Is Wiley more detailed than Becker?

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  • #167054
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I have heard great things about Becker…but I really need to relearn and brush up to prepare for this exam. I have heard Wiley is very detailed. Should I combine both of the products? How?

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  • #327813
    Anonymous
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    I use RogerCPA, so I can't comment on Becker…but I also rely heavily on the Wiley texts and question banks (written and software-based). RogerCPA does a great job at getting a person up to pass-level, but I think Wiley really helps to understand the finer points. I think that Wiley is very detailed…but does not include everything…I have had to research some topics from the ASC and SASs, etc. for some topics in my preparation.

    I think that in as much as learning the material to be tested is crucial, learning the way the test is written and what the testers expect from you is nearly as important. I think Wiley has the advantage in this area…it prepares you to look for pitfalls and tricks in questions, identify the topic being questioned, look for red herrings (i.e. you think the crux of the question relates to journaling a direct finance lease but in reality it doesn't meet the minimum qualifications of a capital lease in the first place).

    I typically use Wiley to read and practice questions, but also to learn the topics to the point where I can feel I can write my own questions and scenarios to practice. For example, on FAR I might have spent two or three days coming up with various non-monetary exchange scenarios (with or without boot) and practice them. On BEC I might create several manufacturing examples in which to calculate equivalent units, or determine the break-even given a multitude of unique scenarios (i.e. inflation rate spike in a foreign country where raw material inputs are purchased and its corresponding effect on contribution margin, supply shock in sales venue causing an increase in sale price, emergency situation pushing fixed costs beyond the relevant range, etc.).

    In short, Wiley is very helpful and detailed.

    #327814
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Great information and other input and opinions are very welcome.

    @chromatic…I already have Becker and want to also use Wiley…Would I purchase the Wiley Test Bank and the Wiley CPA exam review Books to be prepare as you did?

    #327815
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    You could probably just buy the Wiley set…it's not super cheap, but certainly cheaper than buying another full review course from someone else. As for the software, I think there was a significant change between the 2011 and 2012 editions. My 2011 software was kind of fluky…it would error out on Windows 7 periodically and I had to stop and start the Microsoft SQL server process to get it running again. I don't know if the new edition fixes this, but I think the software helps to prepare you for the CBT environment if you are not already used to it. It also helps with pacing and timing, which is very important.

    I didn't buy the Wiley stuff a la carte…it came with the RogerCPA package. On the Wiley website it looks like the software access is $300. The Wiley 4 volume set of books is $260. You might be able to find lower prices somewhere else.

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