD: 62, 78
REG: 71, 68, 85

CA Licensed 11/2011

[Minimorty]

I went through Becker and highlighted and wrote down only what I was told in the lectures. Other than that, no written notes for me. Waste of time.

[kandisjoy]

Wasn't a waste of time for me Mini… It all depends on how you learn. I learn by writing so obviously taking notes was essential for me.

Mini's just a genius, don't use him as a realistic example. 😉

FAR: 71, 77
BEC: 70, 82
AUD: 62, 78
REG: 71, 68, 85

CA Licensed 11/2011

[Minimorty]

Yeah, I should have been more clear. Waste of time for me. I know a lot of people love writing and rewriting notes. I just don't have the time, patience, or energy for that.

Ha! Definitely not a genius. Gifted? Maybe. Genius? No. 😛

[jamesjohnson11]

Depends on how you learn. I realized in college that I don't learn from writing things down. I sit and study and repeat it to myself. I write down some things but I don't go crazy with writing everything down that I see.

R PASS
A PASS
B PASS
F AUGUST

[katiekanton]

I'm in Mini's camp. I didn't start writing notes until I got questions wrong or became confused about topics. Then I write down those things I'm having trouble with. Otherwise I WOULD'VE written down the whole book.

AUD - 88
FAR - 90
REG - 85
BEC - 88

[KalaB]

@gr8dane

I'm the EXACT same way. I'm finding it so challenging right now to manage my time between questions and notes. To try and answer the questions without writing up notes, is pointless. But writing up my notes is insanely time consuming and giving me hand cramps. lol. It's incredibly effective because I feel like I'm retaining the information well, but I'm pretty much rewriting the entire book. I've got to knock out two chapters this weekend for Reg, so I need to come up with a plan B.

[Taxi Cow Tent]

I didn't spend a lot of time on notes, handwritten or otherwise. I did type up some key formulas, mnemonics and some items that were especially tricky and I felt like I could only learn them my memorization (learning the actual concept is key to passing but some of that stuff just needed to be memorized in my case). Other than that, I did over 1,200 MC questions for each section and I suggest to anyone else to do the same. There is no substitute for MCs. Period. I wouldn't get bogged down in note taking.

FAR - 11/10 - 84
REG - 2/11 - 89
BEC - 5/11 - 80
AUD - 5/11 - 83

[HustlinHustlin]

Good, so I'm not going crazy here! I'm using Becker and feel the exact same way. It must have taken me 8 hours just for notes on F1 and F2 just to bomb the MCQ's. I think I am going to switch to skimming over my lecture notes in the book and relying on the MCQ's and flashcards, then making flashcards for everything I need to solidify!

It's funny how you can go to school your entire life and not know the best way to study. But for me, flashcards got me through tax law and I'm learning more and more that they work best for me. Not to mention they are conveniently portable for working out, car rides, and sneaking in some studying during work.

So new study method starts tonight with F3. Wish me luck and happy studying!

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)

[mla1169]

I never took notes for FAR, BEC or REG but I swear I never would have passed AUD without them. I didn't handwrite them (long story but I don't write anything except my signature) but typed them over and over and over again.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Yvonne570]

I can't read my writing. So I have been jotting them down – yes (in pencil) but typing areas that I struggle most in – outline.

AUD - Passed:)
FAR - Passed:)
REG - Retake TBD
BEC - Missed by 3 points Retake TBD

[hopefulcpa28]

I didn't write notes earlier, but now it's the only way I understand stuff. It's very time consuming, but so far it's been effective.

[Author]

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