[sscusc]

Hello all

I am looking for a great CPA review course that will prepare me well. I have enough in savings to cover the cost of expensive review courses, however I would prefer inexpensive. Studying for the CPA will be a full time job for me!

1) I was thinking of going with Becker just because I have heard they prepare you extremely well. I would also really appreciate the guidance they give. However it’s way too expensive and it would really suck if I fail an exam using Becker.

2) I was thinking of going with Wiley and buying the books, test bank, and I would also combine that with the Ninja notes from Jeff. However I think I would need some guidance on what to concentrate in? Correct?

3) I was thinking of going with Yaeger as an inexpensive option to Becker because the demo lectures online are okay and I think they use the Wiley books. However I am still not sure if it would prepare me extremely well.

4) I was also thinking of CPAExcel because it’s cheaper than Becker and Yaeger but I am really not sure if it would prepare me well at all. Also, the demo on their website seems pretty neat and easy to use.

I just need some guidance. And if you recommend buying different courses for different sections (ex. becker for AUD, yaeger for FAR, etc.) I would really appreciate it. I am open to diversifying. I just want to be prepared extra well!

I was definitely thinking of getting the Ninja notes and the wiley test bank though, if that helps

ALSO, I want to add that I have been a year out of my bachelors in accounting program and I was an average B/C student. I haven’t been working in accounting either. But I want to make a jump back into it by studying for the CPA.

Having said that, I need a review course that will practically teach me everything I need to know over again!

Thanks!!

[theilya]

@Keely

how many hours per day did you study?

so you used Becker, wiley test bank and ninja notes/audio?

[wizards8507]

Were you strong in accounting in school? Did you graduate recently? I've gotten an 80, 81, and 86 using Wiley Test Bank only. I'm not saying this method is for everyone, but maybe try one section using a very inexpensive method. If you can pass with only $200 spent on review materials, why waste $5,000?

NY CPA

[Keely]

I used everything for BEC. Wiley Test Bank, Ninja notes, etc. I studied probably close to 400 hours for BEC, which was extreme overkill, I was just terrified since it was my first exam.

For the rest of the exams, I used Becker and Ninja audio only. Except for FAR, I just used Becker and studied much less. The key is to study consistently. I really never took a day off. Granted, some days I would only study an hour or two, but I always at least cracked the book or looked at my notes. I was constantly reviewing and refreshing the information in my mind. I really believe this is the biggest key to my success.

And I don't advise the only Wiley Test Bank approach…you will be investing a ton of time trying to understand why an answer is right or wrong and you have no material to provide you that answer. I'm not saying it's bad or anything though. That's awesome you (wizards) have gotten those scores with just WTB, kudos!

Certainly Becker is not for everyone. It is extremely expensive. However, I do believe it is a very high-quality review course and gives you what you need to pass. The $3500 you spend for the course will pay for itself in short order once you pass.

Just my opinion!

BEC: (4/2012) 88
AUD: (5/2012) 91
REG: (8/2012) 82
FAR: (1/2013) 78 🙂

VA CPA #42010

[jlg2010]

sscusc what course are you taking first? For FAR Yaeger was awesome….Cindy Simpson teaches most of it and is the bomb. You also get the Wiley test bank with that course with is extremely helpful. I just took auditing, and it almost seems like you could just read the Wiley text and get by…with the test bank. Jeff's notes and audio were very helpful. I'm not saying videos weren't helpful but maybe not 100% mandatory….especially if you are on a budget.

FAR Aug 12 84
Aud Feb 13 99
BEC Apr 13 86
Reg May 13 87 Done!!!

[MintsRGood]

All of the above study programs mentioned have their pros and cons and I agree with the other posters that it's important to understand how YOU learn before shelling out for a review course! Be honest with yourself! If you have the attention span of a gnat and tend to procrastinate, like me, then watching a lecture on your laptop may not be the best way to spend your money!

For BEC, REG, and FAR I attended a live local review course and for me it was great! The instructors are professors at my Grad School, the lead instructor was the dean of the accounting department, and I loved their teaching style! Yes, it was extremely time consuming and painful (6-10 Mondays and Wednesdays, FAR was 13 sessions, you get the point) but for me I HAD to attend the live courses and I supplemented with Ninja notes and Audio. It's all about your best learning style!!!

Good Luck!!!!!

REG: 75 DONE 🙂
AUD: 61, 71, 68, 92 DONE 🙂
BEC: 76 DONE 🙂
FAR: 72, 74, 79 DONE 🙂
Licensed Michigan CPA 🙂
-Some people dream of success...others wake up and work hard for it!!!
-The cowards never start and the weak die along the way!
-You better work, b***h!
-Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.-JFK

[KnightsCPA]

I am using Yaeger (with the Wiley book & test bank) and am very happy with it. 🙂

FAR - 83
AUD - 81
REG - 92
BEC - 87
ETHICS - Done

[Author]

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