[Anonymous]

So currently, I’m looking for an accounting position, and have some free time on hand. One of my goal is to do a MBA or MPA (which is better for a 23yr old?) I know I will have to take the GMAT at some point in future. I believe GMAT scores are good for 5yrs. What’s the best way to study for it? I do well with review courses. Are there any particular good ones that I should buy?

Please help!!!

Thanks!

[NoOrigins]

I took the GMAT back in 2009 after being out of school for about 3 years. All I used to review was the official guide, and I got in the high 600s. The official review guide is pretty cheap too. Had I taken it while doing my undergraduate, or shortly after graduating, I probably could have scored higher.

FAR: Passed
REG: Passed
BEC: Passed
AUD: Passed

[Anonymous]

Thank you!! I'll look into that!! Any other materials??

[Ying]

I also used the Official Guide back in 2009 and felt it helped me a lot to prepare the exam. My suggestion would be –

1. Do some practice questions in the Official Guide and get a basic understanding of what the exam contains (reasoning, reading comprehension, etc.)

2. Find out the weak areas and read the explanations of questions you did wrong in the book.

3. I heard Kaplan and Princeton Review provide review softwares with more practice questions, but I didn't use them back then.

FAR - Passed (11/9/2011)
BEC - Passed (11/28/2011)
AUD - Passed (7/17/2012)
REG - Passed!! DONE!!
Looking for a full-time position now.

[Jeremy]

I used Kaplan book and online practice exam and scored low 700's. The book had some excellent strategies, which I actually carried over to the CPA and CFE exams too. Don't get discouraged by a lower score on the practice exam either. I scored mid 600's on it.

Best of luck!

B- 8/13/2012- 92
A- 7/19/2012- 83
R- 5/30/2012-82
F- 7/3/2012- 90

[Sandra]

Super timely thread for me. Now that I'm done with my MBA/CPA and not even teaching the CMA class anymore my freetime is boring me. Weird how some things become part of the routine and are hard to let go of.

I'm thinking about taking the GMAT (didn't have to for my MBA) and trying to get into the Master of Science in Finance at SU. I'm not sure if they'd even have me, but its worth a shot.

I've been googling and one thing I can't quite figure out- if I take it and am unhappy with the score can I just take it again? Or is it a 1 time thing?

[hellencpa]

@ Sandra, WOW how did you manage to get those scores? You must be very brilliant. If you don't mind sharing, How do you study? Any tips? Specially for FAR?

[Sandra]

You're very sweet, but I wouldn't say I'm brilliant. I've discussed this at lenght on this board and its made me pretty unpopular with some folks, but here is a short version of what *I* think works.

I don't think the material is that hard. Don't overthink it. Especially for FAR. If I found I was stuck on something I walked away and came back to it a bit later. The concepts aren't complicated, but sometimes missing a small piece can make it seem tragically difficult and overwhelming. When in doubt don't panic, but try to think about what you are trying to accomplish on a VERY basic level. For example when discounting a bond- what are you trying to do? What entries have to happen to for it to be reflected properly when someone looks at the financials? A lot of the journal entries will become obvious that way and just about everything on FAR can be solved with a good old fashioned T account.

Come test time don't worry about all the horror stories you've read on here. I love (some of) the folks on here, but walked into my first test (FAR) I was thinking the test would be impossible. Its not. Everyone is an individual. Staying calm during the test will go a long way in helping you pick the right answer. For the record: I didn't think and of the SIMS on any of the tests were super unfair, although I did have some really hard ones.

All that being said- I used Roger CPA review and I honestly can't say enough good things about it. I was super hesitant in ordering and took way too long to decide (so much so that I got a week late start because I was having trouble deciding which course to pick). I'm not saying Roger would work for everyone, but for me watching good lectures is key. I can read the book myself so I don't need someone to read to me from the text. I need someone to give me stupid simplified examples that I can make sense of.

I also had Becker, which was given to me by a friend, and really didn't use it. My review course worked perfectly for me and was such a huge part passing. I put in super limited time for REG but somehow Rogers (annoying) voice came back to me when I was taking the test. My advice is not pick Roger, but do make sure that you pick the best review course for YOU. It made all the difference for me.

[jeff]

Sandra – just curious when you implemented the ninja notes and audio, if at all.

[hellencpa]

Thanks for the advice Sandra. I am currently usingBecker 2011 for Far which will be my last exam but it is taking my time a lot to understand the material…specially j/e.. So now I have even started to think “does it worth it?” It is becoming very frustrating for me. I am currently looking for a job, taking care of a baby, and studying Far…

[stefiva3]

I used Manhattan GMAT Prep study material + Official Review Guide. I found Manhattan pretty helpful. They have like 8 books to cover different areas of the exam.

[Sandra]

Jeff- it was different for every section but I never really used them until I had gotten through the review course once.

For FAR I used both the notes and the audio, although the audio maybe not all that much. It's a little hard with audio and equations and trying to follow along without seeing it. I did read the notes 2-3 times, once immediately before the test.

REG I didn't really use the ninja stuff. I barely used the full review stuff. I listened to 30 minutes of the audio and read the notes immediately before sitting for the test.

AUD I used the audio the most heavily on. I think in terms of audio stuff it's the best section because there aren't as many formulas or things to explain. As a result I didn't use the notes except the normal once over in the test center parking lot.

BEC- not even sure what to say about that one. I didn't really study anything other than Econ and and IT- the two sections more detailed on the CPA vs the CMA. I'm STILL pissed about that test and blame the written section. Anyway, I'm not sure if I looked at the ninja notes or not. I know I didn't use the audio.

@hellen- I don't know how you did on your other sections but in some ways I think FAR is a little pile BEC in that once you understand the concepts it seems easy but until then it can be incredibly frustrating. Consolidations was a huge hang up for me. For me it worked to just watch the lectures again. Honestly there were some FAR lectures I watched 3-4 times. I know some people think that's a waste of time but I really think it depends on how you learn.

[Author]

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