[thisisWILD]

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: 85

Using 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 test

My 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!

 

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[thisisWILD]

@a-crew-well This is exactly my point! I did all of that and still got above a 75. The exam will definitely take a mental toll on you. And the studying process is DEFINITELY a struggle. However, you can pass by making horrible mistakes so that's why I don't think that it's as hard as it might seem. I hope the clears up any confusion. Glad you like the tips and hope you find your perfect pump up song!

[thisisWILD]

@reckedracing haha you worded it perfectly thank you!

[Lindsey_p87]

@ThisisWILD I do understand what you're trying to say, but you literally said “these exams are not that hard”. I think that's what's rubbing a couple people the wrong way, because it's just honestly not true for most people. Doesn't take away from your overall post, and I absolutely agree with your overall message. Congrats again for passing, that is a huge achievement!!

FAR - PASSED 11/14
AUD - TBD
BEC - TBD
REG - First take 2/16

[thisisWILD]

@lindsey_p87 thank you!!! 🙂

[Warrior]

Thank you for this topic. Much appreciate it. And conrgats

[thisisWILD]

@zadonska I'm so happy to help! Best of luck in your CPA journey! Thank you! 🙂

[I can and I will]

” I will say that these exams are not that hard.”

sure they are not that hard if you have time to study full time. Most of us out here are working full time difficult jobs and have families to support. I appreciate the look back and advice, and agree with a lot of it- but saying the exams aren't that hard can be quite triggering for people out here. It's a hard process especially if you work full time. If it were really not that bad- more people would do it and wouldn't come here for endless advice and support.

just saying.

[thisisWILD]

@jkearns23 Again, (if you looked at my previous replies you would have seen I addressed this), I never ever said the process wasn't hard. OF COURSE the process is hard! I wanted to give up so many times! You're right, there's a reason why not everyone is a CPA and the passing rate is around 50%.
Again, I'm saying the exam itself is not as difficult as it may seem once you take it and see that you can still make terrible mistakes and pass. I am not trying to trigger anyone, I was trying to be encouraging. My mentors have also told me “the exams are not that hard” and I didn't understand what they meant until I took it. I commend everyone who is studying for the CPA and passing while working full-time and with families, including yourself. It seems like you're super close in getting your license, good luck!

[jeff]

I took the “not that hard” line to mean “you can do it – stick with it” – especially after the follow-up comments.

Thank you for the great writeup and congrats on being DONE!

– jeff

[Mercenary]

I have to agree with watching videos at 1.5x or 2x. Do 1.5x for more difficult to understand things and 2x for the rest. Makes getting through videos so much better since they are more interesting as the content just feels so more tightly packed. Less getting distracted. Also makes rewatching videos more tolerable for when you need to review points, great for a way to do a final cram before exam day.

After being used to 2x now I cannot watch at 1x since it feels like slow motion. Too bad there wasnt an option to make class lectures in college go at 2x speed, I may have not felt class so dull.

[Biff Tannen]

I really like your idea of saving the simulations for final review week. I feel that it’s very easy to forget the little details that may come up in a simulation answer, and it may be better to incorporate the sims for final review week. Thanks for the tip.

[thisisWILD]

@admin That's what I was going for! Thank you so much, Jeff! another71 has helped me so much throughout my journey!! Thank you!

[thisisWILD]

@mercenary Agreed! I found that 1.75x speed was a happy medium haha!

[thisisWILD]

@retired-audit-intern You're welcome! I found after doing sims after each chapter was such a waste of time but I LOVED using it as a final review exercise! I agree, the sims will help you understand some concepts way better!

[Author]

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