[OnmywaytoCPA]

Hello fellow ninjas. I am very discouraged right now. I have been using Becker Self Study that I paid for out of my own pocket since February 2012. I take the REG in April and BEC in August. I failed both of them with a 74 and a 69, respectively. I used our savings to pay for the review course, and the two exams. I can’t help, but feel like I wasted our money. My wife is very supportive, but I can tell that it hurts to see the money that we could have used for a down payment on a house go to waste. I guess what I really need is some motivation. If I had some suggestions relating to which prep materials are the most cost effective, and have the most comprehensive.

Becker is okay, but I can’t memorize all of the acronyms that they use. I need to know the “why” behind each step is made. If I don’t understand the concept, it’s hard to just memorize something. They suggest that you highlight and underline different things in the course book, but I’m sick of highlighting and underlining.

Any suggestions, comments or testimonies are greatly appreciated.

REG - 74, Retook 6/10/16, scored a 72 (Hate this exam)
BEC - 69, 79, 8/1/15
AUD - 83, 4/4/15
FAR - 77, 2/27/16

[Noct]

Bang for your buck, I'd say you can't beat the Wiley books (search for the full set on Amazon). It's the only thing I've used.

Keep your chin up, and think of your costs as an investment in your future earnings (which it is).

FAR - 79 - 07/2012
AUD - 65, 78 - 11/2012
BEC - 76 - 11/2012
REG - 78 - 01/2013
ETH - 98 - 01/2013

Material: Wiley books

[mena je twa]

PettyTimmy –

I feel your pain and understand the amount of $$ and resources this exam consumes.

I was in your shoes, 5 yrs ago, trust me on that, i bought becker from a friend/ebay and i could not cope up with beckers speed and yellow highliting, i was like, what the heck are they talking about. Becker was not for me, i had to sit back, google and search something that would be easier for me to understand, step by step, not just rushing through and higliting.

So i gave it a shot to yaeger, they were expensive, but i bought one part from craigslist for 100 bucks or so, it was 1 yr old, but who cares i was so frustrated that i went for the 1 yr old CD. Phil has a different approach to studying and tutoring, i loved his method, simply cause he takes baby steps, makes you feel very comfortable and really reinfocres you the concept. I came close to a 70 with yaeger but in the 50s with becker. I gave yaeger 1 more time, and i passed my first exam after failing like 3 in a row and spending close to 1k in fees etc and some Tequila a s well.

SO, once my clock started i had the momentum, i tried yaeger for audit, i couldnt pass, I chose Roger CPA for Audit and i passed with a 77. He is simply made for audit.

And the rest two i passed with yaeger as well. it took me 10-11 ties but i finally saw the finish line right at 18 months. Spend around 3-4k in fees etc.

Its a investment bro, and trust me you wont regret it cause one you have your CPA, you will ” SHINE LIKE A DIAMOND”

Licensed CPA, Texas - 2012

[Anonymous]

“Any suggestions, comments or testimonies are greatly appreciated.”

You didn't specify if you needed a kick in the rear or not, but I've found those are the best to get me motivated, so I'll give you the nice version and the kick.

Nice Kricket:

You aren't wasting money if you are making an investment in your future, which you are. Becker isn't for everyone. I know that a lot of people swear by it, but I know a lot of people who failed with Becker, bought the Ninja notes and passed. Your wife understands that this is a temporary thing. Every time I apply for a new NTS, I have to tell myself, “It's only money. I'll make more.” Good Luck!

Ragin' Cajun Kick:

Quit whining and start working problems. I failed REG over and over and over again because I was trying to memorize the acronyms. I was trying to learn like someone else. I finally got the Ninja Audio, said “forget the acronyms” and got an 84. You gotta be you and learn the material the way you learn. Forget what everyone else tells you to do. They don't know you. I don't know you so I'm not going to tell you how to get this done. Find out what works for you and get it done!. You can do this. Just believe in you the way your wife does. If she didn't believe in you, she wouldn't have married you! Duh!!

I hope at least one of these helped you! Good Luck.

[OnmywaytoCPA]

Thank you all so much for the advice and suggestions. I know that I should not have been discouraged, but after putting so many hours into studying and then failing, it really hit me like a ton of bricks. You all are right, I can't give up. I have to get back up, dust myself off and try again.

REG - 74, Retook 6/10/16, scored a 72 (Hate this exam)
BEC - 69, 79, 8/1/15
AUD - 83, 4/4/15
FAR - 77, 2/27/16

[splinter1643]

I'd listen to Kricket's Ragin' Cajun Kick; Becker isn't for everyone (or at least, Becker by itself doesn't always work out well). I agree with Noct, and also recommend Roger CPA (which comes with Wiley). It's still pricey, but it's cheaper than Becker. I think if you're looking for a change in study material this is worth it. Roger keeps you entertained and gives you funny and short summaries about the material you'll need to know for the exam. Obviously, it doesn't mean you should replace your studying with the lectures; you still need to put in the study effort.

Whatever you do, hang in there! Many of us on the forums have re-taken this exam many, many times, but eventually, we all do see the end of this long harrowing road.

CPA license in progress....

[Author]

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