[CPAGRIND]

I’ve attempted the CPA three times. BEC, FAR, and AUD. I will admit that I wasn’t prepared for BEC and FAR. I took AUD recently and really thought I did great. I scored a 60. I’m losing motivation. I recently got employed at a great job(industry). Management is great and they keep advising me to continue pursuing the CPA. I know I will need a CPA to advance within the company. I think I don’t know how to study properly. I have Roger CPA and everyone tell’s me its not the best. A part of me doesn’t want to waste time on the lectures. Honestly, I just feel dumb. I don’t know what to do.

Please tell me what worked for you.What was your study plan? I want to pass one section–It’s kind of embarssing. 🙁

[Kay]

I feel your pain. I spent 4 months studying for REG, and had 60 🙂

I had taken 7 exams before passing all 4 exams. My primary study material was Becker, but after failing couple times, I bought Wiley questions, and spent some time doing it. The problem was I didn't have enough time to do many questions (Wiley questions were more difficult than Becker I felt). So decided to stick with becker questions. I kept focusing on doing multiple choice questions. I think I reviewed 3 times. Then I passed exam. In your case, you might want to stick with Roger only, or switch to Wiley and study only with one material. Bascially, each study material covers pretty everything in exam syllabus. Once you master the questions in your study material, you should be in a good shape.

good luck!

Currently:
CPA - Class of 2013
ALMI (Associate, Life Management Institute)
CISA - Passed in 2011, Certified in 2014

In Progress:
ASA (Associate of Society of Actuaries) - EXAM P (O), EXAM FM (O), EXAM MFE (X), EXAM MLC (X), EXAM C (X)

[San27]

Everyone has a different way of learning. I used CPAExcel (pre sell to Wiley) and Ninja MCQ. I loved it because it used all three forms of learning (visual, audio, and hands on with multiple choice and simulations). Additionally, it was structured in a way that most lessons lead directly to the next lesson. By my third test I figured out the exact way I liked to study each section (started off with multiple choice, then read, then watched videos, then did multiple choice again). Every day I would log in and do at least 10 random questions just to see if I was retaining things. I structured my prep to have one week left before the exam to go over everything one more time. You just need to find your learning style. The CPA exam is a marathon, not a sprint. And once you get those three letters after your name, it doesn't matter if you passed each test in 1 try or 100.

All done.

[quittingcpa2013]

Becker isn't idiot proof. Becker makes tons of money off idiots everyday!

Becker is comparable to Apple in the CPA study course world. Overhyped, overpriced, and marketed exceptionally well.

Remember folks… just because you spend more money on study material =/= Pass.

[Anonymous]

You've told us nothing about your actual study habits. I think a lot of people fail their first exam because they aren't fully aware of how prepared they need to be.

One of the most telling things to me in my prep for FAR (my first exam) was learning that the AICPA isn't just testing your knowledge and ability to apply it; they are testing how confident you are in your knowledge and ability to apply it. If they give you two right answers, can you pick the better right answer? If they give you unnecessary facts in the question, do you know the topic well enough to pick them out and ignore them?

Beyond getting really familiar with the subject matter, the only way to develop these skills is to practice answering questions. My guess is that you have not done enough of that. Of course additional study materials, when used as intended, will help, but Becker is also completely sufficient to pass. You just have to be willing to do the work. As much work as it takes. And that is going to vary from person to person. There is no magical line in the sand, where you've studied enough to pass, so if you fail, it's someone else's fault.

[Anonymous]

Step 1. Find out how you learn.

Step 2. Find out which review course utilizes that method of learning.

Step 3. Pass the exam!

You can do it. For some people the exam is a sprint, for others it's a marathon. For me it was a slow train ride through hell.

Good Luck!!!

[Mayo]

“Please tell me what worked for you.What was your study plan? I want to pass one section–It's kind of embarssing. :(“

Embarrassing*

FYI: CPA exam is boring as crap. I still haven't finished all of it….cuz it's so boring. Don't feel bad. But if you don't lock down and study, then nothing will ever happen.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Pray4theCPA]

I'm using Becker. I study about 4-5 hours after work Monday through Friday, maybe taking a day off during the week. Study as much as I am able to retain on Saturday and then drink an unhealthy amount and go out at night. this is followed by sleeping all day Sunday until Game of Thrones. After GOT, I do some more studying to get back into things and start it all over again. I prefer to do the majority of studying during the week to have a less stressful weekend. Everyone is different. just figure out how to get a minimum of 25 hours of study time in during the week.

FAR - 83
BEC - 81
AUD - 74,93
REG - 75

Becker Self Study & Becker Final Review

[tcheney3]

Becker has worked for me so far. The only moderately weak area of Becker is the multiple choice tend to get a little repetitive to the point where I have memorized the answers for some of them. If I ever failed an exam I think I would purchased the ninja MCQ to see some different questions at a low cost.

BEC - 82
REG - 86
FAR - 85
AUD - 84 and I'm out!!!!!
Ethics - 95
In Skynet's Honor:
Act I: Shutdown Skynet and prevent Judgment Day.
Act II: Add a comma and three letters to my title.
Act III: Time Travel and marry a young Denise Richards (and prevent subsequent plastic surgery),return to present.
Act IV: Serve as Successor to Elon Musk as CEO of Tesla.
Act V: Ensure Judgment Day has been stopped. Utopia achieved.

[More_Coffee]

@Pray4theCPA: Ha, Game of Thrones is my study break too. I study all day on Saturday and Sunday, but time obviously has to be made for GoT. 🙂

Also, I agree with what others have said in this thread. I probably wouldn't have purchased Becker if my firm didn't pay for it, because I wouldn't have been able to afford it. Obviously the other courses would get the job done too. It's all about the time you put into it and about how much discipline you have. We all have weak areas… find them and take extra time to make sure you understand.

I always rewrite my notes. It definitely takes some time, but writing helps me remember better. Everyone is different, just have to figure out how you learn best.

REG - 86 (4/11/15)
BEC - 92 (5/29/15)
AUD - 99 (7/23/15)
FAR - 89 (11/23/15) It's over!!!
>> Becker Self Study

[Author]

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