[jimboace88]

Just looking to hear some success stories from people who have passed the exam using strictly Becker. I’ve been seeing a lot of negative feedback lately, and it’s worrying me because I am using Becker as my review AND all of my professors (and many of my future coworkers) all touted Becker as the best review course.

I got Becker for free through a scholarship, so I can’t complain or compare cost issues with other review courses. I guess what I’m curious to know is, for those who HAVE passed all four parts (or even just one or two–can you tell I need cheering up?), what was it about Becker that helped you do so?

FAR 07/27/11 - 87
AUD 10/01/11 - 85
BEC 11/15/11 - 87
REG 01/03/12 - 92

[Minimorty]

I used Becker exclusively for FAR and passed with an 87. There was nothing I came across on the exam that Becker hadn't already covered. I learn better by watching lectures than I do just from reading text, so the lectured helped a lot. There are a ton of multiple choice questions and enough sims to understand the format and the depth of questions.

That being said, I just finished my first go through of the Becker lectures with AUD and I am planning on supplementing the Becker materials with both NINJA notes and probably Wiley test bank as well. You just have to pound out thousands of multiple choice questions to get this stuff down. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

[NoScores2Display4thisSection]

I've passed all 4 sections before using Becker (got an 82 on AUD back in 2008 so have to repeat it now).

It may not be good enough to only use Becker if you're trying to be a Watts Sells award winner (no clue what those people use) but I think it's more than enough to pass – as long as it works for your learning style

done

[osidecompass]

Hey Jim,

I passed all the sections with Becker on the first try. I thought they did a good job with most sections. I wrote some notes below. I will disclose that I have a couple years experience, but used no other materials, just as a full disclaimer.

AUD – Becker was good for audit I thought. The key for audit is to really pay attention on reading the multiple choice questions. As an auditor, there are very specific differences between certain words, such as type of engagement, qualified vs. unqualified and all that other stuff. The mnemonics are useful and should be reviewed and try to memorize them. There are a billion, so try and learn them. At a minimum, you might be able to remember the letters and if an answer doesn't start with a letter, it might not be the right answer. Lastly, practice the sims and be forewarned, the sims can include journal entries. Becker's videos and books are clear enough. Other than tricky questions, it's my opinion that Audit is not rocket science, just tricky.

FAR – Financial is hard, as everyone says, based on the number of topics, detail etc. Most topics should be things that most people are familiar with from school and work, except for pensions, government and not for profit. Make sure to focus on these areas and these are important sections to go back and read the Becker book. The lectures are good, but the understanding of the concepts are critical. These three items were extremely heavily tested on my 2010 exam and spending the extra time on this info made a big difference. Depreciation and all that stuff should be fairly easy, etc. Again, sims and MC are the way to go.

BEC – This was my lowest score. Becker does a good job with everything except variance analysis. The addition of written communication to this section makes it easier (in my opinion) than in 2010 as there are “free points” if you can write well and can write to topics provided. Just an FYI that written communication topics apparently can be from other testing topics. Don't panic, it'll be fine. Not too many points on those variances I talked about above, but I could see them happening. Make sure to look at the first couple chapters in Becker. A lot of questions could come from there.

REG – As an auditor, this was my toughest section. Becker does a great job of teaching you the basic concepts. The lectures are good and the book is good. Not complaining, but I would have been more prepared had I spent some time reading the book again, rather than just watching the lectures and going through the book. I think that is my biggest Becker advice. If there is a topic that you don't get, read the book and watch the page video again. Also, supplement the Becker stuff with any textbooks, etc. I was prepared for the multiple choice, the simulations were very difficult. When I looked at them the first time, I was really worried, but just settle down, do some research if you can and try to relate the question back to your material. You'll do fine.

Summary – I know that my comments are a little disjointed, but hopefully they can help. My keys are to read the book for sections that are difficult or unusual. Unless you don't feel good about something, don't re-read every page, it kills time. I think if you put in the time with one study tool and totally devote yourself to it, you can pass well and hopefully pass quickly. Anymore questions? Just ask!

~Kevin

AUD - 99 (10/4/10)
FAR - 92 (11/29/10)
BEC - 87 (1/24/11)
REG - 90 (5/30/11)

[WhyEvenTry]

I passed all exam using only Becker. I did go to the the live lectures, listened to the DVD lectures, did all MCQs multiple times, and did the final CRAM both live and the DVD version. You have to put the time in to pass. The material is there for you to pass, but ultimately, it is down to how hard you work at it. I'm sure that is the same for any review material you get.

Do all the lectures, take many many many notes, epecially on the confusing areas. Do all the MCQs multiple times. Be sure to read and re-read all the answer choices to the MCQs to make sure you understand the right answers, and why the wrong answers are wrong. Try to understand the areas where they might try to confuse you in the MCQs. The CPA exam does do that, so much practice does make you aware of these questions. Some CPA exam questions are replications of the Becker questions, almost word for word.

BEC - 71, 74, 77 (Feb - 2011)
FAR - 73, 78 (Feb - 2011)
REG - 83 (Nov 2010)
AUD - 71, 84 (May 2011) - Done!! CPA licensed in TX (July 2011)

[Anonymous]

I passed three on the first try and AUD took three tries as you see in my sig…that wasn't on Becker, that was on me being lazy and trying to take the test within one week…the MCQ's are great…there's nothing better than seeing an exact question from the material in the test….that actually happens….don't know if it's the same for other materials

I also the the final review for all of them except the last time on audit

I didn't work one practice simulation except for the ones that they showed in the final review, many of my friends were the same

[katyuser]

I have passed only 2 yet (FAR – 86, BEC – 82) both on first try. I intend to use them for AUD and REG too. I used Becker exclusively, however, for the 3 way variances in BEC, I ignored Becker completely and watched Roger's video, based on advice I got here (thanks, whitesoxfancpa!). That's the only part I did not do from Becker. Also, I did only about 1/3 of the supplemental questions, no practice tests and no simulations. However, I did read through almost all the ancilliary material, and of course, all of the regular material, lectures and questions.

