[CS]

Hey everyone,

This is my first experience for any CPA exam, so just had a question in regards to effective study methods (I’ve combed through numerous threads dating back a while and didn’t see anything specifically regarding this, apologies if repetitive).

I am using Wiley CPA Excel & FAR Ten Point Combo. Basically I’m doing the Wiley Study Plan, and hitting NINJA MCQs (also book/audio/videos on downtime).

When I choose NINJA MCQs, I haven’t gotten to the topic many of the questions ask yet, so are random “best” guesses, often wrong. However, I do like the explanations and I feel that I learn from them. Does it make sense to go through MCQs even if I have little to no experience on the topic? It’s not my only method and material but I am trying to soak in as much as I can, thanks everyone.

[VDP]

Instead of doing random sets of NINJA MCQs, it might make more sense at this time to work on custom sets of MCQs over something you've already studied. This will help reinforce the concepts and make sure you actually learned the material. This helped me focus on what I wasn't understanding, which is harder to do with a lot of random questions. I also feel it is more efficient than jumping around to various topics.

I plan on saving the random sets for my review stage since that is more in line with the actual exam.

[loveandbeloved]

I believe the best way to study is to take a bunch of quizzes and learn the material through reading each of the answer choice explanations to see why they are right and wrong. Don't get too discouraged if you get most of the questions wrong. I had a professor in college tell me that you'd rather get questions wrong while studying, than to get them wrong on the real exam. So get as many wrong now while you study. Get it out of your system. LOL! =)

You're going to get questions wrong, but look at it as an opportunity to learn to get it right! By reading through the answer explanations, after about a 100 or so MCQ's you'll have basically read through that chapter and killed two birds with one stone. Reading the chapter first AND THEN answering questions is inefficient in my opinion. If you need to reference the chapter AFTER a few quizzes to get some clarity on a few things, then do so. But I don't think reading it beforehand helps much since you're like, “What the hell am I reading?!” I mean, yes, you do the same thing when reading a MCQ and answering it blindly, BUT… at least in this setting you'll be able to see what types of questions are formed from the topics and what the AICPA wants you to know based on how they ask the question. You start seeing patterns in how questions are worded, the keywords to look out for, and eventually, you'll even answer questions correctly prior to getting to that topic because you mastered this “game” and as you read the question you're like, “Ah, I see what you did there.” You can study the material all day everyday and be an expert and still fail because you aren't familiar with the questions you'll be asked on exam day. If you use GLEIM, you'll be taking the real exam and it will feel like you're studying cause they are so similar.

As you go through each chapter/topic/study unit, do several cumulative quizzes as well so that you don't forget topics you learned previously. The more you see and practice the questions, the faster you'll get answering them. You'll want to get through the MCQ's as fast as possible on the real exam to leave as much time for the SIMS.

Hope this helps! Read some of my replies to other topics. I've mentioned other tips there. I've only taken two exams so far, but I feel I figured out how this game is supposed to be played. =)

[sancasuki]

I never did random sets. Only custom sets. I saved Ninja MCQ for reviewing once I was done with half or all of CPA Excel. Always read the chapter before trying the CPA Excel MCQs.

[Excel14]

@loveandbeloved:

I was reading about Superfast CPA, and while realizing it is just a method to study more efficiently, I was wondering if you recommend it, before such time as I waste money. Thoughts?

BEC (2/28/16) ----- 78
FAR (09/10/16)-----
AUD
REG

CIA, CGAP, CFE

[loveandbeloved]

@Excel14 – He gives tips on how to study more effectively, and he has notes, audios, and he just came out with MCQ's. I have the premium version of GLEIM and mainly use that for my studies. If I need help understanding a concept, I review his notes and listen to his audios since GLEIM is super formal. I didn't pass BEC until after I bought his bundle, applied his study tips, and listened to his audios, so…. it works for me. AUD was pretty easy for me, so I didn't need to reference anything outside of GLEIM. But we'll see what happens with FAR and REG.

[Excel14]

@loveandbeloved:

So would you say his techniques really save you immense study time? Just wondering if it's worth the extra expense or not.

BEC (2/28/16) ----- 78
FAR (09/10/16)-----
AUD
REG

CIA, CGAP, CFE

[ultrarunner]

Everyone is different. Finding the best way to work for you is the key to success. I used Roger + MCQs for initial review stage. Once I mastered it, I used Ninja as a supplement. I mostly did the random set. My average score at Ninja was a bit over 60%, and I never reached the final review stage. Please do not be discouraged by the low score. It is all about the learning. Both Roger and Ninja are excellent tools. Good luck.

