[Zaq]

Just wanted to see what the general consensus for this.

When I type notes, I can actually type MORE information in a QUICKER amount of time. I don’t have to shorthand too much. The con is that I feel the notes are less “personal”? I think I retain notes slightly better notes when I write them out. However, the issue with writing is that it generally takes a much, much longer amount of time to take notes when writing notes out. It also allows me to be more flexible with my notes if I want to make tables, charts, or pictures, etc.

I’m currently studying AUD and I’m having a hard time deciding whether I should TYPE my notes out or WRITE my notes when reviewing the Becker chapters.

What do you guys suggest?

FAR: 50, 76!
REG: 74... (ouch baby, very ouch), 76!
AUD: 65, 91!?
BEC: 80! Aaaand doneskies!

May 2012 to August 2013. Can't believe it's over.

[SammyJ]

I htink you should hand write all your notes. I can't really give you a great reason why. I can only tell you that it is more effective.

FAR-81!!
AUD-69, Retake: 84!!
REG-86!!
BEC-81!!
Education- Done
Ethics- August 2013
Experience- 7 Months of CPA Experience and counting!

[smp73]

I also suggest hand writing them.Personally, I think it forces you to focus more and then you retain more information!

NYS CPA License # 113563
CIA: Done as of 2/15/14

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[mla1169]

Taking your time to handwrite notes forces you to think a bit more about what it is you're putting down rather than typing quickly which you can kind of do without thinking about what you're actually typing.

That said, I did type all of my notes, and still managed to pass all 4 parts 🙂

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

Typing and hand-writing, to me are just the same. These 2 methods are both personal. You scribble the notes (the “accumulated knowledge”) out of the idea from ‘within'.

I type and practice forming different auditor's reports over and over again A LOT faster through my keyboard. Hand-writing notes puts me in a slower pace.

I am suspecting part of the change for AUD by July 2013 would be more of “writing” or presenting various auditor's reports. Out there during the actual test, candidates would not be required to hand-write them.

[Anonymous]

I hand write my notes while I'm watching the videos, then I type them when I go over them again. My hand doesn't handle writing a lot too well so I would never make it through re-“writing” my notes if I hand wrote them all.

[JakeO]

All I can say is to do both. Hand write as you're going through the lessons and then the next day, before you start new lessons, take the time to type up the notes and go back and explain in greater detail any area which you don't understand fully. Take this time as well to format the notes and highlight the sections you know you'll need to revisit several times. Studies show we retain information best when we study the same information in different ways, so listening/reading, then writing in your own words, and then refining those notes a day later really helps with retention.

As a side note, you “notes” should never be finished, you should keep adding and removing information as you find new info to learn.

AUD-Failed (Waiting for Score)
BEC-PASSED (First try)
REG-Failed (Retake February 2013)
FAR-Failed (Retake January 2013)

[MustPass1988]

If I handwrote all my notes, I would take like 6 months for each section haha. No way do I have time for that and I've passed three sections by typing out notes. The key is that you have to think about what you're typing and not writing them verbatim from the book, add in your own way of remembering the information

AUD: PASSED [81]; Expired, retaking August 23rd
BEC: PASSED [83]; Expired, retaking July 11th
REG: PASSED [83]
FAR: FAILED [64]; Retaking May 23rd

[nashville79]

Type if @ work 🙂

[JakeO]

A couple interesting articles saying handwriting is better versus typing

https://lifehacker.com/5738093/why-you-learn-more-effectively-by-writing-than-typing

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/8271656/Write-it-dont-type-it-if-you-want-knowledge-to-stick.html

AUD-Failed (Waiting for Score)
BEC-PASSED (First try)
REG-Failed (Retake February 2013)
FAR-Failed (Retake January 2013)

[Anonymous]

I typed the notes as I watched lectures but then I hand wrote them afterward. I can type as fast as Roger can talk so I have his 2012 REG lectures almost word for word.

[SeattleAccountant]

Write or type: it probably depends on how much time you have and which way you tend to retain info better.

Not having a budget for Becker ready-made cards, I wrote all my own with the exception of a few that would not fit into 3×5 card and had to be typed up in smaller font.

So far, have close to 530 flashcards total for FAR/AUD/REG with several cards explaining word usage (English) applicable to AUD reporting rather than the actual CPA stuff.

Writing slows me down a lot, but on the other hand, stuff I have written rather than typed I tend to recall better and faster.

Becker Class of Jan - Aug 2013: FARB DONE!!!!
CPA license pending 🙂

[Anonymous]

Hand write, all the way!

[Author]

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