[Anonymous]

I’m working on FAR and am about a third of the way through Roger’s course and textbook. I watch a lecture, read the section and highlight, then take notes on each section. After this I do all the questions. I feel like I might be spending too much time taking the notes. Is there anyone else who feels like note-taking was an efficient aspect of their approach or who felt that all the note taking definitely helped? I was going to grab Ninja Notes but I’ve been using the Ninja Audio and I think that’s working fine.

Thanks

[Lindrobe]

I think that only you know what type of learner you are. I am not a visual/audio learner, so didn't even bother with a review course that had lectures or an audio component. I found that taking notes took way to much time and I didn't learn much from it either, so I don't do it. For REG,I am making a one-page note sheet to review each day and on the morning of the exam. Other than that, I just read the text 1-2 times and pound out thousands of MCQs. It all depends on how you learn.

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[Lindrobe]

I think that only you know what type of learner you are. I am not a visual/audio learner, so didn't even bother with a review course that had lectures or an audio component. I found that taking notes took way to much time and I didn't learn much from it either, so I don't do it. For REG,I am making a one-page note sheet to review each day and on the morning of the exam. Other than that, I just read the text 1-2 times and pound out thousands of MCQs. It all depends on how you learn.

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[Mamabear]

I stopped taking notes while I was reading and just focused on absorbing the material. I found myself writing too many details and it was taking a significant amount of time. I left my notetaking to the MCQ that I got wrong. It helped isolate the areas I was having trouble with and saved me a lot of time.

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[Mamabear]

I stopped taking notes while I was reading and just focused on absorbing the material. I found myself writing too many details and it was taking a significant amount of time. I left my notetaking to the MCQ that I got wrong. It helped isolate the areas I was having trouble with and saved me a lot of time.

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[silliepanda]

I find it more useful with Roger to watch lectures and take notes from. Re-read the material and notes then do MCQs. I don't take new notes while reading unless I believe there is a certain area I am weak in. Also, after he MCQs when I get one wrong I take a separate page and make notes on the areas I am not scoring well in.

Hope this helps! Good Luck!

BEC - TOO MANY FAILS TO LIST! July 2015 I WILL GET IT!
AUD - AUG 2015- NEVER PASSED!
FAR - LOST CREDIT
REG - PASSED

[silliepanda]

I find it more useful with Roger to watch lectures and take notes from. Re-read the material and notes then do MCQs. I don't take new notes while reading unless I believe there is a certain area I am weak in. Also, after he MCQs when I get one wrong I take a separate page and make notes on the areas I am not scoring well in.

Hope this helps! Good Luck!

BEC - TOO MANY FAILS TO LIST! July 2015 I WILL GET IT!
AUD - AUG 2015- NEVER PASSED!
FAR - LOST CREDIT
REG - PASSED

[Anonymous]

Thanks a lot for the input everyone, I'm going to modify my style for a little bit and see how it feels.

[Anonymous]

Thanks a lot for the input everyone, I'm going to modify my style for a little bit and see how it feels.

[nicole2035]

There's 2 approaches. When first reading just make an outline, then start doing multiple choice questions to detail your notes to see what's really important.

Or some some people will read, make detailed notes, do MC , but then go back and rewrite their notes with less detail to hammer in what they feel is most important.

It all depends on how you learn. What i did to cut down on time it was taking me to write notes, i started typing them. This allows me to get through a chapter fully in 1-2 days including MC. I still re-write my notes, and it's even faster with more understanding. All calculations i keep on paper for the most part. I can go back, reorganize my notes, make them more detailed and i don't have to keep up with a ton of paper notes. Everything is legible. i can read my notes on my phone if want to quickly study. When i'm on a question i don't get during practice, i can take a screen shot of the question, put it in my notes and come back to it later or list it as a weak area. An easy go to i suggest for everyone, really the best of both worlds. I would suggest using One Note or Ever Note, but i found One Note more comprehensive

[nicole2035]

There's 2 approaches. When first reading just make an outline, then start doing multiple choice questions to detail your notes to see what's really important.

Or some some people will read, make detailed notes, do MC , but then go back and rewrite their notes with less detail to hammer in what they feel is most important.

It all depends on how you learn. What i did to cut down on time it was taking me to write notes, i started typing them. This allows me to get through a chapter fully in 1-2 days including MC. I still re-write my notes, and it's even faster with more understanding. All calculations i keep on paper for the most part. I can go back, reorganize my notes, make them more detailed and i don't have to keep up with a ton of paper notes. Everything is legible. i can read my notes on my phone if want to quickly study. When i'm on a question i don't get during practice, i can take a screen shot of the question, put it in my notes and come back to it later or list it as a weak area. An easy go to i suggest for everyone, really the best of both worlds. I would suggest using One Note or Ever Note, but i found One Note more comprehensive

[pikachu]

I'm using Wiley CPA. The multiple choice questions in the back are sequential, which is great for note taking. I don't take that much notes as I read along. I read, then do the multiple choice. I do 1, check the answer, takes notes if needed, and keep going. That way, I'm not recording anything that isn't tested.

FAR: 2/23/14 77 (1 month studying)
AUD: 5/25/14 68
AUD: 7/13/14 72
AUD: 10/12/14 72
I GIVE UP

[pikachu]

I'm using Wiley CPA. The multiple choice questions in the back are sequential, which is great for note taking. I don't take that much notes as I read along. I read, then do the multiple choice. I do 1, check the answer, takes notes if needed, and keep going. That way, I'm not recording anything that isn't tested.

FAR: 2/23/14 77 (1 month studying)
AUD: 5/25/14 68
AUD: 7/13/14 72
AUD: 10/12/14 72
I GIVE UP

[Author]

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