[Anonymous]

I was reading through some topics here and it seems that everyone has different study materials for BEC. I also heard that BEC is the “easier” of the 4 tests, but I do not want to under estimate this as I would like to pass on my first shot (im sure everyone would like to as well!)

I plan to study for this exam starting beginning of July (I finishing up my FAR studying and plan to take FAR on July 2) and hopefully take the test before the window closes in August.. so that should give slightly less than 2 months to study. I plan to use Becker and only Becker but was curious to see what people thought. Also this is the 2012 Becker edition. Not sure if that makes a difference or not.

Thanks

src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">

[Anonymous]

Chevy/Ford, Coke/Pepsi….you will get 100 opinions. Is it enough for everyone, no. Is it enough for some or many, yes.

I personally don't like watered down review courses where I see posts about topics on the exams that weren't covered in the review courses—and I see a lot of that with the review courses. After all, the purpose of a review course is to take the voluminous information contained in the Accounting regs and IRS tax code and boil it down to an understandable block of information (and some go as far as to forecast what will or will not be covered on the exam). In doing that, there’s a lot of filtering going on.

I’ve managed to pass two parts in the high 80’s primarily using Wiley only. Have I studied a lot of extra information that might never have made it onto ANY exams? Yes. Did I have to provide extra study time to study Wiley? Yep. Did I ever encounter anything that wasn’t covered in Wiley, not yet. There was one SIM on REG that referred to a particular court case result that wasn’t covered in Wiley (or CPAExcel for that matter) by name. However, the meat of the topic was covered in Wiley and I think I largely got it right. We’ll see tomorrow how I do.

In any event, regardless of the review course, use Wiley to supplement any review course and make sure you do the Wiley MCQ’s at least 3x each. That’s been my formula and it has worked—subject to being revised if I fail tomorrow! 😀

[JakeO]

All of the review courses provide more than enough information to pass each part. However, different review courses emphasize different areas and may contain more or less information, or do a better job of explaining topics. I have heard many people use the Wiley books to supplement their big review course, such as CPAPending has done. Studies show we learn a topic best when we see it in many different formats, and with the Wiley books being rather inexpensive, it wouldn't be a bad idea to at least read through them and do the questions in edition to Becker.

AUD-Failed (Waiting for Score)
BEC-PASSED (First try)
REG-Failed (Retake February 2013)
FAR-Failed (Retake January 2013)

[Texas27]

In my opinion, Becker is enough. With any review course though you must follow the program and do exactly what it says though. I have only used the Becker course not including the final review or flashcards and have passed three of the four parts on the first time and I am hoping to go 4 for 4 when I get my REG score back in the next couple of days. I also did all four parts in four months. I was never really surprised on any of the exams and although I thought I failed one I ended up passing with an 84. There will always be questions on the exam that you will not know regardless of what review course you use. The way to pass this exam is to be 150% committed to studying which means you have no social life or any other life while you are studying.

It is important to note as well that I was not an all A's student in college. I had a 3.3 GPA for my undergrad and a 3.6 for my Masters degree. I went into AUD with almost no knowledge of the subject and studied for 3.5 weeks with Becker and passed. A major part of this exam is knowing how to take the test and work the MCQ and simulations to your advantage. This means practicing MCQs until you want to throw up and learning how to use the research tab for the sims. I think a lot of people make the mistake of doing MCQs and not understanding why they got them correct or incorrect. If you miss a question it is extremely important to understand why you missed it. It takes longer to do the HW this way but it will help you out a lot. Sometimes you start to memorize repeated questions but it is really important that you still work out the problem like you have never seen it before even if you know the answer.

BEC - Feb 2012: 80
AUD - Feb 2012: 84
FAR - Apr 2012: 78
REG - May 2012: 90

Thanks Becker!

[nfs480]

I second everything that Texas27 has said. So far i've essentially been doing exactly what he has done and while i've only taken two parts so far it seems to be working.

FAR 93
AUD 89
REG 81
BEC 87
Ethics 100

Becker 2012 Self-Study

[See Pee A]

It definitely can be enough, but not for every person. Follow the prescribed directions for at least one section, and then you can gear up or down depending on how you do. BEC is the easiest of the 4 exams, but it still is not easy. Many of those who do not pass BEC likely misinterpret what it means when people say it's the “easiest” exam. It's like saying what's easier, the MCAT or LSAT… blah blah, perhaps the LSAT, but it is still difficult and requires proper preparation.

Good luck!

BEC 86 (08/30/11)
FAR 84 (10/13/11)
REG 88 (11/08/11)
AUD 86 (11/29/11)

Exam prep - Becker self-study

[NotPeterOlinto]

All the scores in my signature I received using only Becker materials. 99 on AUD, 90 BEC, 84 FAR tell me that Becker is more than enough. I think some people like to buy more study materials because they think more is better which I don't think it is.

F-84 A-99 B-90 R-89
CFE-07/12

[Anonymous]

i've only passed BEC so far (waiting on scores for AUD and FAR) but i've just used becker and i was definitely successful on the BEC anyway. Can't speak as much to the other sections but i was more than happy with just using becker on BEC

[Anonymous]

Ok great – thanks everyone for the input. this made me feel a lot better.. I think Becker should be sufficient. Now off to finish FAR..

[jeff]

Supplement with NINJA 😉

[Author]

Replies