[Tootsie]

So as you can see, I am not too far from 75 but need help on how to get there.

I am using Becker and Wiley. I didn’t focus as much on Wiley as I did with Becker. I ran out of time. I read the text (not all of Wiley), did the questions, and did a couple of practice exams. I also wrote some things out to memorize them better.

I plan on retaking AUD in 4 weeks and studying every night up until then. Can anyone who has passed please tell me how you study and give any advice for me? Thanks!

FAR - 76
AUD - 88!!! DONE!!!!!!!!
BEC - 76
REG - 77

never, never, never give up

[Tootsie]

Wow, lots of views but no replies… 🙁

FAR - 76
AUD - 88!!! DONE!!!!!!!!
BEC - 76
REG - 77

never, never, never give up

[Anonymous]

Tootsie,

Since you've taken the test once you know how the test and test day works. So now it's a matter of getting a good grip on the material.

My best advice is to focus, focus, focus. You need to be able to read the question and answer the question that is asked without reading into it further (and honestly, some of it truly is memorization). Most of us “study”, watch TV, try to have a social life, do yard work, check email frequently, etc., etc., etc. and believe we are studying our best even though we're multi-tasking. I believe you need to clear the clutter, QUIT TRYING TO MULTI-TASK, and focus ONLY on studying. That means your family and friends will probably be a little mad because you don't respond like you used to….but that passing grade is SO WORTH IT! We'll even miss you here – but we know you'll check in after you test in July.

For what it's worth.

[Anonymous]

I think we may all have “score check hangover” so may explain lack of response.

Jeff's NINJA plan is the way to go I think. I think a lot of ground can be gained by doing lots and lots of MCP's. It seemed like after doing lectures and notes, the MCP's confirm/deny what you think you know. I would do MCP's for each topic until you are reaching 70's-80's and refer and/or rewrite your notes as you discover weak areas.

I haven't passed a section yet . .. so what do I know. 😛

[Tootsie]

I don't know where my post went but just wanted to say thanks for the advice. I am going to study hard these next 4 weeks and pass this mofo!

FAR - 76
AUD - 88!!! DONE!!!!!!!!
BEC - 76
REG - 77

never, never, never give up

[Tootsie]

And I forgot to say that my husband is out of town for 4 weeks, so I will be able to really focus! 🙂

FAR - 76
AUD - 88!!! DONE!!!!!!!!
BEC - 76
REG - 77

never, never, never give up

[jenuno01]

@Tootsie – shoot me an email (it's in my profile), I'd be glad to share a few pointers with you. I was really hoping you'd get a victory :/ Keep your head up though, you'll pass if you keep trying.

Class of 2012

[Anonymous]

@Tootsie…here is the way I study for all my tests. Before I attend Becker live class lectures, I read the book on my own. While reading the book, I took it easy 'cause I just wanted to get a feel what the materials are & understand what the book trying to say. no practice questions or memorization this time yet. I plan to finish the whole book before the live lectures begin, but usually it's not that case. I usually finished half of the book before the lectures began. Once the live lectures start, I stepped up my study effort. I usually go to the library for 2-3 hrs/weekday & 4-6 hrs/weekends. During this phrase, I re-read the chapters I had lecture on first, and do the questions. If I don't understand the questions, I referred back to the book first before I made the choice. This is the most important process in my study plan and usually take quiet long (fell behind the lecture schedule as well), but I make sure I have the highest quality studying time for this process, means total concentrations and no distraction. By the time I finished this process, there were usually 2 weeks left toward the test. I re-read the book (the 3rd time) for most important topics and do the optional questions from Becker. By this time, I was able to flip thru pages and look at the headlines and be able to tell what the topics were about…for example, if I look at the bold headlines “On-going concerns,” my head should think “is it disclosed? if disclosed, should be unquality, if not disclosed, then……” without actually reading the text.I has Wiley test banks too for AUD, but I found it took much time to go thru them as I was running of time toward the end. Wiley test bank is great for REG and FAR, but Becker alone is good enough for AUD and BEC. hope this helps.

[Quickdraw]

Hi Tootsie – I just passed the AUD section using just Wiley (2010 version) and an Auditing text. I graduated back in 1990 so I had to re-learn Auditing which meant picking up a text to review before going to Wiley. I used Principles of Auditing, 17th ed. by Whittington. I think he also authored the Wiley AUD book, so they were fairly redundant in the material, the presentation was just different.

Nevertheless, I don't think the text matters; Wiley was enough to pass. I did take quite a bit of time to review the professional standards immediately following the modules in Wiley – I went over most of them 2-3 times. I also read the outlines 2-3 times for most sections and did most, if not all, of the multiple choice questions following each module. I did not really do any of the other questions (essay type) in Wiley if i recall. On the exam itself, it seemed that the supplemental material for the essays was enough to get me the answers if i did not know the answers right away. Also, being very familiar with the professional standards made using the supplemental materials for the essays a breeze. I did not have any trouble with the essays despite not practicing them. In the end i scored an 89, and found the AUD to be the easiest of the 4 sections (for me anyway).

Hope that helps, and good luck!

[Tootsie]

Thanks guys! I really appreciate your feedback!

@jenuno01, thanks! I will send you an email!

FAR - 76
AUD - 88!!! DONE!!!!!!!!
BEC - 76
REG - 77

never, never, never give up

[Anonymous]

AUD

They key=memorization+lots of repititions of the MCQs

Some people get too hung up trying to do millions of MCQs without really understanding the material. I would focus just on one review program and use the Ninja Notes, which I've found extremely helpful for every single section. Read (skim) the chapters as many times as possible. I also suggest you get the CPAReviewForFree SIMS,which are only $10 and a great final review (work them at least 3 times). And yes, I do not believe in multi-tasking as someone mentioned. I go straight from work and put a solid three hours of study every single night. Some people say that the key to pass AUD is doing well on the SIMS and I think so too. Try to leave at leat 2.5 hrs to work on the sims and unless it's something like ratios you should be able to find 80% of the answers straight from the literature in my opinion. DON'T PANIC!! I wish you the best Tootsie!

[nolifecpa]

i typed up all the different audit reports, reviews, etc and read them often. its very easy to see the diffs in the reports when they're all next to each other.

REG-65,71,74,73,70,74,79
BEC-60's,60's,69,71,76*,78
FAR-67,66,65,79
AUD-54,60's,65,83*,69,80
*expired

DONE

[jenuno01]

@CPATerminator congrats on the pass man! You've caught up to me! I'm taking REG next window after a loong CPA vacation lol. I hope we both pass and be done!

Class of 2012

[Anonymous]

@jenuno…thanks brah…lol…it's been a painful journey though…I still have no idea how I passed FAR and BEC…no idea…REG ewwwww…basis, capital gains, agi..sounds awful, but oh well..I'm taking it July 31 with fifty days of preparation..I just want to play PS3 next fall and sleep all night…btw I'm not even close to being done bc I still need 15 more credits..:/…good luck!!

[Tootsie]

I think focusing on one review program is best too. I was using the Wiley book for extra practice. Thanks everyone for the advice. I can and will pass, dammit! I'm getting back to studying now!

FAR - 76
AUD - 88!!! DONE!!!!!!!!
BEC - 76
REG - 77

never, never, never give up

[Amanda L]

Tootsie- thank you for asking this question! I am in the same boat as you and these pointers are great (thanks everyone)

Well… back to studying for us I guess!

AUD- 68, 69 (at this rate it's going to take me 8 times to pass...)

[Author]

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