[Anonymous]

Morning Folks,

Is using Wiley plus Ninja enough to prepare me for the exam or should I use them to supplement a more formal review course that includes videos, etc? I’m self-motivated and have recently completed all business and accounting courses required to sit, so the information is definitely still somewhat fresh. I’m not sure I need someone teaching me the information again, but more of a refresher and review of things that maybe we didn’t go over in my academic classes.

Any insight is appreciated….

[mla1169]

It is possible but I don't think the odds are in your favor. Those are all I used (plus cpareviewforfree.com) and while I was lucky enough to pass eventually I think the road would have been easier had I used a more formal/structured review program. Problem with Wiley IMHO is it gives too much information and doesn't direct you where to focus your efforts. Ninja resolves that by giving the focus so its a good combination (I wouldn't do Wiley WITHOUT Ninja for sure).

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[jeff]

I have received e-mails from people who have passed using only Wiley + NINJA.

They used the NINJA for the concepts and Wiley MCQs to reinforce.

Obviously – your call — do what you (and your budget) are comfortable with.

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS) | Another71 | NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE

[Anonymous]

mla & jeff – thanks for the posts. The budget is definitely a factor but I also have to factor the cost of taking the exams more than once if the information isn't sufficient.

[mla1169]

I liken it to the difference between walking 5 miles to work and driving 5 miles to work. Of course you can do it either way, the big question is given the choice why walk (sure there are some benefits) if your time is better used another way 🙂

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

@mla1169

So which one is which? 🙂

My co-worker used mainly Wiley and a little Bisk to pass the exams. I think both Wiley and NINJA together would be ok, depending on how well you study the material, of course…People have used Wiley and NINJA and passed (as Jeff wrote).

I understand the whole benefit outweighs the cost idea. I used Becker as my main study material (supplemented it with Wiley, Roger cram and NINJA) because I figured it would be a worthwhile investment if I passed quickly. However, there are other materials out there that are not very expensive that many people have used to pass.

[GosiaS]

I used exclusively Wiley for both REG and FAR, and I was able to pass on my first try. My scores are obviously not as great as some of those I've seen here, but overall it worked well for me. It all depends on your learning style. In my case, I do not really have a capability to memorize anything, so in-depth Wiley study guides gave me some good understanding of the overall theory.

FAR 10/04/11 83
REG 11/29/11 82
AUD 01/17/12 92
BEC 02/28/12 87

[RedRage00]

Yes, you can pass using only the Wiley book/online test bank. You don't need to spend all this money on these video courses, etc. I used Yaeger videos for FAR and BEC along with the Wiley test bank and passed, but then when I got to REG I thought Phil did a terrible job and I stopped watching the videos half way thru because I felt I wasn't getting anything out of them and I just focused on doing tons of MCQs and I still passed. That proved that I didn't really need the videos.

My main thing is doing MCQs over and over and over and over. Reading the explanations with them and making sure I understand it before going to the next question.

Texas CPA
Licensed, March 2012

[FrenchToast]

I have passed both FAR and BEC with Wiley and Wiley test bank (89 & 91, respectively). Admittedly, I did look through a Gleim book for both sections. As others have mentioned, Wiley is overly comprehensive. However, it is more than possible to pass with it alone — something I could NOT say about the Gleim book. The analogy about walking vs driving to work is somewhat appropriate, but I believe ‘biking'that would be a bit more fair of a comparison.

All that being said, using Wiley alone will be substantially easier if you have a phenomenal memory and a fair amount of time to study. I really like the books' “comprehensiveness” and I have been pleased with the level of preparation I was able to achieve by using them. Plus, I'm a real cheapskate, and Becker costs far too much for me.

[Herbieherb]

Try it with one section if you pass, keep going.

NEW YORK- DONE

[NECain]

I say go for it. I used Wiley and Jeff's ELL plan last window to pass AUD. It works if you can put in the time. Good luck!

REG - 79
BEC - 75
AUD - 84
FAR - 75
Done...Thank you Wiley Books, Wiley Test Bank, and the NINJA Notes

[Anonymous]

Thanks all! I was thinking about trying it for one and reassessing after my score.

[Author]

Replies