[momto5]

For those of you who write notes (over and above the ones Becker would tell you to – more like summarizing the chapter yourself), do you write them out as you go through each chapter, wait until the chapter is finished and then go back to write them, or only write them when you are done with the program and are reviewing? Trying to make the best use of my time here…….do I spend the day writing notes for chapter 5, or do I move on to chapter 6 and worry about notes when I am done and reviewing?

Writing things down does help me solidify things, so I know I will do it at some point. Just a little anxious to get through the material and on to the review stage. (I do have the NINJA notes for AUD also to go through). Suggestions?

FAR - 92 (4/27/12)
AUD - 96 (7/17/12)
BEC - 92 (8/30/12)
REG - 91 (11/12/12)

[Sandra]

Well I do things a bit differently. Disclaimer: haven't taken any CPA sections. Did do my CMA and have taken other tests, but this is just what works for me.

Jeff says not to highlight and I'm hearing that more and more… However I highlight the $hit out of those books. The Wiley book, the Roger book, etc.

That being said- I don't highlight important stuff- I highlight stuff I don't already know. As someone who has worked in accounting for a long time some of this stuff isn't new. Anything I don't know I highlight. Some things I highlight are just dumb little words and phrases that I feel like could be used in the wording of a question.

Anyway… I go through the whole book(s) that way. Once I finish the book I have a grossly highlighted book. I then re-read the book 2-3 more times, focusing on what I've highlighted. Since I spend the first time through making sure I totally understand the concepts, re-reading isn't a big deal. Its remembering which accounts to use for what, etc.

THEN I go through the book one last time writing my own notes. At this point usually most everything sticks.

I also take notes during MCQs and when I watch my “hot-spot videos” (bisk). Those DVDs were given to me by a super nice stranger but didn't come with any of the materials, so nothing to highlight.

[The Dingo]

Think of “note taking” as really building your study guide. The books are a compendium, maybe you're good on GDP and financial ratios, but you need to reference the variance formulas, so those go in. Ideally it's a set of crib notes to get you through the problems, and as you work more and more MCQs, and your proficiency grows, you'll need your study guide less and less.

No, most of us likely won't ever score a 99 on the sample tests or real life, but you do keep getting closer to the goal.

Just keep moving.

[Anonymous]

i take copious amounts of notes during my review…basically taking notes on the whole book…after all the lectures, after all the homeworks. it really reinforces what i've learned. ive done this for all three sections ive taken thus far, and will continue this for audit.

[momto5]

Thanks for your input, everyone! I think because AUD is not near as voluminous as FAR was, I am losing some of my urgency and discipline. I always wrote notes and flashcards after each chapter for FAR and then reviewed those as much as I could. I am just getting anxious to be done with AUD and trying to cut corners, which I know is not good. Need to get back on track and focus! One more chapter!!

FAR - 92 (4/27/12)
AUD - 96 (7/17/12)
BEC - 92 (8/30/12)
REG - 91 (11/12/12)

[JakeO]

I bought the NINJA notes, and instead of just taking my own notes as I go through the review material, I will make additions to the NINJA notes for areas I feel I will have trouble with or I need more clarification. Then I just read those notes every day, start doing MCQs, and then reread the notes again at the end of the day. The key to learning this stuff is repetition rather than intensity. So seeing something for 5 mins everyday for 6 weeks is better than 8 hours of intense study for just one day. Plus, doing the MCQs teaches you to retain information as a question-response, rather than a list of ideas, which will help you access the info on test day.

So take notes as you go through the material, then review those notes at the end and clarify anything you don't understand and eliminate stuff which seems redundant, then you have a nice condensed package of study materials which you should simply review once a day, or every two days. For tough things, like formulas, flashcards are the way to go, because they are easy to review and can be taken almost anywhere especially if you use a flashcard app on your smartphone.

AUD-Failed (Waiting for Score)
BEC-PASSED (First try)
REG-Failed (Retake February 2013)
FAR-Failed (Retake January 2013)

[Author]

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