[KingOfQueens]

I was wondering if the Wiley CPA study guide books, focus notes, and flash cards is enough materials for me to pass the test. Please let me know if the materials I’ve mentioned is sufficient or in excess of what I need. Any other alternatives/suggestions is welcomed.

(Not taking about the full out Wiley review courses)

Also, I have not taken any sections yet and I noticed there will be big changes to the format come 2017, so if you have any recommendations on which sections I should take first and which can wait.

-Peter

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[Anonymous]

I purchased one of the Wiley CPAexcel full review courses…books, focus notes, flash cards, online lectures/videos, MCQ test bank. I only watched the videos for my first exam (AUD), but then stopped watching them completely. I also never used the flashcards…opened one box but haven't even taken the plastic off the other three boxes. The books and focus notes were helpful, along with the MCQs. Based on what you said you are interested in purchasing, my recommendation would be to not bother with the flashcards. I would also strongly suggest purchasing the Wiley MCQ test bank or supplementing with the Ninja MCQs. I used only Wiley material (including MCQs) for AUD and REG, and supplemented that material with Ninja MCQs for BEC and FAR. Honestly, if I were to do it all over again, I'd probably go entirely with Ninja material instead of Wiley. As far as exam changes for 2017, I would just suggest trying to pass as many sections as you can before then. I saved FAR for last and don't think it was the best decision. It has been brutal. If you could get that one out of the way first, the rest shouldn't be nearly as difficult. Best of luck to you!

[Anonymous]

I haven't seen many people say that the focus notes and flash cards were really worth the money put into the them, so I'd say skip those. The study guides, though, are excellent. I passed using the study guides and test bank. Having multiple-choice questions (MCQs) to drill is essential for most people in preparing for these exams. If you're looking for the most bang for your buck, I think the cheapest option now is to get the NINJA MCQs, at $49 per section for 3 months' access (which should be enough if you pass on your 1st try), or you can get the Wiley test bank for about $129 (I think?) per section for a year's access.

Theoretically, you could use just the MCQs in the book to do your practice from, but I think that would be really pushing the edge of having enough study material. Doing questions out of a book is such a different experience from doing questions on the real exam that I think having the computerized questions is really helpful for exam prep. However, it's not mandatory.

So, are the materials you listed sufficient? Yes, but the focus notes and flash cards aren't worth the money invested in getting them, from what I've heard. I didn't buy them myself, so can't speak from experience, but haven't heard many people say they were any good. So, of the materials you listed, the study guide itself is what makes you list sufficient.

If you have money to buy the focus notes and flash cards, I'd recommend getting a test bank (NINJA MCQ or Wiley test bank) instead, since the money will be much more useful to you in the form of a test bank than in the focus notes or the flash cards. If you decide you want notes, you can make your own notes; if you decide you want flash cards, you can make your own flash cards. Making your own test bank is harder, though.

P. S. I think the 2017 changes are way over-hyped. Take the tests in a logical order (like, take FAR before AUD, cause AUD is testing your ability to audit financial statement prep, so knowing how to prep financial statements is important, and that's what FAR is all about, so take FAR first), and don't worry too much about the 2017 changes. Besides, you can still have them done before most of the changes, if they're in 2nd Q 2017. That's a year away. Wiley book-based studying is very efficient to study with, since you don't have to listen to someone talk on and on and on, so you could probably pass these in the next 2 windows if you wanted to. I think there's one change happening in July, but it's relatively minor; you can be done with all 4 before the rest of the changes.

[KingOfQueens]

Thanks for the responses. I figured the flash cards was not necessary and yea I will decide on a MCQ test bank as I've heard that doing loads of MCQ is helpful/required.

How helpful is the NINJA materials in comparison to the Wileys.

I have a lot of time and I'm hopeful I can do all if not 3/4 before the changes. I just have a tendency to get lazy and procrastinate lol.

[Anonymous]

I have only used Ninja MCQs for BEC and FAR, so I don't have any experience with any other Ninja material. However, the Ninja MCQs have been very helpful. I found that my key to passing exams was to do ridiculous amounts of MCQs, and even though you get a lot with Wiley, you eventually run out and need more. That is where Ninja came in helpful to me. I'm sure there are other people on this board who would be able to provide some insight as to how other Ninja material compares to Wiley's. To avoid procrastinating, I suggest scheduling your exams and sticking to the dates. I scheduled all of my exams as soon as I received my NTS and I stuck to my timeline.

Link: Current CPAexcel Discount Codes

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