[viertelasiat]

Becker vs. Wiley CPA – My Experience – So I felt like I should post here since I just passed all four parts of the exam in December and I wanted to pass along my experience. To give some background, I work in tax and have no audit experience whatsoever. I worked for two and a half years out of college at the same firm I’m at now and I signed up for Becker because everyone said it was the best but it cost $3,500 for the full package. I went to every class and did 95% of the homework, studied every week, and took FAR and AUD first got a 74 and 73. Classes continued and I felt so behind and unsure whether I should study for the next exam or try to study and retake the ones I had not passed. I was so discouraged that I left my job to attempt a different career path so I went back to school and got a master’s degree in another field (no regrets about it).

When I finished my graduate degree, I looked for a job but couldn’t secure one. My old boss hired me back, temporarily at first, and I have worked there for another two years and have also gotten married. I saw the license requirements were changing in 2014 so I told my boss that I wanted two and half months off to go and pass all four parts of the exam. Now I realize this was risky but I figured I had to try and if I failed miserably then I would g back to looking at pursuing another career path.

I decided not to waste my money on Becker and I heard Wiley was good so I bought the books to study on my own and the total cost was $450, I also read online that CPAExcel was a good tool and supplemented Wiley well so I bought their online question materials. I just got my last test score back and in a period of 10 weeks, my scores were 87 FAR, 85 AUD, 84 REG, and 81 BEC.

Now I thought I should share my experience with Becker and why I now think it was the biggest waste of money. The program focuses too much on stupid mnemonics instead of actually learning the material. There is not likely to be tons of questions asking what one of the elements of the control environment is yet they have you trying to memorize all these types of things. Becker also focuses on what you need to study to get a 75. The problem with this strategy is it leaves out material and even topics that may be covered on the exam. Further, students often are inclined to take what is taught as everything that could be tested and therefore learn 80-90%, but what they teach only attempts to get you to a 75%, and if you do not know all of that 75% forward and backward you will likely fail. When I studied with the Wiley books I tried to go over the concepts and practice simulations to reinforce what I was learning instead of trying to memorize things for a test, I focused on learning the materials and practicing the simulations and multiple-choice questions.

It may be that I changed my method of studying this time around, however, looking back on the advice that the Becker instructors give you I now think that their advice is bad. You should not study to simply get a 75, rather study to get a 95 and learn the material. If you study to get a 95 and can only get 80 you still passed and you can move on. Covering substantially all of the material that makes up the exam and having more topics available at your disposal is the key to success in my mind and I feel that Wiley and CPAExcel provided exactly that at a much much cheaper price.

 

 

[Anonymous]

I used Wiley exclusively, and from what I have heard folks say about Becker, my analysis is basically what you said – that they teach only the topics for a 75 and focus on memorizing lists instead of learning concepts. It's good to hear that from someone who has used Becker and used a more concept-focused approach (like Wiley) and feels the same way…makes me feel more like I'm not just a Wiley-fan-girl and more like I'm actually right. haha. But congrats on the passes! 🙂 Passing 4 tests in 10 weeks is impressive, and having the guts to try to do that even after having had trouble in the past (2 fails in a row) is very courageous (or foolhardy…but if it works, it's courageous, so in your case it's courageous 😉 ).

[Anonymous]

I used Wiley exclusively, and from what I have heard folks say about Becker, my analysis is basically what you said – that they teach only the topics for a 75 and focus on memorizing lists instead of learning concepts. It's good to hear that from someone who has used Becker and used a more concept-focused approach (like Wiley) and feels the same way…makes me feel more like I'm not just a Wiley-fan-girl and more like I'm actually right. haha. But congrats on the passes! 🙂 Passing 4 tests in 10 weeks is impressive, and having the guts to try to do that even after having had trouble in the past (2 fails in a row) is very courageous (or foolhardy…but if it works, it's courageous, so in your case it's courageous 😉 ).

[thewanderer]

Just curious: I am trying to pass FAR and only have Becker. My first attempt was a complete disaster. I am wanting to save time not researching what to buy, but does this one sound right (below)? $57.00? If this is what you are talking about, I am buying it today! I too have spent thousands for Becker…

Wiley CPA Exam Review 2014 : Financial Accounting and Reporting by O. Ray…

[ymmit]

Review programs are purely preference and opinion. It comes down to what can keep you interested and motivated. All programs include the content you need to know in order to pass. My friend (smart guy) solely used Becker and nothing else and got 90+ on each exam including a 99 on AUD.

You can dislike becker and I agree in some ways. I really get nothing out of the lectures, but I wouldn't get much out of any lectures that's just the way I learn. I also didn't read any of the becker books or do any sims, I don't think that is an efficient way to use your time. I study by getting to the point where every multiple choice in Becker is easy for me and I understand it completely. By the end I will do them probably 4+ times or however many is required till I know it. I was shocked on how many questions on the exam were simple because I was an expert on the corresponding Becker multiple choice questions covering that topic. I think that is the most efficient way to pass.

Licensed CPA!

[Anonymous]

Becker's price is too high. I give my money to Wiley and Ninja and still have thousands left over.

