[jveorster]

Hi, I am a returning CPA candidate after failing BEC twice in 2016 with a 72 and 71 using Becker. I found that Becker is not my best bet because it focuses more on videos. I am not a video/lecture learner and never really had to study in college. This is a different beast and I’m not sure the best way to study.

I now have surgent and ninja cpa (monthly.)

Is it possible to read just ninja notes and complete MCQ/SIMs for a few weeks to pass each section? (Studying AUD first.) I feel this is going to be the only way I don’t bore myself into failing again.

TIA!

JV, CFE

 

 

[Kimberly]

Hi-

I really liked how Surgent is set up. Take the time, answer their 450 question assessment and you can know how to best target what you need to study. After that you'll know what you need to better focus on and then you can read the book/notes for the areas you most need help in. And yes, lots and lots of MCQs. I don't know about only MCQs/SIMS, but I do know they are vital to do. Notes are helpful for a section like AUD because you really need to study the reports, formats, and memorize them and their differences as best as possible.

BEC - Passed

AUD - Passed

FAR - Passed

REG - Passed

BEC/AUD - Wiley + Ninja / FAR - Surgent / REG - Wiley/Surgent

[jveorster]

Thanks @Kimberly! The biggest push will be actually getting into the groove of studying, and finding the best way for me. I know it is different for everyone. I just wish I could find someone who “studies” just like me, so I can get that initial push-off to get this underway. I've spent way too much money, with no results (Thanks, becker!)

I'll keep an eye on Surgent and Ninja, as I feel like they are both very similar and will help me combat this beast!

[Recked]

If you did not have to study in college you either learned by reading the book once over, or you gained all the knowledge you needed from class lectures, which directly contradicts what you think your learning style is. I was similar to you, in that I mostly just learned from classes in college. I found the Roger lectures with the white board to be most similar to my best teachers in college. If you haven't given that course a free review, I would suggest it. It might match your learning style.
Reading and doing a “few weeks” of MCQs doesn't sound like enough. I'd target at least 1000 MCQs per section. The more MCQs you do (and understand) the better your odds are.

Memento Mori - Kingston NY CPA & EA (SUNY Albany 2002)

FAR-93 11/9/17 (10wks, 250 hrs, Roger 1800+ MCQs, Gleim TB 600+MCQs, SIMs)
AUD-88 12/7/17 (3 wks, 85 hrs, Roger 1000 MCQs no SIMs hail mary)
REG-96 1/18/18 (6 wks, 110 hrs, 1400 MCQs, no SIMs)
BEC-91 2/16/18 (4wks, 90 hrs, 1240 MCQs)

[jveorster]

Hi @recked! Sorry, I guess I didn't explain myself enough. Most of the learning that I did was from hands-on examples. I feel like practicing multiple choice and simulations over and over again, while also taking notes and determining why I got something right/wrong, will be the best technique for me.

When I say a “few weeks,” I meant putting in the actual study time. 2 hours a day on weekdays, 4 hours a day on weekends, for a total of at LEAST 18 hours a week, for about 4-6 weeks.

Thanks for your suggestion! I'll look into it. 🙂

[Tncincy]

@Jveorster I see your point of study. I like Recked suggestion, but since you are specific about getting to the point or the meat of study I would go with Ninja. Although I am NOT a Ninja rep, they should at least give me a free month since I'll possibly be using it until I pass. Because I am like you, I can't stand extended study. I'd rather do the questions, and re-write the notes. No other program that I know of has such precise notes and I feel the best MCQ's. I tried Becker (got it as a gift before the reg changes), and Wiley (Cpaexcel). I like them but again I don' like extended study and really needed to get to point. So, I would go with Ninja. I have Ninja and plan to get it done.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[jveorster]

Hi @Tncincy 😀 Thank you for your input. That's what I'm thinking about doing. I have the notes printed out and have read over them a couple of times already. Time to dive into re-writing them and banging out as many multiple choice and simulations as I possibly can. I have spent far too long being upset and crying over failures. It is time to put CPA behind my name! Best of luck to you!

[Tncincy]

@Jveorster I finally got the audio to load on my phone. I am ready. I have re-written my notes several times already. I guess I should have some type of goal maybe 10 times or something. But I can listen to the audio non-stop now that I have it on my phone. I am servicing my laptop to make the mcq's portable, I am currently using my office computer. I plan to schedule for the end of April as soon as I receive my NTS. “My daughter says I need to get to studying and quit wasting money paying for this stuff.” the nerve of some people 🙁 .
I'm going to incorporate what Recked suggested doing 1000 mcq's per section. I didn't do that many. Either way, this is IT! Best of luck to you as well.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Author]

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