[oldercandidate21]

I use Roger and my approach has been to 1. Watch the lectures, and take rough notes as I watch. 2. Read the chapter. 3. Do the homework using my notes and the textbook as a guide. 4. Retype my notes in my own words. 5. Move on to the next chapter.

Note that I don’t commit the material to memory. I just make sure that it makes sense, and all of the relevant info is in my notes. I do this until I’ve gone thru the entire course material. Then I like to leave 2-3 weeks for a final review. My review approach consists of 1. Study my notes (one chapter at a time) and commit the material to memory. 2. MCQ and Sims in the text book without the aid of my notes. 3. Software MCQs. 4. Then I do step #2 again…. Also during the 2-3 week of review I will walk the dog by myself and try to recall in my head all of the material for the exam.

Does anyone have a similar approach? if so what were your results? Or does anyone find this to be an inefficient way to study? I appreciation all thoughts.

FAR - 75 November 2015
REG - 69 April 2016 (WTH? Test I got isn't what I studied for)
BEC - 81 June 2016
AUD - TBD

[okcpa2015]

My advice is to add MCQs right away. MCQs are the easiest way to validate if you understand the topic or not.

The goal is to complete AICPA MCQs when you tested, so use the same method to learn the material. That was my approach.

FAR - 91
REG - 88
AUD - 98
BEC - 88

[Ginja_CPA]

My approach so far has been to read the CPAExcel book, and then bust out MCQ for the next 3-4 weeks.

It seems to be working well for me, but I hate videos so get nothing out of sitting down and watching them.

REG: 80 (02/19/16)
AUD: 83 (04/11/16)
BEC: 78 (05/28/16)
FAR: ?

[MrHopeful215]

My approach as far as studying was same as yours, but I always did multiple choice after reviewing the topic and the day after to make sure I didnt forget. It is awesome that you can take as many notes as possible, but with such a large amount of material it is impossible to remember what you wrote without actually applying it and thinking the questions through logically. That is just my opinion.

AUD - 82
REG - 78
BEC - 78
FAR - 76

[oldercandidate21]

@MrHopeful215 I agree that it is a large amount of material. That is why I take notes on every chapter. There is no way that I could review by skimming thru the entire text book again. I take this approach to ensure that I covered everything. Then I essentially cram for a couple of weeks. This is when I commit the material to memory..

I literally look at my notes (about 3-6 pages per chapter) and memorize every concept that was covered in the MCQs. I'll do this for maybe 3-4 chapters. Then I'll do about 90-100 MCQs over those 3 chapters. I repeat this method until I've reviewed the course material in it's entirety….

FAR - 75 November 2015
REG - 69 April 2016 (WTH? Test I got isn't what I studied for)
BEC - 81 June 2016
AUD - TBD

[Anonymous]

@oldercandidate21 I think your study and review methods sound very solid.

My method was similar to Ginja_CPA's – I read through the Wiley books (now CPAExcel books I believe), cover to cover except the MCQs, then I worked MCQs from all sections to reinforce and solidify the concepts. I didn't have a formal memorization stage, but the way my mind works, rote memory has never been my strong suit. I'm better at a deep understanding than a word-for-word memory. So for me, working lots of problems helped me make sure I understood the concept well enough to apply it in any situation and if I struggled with a concept, I'd review it to figure out how to apply it in the future. Memorizing my notes or portions of the book specifically as a memory exercise never worked well, but reading them and focusing on understanding them doing MCQs till I was confident I understood did lead to successful passing.

[Martin]

Lilla and Ginja, so you guys read the whole book without pausing to do MC questions or simulations, and then after you are done reading the whole book, you practice MC as your final review?

Through God all things can happen!

“You never fail until you stop trying.”
― Albert Einstein
When I was young, I used to admire intelligent people;as I grow older, I admire kind people.
“Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.”

FAR= 72-84
Audit= 73-82
BEC= 74-75
Reg=77

[Author]

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