[Kory]

I’m new to this forum and have seen the review course question asked a ton, but everyone’s is unique and some are just too broad. I’ve used trials for the top 5 and have narrowed my study path to 2 options. I just want to see if anyone here has had experience (good or Bad) with either. First option, Roger Elite plus Ninja. Second option, Yaeger textbooks plus Surgent review. My reasons for option 2 is it will save me about $1200 (paying myself), the Yaeger book and Surgent review follow the CPA Exam Blueprints exactly, and all review rankings have Surgent on top now. Surgent doesn’t really have a readable text and that’s important to me. My reason for the first option is it seems very popular here plus I can learn a lot from the Roger style lectures. I absolutely cannot learn from power point lectures (Gleim/Wiley) or someone reading a textbook telling me what to underline and circle (Becker). I’m more of a textbook and whiteboard kind of guy, then lots of questions with explanations. I need all of the explanations I can get since I’ve been out of undergrad for 10 years now. Anyone tried Surgent with success? The only reason I haven’t already bought Roger is he doesn’t follow the Blueprints. I’m afraid he will leave some topics out. Any replies are much appreciated!

[Kevin]

Sounds like Roger will work great for you. I went with Roger Select and it works great. I also went on eBay and purchased the Surgent textbooks only for $150. I reference the Surgent books after I get through the Roger course and online questions to make sure to pick up anything he missed. Roger seems to hit like 90-95% of the material for the exam but I've found he does miss some of the finer details. It's worked great so far for me.

[Kory]

Thanks, Kevin! You didn't find the Surgent texts just too detailed to read? That's probably the only thing holding me back from choosing them.

[Hank Scorpio]

Roger doesn't leave out any topics. I switched to him for the reason that I need to be taught the information and that is what he does. I didn't read much of the books at all. Only certain areas I struggled in. I'd say I read about 10% of the books, maybe less. Sounds like Roger may be the best option for you if that is the case. In the end, it all comes down to you, though. I also supplemented with the Ninja materials using Roger.

FAR - 10/3/16
BEC - 69 - 10/31/16
AUD - November 2016
REG - December 2016

[Recked]

Saving $1200 should not be a factor in this plan.
Getting in/out and done as fast as possible, in the most enjoyable way as possible, should be your only motivation.
I went with Roger select and 10 out of 10 would do it again.
There is no point in paying for the Elite package. Use the money you save on the NINJA MCQs.

[RoseMarie]

I felt the same way about the various lecture options. I am an auditory learner so the lecture was THE most important aspect for me. I am currently using Roger elite (got partial scholarship) + Ninja and have passed 2 so far (BEC 95, FAR 92). The only thing in either of those sections I felt was not detailed enough was IT but I have heard that about IT in every program. Unless you think you need the unlimited access I would say the elite may not be worth it though for the price difference because the CRAM's are just cuts together (mostly) of the main sections videos and the audio is just the CRAM for that section without the video so sometimes its confusing because he refers to stuff you can't see. Other than that I love Rogers program. The IPQ software looks almost exactly like the real thing. The questions are similar in difficulty level. The books are decent though a little too detailed in some cases in my opinion.

[Kory]

Wow thank you Rose, Recked, and Hank! Never thought I'd get much info but you guys sealed it for me. I really did want the Cram course, Audio, and especially the Unlimited access. But now I'm not sold on CRAM or Audio. I will just use Ninja Audio and Final Review. However being 10 years out of school I'm almost afraid not to get Elite because of unlimited access. $1300 more is a lot to pay for just that access only. I guess if I can't pass in 18 months then I can just buy Select again, or go with Surgent. Thanks again all of you!!

[Recked]

I was out for 15 years. Don't sweat it.
Once you re-learn how to learn and study it'll flow well. The first one is the hardest.

[PJ]

Surgent doesn't get nearly enough credit on this forum. I thought it was excellent and prepared me well for the exams.

[Kory]

PJ, I agree. Surgent was probably my favorite program for MCQ an explanations when doing my trials. My only issue is good ole “want to” factor. I found myself wanting to watch Roger's lectures and read his text, but I don't care for PowerPoint lectures that don't follow the text like Surgent. Plus their text is unreadable for me. WAY too technical, almost like reading an accounting encyclopedia or something. How did you prepare with Surgent??

[PJ]

I just did the video lectures and thousands of MCQ. I had no interest in reading a text or taking notes. I liked the lectures for the most part. Not as much for AUD though.

[Jimmy Dugan]

I passed FAR the first time with Roger and did a trial with Surgent and think they are both okay. I think people put waaaaaayyyy too much emphasis on having the course organized to the letter the same way the Blueprint is set up. All of these course, including Roger and Becker, go to great lengths to make sure they cover everything on the exam as specified by the blueprint. Just because they don't have the course organized exactly like the blueprint (4Aiii, 4Aiv, etc.) doesn't mean they left anything out. You'll do well with Surgent or Roger.

[Author]

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