[abacus]

I have applied for my NTS and dusted off my CPA Review materials. I’m ready to begin. Where to start?!

My first step is to make a plan because I know that it’s the only chance I have at not putting this thing off.

I plan to take the exams in the following order: FAR, AUD, REG, BEC. I wanted to take them all by the end of 2011 because Yaeger had a promise that they would give 2012 materials if I didn’t pass with 2011 and I doubt that works if I don’t take the exam. But after looking at the study recommendations, I think my best bet will be to take FAR in late August, AUD in mid-Oct, REG in late November and BEC in January 2012 even if I have to pay for 2012 updates. It’s better to give myself a fair shot at passing than rush through it.

I plan on following Jeff’s NINJA and ELL methods. But I have a few questions:

1. When do you read the text? Before the video? Or do you only use it as a reference?

2. I’ve read a lot about doing “only the recommended Wiley MCQ”, but I also read a lot about pounding out hundreds or thousands of practice questions. Which did you do and did you find it helpful?

3. If you followed the ELL method, did you find certain types of studying worked best for you during different times of the day? I can’t imagine reading that early in the morning, but don’t want to zone out during a video either. I know this will be trial and error based on my individual learning style, but did you structure your study plan with certain times in mind or just plan to do F1 on day x and y?

Any advice for a first timer would be great. I am fresh from college (undergrad may 2009, masters in accounting may 2011), but haven’t every been a super dedicated student so I still have some habits to form.

I noticed a study group for BEC. If anyone is just starting to study FAR and wants a place to discuss along the way, I’m in!

BEC 81
AUD 76
FAR 70, 76
REG 58, 78! DONE!

"I am not my intentions. I am my actions."

[RedRage00]

I'm currently studying for FAR. I am using Yaeger Homestudy as well and I took Jeff's advice and watched all the lecture videos first while taking notes on them. That took a while because FAR has like 51 hours of lecture videos. I thought it was never going to end.

I haven't really read the text chapter to chapter. I watched the videos and I'm doing the MCQs. The only time I really read the book is when I don't understand something and I need clarification. Then I go to that section and review it a little more. Usually I can figure out my error just by reading the solution but a couple of times I've had to go back and review the chapter to grasp the concept. Other than that I think Cindy and the team did a good job on the videos.

Right now I am going through each module and doing the minimum MCQs that Yaeger recommends. What I've been doing to keep my mind fresh on the older material is reviewing Jeff's Ninja notes while at work. I have his PDF Ninja notes open at work in the background and whenever I have a spare few minutes I read over a couple of pages and go over the topics in my head. Even though I'm on module 17 MCQs I can keep my mind fresh on some of the other topics in say Module 9 by reviewing his notes. I plan to do as many MCQs as I can. I'm doing the minimum now, but I plan to do as many as I can so that the concepts stick in my head.

This is my first time sitting for the exam too so I am kinda going by trial and error too. I hope this works out for me LOL

Texas CPA
Licensed, March 2012

[Zizoty]

I would move the BEC exam before REG because there are sections in BEC that are related to AUD such as internal control, Coroporate Governance, financial formulas, and more accounting related than TAX. I would try to do the minimum required MCQ more than one time just to be sure I understand it. The Wiley test bank DVD is a must because there are a lot of good questions and the environment is similar to the actual exam.GL!

AUD - 83 Feb11
REG - 75 May11
BEC - 73 July11 84 Oct11
FAR - 63 Aug11 76 Feb12 I'M DONE!!!!!

[ROACH]

@abacus I'm starting Yaeger this weekend too. I actually watched 45 minutes of module 9 yesterday.. super boring stuff esp. if you're burnt from work.

I have no advice atm but will contribute when I do.

Quick question tho if anyone can answer… How big of a difference is 2012 going to be vs 2011? I don't plan to finish everything this year. I may leave REG for next year or AUG. Also, how much are the updates?

BEC: 66 | 69 | 7/23/2013
AUD: 8/28/2013
REG:
FAR:

[kb24]

There won't be the huge change to the format of the exam that there was in 2011. However, any updates to the standards, etc. are subject to testing w/in 6 months of their effectiveness. This could be a lot or little depending on what the powers-that-be decide to update.

FAR 4/1/11 - 89
AUD 4/15/11 - 85
REG 4/29/11 - 80
BEC 5/13/11 - 85

[abacus]

redrage- Thanks for the response! I have Jeff's NINJA notes and think that is a great idea. With the amount of material covered, keeping it fresh is a huge concern. When did you start studying and when do you plan to sit?

zizoty- thanks for the tip! I decided my order before the 2011 changes and definitely agree that it makes sense to take BEC after AUD. My only concern is not passing REG and losing credit. Although FAR is probably the most difficult, REG will be the most difficult for me, simply because I haven't had a tax course in ~4 years. Do you recommend taking REG, FAR, AUD, BEC or FAR, AUD, BEC, REG? I know ultimately they are all difficult and have similar pass rates, but REG has been especially low recently. Unfortunately, I have a Mac and I don't have admin rights at work to download the Wiley test bank. I may try to sell it and buy the online version, but I need to make sure it's legal first. I also have access to Gleim's database through my college, so that might work as an alternative.

Roach- good luck! The updates for 07/01 are $10 per part for current Yaeger students.

kb- thanks for the response and congrats on passing all four parts! Your hard work has paid off!

BEC 81
AUD 76
FAR 70, 76
REG 58, 78! DONE!

"I am not my intentions. I am my actions."

[RedRage00]

I started studying on June 1, and I'm sitting for it on July 24th. I'm giving myself a full 8 weeks of study time since FAR is so huge and has a ton of material. Right now I've been studying 4 hours a night during the week and as much as I can on weekends. I'm a single guy, no kids, etc so it's a lot easier than the married folks on here. I'm hoping to finish the minimum MCQs this week in Yaeger's plan so that I can spend the last 3 weeks reviewing, working more MCQ/Sims, and just working on trouble areas.

I'm giving myself 5 weeks for BEC. I'm gonna schedule that for like the last day of the August test window.

Texas CPA
Licensed, March 2012

[Zizoty]

Read around the forum and you will find that people struggled with AUD and REG the most. Even though FAR is difficult, we can relate to it more because we are accounting student. Almost everyone take financial and managerial accounting classes in college but not everyone take AUD or TAX. If you already schedule exam, then just stick with it because prometric charge you a lot for cancelling the appointment. GL

@redrage. Dont underestimate BEC because the book is short. There are a lot of information to study and they dont relate to each other at all. GL

AUD - 83 Feb11
REG - 75 May11
BEC - 73 July11 84 Oct11
FAR - 63 Aug11 76 Feb12 I'M DONE!!!!!

[RedRage00]

Yeah, I'm not going to underestimate BEC at all. I'm just gonna put in a ton of study time. 4 hours weeknights and however long I can on weekends. I think I can do it LOL

Texas CPA
Licensed, March 2012

[abacus]

redrage- I am also lucky to be starting this before I have a family. I live with my boyfriend, but otherwise, no commitments outside of work to distract me. Good luck!

zizoty- I haven't scheduled my exam (still waiting on NTS), so I could easily change to REG, FAR, AUD, BEC. Your reasoning makes sense, as I know most of my upper level accounting courses were financial and thus, indirectly prep for FAR. I did take aud, adv aud, internal aud and IT aud so I should have a good foundation for that. But I only took the minimum required tax courses. Thanks for all your help and good luck with your remaining two exams.

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BEC 81
AUD 76
FAR 70, 76
REG 58, 78! DONE!

"I am not my intentions. I am my actions."

[Author]

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