[acardone51]

Hey everyone,

For everyone using Becker now who has taken the exam under the old format…and also plans to be taking some exams under the new format…are you updating your textbooks? Are you going to switch over to their new lessons/questions/overall format? Or have you already? This is realllly stressing me out as I never thought of this problem until now!!

I will be taking REG under the new format, and I have to update my book either way (I originally ordered it in 2015, so I’m sure a lot of little things have changed). I just don’t know if I should buy most recent book they have that corresponds with the 2016 course (I’m used to learning this way and it’s been working for me and I really don’t want to adjust to a whole new thing) or instead just order the new textbook that corresponds to their new lessons and everything.

Anyway, how much could REG really change between the old and new formats of the test? If I study using the “old” textbook that also has the most recent tax info in it, would I reallly be at a disadvantage? Thanks!!

[RockLobster]

The front of my current REG textbook says “for exams scheduled after june 30, 2016,” and is version 1.3. So far, throughout chapter 1 almost everything covered in the lecture has been in my older book, though some items have been in a slightly different order.

As far as the lecture itself, not much has changed. Tim Gearty looks a little more dapper this time around, his suits are looking a little more fresh and less like they came from Goodwill. Format is about the same, they include a lecture, multiple choice (as usual), and one additional section for each subsection in the chapter that breaks down a SIM into more detail.

To answer your most pertinent question, you can probably survive with your version of the textbook. But you're a version behind me (at least that's what it sounds like), and after everything you've spent to get this far, what's another $15 in Peter Olinto's pocket to ensure you're studying from the most up to date material available?

[acardone51]

Hey Rock Lobster,

Thanks for your response…totally agree, I don't mind the extra 15 bucks for the 1.3 version. But on Becker's website it looks like there another version entirely, called version 3.0….which it says to use for all textbooks after March.

I'm assuming it will be changed up a bit from the V 1.3 because from the little bit I've seen of the new lectures, it looks like Becker has altered the way everything's going to be presented (the way I've gotten so used to for AUD, BEC, and FAR)

I guess I can just get both lol since that's only 30 bucks. Just wondering if anyone else is in this situation and how they're going to handle it.

[RockLobster]

I think I understand your point; you want to stick with the familiar format, but you don't want to miss any new info that's not included with the old review site lectures and multiple choice questions. I took 3 tests with the old format (BEC comes back in a few days) and like you I did like it. But this new format seems better so far. There's more of Peter and Tim, and less Angie and Mike, which means your chances of staying awake during the lectures are much higher. Also Gearty has managed to get his habitual highlighting under control, so now its much easier to re-read your notes without being blinded by neon yellow. Above all, explanations seem more in-depth too. You should run through a few lectures to see if you like them if you haven't already.

[slugger73]

I took Reg for the first time in Q1 and got a 73 using Becker 1.3. I will most likely be taking it again in Q2 but I am not sure what the best plan of attack will be to bump that score up to a 75. I do not mind buying the new book for $15, but I would love an opinion from anyone who has some ideas on the best plan of attack.

Should I start from scratch and redo the lectures and MC/Sims on the new material (8 lessons)? Or may it be more advantageous to just drill problems the entire time. I would lean towards the later option because I think the problems better prepare you, but I am unsure of the honest materialistic changes in the new exam.

[acardone51]

I just actually took a look at the new format of Becker…it's really not as different as I had thought. The main thing that I hated was that I couldn't find the Progress Test function…which is what I use for a majority of my prepping once I make it through the videos/some of the MC for the first time

Btw Slugger73, I would suggest using the progress tests with all chapters over and over to practice. For AUD, FAR, and BEC I would do 100 MC each week-night with the progress tests, and re-watch half of one chapter's video Monday-Thursday. Therefore, you're doing 400 MC and watching two videos each week. I take Fridays off, then review the answers to my progress tests on Saturday and Sunday (200 questions at a time) and took notes. The week before my test, I read those notes.

Doing this, you can run through a bunch of multiple choice and re-watch all the chapters in 4 weeks. Not sure what your timing is, but maybe this will help…

[slugger73]

Thank you for the input. I like that idea of essentially a hybrid of starting over and/or just doing progress exams. Like most people, I am tight on time because of NTS expiration and what not.

I think if my Q1 Reg score was much worth than a 73, I would start from scratch. I would prefer just to build off of it with your idea though. Thanks again.

[Author]

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