FAR 72,67,79 (Roger+Wiley test bank)11/15
AUD 80 (Roger)10/15
BEC 80 (Roger)4/16
REG 63,78 (Roger+Ninja MCQs)5/16

[Anonymous]

Definitely, do not be discouraged by low scores on practice exams/MCQ. Whenever I see posts on here like “I'm trending at 70%, should I be worried? I take FAR in a week!”, I just want to throw something. There are people on here who never scored over 50% on a practice exam and still passed the real one.

Regarding study tips – you have to find what works for you, and that is it. No two people do it the same way [and you can never compare yourself to any of the overachieving 24 year olds out there who knock all four out in 1-2 testing windows.] I've sat for 2 exams now and I still don't know what works because I haven't passed either of them. But, I keep going, and hopefully I will find something in the future that works – I won't know that until I actually get a pass though. Right now I'm doing BEC. I'm also working. I take it on August 12th. Between now and then I won't have time to do more than like 30 MCQ and a SIM or two from each chapter – maybe 600 problems total? For FAR and AUD, I worked 1,700-1,800.

[CS]

Thank you everyone for your advice and tips, I am taking all into consideration. Actually, since I first posted, I found how to get more specific custom sets via NINJA MCQ (initially I just wanted to jump start so didn't see the subsets to main topics), and it's definitely helping very much. So far, I've been doing a few Wiley lessons, its assessment Qs/related test bank Qs and then hit NINJA MCQs, and it feels like concepts are sinking in.

I am also ignoring the scores, as I don't see myself getting 90% after studying a topic once, I do appreciate the feedback which allows me to research the concepts further.

@circadian malfunction Yes, I definitely read the chapters before the MCQs because I either need at minimum a refresher on many topics, or may have to learn it altogether, so I want to at least be aware of the material a question is presenting.

Regards everyone.

[loveandbeloved]

@excel14 – Do they save me immense time? No, as I'm not trying to pass all the sections in 3 months like he did (look at the quote in my signature). My goal is to know and understand the material well enough to pass the first time. Did I go from having inefficient study sessions to more effective and efficient study sessions? Yes, which in a way saves time since you're not studying in vain or failing over and over. I even changed my thoughts and views towards studying because I knew what I was doing worked. I always went into a study session hating it from the beginning and that “attitude” just lasted throughout my entire session. And what do you know I failed BEC twice doing the same exact thing while studying. After the 2nd time, I bought his bundle and listened to everything and evaluated the way I was studying as well as some self-evaluating. I wanted to change my attitude about studying to a more positive outlook so that I would actually look forward to studying because the rewards after I pass are going to be great. So I went from hating studying because “I'm stuDYING” (negative) to “I'm LEARNING” cause I love to learn (positive).

I can't tell you what to buy or buy or what to do – you may have a different personality than I do so you need to do what works for you. It's only a couple hundred bucks.

[Excel14]

@loveandbeloved:

I realize everyone is different, I just wondered if the purchase saved you time, but I get it. I see where your goal is not passing them all in just a few months. As for a couple of hundred dollars, I thought I read where Superfast CPA was only $97. Am I missing something here?

BEC (2/28/16) ----- 78
FAR (09/10/16)-----
AUD
REG

CIA, CGAP, CFE

[loveandbeloved]

@Excel14 – The Study Hacks course is $97, yes. But I bought his Total Bundle for $300 when he was having a 50% off sale.

[Anonymous]

There's 5 things you need to pass all 4 parts

1. MCQ
2. MCQ
3. MCQ
4. MCQ
5. MCQ

Make sure you know why you are right and why the other 3 answers are wrong. If you run across 2 similar questions with different answers, make sure you know why one answer is correct for the 1st question and the other answer is correct for the 2nd questions. This will help you understand the concepts better. They are going to spin and flip all these questions thats why you need to know the concepts.

[IGOTTHEKEYS]

What is a average score on the Becker MCQ for FAR?

I just took REG and used Becker. When i was doing the MCQ after each lecture, i was scoring around 75-80% the first time.

On FAR, i am scoring around 60-75% around, these question are way harder. Should i be fine if i am getting 70% or above on the Becker MCQ. I sit for FAR at the end of july or beginning of August, and worried about my MCQ score.

[Kblader]

I'm just starting the cpa exam and trying to tackle far first! By your scores it appears you found a pretty good study method! Any tips??? I'm using wiley cpaexcel and considering supplementing with ninja (specifically audio and MCQs).

[Author]

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