[mnCPAwannabe]

3 for 3 exclusively on Becker so far! One left. I also was able to secure mine at no cost to me through my future employer. I couldn't be happier with them up until this point. Sure I hated it during the process, but after getting passing scores Becker is in my good graces.

FAR: 84
AUD: 95
REG: 78
BEC: 88
ETHICS: 100

[Anonymous]

No matter the software you choose your success on the exam comes down to the amount of time you spend with it. I have passed 3 sections on the first try using the Becker software following their recommended study regiment. I do recommend supplementing their software or any software with your OWN ADDITIONAL notes.

While studying for my first exam, BEC, I realized that the MC questions I was getting wrong weren't being addressed as pointedly as they should be. To remedy this I came up with a system that helps fill any gaps you may find during your studies.

When you get an answer wrong, instead of coming back to it later, when you will most likely have memorized the right answer, take the time to write out the correct answer either on a notepad or in a .doc. Additionally, take note of the reasons your initial answer was incorrect. This routine can also be done with Becker simulations where you can check your answers against the solution guide. This process may seem tedious, and it is, but at the end of your lecture series you will have around 20-30 pages of quality notes you can sort through.

If you choose to use Becker, BUY THE FLASHCARDS. They are immensely helpful and really cement core knowledge. Again, write out all the answers to he flashcards in a notepad, or in a .doc, REWRITE the ones you have trouble with.

Becker's study process is as follows:

1.View Chapter Lecture

2. Complete Homework

3. Complete Flashcards

4. Complete Simulations

In my opinion viewing the entire lecture and then doing the homework is a waste of time, as you are likely to forget certain key points during the course of a 4 hour accounting lecture, who wouldn't? It has been more effective for me to view one section of a chapter, then complete the corresponding flashcards, followed by the MC questions, then ending with the simulations after the entire chapter, including supplemental questions has been completed.

This process breaks the whole ting into smaller more manageable pieces which for me relieved some of the stress. This whole process is tedious and challenging, but with time and effort these tests are passable. Hope this helps somebody.

Bacon

[Anonymous]

Becker and I got along famously. The teaching style was engaging, the homework screens looked excatly like your screen would during an exam, and with the exception of one instructor I enjoyed my lectures through and through. Would I reccomend it? Absofrigginlutely! The only and I mean only criticism I had about Becker was its coverage of cost accounting in unit 5 of BEC. I thought that area needed a bit of a touch up. By the way, the only other product I've used was a Gleim book for a graduate level auditing course I took. Gleim works for some, but I chose Becker and I never looked back. Good luck studying!

[johncuse]

Becker worked well for me, passed them all the first time. You have to put in the work though 4-6 hours every night 8-12 hours on weekend days.

BEC - 11/28/10 - 83
REG - 02/19/11 - 94
AUD - 04/01/11 - 97
FAR - 05/09/11 - 88

[Anonymous]

I've only been using Becker.

[IwannaBaCPA]

@Johncuse: so you scored that 94 ing REG using only Becker? I'm just scared Becker isn't enough based on what everyone else has been posting on here…

BEC: 79 - April 2011
FAR: 78 - May 2011
AUD: 81 - May 2012
REG: 79 - October 2012
Ethics: Passed - March 2013
I am finally DONE!

[jimboace88]

Thanks to everyone for the tremendous amount of replies. My faith is somewhat restored now, which was much needed because I was in a pretty dark place when I first asked for some encouragement.

I'm not working right now (my position at my firm begins in mid-August; the new hires had the summer off first because it's a slower time of year and second to prepare for the exam), so I am putting in anywhere from 4 hours a day to 8 hours a day, following Becker's prescribed schedule to the letter. I find it takes me longer to make the flashcards and do the homework because I always make sure my understanding is as thorough as possible before moving on, but that's not (in my mind) a bad thing.

The schedule allots Fridays off, and I certainly DO take advantage of that. Starting Thursday night, my books and computer are closed and I bid them a fond farewell until Saturday. I might look over my flashcards, but for the most part I cherish that one day as mental medicine to protect my sanity. Do you guys think, from your experiences, that this is ok? Although it might sound like I'm living carefree on that day off, in reality I feel pretty guilty any time I'm not studying.

FAR 07/27/11 - 87
AUD 10/01/11 - 85
BEC 11/15/11 - 87
REG 01/03/12 - 92

[Thefacta]

I passed all four of my exams on the first try using Becker. The last two scores were lower because I was burned out and didn't put in as much effort. I honestly think you can't beat it. It is the most expensive, but you get what you pay for. Sure you can pass it with other review courses but if I had to choose just ONE, I wouldn't choose any other. I feel the multiple choice are great and the books and chapters are extremely organized (compared to what I have seen with other review books). Ultimately, it is up to the candidate and the effort they put into it. If you don't take any shortcuts and review the chapter, multiple choice and sims (the reason why some answers are correct and/or incorrect) then you will be in very good shape. Good luck, and may the force be with you.

REG - 81 (2/2)
BEC - 87 (2/28)
FAR - 76 (4/18)
AUD - 75 (5/20)

[Author]

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