[jeff]

NINJA Study Notes, Flashcards, and Audio: https://www.another71.com/products-page/

Wiley Software: https://www.another71.com/wiley-cpa-software/

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

[Anonymous]

I found that more often than not under IFRS the amount was usually less than under GAAP as they don't count a lot of things that GAAP does.

[magster]

So – I am scheduled to take this monster for the 3rd time on 5/14 and I am in sections 3 of 20 in the gleim review…failed 2x with becker and thought it was time for a change. I am getting really worried since the MCQ's are soooooo in depth and right now I am studying 3 days on one section with working full time. No other days are open for me to re-schedule since I have to take on a Saturday due to inflexibility at work. How am I ever gonna get this done???

By the way, for those of you that had ok SIMS – I am sooooo jelous, I seem to get the off the wall stuff there.

Any suggestion on how I can get this done in 5 weeks?

REG - Passed
FAR - Passed
BEC - Passed
AUD - 2-25-12 PASSED - DONE !!!!!!!! WOOHOO

*** One day I will get my life back.... maybe today is the day ***

[Megan]

I just got done taking the exam, and I'm thinking I did horrible. My testlets never got harder, and my sims were not too tough. I know the sims are not adaptive, but with the testlets not getting noticeably harder, I seriously doubt I did well. But, we all know you can't tell anything based on anything.

Magster – I'm not the best person to talk to since I haven't passed FAR yet (it was really my own fault the first two times, not the number of weeks I studied), but my friend and I took FAR the first time at the same time and we prepared for 6 weeks. She passed, I didn't, but I was laid off 2 weeks before the test, so getting a job was much more important to me than passing since I'm the sole income for my family. My friend also was working full time and has a husband and child, so I think 5 weeks remaining should be enough time. It's tough, I know, it's just committing at least 4 hours a day to it.

This is probably terrible advice too, but I can say I'm glad I didn't spend lots and lots of time on one topic. I got such a mix of stuff, and I'm glad I didn't waste hours learning ins and outs of certain subject when I only had 3 or 4 questions total on a subject. I tried to get a complete general understanding of every subject and hopefully it benefited me this time.

BEC 52, 61, 74, 77
AUD 80
REG 75
FAR 50, 60, 70, 74, 83...DONE!!
..Texas.. Baby #2 born 4/11/11

[Anonymous]

@Megan, if your testlets were getting noticeably difficult as you progessed to the next testlet then I say the odds of passing are in your favor. When I took FAR, my 2nd testlet was slightly more difficult than the 1st and the 3rd testlet was easier than the 2nd (if I remember correctly) so the odds were def not in my favor.

[magster]

So here I am studying for FAR and I am so stuck on the DEPS – somehow the questions I am working on are all a bit different and what worked in the last questions for solving is not working on the next. I suppose it is a good thing since it gives me all different directions the question could be asked. I switched from Becker to Gleim and must say that I see lots of things that did not even show up in Becker and I am not just talking about the IFRSs. Let's hope that this 3rd time will be a charm for me and I will get to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

For those of you on here that passed all four parts – what do you do with all your time now? I am already making a list of all the things I would like to do again at some point; things I have put to the side since I started this journey.

How about everyone else – how consumed are you by the CPA prep work? I feel like I don't do much else than work and study. How do you find the balance so you don't burn out?

REG - Passed
FAR - Passed
BEC - Passed
AUD - 2-25-12 PASSED - DONE !!!!!!!! WOOHOO

*** One day I will get my life back.... maybe today is the day ***

[Herbieherb]

Here's some other home made mnuemonics I made up.for FAR

Accounting standards codification Gal “PALS R EXPENSIVE OR INEXPENSIVE”

Dating girls -she can order the lobster or the big MAC lol

200- (P) Presentation

300- (A) assets

400- (L) liabilities

500- (S) Share holders equity

600- (R) revenue

700- (E) expenses

800- (O) other

900- (I) industry

GAAP primary Hierarchy

reliaBUL =”NeVeR listen to Bull shit artist”

(N) Neutrality

(V) verifiability

(R) Representational Faithfulness

ReleVANce = Van Dame!! Punch, Flying kicks, Timecop

(P) predictive value

(F) feedback value

(T) Timeliness

Good luck

NEW YORK- DONE

[Anonymous]

@Herbieherb

That's awesome, thanks!

[WheresMyLuckyCharm]

herbieherb…the mnuemonics are great!! taking FAR in July and definitely pasting these and keeping them…thanks!

AUD(2/16/11) 51,64, retake Oct.
FAR(8/5/11)

[I3lackcell]

Just took FAR yesterday. After scoring a 70,71 and 73 I really need to pass. My sim scores were Great, Bad, Bad so far. My MC went Bad, Good, Good. After yesterday I think the sims went well and were actually pretty damn easy. The only thing that scares me is that there were a couple of slam dunk questions in my 3rd MC test. I really hope I didnt randomly bomb the MC this time.

