[jen123]

Hello, I am looking for some experienced thoughts and opinions. I am currently using Yaeger CPA Review and I have NINJA Notes, Audio & Blitz. I am on Module 15, Stockholders Equity and recently I have been wondering if I should just stop listening to the lectures and read the Wiley book and take notes. I do like some of the examples that I get from the lectures, but it is taking FOREVER to get through them. I also notice that in the book there is some information that is not covered in the lectures. I scheduled my test for April 15th, so I feel like that is going to get here real soon. The time I have to study is limited as I have a family and I cannot sit down to listen to lectures until 9pm and I try to get some lecture time in on my lunches at work if I am not loaded with work. I just wonder if at this point I need to read, take notes and start working problems. What are your thoughts and opinions? I will keep going through the lectures if they are valuable, but I am not sure what to do at this point as I have not taken a section yet, so I don’t have experience to sway me one way or the other.

[Ajaz0810]

You've gotta figure out what's best for you. For me I don't care for the lectures. I got yaeger and I thought the lectures were so boring that I stopped watching them. I eventually switched to gleim and like their program because it gives you so may MCQs to learn and some good sims. The wiley book is similar. Find out what works for you. If you don't care for the lecture then go through the book and the wiley test bank. Hope this helps.

FAR 62, 66, 78
AUD 66, 55, 74, 72
BEC 79
REG

[Ajaz0810]

You've gotta figure out what's best for you. For me I don't care for the lectures. I got yaeger and I thought the lectures were so boring that I stopped watching them. I eventually switched to gleim and like their program because it gives you so may MCQs to learn and some good sims. The wiley book is similar. Find out what works for you. If you don't care for the lecture then go through the book and the wiley test bank. Hope this helps.

FAR 62, 66, 78
AUD 66, 55, 74, 72
BEC 79
REG

[Anonymous]

I understand that the lecture can get boring but the purpose of the lecture is so that you get the necessary information and nothing else. You shouldn't have to read the whole book. Good review material only focuses on the key points…exactly what you need to know on test day. Obviously, you will have to find what's best for you but I love Yaeger. Passed FAR and AUD on the first try and about to take REG in a week. I have changed my study approach to be more in line with the ninja method and because of this, watching all the videos isn't as bad.

[Anonymous]

I understand that the lecture can get boring but the purpose of the lecture is so that you get the necessary information and nothing else. You shouldn't have to read the whole book. Good review material only focuses on the key points…exactly what you need to know on test day. Obviously, you will have to find what's best for you but I love Yaeger. Passed FAR and AUD on the first try and about to take REG in a week. I have changed my study approach to be more in line with the ninja method and because of this, watching all the videos isn't as bad.

[jen123]

@Ajaz – thank you for the response. I don't mind some of the lectures. I don't know if I am getting antsy. I have been studying for the most part pretty solid since Jan.

@Casagarger – Yes, I get the purpose of the lectures and I think they do a great job. I think part of my problem is that I like Cindy Simpson's lectures and I do not like lectures from Phil and Gary. So when they are doing the lecture I just roll my eyes and try to pay attention, but they are very basic, skim the top lectures. Cindy explains everything and I am not left wondering what she is talking about. What do you mean by changing your study approach to be more in line with NINJA? Watching the lectures first then to MCQ's? Another problem could be that I am doing SHE and I am not fuly getting it.

[jen123]

@Ajaz – thank you for the response. I don't mind some of the lectures. I don't know if I am getting antsy. I have been studying for the most part pretty solid since Jan.

@Casagarger – Yes, I get the purpose of the lectures and I think they do a great job. I think part of my problem is that I like Cindy Simpson's lectures and I do not like lectures from Phil and Gary. So when they are doing the lecture I just roll my eyes and try to pay attention, but they are very basic, skim the top lectures. Cindy explains everything and I am not left wondering what she is talking about. What do you mean by changing your study approach to be more in line with NINJA? Watching the lectures first then to MCQ's? Another problem could be that I am doing SHE and I am not fuly getting it.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I watched all the lectures first while taking notes. I am now going back and doing all the homework as well as WTB. Don't get discouraged by the harder topics..pretty sure I watched bonds and SHE over a couple of times. I didn't care for Gary in FAR but he is actually pretty good on AUD. Phil teaches all of REG and does a really good job as well. Feel like I have a really good grasp on the material (I will let you know when scores are out;)..). Cindy teaches BEC and I am excited to have her back for my last test. A lot of the material is dry. I actually think the lectures liven it up a little (..if that's even possible..haha). The book has so many little details that you will never see on the test. Stick to what they tell you to do and you will pass. I talked to Phil on the phone several time before FAR and he was a great help. Don't be afraid to ask them questions. That's why they are there.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I watched all the lectures first while taking notes. I am now going back and doing all the homework as well as WTB. Don't get discouraged by the harder topics..pretty sure I watched bonds and SHE over a couple of times. I didn't care for Gary in FAR but he is actually pretty good on AUD. Phil teaches all of REG and does a really good job as well. Feel like I have a really good grasp on the material (I will let you know when scores are out;)..). Cindy teaches BEC and I am excited to have her back for my last test. A lot of the material is dry. I actually think the lectures liven it up a little (..if that's even possible..haha). The book has so many little details that you will never see on the test. Stick to what they tell you to do and you will pass. I talked to Phil on the phone several time before FAR and he was a great help. Don't be afraid to ask them questions. That's why they are there.

[jen123]

@Casagarber – Thanks for your opinion and advice. You are right about there being little details in the book. I will just keep that in mind and keep pushing through. Great job on FAR and AUD. I am sure you will do great on REG and BEC. What was your study schedule? How long did it take to prepare you for FAR?

