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Becker CPA Review
Today I found out I officially passed all 4 parts of the CPA Exam on the first try using Becker CPA Review! This post is to tell you about my experience and give some advice.
You really can’t trust your “feeling” taking an exam, walking out of an exam, or if testlet 2 was “harder”:
(In order of taking my exams)
AUD: Couldn’t distinguish if the 2nd testlet was “harder”, ran out of time, and bawled for 10 minutes in my car thinking I had failed.
Score: 79
FAR: Thought the 2nd testlet was “harder”, had HORRIBLE time management on my sims, panicked and submitted a blank sim, put a ton of 0s as answers in 3 sims, bawled after the exam and the next 2 days thinking there was truly no hope.
Score: 78
BEC: Couldn’t distinguish if the 2nd testlet was “harder”, felt weird … felt pretty good .. didn’t run out of time … sims were dare I say easy? No tears (shocker)
Score: 90
REG: Thought the 2nd testlet was “harder”, felt pretty good and almost confident .. definitely had to guess on some MCQs and sims, and again, no tears.
Score: 85Using Becker:
– I never used the flashcards, didn’t think they were useful.
– Don’t do the preassessments, they’re a waste of time.
– Go through each lecture, skills practice, and MCQ. Save sims until later, 1 week before your exam.
– Watch lectures at 1.5-2x speed
– Do not get bogged down on small details!!!
– Complete Becker’s Final Review before you take the first Simulated (mock) Exam (again, save sims for later). If you have time, take all simulated exams and use it as a tool to target your weak areas. Keep repeating MCQs in those weak areas (do not obsess over simulated exam scores). Also if you have time, type up a Google Doc of only the important takeaways from Becker’s Final Review and use that as a study guide to read every so often and on exam day. Keep adding to this Doc with important things you seem to miss during your final review period.
– I did not like their Personalized Review Session. Instead, use Practice Tests and Simulated Exams to choose which chapters and modules you should work on and repeat MCQs or reread the book.
– Do the newly released AICPA questions
– Do the AICPA sample testMy timeline studying full-time (40+ hours per week of studying):
AUD: 6 weeks
FAR: 6 weeks
BEC: 4 weeks
REG: 5 weeks
– If studying full-time, try to complete 3 chapters per week and leave 2 weeks for final review (that should be plenty). Everything will come together and click during your final review time – I promise.
– Take FAR as either your first or second section! Do NOT save it for last because there is soooo much material and you will get so demotivated and frustrated.
– BEC was very easy in my opinion – don’t waste too much time on Written Communication if English is your first language and you are comfortable with basic grammar and spelling.
– You don’t need to memorize all the phase-out limits or know the various tax forms for REG. I think the most important numbers would be the Mom & Pop exception, and dollar amounts for different tax credits.Exam Day:
– Pick a “pump-up” song to listen to before you go inside! I recommend Eminem “Lose Yourself” 🙂
– Don’t forget your ID or NTS (or scratch paper approval form and earplugs if you’re bringing your own; email candidatecare@nasba.org and request scratch paper and pencil for the exam instead of using the dry-erase markers and laminated sheets)
– Leave your phone in the car (it’s just easier when they question you and you’ll be less tempted to check it)
– Do not wear any jewelry besides a wedding ring
– If you tend to play with your hair, tie it up!!
– Dress comfortably
– Eat beforehand
– Use the restroom before going through the security protocols
– Bring water, snacks, chapstick, lotion
– Time Management: PLEASE don’t repeat my mistake and use your time wisely!! Do not spend more than 25 minutes on a single sim. Submit and move on.
– Enter 0s if you need to guess. Be careful to read the instructions and whether they want you to leave answers blank vs enter 0
– Try your best to only take a break when the timer stops
– Utilize the AL if you need to! You’ll be surprised what it can help you figure out. But don’t waste too much time using it
– Be confident!!!To be completely honest, after taking all 4 sections and experiencing a variety of emotions and test-taking experiences, I will say that these exams are not that hard. If you put in the time and effort to study and prepare well, you should pass. I did terribly on FAR but still got a 78. After that exam, I knew I could pass each one. It’s really not that bad. You won’t believe me until you experience it for yourself, though. Best of luck! Trust the process!
AUD - 79
BEC - 90
FAR - 78
REG - 85The CPA Exam is a mind game
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