[glutenator]

I have Becker 2009, including DVDs, CD MCQs and Sims, books, and flash cards. I thought of investing the massive $35/book for FAR and AUD to get a different slant on the training than what Becker gives. Becker’s books tend to mirror the lectures, while the Wiley books (I took a peek at Barnes and Noble) look a bit more technical. Any suggestions? Am I wasting my money (especially since I have to pay more of it to retake tests)?

I'll Pass Eventually
REG (67, 66), BEC (79), FAR (5/26/10), AUD (August 2010)

[RookieCPA2b]

I'm just using Wiley! I passed AUD by studying very little. I just looked at the answers to the MCQs at the same time.

Using Wiley for REG, FAR and BEC…..All I will be doing is looking at answers and MCQs at the same time. Then, I'll read the book if I don't understand something. I budget myself $120 for review course…lol

[RookieCPA2b]

Oh, I bought the 4 books (2009: AUD,REG,FAR and AUD) on Craigslist for $120.

I bought the book from a super brainiac guy that passed all 4 parts in the mid 90s just using Wiley.

He told me not to waste my time with a review course and just look at the answers and questions at the same time…

That's what I'm doing too!

Good luck…

[shaina0707]

I used Becker for my 1st 3 exams, but I splurged and bought the Wiley review book for FAR. It offers more practice simulations and questions than Becker, so I thought it was a good investment. The questions offer a better variety of topics and a level of difficulty that I think is closer to the real CPA exam, so I recommend it. Too bad there just doesn't seem to be enough time in the world to prepare for FAR!!!

[jeff]

Most prominent CPA review books/software get their questions from the same place: the AICPA. So, there is a lot of overlap from course to course.

If you're going to spend $$…your best bang for your buck is the Yaeger Cram + Wiley book to supplement your current materials.

[Mat]

Glutenator – I agree with Jeff. If you are planning to spend extra $ go for Wiley plus Yeager Cram. After I got 72 using Becker, I supplement my Becker review with Yeager Cram and it worked.

As a final review, I watched the cram lecture once just before my exam and I worked on every 3rd or 4th question recommended and on the topic I was struggled with. On the top of that, I read the cram notes a couple of times.

From my experience, for FAR if you already have the basis the money you spend on Yeager cram + Wiley book worth every penny.

[Anonymous]

Cpaexcel just unleashed version 6.0 and I am impressed and presently surprised; I had grown bored of their stuff but they did it they made it cool again; if I have to retake I am happy to have a new update to work with; Wiley and Yaeger are both awesome to

[MadamJ]

Most of the questions in the Wiley book are the same as the Becker questions for FAR. I have both. Wiley just changes the years in the homework problems to 2009 or 2008 to update it, Becker keeps the years as 94,95,etc. I did both for my test last Sat and about 85% of the questions were the same.

[wvCPAtoBE]

In my opinion, Becker materials are sufficient, if used properly. If you watch all lectures, complete the homework, complete all sims, and take the Final Exam, you should be well-equipped for any exam.

Becker was my only source of study material, and I have passed both FAR and BEC, comfortably. I feel very confident with my AUD exam, and not so bad about my outstanding REG score.

That is just my two cents…. GL!

BEC 8/27/2009 - 87 REG 11/9/2009 - 84
FAR 10/5/2009 - 87 AUD 11/23/2009 - 85

[Author]

Replies