[Last Chance CPA]

I don’t find the value in writing notes, because it takes too much time. I would rather spend all that time studying the textbook or doing MCQs.

I am using CPAExcel and WTB.

What’s the benefit in writing all those notes, and then reviewing them?

FAR - 76
AUD - 75
BEC - 75
REG - 76

Now I need some experience!!! And some networking...

[Zaq]

I've gone through phases where I would read an entire page, flip the page, stop, then think to myself, “Wait, what the hell did I just read?” Your brain can see words on and easily decipher them, but just reading (or hearing) does not translate into comprehension.

Note taking helps with the comprehensive aspect of studying.

And as Jeff said, why not?

FAR: 50, 76!
REG: 74... (ouch baby, very ouch), 76!
AUD: 65, 91!?
BEC: 80! Aaaand doneskies!

May 2012 to August 2013. Can't believe it's over.

[barelystayingsane]

I'm a big proponent for writing notes. Like everyone else has said, it's a big reinforcement tool. With that being said, I had a friend who used CPA Excel, and I don't blame you for not wanting to write notes for those textbooks. There's a lot of extraneous information in CPA Excel. If nothing else, just write down fact nuggets on the questions you get wrong like someone up above mentioned.

[barelystayingsane]

I'm a big proponent for writing notes. Like everyone else has said, it's a big reinforcement tool. With that being said, I had a friend who used CPA Excel, and I don't blame you for not wanting to write notes for those textbooks. There's a lot of extraneous information in CPA Excel. If nothing else, just write down fact nuggets on the questions you get wrong like someone up above mentioned.

[RandomAlt]

@barelystayingsane – What you suggest is part of what I do when I am using my method.

When I am taking notes on my MCQ sheets, I am looking for common themes among the questions. If I seem a theme pop up often, I make a separate note about it.

FAR - [10/07/2013 --> 66] [07/07/2014 --> 86]
BEC - [08/31/2014 --> 86]
AUD - [11/24/2014 --> 88]
REG - [02/14/2015 --> 92]

[RandomAlt]

@barelystayingsane – What you suggest is part of what I do when I am using my method.

When I am taking notes on my MCQ sheets, I am looking for common themes among the questions. If I seem a theme pop up often, I make a separate note about it.

FAR - [10/07/2013 --> 66] [07/07/2014 --> 86]
BEC - [08/31/2014 --> 86]
AUD - [11/24/2014 --> 88]
REG - [02/14/2015 --> 92]

[NYIACCT89]

Everyone has their own study methods and should do what works best for them, but I actually agree with O.P. – I don't take detailed notes, rarely anything more than the notes the Becker lectures instruct you to take.

However, I do have the Becker flash cards (which I bought to save the time of writing my own!), and do write my own flashcards for information that I've found important to know for the exam (after going through MCQ's/SIMS) that are not covered on the flash cards.

I find going through flashcards is a better exercise for my brain than writing notes (where I am just trying to write everything down as quickly as possible).

FAR - 7/1/13 - 98
AUD - 8/31/13 - 94
BEC - 11/23/13 - 89
REG - 1/13/14 - 86

Study Materials:
Becker - Online Course and Flash Cards

[NYIACCT89]

Everyone has their own study methods and should do what works best for them, but I actually agree with O.P. – I don't take detailed notes, rarely anything more than the notes the Becker lectures instruct you to take.

However, I do have the Becker flash cards (which I bought to save the time of writing my own!), and do write my own flashcards for information that I've found important to know for the exam (after going through MCQ's/SIMS) that are not covered on the flash cards.

I find going through flashcards is a better exercise for my brain than writing notes (where I am just trying to write everything down as quickly as possible).

FAR - 7/1/13 - 98
AUD - 8/31/13 - 94
BEC - 11/23/13 - 89
REG - 1/13/14 - 86

Study Materials:
Becker - Online Course and Flash Cards

[Anonymous]

I'm with the OP on not seeing much value in notes for myself. I would say, as others have, that the key is to find what works for you…and as Jeff said, if what you're doing isn't working, what might work better? So, if you've been spending hundreds of hours taking notes, maybe it's time to ditch the notes. 🙂 But if you've been skipping notes, maybe give them a try?

Myself, I'm not good at taking notes. And it seems pointless. The information is written in front of me – why write it again? I know it is very useful for others and I'm not doubting that…but for me, there's a mental block. If I force myself to take notes, I get way too detailed – 2 pages of notes for 1 page of material type of “way too detailed”. When I had lecture-only classes in college, my notes were usually the bullet points from the PowerPoint, with doodles and random facts that interested me for no reason. (Like, if it's a class on demographics and statistics, and it uses real life examples, then I'll write down “79.3% of families with dogs have golden retrievers” or something else which has nothing to do with the class but interests me personally.) So, I never even tried notes with the CPA exams. So far, I'm 3 for 3, and 3 days out from a test that I'm feeling very unprepared for. If I fail REG, I can't blame notes…but I don't think they would've helped me, either.