[sarita]

I haven't taken anything else, but I was very happy with Becker.. it helped me pass all my exams on my first try within two windows. I think the material and books are just right for the exams. I believe if you truly master their material, you will pass. This does NOT mean memorizing all the mnemonics and lists – but rather trying to actually understand the material.. You will not pass through memorization. Also, I think people out too much emphasis on just redoing the MCQ over and over again.. because then you just end up memorizing the questions. At least for me, I put all my energy into understanding the information presented in Becker (including making my own notes) and then just used the MCQ to test myself.

Of course, everyone is different..

FAR 7/3/13 - 82
BEC 8/21/13 - 82
AUD 10/2/13 - 92
REG 12/3/13 - 88

DONE!!!! CA Candidate
Beat the 12/31/13 clock!

[Anonymous]

@thewanderer Yes that's the WIley book, $57 sounds like the right new price, it's too soon to get used 2014 so go for it! The Test Bank is also kinda nice but not at all necessary and I think is around $100 per section.

@sarita I agree that the key is understanding the material, and that if you understand all the material in Becker, obviously people can pass with it. 🙂 I think the difficulty with Becker is that they offer and (from what i've gathered push) a memory-based method, which people go along with and then have trouble with. Whereas something like Wiley that doesn't have lists or mnemonics is automatically more focused on understanding. Does that make sense?

[Anonymous]

I'd just like to attest to the fact that CPAexcel + Wiley TB is a killer combo, I was very glad I picked it. I think the problem with Becker has less to do with the program itself, and more with the way people use it. Personally, I learn from actively reading and working problems. With Becker, the focus is more on listening to lectures that emphasize the key points. That would've made it wayyyyy too easy (for me) to zone out and not be actively engaged in the learning process. But I know plenty of people who score very well with Becker, I think its pass rates speak for itself.

[Study Monk]

I don't use the Becker videos much, but what is really frustrating me right now is i started doing the Government questions and 90 percent of them are not a focus in the reading material. I considered government accounting my strong point but after doing questions I feel like I am starting over. It was like this for bonds as well. Why not format the material around the type of questions you ask Becker?

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[thewanderer]

Lilla,Done on both.

[jfreelov]

Wiley books plus Wiley Test Bank worked out great for me. My strategy: take one full length exam every week. Then the next week study the chapter(s) that have the highest Freelove Index.

Freelove Index = (100 – Chapter Score) / (Length of chapter in pages)

FAR - 71, 94
BEC - 91
REG - 51, 88
AUD - 89

[TXgurl]

Becker really worked for me. I attended the live classes, did all the homework and pretty much tried to do what they said. I figured that their pass rates were a good recommendation. I also attended a live one day review class for each section, and that really made the difference for me on remembering the crucial concepts. I also wrote out notes on formulas and points to remember. I took off from work 5 days to study and take each section.

I only used a few of the mnemonics, but instead focused on the MCQs and understanding how to work the problems. However one of the mnemonics that I did memorize paid off when I had that question on the written part of BEC !

The only time I did not pass with Becker was when I had an abscessed tooth, and I just could not focus well. However I still made a 74, even sick. I redid all of the MCQs and rewrote all my notes. I retook it the next window and passed with an 84.

I graduated in 1981, and Becker really brought me up to speed. I also believe that any of the reputable study programs will work if you're willing and able to invest the time and hard work. The exam is really difficult (no duh) and it's not easy to know how to go about conquering it. But this worked for me.

Thanks to Jeff for this forum and all of the encouragement here !

REG 75
FAR 88
AUDIT 82
BEC 74, 12/4/2013 84 Thank You Lord Jesus !!!

[Guti]

If you were able to pass after been out of school for 32 years, then Becker pretty much taught you accounting all over again. What is your background private accounting? The first time I passed FAR and REG I was also using Becker,but I got a 74 in Audit. I think Becker is great when it comes to FAR,REG and BEC. This time around I will use Roger CPA review fpr Audit only.

FAR-84
AUD-
REG-
BEC-

[TXgurl]

@CR7 I've been working in financial accounting for 18 years, before that I was in tax in public acctg. So I have a good amount of practical experience that served me well in dealing with unfamiliar topics that I DON'T use in my job. Such as economic theory and audit.

Regarding audit – I think that the main thing is to read the question correctly. The questions are so tricky. But I also took the one day intensive class for audit, that probably boosted my score several points.

Keep at it – you're almost there!

REG 75
FAR 88
AUDIT 82
BEC 74, 12/4/2013 84 Thank You Lord Jesus !!!

[Anonymous]

First of all your comment is impressive, to focus in your studies 2 months and pass all four sections is great!

I would be very careful though when giving an opinion about any review, because I do believe, they are tailored according to the preferences and way of studying of each person. Certainly Becker didn't work for you but as other posters say, it has worked for other people. Me myself, I hate CPA Excel, but it clearly worked for you, so, the fact that didnt' work for me doesnt mean that CPAExcel is a waste of money etc.

Roger I love it, and probably is not liked for other people.. and so on.

I think though, that even if you don't realize now, the fact of getting higher scores with a pre-study from Becker, helped you out to study in 2 months. Usually when you study something and you re-study, you have better opportunities to pass it.

Probably you don't see it, but in my humble opinion, to go to Wiley with the previous lessons you studied from Becker, definitely helped you out (in a bit or in a big way). Wiley is a taugh system to study, and for some like me, we need to see lectures or a short path to get the score. Again, just as my opinion!

Only you know what really like. Thanks to share.

[Author]

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