[Pepper]

I am having some serious trouble concentrating due to the upcoming score release date tomorrow (took AUD 4/12/18) and my kids are out of school for the summer, which means that my schedule is not consistent and I would like to anything but study.

I am overwhelmed with the amount of information and detail in FAR. I’m thinking “I’ll never remember this” while I am reading the Becker material. I started taking handwritten notes, but it was time consuming and I didn’t seem to be making progress. It seems like I am taking too long. Here is my tentative game plan:
Each module:
– Listen to lectures and notate book
– Skills practice
– Read and take NINJA notes
– MCQs
At the end of each section:
– Simulations
– Progress test
Final review 2-3 weeks before exam:
– Becker final review book/software/MCQs OR re-read book and rewrite notes
– Mock exams (2-3)
3 days before:
– Review formulas
Throughout:
– Notecards for any specifically difficult topics

Any tips/suggestions? Is this overkill?

Thank you!

AUD - 80
BEC - 93
FAR - 89
REG - 82

How do you eat an elephant?  One bite at a time.

[paigenicole628]

That is almost exactly what I did for REG (waiting on that score — fingers crossed), and while it seemed like overkill to a lot of my peers, I can honestly say I felt prepared for the exam.

The only difference is that I take notes in a separate notebook while I listen to lectures. I don't do the underlines that they tell me to, but I will write the definitions, the journal entries, my own notes, etc. I've found that to be super helpful because by first reading what the book says and then thinking of a way to write it down that makes sense to me specifically makes it stick. It does take longer though. I would say lectures take about 2 times as much time as Becker quotes, but I make up that time by not taking as long on the skills & MCQs as they say.

One thing I didn't do for REG that I am doing now because I realized the benefit was doing progress tests after each section. Not enough MCQ practice was the one regret I had after sitting for REG. So now I do two testlets after I finish the sims.

Hope this helps! If you have the time to actually implement the above stated plan, I think you will definitely be giving yourself the best chance. If you realistically don't have the time to implement it, then try to trim things out. The worst thing is to have unrealistic goals and then beat yourself up for not meeting them (me everyday).

AUD - 78

BEC - 92

FAR - 89

REG - 92

[sarahmaru]

I used Becker self study on its own for all my exams. I listened to lectures and only opened the book if I felt I needed clarity on a topic. Then I’d do the skills practice, followed by MCQ. At the end of each unit, I’d do 2 or 3 MCQ reviews of everything I’d covered up to that point—about 40 questions each? I’d also do all of the SIMs. I did both mock exams, a couple weeks out and within a few days of each other. I only did some light reading and review questions in the 5 or so days prior to the exam. I didn’t take notes from the lectures, nor make flash cards, but I did keep my scratch work or make short notes on every MCQ that wasn’t easy for me. Honestly Becker is so comprehensive, I feel like their “promise” is kind of legit. If you do everything with a 90% or better (I did in the end) you will be prepared. Keep in mind you may never FEEL prepared, no matter what you do. 🙂

AUD - 81
BEC - 87
FAR - 92
REG - 80

Sarah!

[Pepper]

Thank you paigenicole628 and sarahmaru. I did the same thing with the progress tests with AUD and didn't take them until the end…I will take the time this time around and do them as I progress. I probably just need to do it and stop overthinking. I'm so glad that this forum exists so that we can connect with other people going through the same process!

AUD - 80
BEC - 93
FAR - 89
REG - 82

How do you eat an elephant?  One bite at a time.

[Author]

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