However, the key isn't taking notes or not taking notes, or using pre-written (Becker, NINJA, etc) vs your own – the key is finding out how *you* are best able to learn and retain the information necessary to pass the exams. I found my “key” for 3 of them, and I'm hoping it'll unlock a 4th…but if I hadn't found that key, I'd be preparing for my 3rd window testing without a pass. Cause…I've seen what works great for others and how they passed, and it would've left me hoping for a score that at least seemed close! (Like, Becker – very lectures based. I suck with lectures-based stuff. Pretty sure I would've failed with Becker…not because Becker isn't great, cause it is, for a lot of people, but just because Becker doesn't suit me.)

[Anonymous]

I'm with the OP on not seeing much value in notes for myself. I would say, as others have, that the key is to find what works for you…and as Jeff said, if what you're doing isn't working, what might work better? So, if you've been spending hundreds of hours taking notes, maybe it's time to ditch the notes. 🙂 But if you've been skipping notes, maybe give them a try?

Myself, I'm not good at taking notes. And it seems pointless. The information is written in front of me – why write it again? I know it is very useful for others and I'm not doubting that…but for me, there's a mental block. If I force myself to take notes, I get way too detailed – 2 pages of notes for 1 page of material type of “way too detailed”. When I had lecture-only classes in college, my notes were usually the bullet points from the PowerPoint, with doodles and random facts that interested me for no reason. (Like, if it's a class on demographics and statistics, and it uses real life examples, then I'll write down “79.3% of families with dogs have golden retrievers” or something else which has nothing to do with the class but interests me personally.) So, I never even tried notes with the CPA exams. So far, I'm 3 for 3, and 3 days out from a test that I'm feeling very unprepared for. If I fail REG, I can't blame notes…but I don't think they would've helped me, either.

However, the key isn't taking notes or not taking notes, or using pre-written (Becker, NINJA, etc) vs your own – the key is finding out how *you* are best able to learn and retain the information necessary to pass the exams. I found my “key” for 3 of them, and I'm hoping it'll unlock a 4th…but if I hadn't found that key, I'd be preparing for my 3rd window testing without a pass. Cause…I've seen what works great for others and how they passed, and it would've left me hoping for a score that at least seemed close! (Like, Becker – very lectures based. I suck with lectures-based stuff. Pretty sure I would've failed with Becker…not because Becker isn't great, cause it is, for a lot of people, but just because Becker doesn't suit me.)

[Last Chance CPA]

Thanks all.

@Lilla – I agree with you. I will never be able to use notes for the value they provide because of the sheer amount of time it takes, and the biased information that I will most likely jot down, instead of value added stuff.

@RamdonALT – I have been using WTB. I dissect each question thoroughly, read the entire explanation, and spend as much time as needed to understand problem/solution. I should start printing and taking notes for each question as well. That would be value added…

Let's see how round 2 goes for FAR -> Nov 9th!!!

FAR - 76
AUD - 75
BEC - 75
REG - 76

Now I need some experience!!! And some networking...

[Last Chance CPA]

Thanks all.

@Lilla – I agree with you. I will never be able to use notes for the value they provide because of the sheer amount of time it takes, and the biased information that I will most likely jot down, instead of value added stuff.

@RamdonALT – I have been using WTB. I dissect each question thoroughly, read the entire explanation, and spend as much time as needed to understand problem/solution. I should start printing and taking notes for each question as well. That would be value added…

Let's see how round 2 goes for FAR -> Nov 9th!!!

FAR - 76
AUD - 75
BEC - 75
REG - 76

Now I need some experience!!! And some networking...

[Anonymous]

i only write notecards for formulas or key journal entries that you need to know. i also try to write them from memory after ive studied a section instead of just copying it from the book

[Anonymous]

i only write notecards for formulas or key journal entries that you need to know. i also try to write them from memory after ive studied a section instead of just copying it from the book

[sidneybristow]

I don't like taking notes either, but I feel like I have to. Problem is, I take A LOT of notes, so consequently I type them initially on my first go around through the material. Do you think it makes a difference in retention if the notes are hand written or is typing them sufficient? What about when it's time to rewrite the notes? Is it better then to hand write them or is typing them just as well? What do you think? What has worked best for you?

[sidneybristow]

I don't like taking notes either, but I feel like I have to. Problem is, I take A LOT of notes, so consequently I type them initially on my first go around through the material. Do you think it makes a difference in retention if the notes are hand written or is typing them sufficient? What about when it's time to rewrite the notes? Is it better then to hand write them or is typing them just as well? What do you think? What has worked best for you?

[Author]

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