[Reflektor]

I am struggling to pass my exams using Becker’s study material. I have taken seven of the exams and have not passed any, although I am coming close (my last 2 scores were a 72 on BEC and a 70 in Audit). I end up doing well on the progress tests and practice tests for Becker but come test day it is never quite enough for a passing score. It is possible that my best bet is just putting in some extra work and hoping that puts me over the edge this time, but I have been working on this for over a year and am getting pretty frustrated (to put it mildly). I saw that due to this Ninja Blitz sale, if I purchase the Wiley test bank by 2:00, it will be just over $200 for all four sections. That is a small price to pay if it is enough to get me to pass – I just want to know if people think it is worth it. My understanding is that Becker has a higher pass rate, but I have also heard good things about Wiley. I just fear that I will waste my time in using inferior study material, so I want to be sure people think this would be a good idea.

Thoughts?

BEC - 69, 70, 82 - DONE
FAR - 59, 77 - DONE
REG - 53, 70, 85 - DONE
AUD - 66, 68, 70, 85 - DONE

[redox1100]

I want to preface by saying I fall in the minority when it comes to this. I exclusively used Becker and found it to be sufficient. Yes, there are things that are confusing but not many. In regards to Wiley, I think the test bank is a waste of time COMPARED to exclusively Becker’s questions. Firstly, the most important thing is that you understand the concepts. The second most important thing is that you can take the given information and apply it to questions. The questions presented by Becker manipulate the information enough to where you should gain a solid understanding. Wiley has 1000s of questions which I think is unnecessary. The worst part about Wiley is that it tests on minutia that is not required for the exam. Becker does an amazing job picking out questions which are important. So I recommend hitting the lectures and do your best to understand the ideas first.

[redox1100]

I want to preface by saying I fall in the minority when it comes to this. I exclusively used Becker and found it to be sufficient. Yes, there are things that are confusing but not many. In regards to Wiley, I think the test bank is a waste of time COMPARED to exclusively Becker’s questions. Firstly, the most important thing is that you understand the concepts. The second most important thing is that you can take the given information and apply it to questions. The questions presented by Becker manipulate the information enough to where you should gain a solid understanding. Wiley has 1000s of questions which I think is unnecessary. The worst part about Wiley is that it tests on minutia that is not required for the exam. Becker does an amazing job picking out questions which are important. So I recommend hitting the lectures and do your best to understand the ideas first.

[Anonymous]

I completely agree with redox1100.

It is also important that you follow Becker's instructions. If they say to memorize something, that is their hint that this stuff is tested most often and you should probably focus most of your time on it. I'm sure adding more study materials could be helpful but before you spend money and waste time studying minutiae, are you using the material you have to the greatest extent?

[Anonymous]

I completely agree with redox1100.

It is also important that you follow Becker's instructions. If they say to memorize something, that is their hint that this stuff is tested most often and you should probably focus most of your time on it. I'm sure adding more study materials could be helpful but before you spend money and waste time studying minutiae, are you using the material you have to the greatest extent?

[Reflektor]

Thanks for the input. I think for now I'll just stick with Becker and make sure to put in even more time before my next test.

BEC - 69, 70, 82 - DONE
FAR - 59, 77 - DONE
REG - 53, 70, 85 - DONE
AUD - 66, 68, 70, 85 - DONE

[Reflektor]

Thanks for the input. I think for now I'll just stick with Becker and make sure to put in even more time before my next test.

BEC - 69, 70, 82 - DONE
FAR - 59, 77 - DONE
REG - 53, 70, 85 - DONE
AUD - 66, 68, 70, 85 - DONE

[san4596]

I have to disagree with Redox and Bird. I used Becker and was studying a good 20 hours per week. I had a hard time with Becker materials, and am now using Wiley. I found that Wiley was much better for me, and watching videos was a waste of time. Yes, Wiley Test Bank does have 1,000s of MCQ, but at least you do not memorize the answers like with Becker. Plus, Becker's questions are more complex than what you see on the exam. There are many people on this forum that do not like Becker.

CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
Ethics Course: Passed
Application Mailed: 3/16/15
Professional Conduct Exam: 97
Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

[san4596]

I have to disagree with Redox and Bird. I used Becker and was studying a good 20 hours per week. I had a hard time with Becker materials, and am now using Wiley. I found that Wiley was much better for me, and watching videos was a waste of time. Yes, Wiley Test Bank does have 1,000s of MCQ, but at least you do not memorize the answers like with Becker. Plus, Becker's questions are more complex than what you see on the exam. There are many people on this forum that do not like Becker.

CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
Ethics Course: Passed
Application Mailed: 3/16/15
Professional Conduct Exam: 97
Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

[Zaq]

Wiley is great if you find yourself memorizing your Becker questions; which I found myself doing on every single section due to the sheer amount of MCQ's I pushed through.

FAR: 50, 76!
REG: 74... (ouch baby, very ouch), 76!
AUD: 65, 91!?
BEC: 80! Aaaand doneskies!

May 2012 to August 2013. Can't believe it's over.

[Zaq]

Wiley is great if you find yourself memorizing your Becker questions; which I found myself doing on every single section due to the sheer amount of MCQ's I pushed through.

FAR: 50, 76!
REG: 74... (ouch baby, very ouch), 76!
AUD: 65, 91!?
BEC: 80! Aaaand doneskies!

May 2012 to August 2013. Can't believe it's over.

[Anonymous]

Hey Reflektor, I'm sorry to hear that. I have respect for you to still have some fight in you to come back and tackle the exam.I failed once it really brought me down emotionally.

In terms of purchasing additional supplements. I think it really depends on the individual. For some, Becker alone is sufficient and for others, it isn't. In your particular case, it may be significantly helpful in purchasing additional supplemental items since it seems like Becker alone isn't helping you.

I'm using Becker accompanied by Wiley Test Bank and based on my personal experience purchasing WTB has only helped me tackle additional questions/concepts. I felt that I was in a situation where I started memorizing the questions/answers from just using Becker when reviewing only their materials. There are some concepts the WTB asks but will not likely be tested, but I still think it helps hone the overall understanding of the subject.

I have also used Ninja Blitz but I didn't use it often since the material was a little too straightforward (no offense Jeff :D), but it certainly is helpful in tackling down the important concepts.

I think that buying the supplements will only help your review process and hence will most likely increase your score, but I wouldn't rely on them solely for study purposes. It's good to look back on Becker after the questions/concepts you've missed on WTB/Ninjas, and review the concepts since Becker does a significantly better job in teaching the concepts.

Good Luck!

[Anonymous]

Hey Reflektor, I'm sorry to hear that. I have respect for you to still have some fight in you to come back and tackle the exam.I failed once it really brought me down emotionally.

In terms of purchasing additional supplements. I think it really depends on the individual. For some, Becker alone is sufficient and for others, it isn't. In your particular case, it may be significantly helpful in purchasing additional supplemental items since it seems like Becker alone isn't helping you.

I'm using Becker accompanied by Wiley Test Bank and based on my personal experience purchasing WTB has only helped me tackle additional questions/concepts. I felt that I was in a situation where I started memorizing the questions/answers from just using Becker when reviewing only their materials. There are some concepts the WTB asks but will not likely be tested, but I still think it helps hone the overall understanding of the subject.

I have also used Ninja Blitz but I didn't use it often since the material was a little too straightforward (no offense Jeff :D), but it certainly is helpful in tackling down the important concepts.

I think that buying the supplements will only help your review process and hence will most likely increase your score, but I wouldn't rely on them solely for study purposes. It's good to look back on Becker after the questions/concepts you've missed on WTB/Ninjas, and review the concepts since Becker does a significantly better job in teaching the concepts.

Good Luck!

[Author]

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