[howdyjacob]

I just found out I passed REG! What a great feeling! I sat for my first exam May 2012 – AUD – man it is nice to be done. Hard to believe about 1.5 years to get this done!

I mainly used ExamMatrix to study – I felt like Becker was too expensive (paying for all the advertising they do…) and it didn’t seem like an efficient way to study. I highly recommend ExamMatrix. The books were pretty worthless, but the software was great in the way it “adapts” to the areas you are struggling with. I did countless MCQs for each section but didn’t touch the sims until a few days before the exam, and really just read the answers on the sims, just to get a feel for what I might expect.

ExamMatrix is web based now, very similar in feel to actual exam. I accessed the MCQ practice sessions on my iPad on the way to work (about an hour train ride). Instant feedback on why the answer is the best choice with clickable links for glossary and research areas.

I passed AUD with an 83.

I squeaked by BEC with a 76 (but didn’t put much effort… Whoops)

I failed FAR with a 73!!! Noooooo! I hated FAR!!!

I decided to get Ninja Notes and Flash Cards to supplement ExamMatrix. I followed Jeff’s Plan and read the notes, and rewrote them three times, and I would write notes from MCQs I got wrong too. I then went through every flash card. I LOVED the flash cards!!! It was so easy to get a few minutes of studying in when waiting for the train, on the train, waiting for food at a restaurant, or sitting at a bar!

FAR second attempt: 80! Yay!

I then failed REG with a 51 – but was completely unprepared, had barely done any MCQs…. Really poor planning and a waste of $200.

I HATE tax- I just don’t get it. I knew this would be the hardest to pass for me. I got the Ten Point Combo. I listened to the audio on the train or when driving to the point where I hated Jeff. I was so sick of him telling me about contract law and individual tax!!! 🙂 The audio was awesome, it was great reinforcing material for me when I couldn’t stomach the flash cards anymore or the MCQs.

I passed with an 83!

A shout out to Jeff and the Ten Point Combos – the only two sections I used them for I never scored “weaker,” only comparable and stronger! Thanks for the material and the study plan Jeff!

[RA2CPA]

It's nice to see another ExamMatrix user around here….starting to think I was alone using their amazing software!

I just passed my first test section (FAR – 88) using ExamMatrix, Wiley TB to supplement and, of course, Ninja Notes. It was the perfect combo and now I am hoping that these will get me through the rest of my tests.

Congrats on your success!!!

FAR - 8/31/13 - 88
REG - 10/18/13 - 97
BEC - 1/18/14 - 85
AUD - 4/4/14 - 99

[RA2CPA]

It's nice to see another ExamMatrix user around here….starting to think I was alone using their amazing software!

I just passed my first test section (FAR – 88) using ExamMatrix, Wiley TB to supplement and, of course, Ninja Notes. It was the perfect combo and now I am hoping that these will get me through the rest of my tests.

Congrats on your success!!!

FAR - 8/31/13 - 88
REG - 10/18/13 - 97
BEC - 1/18/14 - 85
AUD - 4/4/14 - 99

[howdyjacob]

Haha RA2CPA! I was feeling like a lone wolf with ExamMatrix too! Stick with what you're doing and you'll get through the rest of the tests too!

[howdyjacob]

Haha RA2CPA! I was feeling like a lone wolf with ExamMatrix too! Stick with what you're doing and you'll get through the rest of the tests too!

[RandomAlt]

So I have a question for the ExamMatrix alumni here…

OP, you stated the books were “pretty worthless.” I'm wondering if the other ExamMatrix users feel the same way. Do you just use the ExamMatrix system for the MCQs?

FAR - [10/07/2013 --> 66] [07/07/2014 --> 86]
BEC - [08/31/2014 --> 86]
AUD - [11/24/2014 --> 88]
REG - [02/14/2015 --> 92]

[RandomAlt]

So I have a question for the ExamMatrix alumni here…

OP, you stated the books were “pretty worthless.” I'm wondering if the other ExamMatrix users feel the same way. Do you just use the ExamMatrix system for the MCQs?

FAR - [10/07/2013 --> 66] [07/07/2014 --> 86]
BEC - [08/31/2014 --> 86]
AUD - [11/24/2014 --> 88]
REG - [02/14/2015 --> 92]

[RA2CPA]

Couldn't agree more….which is why I supplemented with Wiley text….the Matrix books are not to be “read” so-to-say….just used as reference for problem areas. The material in the text is great, just not for sitting down to read…there is no logic behind the format. I need some structure so I used the Wiley books to start and by the last 3 weeks had moved to 100% Matrix software as I had the foundation at that point and could focus on my week areas.

FAR - 8/31/13 - 88
REG - 10/18/13 - 97
BEC - 1/18/14 - 85
AUD - 4/4/14 - 99

[RA2CPA]

Couldn't agree more….which is why I supplemented with Wiley text….the Matrix books are not to be “read” so-to-say….just used as reference for problem areas. The material in the text is great, just not for sitting down to read…there is no logic behind the format. I need some structure so I used the Wiley books to start and by the last 3 weeks had moved to 100% Matrix software as I had the foundation at that point and could focus on my week areas.

FAR - 8/31/13 - 88
REG - 10/18/13 - 97
BEC - 1/18/14 - 85
AUD - 4/4/14 - 99

[howdyjacob]

Agreed with RA2CPA, the books are made to be used as a reference, but if you click on the reference links from within the practice sessions once you answer a question, then you read the exact same thing as if you opened the book. I probably used my book for an hour for each section.

This is why I supplemented with Ninja Notes, I also wanted some structure so I started with reviewing Ninja Notes first, then on to the MCQ.

[howdyjacob]

Agreed with RA2CPA, the books are made to be used as a reference, but if you click on the reference links from within the practice sessions once you answer a question, then you read the exact same thing as if you opened the book. I probably used my book for an hour for each section.

This is why I supplemented with Ninja Notes, I also wanted some structure so I started with reviewing Ninja Notes first, then on to the MCQ.

[Author]

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