[Krissy7465]

I recently lost my REG and BEC credits. My prep course is now expired, so I have to get a new one. I’m debating between Becker and Yaeger, but would also consider Roger. I used Becker previously and felt it worked for me. Ultimately I lost my credits because I passed those two parts very close together, and then had to make a major move for my husband’s job, had a baby, and started a new job. I managed to pass audit, but ran out of time on FAR and failed with a 73, at which point I lost my credits. I’m considering a switch in review course because I’ll be paying for the course myself, my job won’t cover it.

Can anyone who has used Yaeger recently comment on it? I bought the BEC section years ago from them, but it was back when they used the Wiley Books, and sent USBs for the videos. I hated it, and got a 74. I’m wondering how their new interface is, specifically in regards to the MCQs and SIMS? Does it look just like the exam? That was the main thing I liked about Becker, also Becker’s new skillmaster videos for the SIMs are pretty good. That being said, there were many times when I found Becker too vague, and had to scour the internet for more information. Also, the REG and BEC exams have changed a lot since I passed them. I passed just before they changed in April 2017. In addition, when I take REG it will be on the 2018 Tax reform. I’ll use Becker again if I truly think it is best, but I’m really not thrilled about dropping another $3,000 on this test. With Yaeger I could probably spend half that, as they’re having a BOGO promotion. In my ideal world I would stick with Becker for FAR and then re-evaluate when I retake REG and BEC, but Becker charges $910 for one part at a time, vs, $643 per part if I buy all three at once.

[RoseMarie]

I have never used Becker or Yaeger so I am no help there but I am currently using Roger and can give my opinion on that. I love Roger's lectures. I did a free trial of every CPA review I could find (I highly recommend doing that btw) and Roger's lectures were by far the most in line with my learning style (I learn best from videos and audio, don't take in nearly as much just reading). Roger's interface is very similar to the actual exam which is a plus and friends have said the DRS SIMS with Rogers are much more like the exam ones than in some other programs because you have like 7-8 documents to review. I also personally feel like the MCQ are harder and more involved than the released questions I've seen. That said I haven't taken any parts yet, I sit for my first in like 2 weeks, so I can only go by what I have seen and heard so far. NINJA is also a nice and very budget friendly if thats a concern. I got my mom to buy me a month of NINJA for my birthday (darn grad student budget issues lol) and have found the notes really helpful. This plus videos which are the old Bisk (i think thats what it said) course are also nice. I actually found that Cash Flows video set better than my Roger ones or the Becker ones of a friends that I watched. Anyway, hopefully others here can give you more insight on the other two choices. Good luck with whatever you choose 🙂

[kalexo]

I used Roger CPA and my study material expired before I had passed all 4 exams. I bought Ninja, read through the Roger book, I bought the Roger Cram for the lectures and created my own set of notes. I used the Ninja test bank and I thought the questions were comparable to the questions I saw on the exam. I also love the Ninja notes. I would write down the questions I got wrong and the explanation. At the end, I had a notebook full of notes that I just read over and over.

Best of Luck!

[FastFalcon]

That's a ton going on all at once. I'm sorry to hear about your lost credits 🙁 I have been there too and it really stinks. I think that if Becker worked for you there is no reason to not use it again, apart from cost (obviously). Especially if you were very close with a 73 on FAR. Is there anyone you could borrow the login information from to test it out for FAR? Might not be perfectly ethical however, neither is holding scores for 3+ months and then having candidates lose credit due to the 18 month rule.
I used Becker, NINJA, and then Becker again (for FAR only, after my 3rd fail in a row). I passed BEC and AUD with only NINJA and REG with ninja + becker. So NINJA really worked for me for everything but FAR. As you mentioned, the FAR skillmaster videos make a world of difference and honestly those alone were enough to me to go back to becker. As for exams having changed since you took them, I first passed BEC in Oct 2016 (back when it was 3 hours, sigh) and repassed again in 2018 with just 3 weeks of study with NINJA. It isn't drastically different from what if used to be in my opinion. I can't speak for REG since I didn't lose credit for that, but again I would guess that Becker would be the best prepared with updates and stuff and if you could test out the newest Becker version for REG maybe you could gauge HOW different it really looks since you took it.
Good luck to you!

[RoseMarie]

Also, have you considered applying for an extension of your credit window? I know a girl here who had a baby during the middle of taking her sections and by the time she passed her 4th she lost FAR by like 1.5 months or so. She did some kind of application where she basically explained to the Florida board all the stuff that had happened to cause her to lose her credit and they gave her license and she didn't have to retake FAR. May not work but worth looking into.

[Krissy7465]

Thanks for all the advice. I did request an extension of the expiration mentioning all of the above, as well as the fact that they withheld scores twice during my 18 months but they said no. 🤬 I’m thinking about Roger CPA now. Some of his lectures really saved me on REG, and he had an amazing lecture/example on Stmt of Cash Flows. The biggest thing I need is a good book and lots of MCQs and SIMs. I learn best by taking notes and drilling questions.

[Cheeks Malone]

I always suggest Wiley. I was 5 for 6 on the exams I took (didn't pass REG the first time and AUD expired once). Their program doesn't expire until you pass the exam (by far the best value of any study platform) and their lectures and notes worked fine for me.

I would focus on finding the program that has the MCQ explanations written in a way you like and understand.

Personally, in my firm, I've seen plenty of people not pass these exams using EVERY study program offered. To me, that says it really comes down to your tenacity and ability to study without letting your own personal frustrations overwhelm you.

Good luck and I hope you find a study plan that works for you!

[OTK1995]

You didn't mention Ninja but I highly recommend them based on my experience. If my company had not paid for Becker, I definitely would have chose Ninja for all four sections (I used it for Reg). You can tell that Jeff and his team work on the Ninja system constantly plus there is always someone available to help you when you have a question. I can't recommend it enough.

[Author]

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