[cpagoal]

NINJA Question –

How can one use both Wiley and Ninja to effectively pass these exams? Please provide the suggested study method.

Thanks!

 

 

[Globetrotter]

Cpagoal,

I used Wiley and Ninja to pass FAR and AUD on the first attempt with decent scores.
While it works differently for everyone, here is what I did.

1. Read Wiley book and did all MCQs at the end of each chapter. I noted the questions that I missed so I could come back to them later.
2. Watched Ninja Plus videos. Although they are somewhat outdated, Bob Monette is still amazing.
3. Listened to Jeff's audio lectures and his MCQ audio while jogging or on a treadmill. I also supplemented this with listening to Hot Spot videos which are more like podcasts, really.
4. Went back to missed Wiley MCQs and tried them again.
5. Read over Jeff's notes now and then when I had 20 minute down time.
6. Now I was ready for the big one – Ninja MCQs. As many people here would attest, those are lifesavers. God Bless you, Jeff!

I never got to review stage with MCQs, but I did do most of them.

7. I also did Ninja SIMs. Repeating the ones that I did not do well on. Those actually were very helpful.

8. I also did AICPA sample test (an absolute must-do) twice as well as Ninja published AICPA released questions.

I did take notes for both exams, but I never really went back to reread them. My handwriting is abhorrent. I think this was more to keep me focused.

I hope this helps. Good luck on your tests.

[cpagoal]

Thanks for the feedback!

[JRG24]

Keep in mind this is coming from a guy who did not score a 94 on FAR, but I took a difference approach. Personally, I am disappointed with Wiley and I ultimately ended up using Ninja as my primary source and Wiley became nothing more than a way too expensive secondary source. Ninja MCQs are awesome. What I would do is take some ninja MCQs, Maybe 150 or so, paying particular care to read and understand all explanations as to why the problem is right or wrong. I would then use the detailed progress report to get very specific areas where I was struggling. I would sort those worst to first and tackle the lowest score first. From here, I would go to Wiley and begin studying for these specific problem areas. I'd pick the top 4 or 5 problem areas (maybe even less depending on complexity/volume of information.) Once I felt comfortable I'd go back to ninja MCQ and take some section specific MCQs. If I was still not grasping the information, I would go back to Wiley, otherwise, I'd start the process over, doing about 150 MCQs and then checking my detailed progress report. Wash, rinse repeat. I like this approach because I don't waist time on areas that I am already competent enough in for a pass just for the sake of checking boxes while art the same time still getting some review for these areas via MCQ answer explanations.

As for SIMs, I think it is important to do some so you know the kinds of problems that may be thrown at you, but I do not think it is going to help you learn the information any more than doing MCQs will.

[jenpen]

I started with Wiley, but I struggled and didn't have much success. I ended up basically doing what @JRG24 in my final year and that was what finally helped me to pass the exams. I know there are plenty of people on here that rave about Wiley, and it is different for everyone, but Ninja was the key to my success. Hammering MCQs was what I needed to do in order for me to understand and retain the information.

AUD - 56 - 68 - 61 - 9/8/16
REG - 75
FAR - 7/15/16
BEC - TBD

Wiley CPAexcel and NINJA 10 Point Combo

[tl1cpa99]

I have been using both Wiley and Ninja and I think that the two work very well together. My method has been to start with Wiley and utilize Ninja as a final review resource. My method is as follows:

1. Watch Wiley videos and take notes on the lectures.
2. Answer MCQ/TBS questions at the end of each lecture.
3. Repeat for the remainder of the Wiley “bite-size” lessons in order.
4. Listen to Ninja audio anytime I drive anywhere or exercise.
5. Read Ninja notes during any free time at work.

I would do the above routine until about 2-3 weeks out from exam day. Then, I would turn my focus exclusively to Ninja MCQ's and the Wiley practice exams as a method of final review. With Wiley, I only watched the lectures and did not read the study guides. This is just what I've had some success with, but everyone is different!

[JRG24]

I will say as I have been studying REG that the Wiley videos do seem to be helping. Once I realized that you could speedup the videos, it started to seem like the instructors were actually speaking at a normal cadence…the moment the Dean of U of North Alabama starts talking I immediately would fall asleep. Speeding up the videos certainly helped and I will use this to do an overview of all sections since the material is quite foreign to me. So far it is working. I started studying for the exam on Jan 3 and I am already through ethics and professional responsibility and about half way through B law just watching the videos and taking chapter quizzes in Wiley. My goal is to be done with Blaw by the end of this week and be hammering MCQs over and over as I slowly add in the tax stuff.

[SuperAccountingGod]

@Globetrotter That wiley FAR book is massive. How many pages did you read a day?

[Globetrotter]

SuperAccountingGod,
I know. That FAR book is scary. Every time I took it out, peoples’ eyes popped. I put about 20 pages per day. It was my first exam, so I took my time.

[SuperAccountingGod]

@Globetrotter Do you recall how many days/weeks you spent reading the book?

[Author]

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