[waffle_house]

I guess this is a rant but hear me out.

So far after the score release people are asking what they should do differently so that they can pass the exam next time. So here it is….

Read the damn book people. I started passing all my exams once I put my laziness aside and started reading the book and understanding the flow of information.

The biggest jump in score I had was a 68 to an 80 in AUD just from reading the book, writing a few notes and doing the questions at the end of the chapter and then every other day I would go back to previous chapters and re-read my notes again and do the same questions over (studied 5 weeks). That is it that is all you need to do to pass.

It took me 2 years to pass all 4 exams because the first year I did not know how to study. I had Ninja for FAR, AUD, and REG and never used them because they were (most of the time) the same questions in Becker.

I know people have different methods of learning but there should be a sticky on these forums to outline the basic way to study for this exam. I just hate to see people suffer because they are lost as I once was in the beginning.

AUD - 80
BEC - 75
FAR - 84
REG - 76

Exams started Sep 2014 -Exams done Mar 2017

Texas CPA

I put in work, it was evident

[jms10101]

@waffle_house Good to see you back here. I couldn't agree more. Mindlessly slamming MCQ's generally does not work. No good without solid understanding of the material. Work smarter, not harder

AUD - 94
BEC - 81
FAR - 77
REG - 88

First Time Pass. No Failures on the Exams.

[Anonymous]

My approach for BEC was to listen to lectures (sometimes along with the book, sometimes without) and then do MCQ for each chapter (homework). For AUD, I did the same-listen to lectures while driving, do MCQ/SIMS/Skills Practice and now that I have done that for all, I am going back to the parts I know I don't remember, re-reading the material, making notes/flashcards, what not.

[cpaMD86]

@NeedsA75

Agreed!

AUD - 80
BEC - 80
FAR - 82
REG - 79

Be willing to be inconvenienced for your conviction.

Roger/Ninja MCQ/Ninja Notes

FAR: 9/3

[Tncincy]

I like this discussion, because I am one of those people that toss back and forth about “which approach to take”….I can do the non-stop mcq's but I get discouraged when my scores are so sour, mainly because I don't know the materials. Well, others say you learn as you conquer the questions…but for me I did not want to memorize knowing these questions are not the questions on the test. I also bounce back and forth with product selection, I started out YEARS ago with cpaexcel, used Yeager, then switched to ninja, I still have not passed 🙁 . I don't like so much study on the computer since I'm on the computer all day. I have the ninja book, but then I have to print it out( ink and paper), I have the wiley book, ninja notes, audio, mcq's and am tempted to buy Roger cram (to keep from so much reading)…so I am at, just read the book and do the questions. Don't buy anymore stuff…..for the record, I hate reading this book :-/ …very open for suggestions.

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

[jeff]

I know your post is well-intended, but people who just failed don't need to be told to “read the damn book”.

I think the forum treated you with more understanding/friendliness when you were frustrated and needed advice.

jeff

AUD - 79
BEC - 80
FAR - 76
REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[krstnam]

I could never really read the book cover to cover. It only gave me the desire to nap. If I had to pick, I prefer the NINJA book over the Becker book. But I really like the Becker 2017 software. I wish I would have switched from 20126 to 2017 sooner…

Generally what I do with Becker is I skim through the module to see if there's anything that draws a complete blank. If there's a page or two, I'll read those pages only and watch the lectures. I do their skills practice I then do MCQs and take notes – the skills practice really seems to help me A LOT. With MCQs I particularly pay attention to the wrong answers and try to conceptualize why those are wrong. Then I review my notes, find the pages in the book if it's still not making sense and read thoroughly and possibly and re-lecture too. Then I repeat that process. I've gone light on the SIMS so far, but I'm going to spend a lot more time there for my FAR retake (3rd time's the charm I hope)

The strategy has seemed to work okay but like @waffle_house it probably took me a year of studying to figure out that's the method that works well for me but I was probably at a disadvantage because I'd been out of school for 12 years. But I'll reiterate, studying as been going much smoother with the Becker 2017 version. It's easier for me to stay focused and on track…I'm one of those people who easily wander. I was actually seeing a life coach for about 6 months to help me get on track. What works for me is anytime I'm going to study, I commit to 30 minutes where I won't allow myself to be distracted. If after 30 minutes I'm feeling good and want to study more, I keep going. If I'm drained, I take 5-15 minutes and get fresh, have a snack, walk the dog just anything really, then commit to another 30 minutes.

The other thing I've been doing is, I keep NINJA notes on my phone at all times. Anytime I have a free minute (waiting in line, halftime at games etc) I pull those NINJA notes out and read. Or if I'm doing something mindless like watching TV, I'll pull out a paper and pen and rewrite the notes. It's got to absurd levels where I even rotate through images of the notes on my desktop wallpaper so it's constantly in my face…in fact, maybe I'll put them on my lock screen for my phone too. It gives me little 2-10 minute refreshers throughout the day. I also listen to the NINJA audio but (sorry Jeff) I can't listen to them too long because I get sleepy especially when driving.

I'm going to be the person who says "I finished even though..." not the person who says "I didn't finish because..."

B - 77, 76

A - 57, 64, 72, 76!

R - 78, 72, 78!!! DONE

F - 54, 73, 71, 64, 69, 76!

[CPASF1]

cool, i read through all the posts, and now i am going to do everything everyone on here mentioned since it worked for y'all and I REALLY WANT TO PASS!

[Author]

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