[wizards8507]

I’m hoping not to get flamed like the fool who bragged about passing his exams without studying but here it goes.

I know the general trend around here is to spend $,000’s of dollars on review material, but I think a lot of people are wasting their money on Becker and these other guys.

IF you are a RECENT accounting graduate, AND;

You were a very strong accounting student, AND;

You’re a very strong test taker…

Then go ahead and try an exam with nothing but the Wiley test bank. That’s all I used and I ended up with an 80 on my first test. I know everyone is anxious to pass but isn’t it better to waste $200 on a failed exam than run the risk of wasting $3,000 on a review course that doesn’t do you any good?

I’ve only seen Wiley and Becker and I can say that Becker seems to make people completely neurotic. “Memorize the standard auditor report, word-for-word.” Really? REALLY? Deep breaths and think about the format of the CPA exam. It’s a multiple choice test. There is absolutely no need to recall knowledge or memorize something like that. You have the options in front of you, you just need to know which is correct. There’s no “fill in the blank” where memorizing a report could possibly help you (except for in the Sims where you literally have acess to the literature itself). The pressure to memorize TIP PIE ACDO and every other Becker acronym is not where you need to focus your energy.

NY CPA

[FindaJob]

I mean i was stupid and i did purchase the becker materials … and i really agree with you ….

I passed FAR and my becker book is BRAND NEW … never opened … I mean becker is the worst ! you only memorize you dont understand ! that sucks !

I am not saying that i am not using it ! but your advice is 100 percent true …

I hope that i dont fail my next exams !

two to go !

[misanthrope87]

I don't think this would work for all topics. And even if you are a recent graduate, you may not have taken all those extra electives like audit, governmental accounting, and tax. I know I didn't. It would be good to at least get the Wiley books. They are quite affordable. What test did you pass btw?

B 2/12 87
A 11/11 90
R 8/11 86
F 5/12 88

[Witchkizzle]

My firm paid the X,000's for my Becker course. Otherwise, I might have done exactly what you suggest.

Texas CPA
Licensed 03/12

[Sandra]

Well I get snarked at sometimes because I haven't taken the CPA tests, only the CMA tests, so we will see where this topic goes. ha.

the biggest thing that becomes obvious looking over these forums is that everyone is different.

I've gone through all the FAR stuff once already and feel that I have a decent grasp on the very basics. I am not a recent graduate but don't think it would make a huge difference for me since I didn't take college all that seriously first time around.

Anyway… understanding concepts is key for me. I SUCK at memorizing crap that doesn't make sense to me. For me not studying with lectures would be really really hard. My new bff Roger explains stuff to me in ways that make sense and things just click. For example- I had previously memorized all the macro/micro economics crap and could sort of muddle my way through it on my CMA. After I bought my Roger review I watched the lecture on that stuff and everything clicked. I so wish I had that happen BEFORE that test.

I know that I would not be super likely to pass FAR without video lectures- reading is hard. hahahahah

that being said I can't say enough good things about the Ninja notes. Super cheap so a great supplement for someone on a budget. Once you get the very basic concepts they really connect things.

[acamp]

I got the following with Wiley Test Bank + Ninja Notes Only:

BEC: 88

REG: 76

FAR: 81

AUD: 73

I then got a job, used a sledge hammer to to nail a tack, by having them pay for Becker and got an 82 on AUD. Sidenote: I did not complete the Becker course, I watched all the vids, and did some MCQs.

If your firm is going to pay, go for it, but before I got a job I figured why spend $$$ on a review for a test that is academic in nature. Ninja gave a nice overview to refresh major points and Wiley was good a locating weak spots in my game and getting me accustomed to the test language.

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[Anonymous]

I agree that it is possible to pass the exams without an expensive review course, but people have different learning and study habits and review courses can certainly be helpful. I liked Rogers' course because I felt it was well organized, and his notes were a lot better than reading th Wiley text.

[Anonymous]

i was lucky to have my firm pay for becker, but even with a bit of experience and recently graduating, i rely totally on becker to help me pass. so far so good i think its been very helpful in helping me understand the material conceptually as well as providing valuable learning tools…the MCQ, mnemonics, videos, etc. i can definitely understand that the test can be passed without it, but i feel with becker, if anyone puts in the time and genuine effort into the review material, they will pass.

[jeff]

acamp – you passed three using Wiley Test Bank and NINJA Notes only? That's awesome!

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS) | Another71 | NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE

[Anonymous]

my becker expires in a few months, so hopefully the ninja and wiley route will suffice for FAR and REG, i am definitely a bargain shopper though 🙂

[mla1169]

I passed FAR (somehow) using CPAreviewforfree and google. Bought Wiley for the other 3 and added Jeff's ninja notes for AUD

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[nfs480]

So far i've passed two with Becker and am really liking the way the course is structured. Granted my firm is also paying for my review course I think it really depends on your learning style which review course is the best and whether or not it is necessary at all.

FAR 93
AUD 89
REG 81
BEC 87
Ethics 100

Becker 2012 Self-Study

[farinamh28]

The biggest waste of money to me was the Becker notecards. My firm paid for the review course itself, but I dished out the extra coin for the cards and have barely looked at them. In my mind, the multiple choice questions and development of your own personal outlines is enough work on its own — who has time for hundreds of notecards on top of it?

F 86 (4/21)
R Waiting! (5/16)
B Studying! (5/31)
A Trying to pretend it doesn't exist...(7/3)

[macguy6922]

This is nonsense, if i had to do it again I would choose becker.

Nothing beats it.

THose that say that theyve tried becker and failed and then tried something else like wiley and passed, wasnt because they tried wiley or whatever else, they passed because they studied the material twice.

Becker is worth the 3500 without a doubt. Other prep books make it impossible to remember everything.

thats my story and im sticking to it.

[whatkey]

I agree with you that most of the Becker mnemonics for audit are useless. However they are pretty helpful for FAR and REG. also becker is free for most.

Using Becker, Ninja Notes, and CpaReviewForFree

FAR - 87 (2/17)
REG - 89 (4/21)
AUD - 89 (5/31)
BEC - 89 (7/11)

[undeniabletwins2]

IMO!!!! Wiley Books, wiley testbank apps and Jeff notes and audio putting me to sleep at night is right up my alley. Amen.

AUD - 58, 62, 56, OCT 2015
BEC - August 22,2015
FAR - TBD
REG - TBD

BECKER LIVE CLASSES, BECKER TEXTBOOKS,FINAL REVIEW, FLASHCARDS/NINJA MCQS, NOTES AND AUDIO/WILEY FOCUS NOTES.

IF U TRY AND U DONT SUCEED, TRY AND TRY AGAIN...GIVING UP IS NOT AN OPTION.

[Author]

Replies