[MrsBing]

I plan to start studying for the CPA exam in a few weeks and been trying to determine the best review course to take. After reading reviews, I narrowed it down to Becker and Yaeger.

I’ve been debating between Becker and Yaeger because of the lecture method and cost. I heard that Yaeger focuses more on teaching the concepts and is better for people that’s been out of school for a few years, whereas Becker is more about memorization (reviewing) and is better for recent graduates or current students. I’ve been out of school for almost 3 years and I’m leaning towards Yaeger because they focus more on teaching instead of memorization. Also, I’ve heard the Becker lectures are extremely boring.

My problem is my company will only pay for Becker, so I’m thinking of a few scenarios. Either I take Becker (home study), or I take Becker (since its free anyway) and buy Yaeger. If I get both, what would be the best way to incorporate each? Should I study with Yaeger first, then use Becker for the mnemonics and memorization or vice versa. Or do I use both at the same time?

What would you do? Does anyone have any experiences with both? I’m looking to buy the material this weekend.

Becker, Wiley Test Bank, and Ninja 10 Point Combo!

FAR: 89
REG: 87
AUD: 92
BEC: 75
Ethics: 90

Licensed Arizona CPA

[jeff]

Definitely go with the free option…if you end up not liking it – you can always buy the other later.

Do NOT use two CPA Review courses.

If you want to supplement with materials intended to be supplementary (https://www.another71.com/products-page/ten-point-combo) that's ok, but don't use 2 video courses.

[Anonymous]

I agree – go with Becker for free. I'm long out of school and it's working fine for me (and I paid for it out of my own pocket). I don't think any of them will have “exciting” lectures! 🙂

[TheBsEr]

I'm a recent grad and passed all four exams first try using only Becker. It's really not about which review course to choose but more of putting in the time and effort to sit down and study and understand all the material.

AUD - 91
FAR - 90
REG - 87
BEC - 91
Ethics - 98

[MrsBing]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm going to get Becker since it's free, actually just ordered it yesterday. Now I'm debating on which supplemental material to get and don’t want to send too much. I’m going to get the Wiley test bank, but debating on if I should get the Wiley books? I figured I won’t need the additional MCQ’s from the books. I would just want them for concepts and explanations of the MCQ’s. Does anyone know if the test bank provides concepts and explanations?

I may get the Ninja notes and audio. I feel like I’m on overload already and haven’t even began to study.

Becker, Wiley Test Bank, and Ninja 10 Point Combo!

FAR: 89
REG: 87
AUD: 92
BEC: 75
Ethics: 90

Licensed Arizona CPA

[ImaCPA168]

For supplemental materials, I used NINJA notes, audio, flashcards, and Wiley testbank. I followed the NINJA plan, too. They were great and got me the extra points I needed. Audio was my favorite. It helped keep everything I learned fresh (note that it is not detailed enought to teach you everything so you will need a review course for that). I listen to it in bed, at the gym, walking my dog, sitting in traffic…you get the idea.

Becker comes with a testbank and practice exams so you probably don't even need Wiley. And both Becker and Wiley practice questions give you the correct answers and concept explanation. But if you insist on getting a Wiley product, the Test Bank would be the most useful. And in my opnion, if you already have a review course and the Wiley test bank, then you really don't need the Wiley books. You may never have time to even read them. And consider this, if you learn and study with Becker and Becker materials, it is actually difficult to adjust to the Wiley book or any other review course–meaning how the topics are organized and presented. I tried. I bought a Wiley book and borrowed a friend's Roger's book to supplement Becker thinking the more materials I had the better. Boy was I WRONG and was quickly frustrated.

In the end, I stuck with Becker materials. An only after Becker expired, I got the Wiley Test Bank because I needed something to practice MCQs and SIMs on. I've passed exams using one or the other so they definitely both work. I just don't know if you need to have both Becker and Wiley.

Hope this helps.

B - 83 Done
A - 88 Done
R - 81 Done
F - 77 Done

Ethics - Done
Attest Hours - Done

Licensed-May 2013!

[Author]

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