SmoothiezGuy! I will use AUD as an example. I know you've already taken three exams, but this method motivated me even with a busy schedule, so I thought I'd share! Hopefully this helps others, too! 😀
STEP 1: Purchase Becker.
STEP 2: Hook up your laptop to your flatscreen via HDMI and make sure you've got good speakers to simulate a “theater-like” experience. Sit in a comfortable reclining chair with a snuggly blanket.
STEP 3: Watch one Becker lecture per day in your “theater.” I would often enjoy a snack and a non-heavy alcoholic beverage during each “movie.” Don't touch MCQs or SIMs yet. By watching all the lectures first, you get exposure to most (if not all) testable topics. This builds instant familiarity with all material and increases your confidence. [DAYS REQUIRED = 6 (AUD) – 4 Hours/Day]
STEP 4: Read each Becker chapter. I used the online book (since all of the notes, underscores, etc. were already there). Deploy the online highlighters for color-coding: Green = Acronyms, Pink = Pass Keys, Blue = Formulas. This comes in handy for final review. Play cognitive stimulation music for background ambiance during this process. I would typically get through one chapter per day. [DAYS REQUIRED = 6 (AUD) – 6 Hours/Day]
STEP 5: After reading and highlighting a chapter, do the MCQs for that chapter. Each chapter of MCQ problems would be a day of studying for me. [DAYS REQUIRED = 6 (AUD) – 4 Hours/Day]. These were always done in a jacuzzi with Teddy Grahams. If you're wondering, yes, I'm an adult.
STEP 6: You've now watched all lectures, read all chapters, and done all the MCQ questions. Damn. What diligence! When it came to SIMs, I conquered these as a final test. I would do one chapter of SIMs for a day of studying. At this point, your content knowledge is quite robust, so these should be confidence-boosting. If you dominate a practice SIM, reward yourself! I'd typically call in the GF and demand compliments/worship/substantial physical contact. If you can dominate a SIM, you can dominate anything. Anything. [DAYS REQUIRED = 6 (AUD) – 4 Hours/Day].
Using this method, I was able to study and take each exam in about a month (of course, FAR took slightly longer). It requires intense commitment and no distractions, but never a 10-12 hour brain drain study day…which can give you time for family and events. I would always plan to have 1-2 weeks buffer before I took an exam to flip back through the online book and make sure I had all acronyms, formulas, and pass keys down.
TOTAL DAYS FOR AUD: 24 + 1-2 Week Buffer
TOTAL HOURS FOR AUD: 108 + 12 (Final Review) = 120
These exams are easy with a plan! (: Good luck!
AUD: 98
FAR: 95
REG: July 11, 2016
BEC: August 8, 2016
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