BEC - 75(expired), 79
REG - 63, 54, 61, 69 (Gave up for a year. Finally decided to really study) 73, 78
FAR - 70, 71, 73, 83
AUD - 61, 72, 72, 76

[userken8]

I will be taking my first section (FAR) in the next 6 months or so after I complete my last accounting class (principles of auditing). My question for you all is: Can I pass FAR and the other sections of the CPA exam with just the $32 Wiley books that I can check out at my local library for free? With over $1,000 in exam fees for all 4 sections, not counting the re-tests for failed sections, why must one pay another $1,000 or more on review materials? Besides, I'd be lucky enough if I have time to just study my free Wiley books let alone all the rest like Becker, Gleim, Yaeger, and Roger.

[Anonymous]

userken8

Good luck on your exams. Most people go with a single CPA review course sometime supplementing a testbank for additional MCQ. I have used Becker for AUD, BEC, and FAR. I added Yaeger when I had trouble passing BEC. I also use a testbank for additional MCQ questions for trouble areas (I like Gleim more than Wiley – personal preference). Both Wiley and Gleim testbank questions come from the same source so test drive the product before buying and see which one you like better. The testbanks run about $60 per section.

An advantage of purchasing a CPA review course is that the actual exam focuses on certain topics and the review courses have identified these topics and prepare you for the actual exam. This saves you valuable time. The amount of material that could be tested is narrowed down to what is most likely to be tested. The CPA review courses also give you test taking tips, ways to approach sims, allocate your time on the test, tricks and traps that an informed test taker can avoid, etc.

It is a lot of money – but if it builds your confidence and enables you to pass more quickly it is well worth the money.

Let the forum know what you do.

[Anonymous]

I passed BEC and AUD on the first try just using Wiley books and Gleim software. I think the company that produces the Yaeger materials is the same as the one that makes the Wiley books as well.

Right now I'm studying for FAR with Wiley and Gleim software, and I'm feeling pretty confident since I passed BEC and AUD on the first try using the same materials. I did fail REG last window using this method, but Im still going to retake it in May using the same materials. I know now what areas I need to work on. If I fail REG a second time, then maybe i'll invest in Yaeger.

I think it really just depends on your learning style. I had Becker available to me for free through my previous job, but I ended up only using the multiple choice practice questions, hated the lectures so I never watched them. By the time I sat for AUD and BEC my Becker license had expired, and so I ended up using Wiley books and Gleim software instead.

Personally, I learn by re-working practice problems and trying to figure out why I missed each one, etc. I like the practice software because you can get instant feedback on the answer, and you can test different topics all at once. The Gleim software doesnt have practice simulations though, and I definately struggled with the sims on REG. You could use the Wiley test bank as well, thats accessible online from any computer, and has practice simulations. I've heard that there isnt much overlap between the Wiley test bank and Wiley books, but I dont know for sure. I didn't see much overlap between the Wiley books and the Gleim software.

Hope that helps! Like you, I also didn't want to spend $2,000 on practice materials. And in my opinion, what you are really paying for are the lectures. I don't think these expensive programs really help you focus your studying, or give you any significant “tricks” to help you pass the exam.

[Anonymous]

I used Becker for AUD and was pretty pleased. I began BEC with them, but ended up using a Wiley book and Roger's Cram to get me ready (time will tell on that one). For FAR, I decided to go with Yaeger. One week into my 6-week FAR study plan and I'm loving the Yaeger approach – very instructive. It's been a while since I've messed with financial accounting, so I enjoy the lectures. Exam is on 5/31, so I'm hoping their approach works and sticks 🙂

[userken8]

Great information guys! I'll look into Yaeger for FAR. I do prefer video lectures versus reading lectures from a book any day because I am more likely to follow-through and complete the module. Video lectures are the most expensive versus just book materials, but they are better in motivation and keeping me interested. Hopefully I can find some free 2011 video material. I will still use the Wiley books for practice questions and their test tips. Please look at what I have amassed so far and let me know if this is enough to pass all 4 sections. I understand that certain CPA study companies are better for certain sections. Thank you!

So far I have access or acquired:

– Wiley 2011 FAR, AUD, BEC, REG Books ($32 online), free at library.

– Wiley 2011 AUD Test Bank Software

– Bisk 2009 FAR video lectures with Bob Monette (Is a 2009 FAR video lecture any good with IFRS now moving in???)

– Becker 2011- All 4 sections included with Class Notes, PassMaster, Summary Notes, and F1-F9 Ancillary Notes (no videos yet).

– Working on getting Yaeger Home Study CPA review FAR videos. (Any good?)

[Anonymous]

@userken8

Looks like you have a lot of good material. I will say that I think the most important thing is setting aside enough time to prepare, and developing and committing to a study plan – that has gotten me through AUD and BEC so far. Here's my FAR study plan… it may give you some ideas for generating your own plan: https://bit.ly/eKeRSL

Good luck!

[Author]

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