[DZagt]

Is it just me (most likely) or is this review course hard as hell to understand. Anyone else have this experience? I don’t feel like I’m learning material, it feels like I’m just memorizing what to do when I see key words in problems. I find myself googling sometimes when reading through the material. I also haven’t taken a section yet and this is my first go around with a review program so I’m not sure if this is normal, lol.

Anyone switch to another program with better results?

I got Gleim because it was a cheap option and it has a boatload of MCQs.

EDIT: Studying FAR

[ohiostategirlcpa]

Go through each Chapter (Study Unit) one at a time, take your own notes, do all the MCQs for each chapter. Then review at the end, do sample tests, and do all the SIMS.

Yes, memorizing T-accounts, JEs, and typical transactions is part of the studying FAR (and REG).

Yes, google and Wikipedia (and textbooks) are great back-ups, because all review systems are quite compressed.

It it the only review system I used, and many here did so as well, with great results.

F91 A95 R90 B94
CMA since 2015
(Gleim books/PDFs, MCQs, SIMS)

[Vanessachy]

You are not the only one.I have gleim as well, the book is confusing and too much extra useless information, then I started use Becker book for supplement, and I take my own notes as. For Mcq, I give up Glenn's Mcq, too many calculations, not enough concepts, that is why I purchased ninja Mcq

Far 10/26/2015, 64, 1/4/2016, 82
Reg 7/10/2015, 60, 2/27/2016, 86
Aud, 5/9/2016, 74 (ouch), 7/26/2016, I cannot wait to take this test again
Bec, 6/10/2016, 70,9/8 retake

[Skynet]

As a user of Gleim that passed all 4 sections, it is all part of the Gleim process for making it tougher than the actual exam itself.

You will thank them when you pass. Believe me, I know I did.

[Anonymous]

For what its worth I am about ready to abandon Gleim myself. It is a shame and I am frustrated by it, but the material is killing me. I am working on my second FAR attempt and I am beginning to think this is just not a good match for me. I am someone who even uses the recommended steps to get through the material.

I have not been using their instructor videos for FAR at least. That lecturer annoys me and I really don't like they way the flash back to him talking when I would rather see the problem he is working.

Anyway, I am not sure what the answer is, but I am having to admit to myself that this might be a very bad course match for me. It is not just you. Knowing what I know now, I would have purchases a single section at a time rather than the entire package.

[DZagt]

@ohiostate my test is scheduled for late Feb I'm not sure if I could get through all of it by then with that method.

@skynet what was your study method?

@BeautifulNim yeah I'm glad I didn't buy it all at once

[Excel14]

Thanks everyone. I guess, just like the Ford/Chevy argument, we have diverse opinions here too.

BEC (2/28/16) ----- 78
FAR (09/10/16)-----
AUD
REG

CIA, CGAP, CFE

[Track55]

I used Gleim with Ninja MCQ the last 3 times and passed them all. Skip the videos. Waste of time.

The CPA exam is supposed to be hard. Why in the world did you start with FAR?

AUD - 74, 99 !!
REG - 74, 92
BEC - 83
FAR - 73, 86

Studying for Ethics exam

California candidate
Business and Industry

[ohiostategirlcpa]

@DZ, yes, 3 months of study is sufficient per section, but make sure you study a few hours every day. This is a difficult exam and you have get serious with it. It is good to start with FAR because it is the hardest and prepares you for the other 3.

Like Skynet writes, it might over-prepare you, but better that you pass it on the first try with certainty, then get stuck in extended testing loops, lose credits, confidence, family, friends, etc.

Your notes should T-account diagram every example in the book, and you need to have all those transactions memorized by test-time, if you want to pass with certainty.

F91 A95 R90 B94
CMA since 2015
(Gleim books/PDFs, MCQs, SIMS)

[Soon2baTXCPA]

I used Gleim only for FAR, and passed on the first attempt with an 83. I went through all of the steps, and worked about 50% of the extra SIMs. I did A LOT of study sessions and practice exams. I also gave myself 2 weeks for the final review, instead of their 1 week for the final review. I had very few surprises on the actual exam. Praise God everything I prayed would not be on the test, wasn't. lol

The reading from the text is a lot of work, but I took someone's suggestion for AUD to read the text along with the audio lectures, and that helps. Sometimes the topics are repeated. This may help you with studying for FAR.

[AMorris95]

Sometimes I find my scores on Gleim practice quizzes to be demoralizing, and getting through the material feels like I'm trekking across the Pacific Ocean, but I do think it prepares you well for the exam. I bought the premium package and passed audit and BEC using the programme's recommended steps (with Ninja as a last minute supplement). The great thing about Gleim is that the questions in their test bank are harder than what you'll encounter in the exam, so if you can score consistently in the high 60s/low 70s with unseen questions, you are practically guaranteed to pass the exam.

But yeah, it's tedious to get through, and it certainly isn't for everyone.

AUD 84 (Oct. 2015)
BEC 80 (Oct. 2015)
REG 74 (May 2016)
FAR TBD

[mtaylo24]

Use the audio-visual lectures or play the audios while you read through the knowledge transfer outlines. This is what put me over for Auditing. Reading the Gleim materials alone is a recipe for disaster.

AUD - 1st - 60 (12/12), 61 (2/13), 61 (8/13), 78! (11/15)
REG - 55 (2/16) 69 (5/16) Retake(8/16)
BEC - 71(5/16) Retake (9/16)
FAR - (8/16)

[Author]

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