[Tonya]

I applied to take the exam in TX last fall only to find out they no longer recognize the LSU online accounting courses. I will be done with this semester soon and hope to be approved for the exam and take my first test in July.

Problem – I HATE to study, I never really learned how to study. I despise text books and only purchased them if I had to for homework purposes. I did ok in college (3.56 undergrad and currently 3.8 in grad school) just by going to class and doing my homework. In classes where I needed extra effort to grasp the concepts, I would turn my notes or study guides into note cards. I would rarely even use them, it was just the process of writing them out that helped.I hate to spend big $$$ on something I don’t think I will use such as exams and video lectures.

Plan – I read how to pass the CPA exam in 20 days and I REALLY want to try that for my first exam. Has anyone ever just used Ninja Notes and MCQ’s ? That is all I think I will really use, unless I have no choice.

So I am looking for advice, hints, tips, encouragement, and anything else anyone can offer. Especially those who have never studied.

Thanks!!!!

FAR -- 11/9/15 74 OUCH --Retake Jan 9,2016
AUD - 11/30/15 75
REG - Jan 2016
BEC - Feb 2016

[y_u_no_pass]

It seems like you know your learning style best. If that is what works for you, go for it. If it doesn't work, then maybe try a full review course, or the Ninja books.

Florida CPA!
Took final exam 2/25/15.
Sent in Application 3/12/15.
Issued License 3/20/15.
Used CPA Excel solely for all exams.

[Tonya]

Thanks for your reply! I guess I feel like this exam is much harder and extremely different than anything I have done. I am trying to tell myself to relax and treat it like any other major exam.

FAR -- 11/9/15 74 OUCH --Retake Jan 9,2016
AUD - 11/30/15 75
REG - Jan 2016
BEC - Feb 2016

[Missy]

It is not like anything you've ever done before. I think anybody determined enough can pass this, but you haven't experienced anything that comes close to this (for example nobody knows how the exams are scored but they are not scored on a % of questions correctly answered, because of this there are far more variables at play)

With that in mind I passed my first exam using a free MCQ database. I was lucky because everything on that exam is what I've done professionally for 20 years and I was still in grad school while I was taking the exams. For the other 3 sections I needed not only a full review but also supplemental materials.

Do know the 20 day program is not really a recommended path for everybody, its intended for someone who is running out of time on an NTS or risking losing a credit, more of a last ditch effort than anything. Much more common is people studying somewhere between 4 and 8 weeks for a total of 100-200 hours depending on the exam section.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Author]

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