[Needs Advice]

Hello all,

Let me start off by saying that I am thankful for this forum and those that participate in it. It gives me real motivation when I am struggling. I am a married father of three beautiful daughters and I work full time at a mid-sized accounting firm (i.e. 45-50 hours a week, not including 60-70 during tax season) as a staff accountant specializing in personal property taxation and industrial/manufacturing process accounting. I graduated from college over a year and a half ago, I’m 29 now, and I have been working for the firm for almost a year. I say ALL that to say this: I have now failed BEC (72) and AUD (68) and have REG (Oct 22nd) and FAR (Dec 3) up next. I know this method is not the traditional route and that most would recommend that I re-study and retake failed tests ASAP, however its just not in the cards as I did not pay for either the materials nor the exams, my company did.

The real crux of my question stems from my material usage. I currently have the Platinum Wiley & CPA Excel Test Banks (Which expire inn April) and have done EVERYTHING they have to offer and felt confident going in yet still failed both exams. I have a family member offering to purchase me ANY set of materials now since I believe that Wiley is not working for me by itself. What recommendations does everyone have? Should I supplement with NINJA MCQs or scrap all of Wiley and go with a whole NINJA program? Should I get a new combination like Roger and NINJA? I spend approximately 5+ hours a day on weekdays and 12+ hours on weekends studying for these exams. I need a new but efficient approach and any perspective would be great.

Thank you so much for any and all input as today is a crossroads in my study endeavors.

BEC: 7/31/16 (Awaiting Results)
AUD: 9/8/16
REG: 10/22/16
FAR: 12/3/16

[LedgerL0ver]

I started out with the Wiley platinum package myself and I think the software has done a great job with giving me a solid foundation of the material.
HOWEVER, I truly believe that the Ninja MCQs put me over the edge in regards to feeling more confident and doing well during the tests.
I say this because after going through the Wiley lessons for FAR (my first part), I felt pretty comfortable with the material. I THEN used Ninja MCQs as a review and was slapped in the face with the most awful scores you could imagine. This told me I wasn't nearly as ready as I thought because after a few days of really digging into the MCQ answers, my scores went up slowly.
I now use Ninja MCQs as a “review” right after completing all Wiley lessons and this method has not failed me yet. It particularly helps keep all the material fresh since I noticed I was forgetting stuff I learned in the earlier Wiley lessons. It's only an additional $40 per section, so I highly suggest you try it!

FAR 4/24/16 --85--
AUD 7/5/16 --84--
BEC 8/30/16 --?--
REG

[Needs Advice]

@LedgerL0ver Thanks, how many exams are you done with now?

BEC: 7/31/16 (Awaiting Results)
AUD: 9/8/16
REG: 10/22/16
FAR: 12/3/16

[LedgerL0ver]

I have completed FAR, AUD, and BEC on my first try and I honestly don't know if I could have done it without Ninja MCQs. I do think they are a bit harder than the Wiley test bank- some sections more than others.

Will you finish all your Wiley lessons for REG in time to review for 1-2 weeks with Ninja? I always plan to leave 2-2.5 weeks review and I know that's excessive for some people, but I am more comfortable with over-preparing.

FAR 4/24/16 --85--
AUD 7/5/16 --84--
BEC 8/30/16 --?--
REG

[Needs Advice]

Yes. For the first two tests I saved my self two full weeks of review time with the CPA Excel test banks upon completing the course, but I felt like they did not cover the entirety of the books or that the questions were that difficult (i.e. obvious answers or easy to back in to). I need harder questions and to be tested on the full scope of the books.

BEC: 7/31/16 (Awaiting Results)
AUD: 9/8/16
REG: 10/22/16
FAR: 12/3/16

[Texasmom]

I second LedgerL0ver. I too have the Wiley CPA review materials, platinum course but I supplement with Ninja Audio and Ninja MCQ's and notes. They do really help you get over the hump. I have passed FAR and BEC on the first try with this method. I am a mother of a 3 year old and work 45-50 hrs per week and don't have a lot of down time on the weekends so Saturday is my “good” study day when my husband can take our son out of the house and I can get a solid 4-5 hours. The Ninja Audio on the way to and from work is great and the MCQ's give you a different approach than the Wiley test bank. I am currently stuck with REG, have failed it twice but hoping this will be the 3rd and last time, then on to AUD. I think as my co-worker says, the luck of the draw has a lot to do with it too when it comes to these tests. Keep up the good work, you'll make it!

FAR - 84
REG - 72, 73
AUD-
BEC - Sept 2016

[Needs Advice]

@Texasmom I really appreciate the insight and the encouragement, thank you.

BEC: 7/31/16 (Awaiting Results)
AUD: 9/8/16
REG: 10/22/16
FAR: 12/3/16

[ChristieF]

I would definitely get the Ninja MCQs. I'm a mom of 2, work full time and am girl scout leader, etc, and don't get the study time I'd like to (that's my downfall).. I have failed a couple exams, but using the Ninja MCQs definitely are helpful and make me feel MUCH more confident. I am also using the Ninja notes, which are helpful to break down certain items. You can do it; just keep pressing on.

[reallytired]

Becker has helped me through two exams now, I would recommend them any day of the week. However, it is slightly expensive. My firm paid for my Becker, which is the only reason I have it. But I have also heard amazing things of Ninja Notes + Mcq (totally affordable for both), which is what I plan to use if I end up not passing my next two.