[jen123]

@Casagarber – Thanks for your opinion and advice. You are right about there being little details in the book. I will just keep that in mind and keep pushing through. Great job on FAR and AUD. I am sure you will do great on REG and BEC. What was your study schedule? How long did it take to prepare you for FAR?

[Anonymous]

FAR was my first test and I didn't know what to expect. I gave myself 3 months 25-30 hrs a week which I think was a bit too much. I think 2.5 would have been perfect. For FAR I didn't do the Ninja approach and wished I would have. Like you, I was getting burned out with all the videos and MCQ and by the time I did my final review I felt like I had forgotten everything!! I used Njnja notes as well throughout my study time. I did pretty much the same thing with AUD (less time obviously). As I mentioned, I love Yaeger but I believe the ninja approach works better as far as retaining the info. Instead of using ninja notes I am using the ninja audio and flashcards for REG and I think this is perfect for me. Don't get me wrong, I did get a lot out of the notes but the audio helps tremendously when I'm driving (makes great use of the down time) and the flashcards have really helped me to know the material backwards and forwards. Like me, I'm sure you will make changes to your study schedule for your next test. I know I passed FAR and AUD but I want do everything I can to improve my study habits so that I continue to do well. My best advice for FAR would be to write out journal entries for everything, regardless of whether you are asked too or not!!! Keep a notebook of just journal entries. This will not only keep you active but you will know the journal entries for those fabulous Sims.

[Anonymous]

FAR was my first test and I didn't know what to expect. I gave myself 3 months 25-30 hrs a week which I think was a bit too much. I think 2.5 would have been perfect. For FAR I didn't do the Ninja approach and wished I would have. Like you, I was getting burned out with all the videos and MCQ and by the time I did my final review I felt like I had forgotten everything!! I used Njnja notes as well throughout my study time. I did pretty much the same thing with AUD (less time obviously). As I mentioned, I love Yaeger but I believe the ninja approach works better as far as retaining the info. Instead of using ninja notes I am using the ninja audio and flashcards for REG and I think this is perfect for me. Don't get me wrong, I did get a lot out of the notes but the audio helps tremendously when I'm driving (makes great use of the down time) and the flashcards have really helped me to know the material backwards and forwards. Like me, I'm sure you will make changes to your study schedule for your next test. I know I passed FAR and AUD but I want do everything I can to improve my study habits so that I continue to do well. My best advice for FAR would be to write out journal entries for everything, regardless of whether you are asked too or not!!! Keep a notebook of just journal entries. This will not only keep you active but you will know the journal entries for those fabulous Sims.

[alecia18210]

You should definitely do what works for you. I started studying ending of January and after seeing I am just 50% through the videos, I rescheduled the FAR exam from beginning of April to end of April. Also, during the last 3 weeks, I changed the CPA review course and get Roger CPA Review. He does all 4 parts of the review and never a dull day with him. I actually look forward to powering up my laptop at 7pm at night and watching is lectures. I am visual/hands on learner, so I figured early out, it's imperative I get a review course that suits my learning style. In addition, I get NINJA audio and listen to and from work. I get the NiNJA notes and flash card but hasn't fully utilize them as yet. i also get Wiley test bank. After watching lectures, I go to Wiley test bank and test my myself on those areas. I am almost 70% through the videos, but plan on re-watching videos like Pension and few others i am still shaky in. You have plenty of time, just create a planner of how you accomplish each task(video, notes, mcq, etc)

PS. i scored 100 in nonprofit (wiley test bank)without reading the book or watching lecture. I actually learn by doing MCQ on cpafreereview.com, while waiting for the NTS. I figured it doesn't hurt to start learning the material. Now, I feel comfortable enough to skip the lecture in this area.

Roger CPA Review + Ninja Audio + Wiley Test Bank+Ninja MCQ

FAR PASSED 7/14
AUD 72(2x)- 8/2014, Rematch 04/15
REG 02/2015
BEC 06/2015

"I can do all things through Christ Jesus who gives me strength". Philippians 4:13

[alecia18210]

You should definitely do what works for you. I started studying ending of January and after seeing I am just 50% through the videos, I rescheduled the FAR exam from beginning of April to end of April. Also, during the last 3 weeks, I changed the CPA review course and get Roger CPA Review. He does all 4 parts of the review and never a dull day with him. I actually look forward to powering up my laptop at 7pm at night and watching is lectures. I am visual/hands on learner, so I figured early out, it's imperative I get a review course that suits my learning style. In addition, I get NINJA audio and listen to and from work. I get the NiNJA notes and flash card but hasn't fully utilize them as yet. i also get Wiley test bank. After watching lectures, I go to Wiley test bank and test my myself on those areas. I am almost 70% through the videos, but plan on re-watching videos like Pension and few others i am still shaky in. You have plenty of time, just create a planner of how you accomplish each task(video, notes, mcq, etc)

PS. i scored 100 in nonprofit (wiley test bank)without reading the book or watching lecture. I actually learn by doing MCQ on cpafreereview.com, while waiting for the NTS. I figured it doesn't hurt to start learning the material. Now, I feel comfortable enough to skip the lecture in this area.

Roger CPA Review + Ninja Audio + Wiley Test Bank+Ninja MCQ

FAR PASSED 7/14
AUD 72(2x)- 8/2014, Rematch 04/15
REG 02/2015
BEC 06/2015

"I can do all things through Christ Jesus who gives me strength". Philippians 4:13

[mystical guy]

Someone advised that, if you have the time, try different types of learning strategies. Visual, Audio, Reading, Writing…etc.

I used to think that we're either auditory or visual learners but I realized just how important a little tiny fact from either a sound or a picture made a difference between that 74 or 75

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[Author]

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