B 10/29/16
A 10/1/16
R 9/2/16
F 7/26/16

[.]

What do you mean your CPAExcel will expire? It's not supposed to ever expire. You may see an expiry date but if you email them a week before it expires, they will extend it for another year.

Does this family member have a lot of money? Maybe get them to buy the Ninja Ten Point Combo. I also heard that Gleim was good. I used CPAExcel with Ninja MCQ and it worked for all my exams. Not the biggest fan of CPAExcel though. Then again I haven't tried the other review courses.

FAR - June 2016 - 88
REG - July 2016 - 89
AUD - Aug 2016 - review phase currently
BEC - Sep 2016 -

Wiley CPA Excel & Ninja MCQ

[hasy]

Not reading the comments above. I finished FAR and BEC, going on AUD (though I have SOME small confidence that I'll pass, trending 93 on NINJA).

I did feel like Wiley might have HELPED a little in BEC but not as much as NINJA. BEC, as my first exam, I sincerely overstudied for it because I wanted my first pass really badly. I did all the questions from Roger's, 900 on NINJA, and all the questions from a really old Wiley Book (I actually wrote out my MC answers, like the good old times). I really think if you can finish all the questions on BEC from NINJA, you can pass that exam. NINJA BEC is SO hard, it made the exam questions a little easier. BEC: Roger's and NINJA MCQ

FAR: the beast. Took it twice actually but I made a huge score jump only because of NINJA MCQ and actually FINISHING it. I didn't hit review phase (even hitting it on AUD is hard). Same, Roger's and NINJA MCQ.

AUD: I am averaging 79 and trending 93 so I HOPE I pass. But otherwise, Roger ALL THE WAY!! People call him “Audit Guru” for a reason. The way he organizes his materials and the way he lays it out to you. Wow. I can't tell you until I take my exam on the 10/3 but I feel have a feeling I might pass. But we'll see if the CPA gods are kind. Putting it out there, I am using a coworker's WTB, and I don't really like it THAT much. I'm just doing it for exposure to more questions. So far, it's okay.

REG: I study for this until 3 weeks while working FT, so no cake. However, I still like Roger's.

All in all, I like using Roger's lectures and his IPQ software sucks, but the questions got a LOT better. SO if that family member is kind enough to just buy you the course with his lectures and books with his questions, you're set. However, NINJA mcqs are so cheap that I didn't even care that I spared extra money for each section. It's totally worth it. Now, it would be better if they added the DRS update though.

/unedited

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

-

BEC 80 (10/23/15)
FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
REG 52 (4/28/15)
AUD (9/9/16)

Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

[Needs Advice]

@circadian malfunction When I log into Wiley and access the course materials on my account online, there are dates under each tab that say when the content expires. Currently the date for all of the course and test bank data is April 27, 2016. I will look into the extension, thanks. Also, after listening to everyone I feel like my best solution would be to get the 10-point combo. Reason being is that I can have the best of both worlds. A whole new study material (Audio, books, notes , MCQs) that I can use AND potentially supplement with Wiley.

@hasy Thank you for taking the time to write out your experiences. I truly appreciate it. I am glad to hear that the NINJA questions are potentially harder. I just felt like Wiley's CPAExcel test banks did not test me that well. The questions seemed way to easy and straight forward and after two CPA exams now I know that the questions are anything but simple and straight forward. Congrats on what you have already achieved and good luck with the rest of the test!

BEC: 7/31/16 (Awaiting Results)
AUD: 9/8/16
REG: 10/22/16
FAR: 12/3/16

[KSOZE]

Scrap Wiley – it STINKS if you aren't studying full time IMO. With a toddler at home and full time work at a financial planning/tax firm, I found NINJA MCQ to be just what I needed to hammer questions and identify weak points. There are enough resources in the MCQ program that I was able to take copious notes on difficult areas, and used Google/YouTube to do my own research around fuzzy concepts.

BEC - 80
FAR - 81 (third attempt)
AUD - waiting for score 8/23
REG - 09/08/2016 - going to cram and wing it

OH Ethics - Completed

[Needs Advice]

@KSOZE Thanks! I just read your post about cramming and I am thankful I am not the only one struggling with the weak Wiley content. Just a question, after purchasing NINJA, how long did it take to get access? I bought the materials earlier today and have sent a few emails, one to Jeff and one to support, asking about my access and when I can get to it but no responses. I want to start using it tonight if possible.

BEC: 7/31/16 (Awaiting Results)
AUD: 9/8/16
REG: 10/22/16
FAR: 12/3/16

[KSOZE]

@Finding DeMo – I just saw this reply. Should be instant access, so I hope you are squared away!

BEC - 80
FAR - 81 (third attempt)
AUD - waiting for score 8/23
REG - 09/08/2016 - going to cram and wing it

OH Ethics - Completed

[Meg267]

I bought Wiley and failed BEC twice. I finally gave in and purchased the Ninja MCQ for $47 for BEC. Found out last week that I passed! Went up 10 points!!

I’m sticking with Wiley just because I paid for the platinum package and don’t want to have to shell out the money for a brand new software. I’m going through all the materials that Wiley offers and then I’m going to purchase the 3 months of the Ninja MCQ and pound those out for a week or two before my exam.

Just call or chat with a customer service person close to the date for Wiley and they’ll extend it another year. It is free, and doesn’t expire (another reason I used Wiley).

[Author]

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