[ROACH]

My old study habits in college can’t help me pass this exam.

I studied BEC and became a jack of all trades. I knew the main points and the general concepts behind each section with a grasp of detail here and there.. but this didn’t cut it for me today. I should have studied harder and Mastered a handful of topics each chapter instead of loosely understanding them but I assumed I’d be okay. I really should have known better.

It was around 12 when I got my *** handled to me. Half of the stuff I seen was way way more complicated than I anticipated. And when I say the questions were complicated I mean they were layered concept. I got a question where I had to determine the effects of technology risk to lebron’s hairline to cost of debt to why danica patrick never smiles.. its was that hard. Wasn’t fun at all.. there was little opportunity to eliminate answers.

Another thing is the calculations… I didn’t know some of the formulas COLD. 2-3 formulas I skipped studying because I told myself it won’t show up :sadface: and I should have did more practice on calculating variable/absorption costing, direct/step method, etc. Next time I’m going to work the calculations backwards and inside out in case the exam ask me in a different way.

My testlet difficulty level: HARD, easy, medium.

The first testlet completely had me really conflicted. I thought it was suppose to be easy from what I’ve read on these boards.. this sucka was pretty sick.

The second testlet’s difficulty level dropped down to the basics… this is when I knew I bombed the first testlet…

I got one question that asked me ‘what was my favorite color’… it was that bad.

At this point I kept thinking about the change in difficulty level from 1 to 2.

My mind was not in a good place going into testlet three.

But testlet three wasn’t too bad. Had a mixture of medium, hard, and easy questions.

The WC wasn’t bad at all. I actually had fun doing them.

I’m not going to look at my score next week. I’m going to start on my next section.

Anyway, thats it for my experience. if you’re taking BEC soon goodluck and don’t underestimate this thing.

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

[Whyme]

What is the direct/step method? It isn't mentioned once at all in the Becker material. I took BEC Yesterday, and Becker pissed me off to say the least. People say trust the study material, but when the majority of your exam has nothing that was even mentioned in the material, it really tests my patience. Am i the only one having this problem?

AUD- 71, 73, 87 Done!!!!!
BEC- 75
FAR- 72, 77
REG- 77

[Anonymous]

All I ever hear are people crying that paying 2500 dollars for Becker didn't make them pass the exam. Becker provides structure, thats the main advantage. For as many people who complain that Becker didn't prepare them for the exam, there are about 12 who swear by it.

[Whyme]

Well when you take BEC let us know what you think. I agree Becker provides structure, but when half the exam is not even mentioned in the material, there is a disconnect. Good luck to you sir.

AUD- 71, 73, 87 Done!!!!!
BEC- 75
FAR- 72, 77
REG- 77

[MIA4MYCPA]

I agree with Whyme. I am not slamming Becker nor am I giving up on it. I supplemented w/ Wiley and the Ninja notes and didn't see the information on any of them. They all have pretty much the same information presented in a different manner. I was scoring 80-90% in all catergories on MCQ but if you are not tested on the information you have worked so hard to learn and understand then it makes it more difficult. I don't blame the review programs, I believe it is just the nature of the test, and luck of the draw type of deal. I don't think people are whining or blaming the reivew course but rather venting frustration at having spent hours and hours learning material that didn't show up on the test. I know for a fact that a majority of the material on my test was not in the book not even the ancillary material. We are told to read ancillary material over once and what sticks sticks, bahahahahaha! I took notes over the entire BEC reivew book (including ancillary) and read them 3X a week and rewrote them a week before my test. I also worked over 1,000 MCQ's and still got broadsided today. Like I said its just the luck of the draw!

AUD - Oct 2011 - 79
BEC - Feb 2012 - 84 (seriously thought I failed this one)
REG - May 2012 - 84 (hmmm.....do they actually grade the SIMS???)
FAR - Aug 2012 - 80

I must be dreaming.... am I really done!!!

[Anonymous]

“To Lebron's hairline” haha. I had the same reaction as you too Roach.

[Anonymous]

@MIA4MYCPA and Whyme

I'm going to check back in with you guys, I bet you both passed. I'm just saying that I think a lot of people feel entitled to pass when they use Becker; not that it's the case with anyone in this thread specifically.

[Nora]

Hey guys, I really need some recommendations from people who passed BEC recently. I took BEC in Feb 2012 and got taken by surprise by tons of questions. I prepared with Becker. Also purchased Wiley's Test Bank and did about 200 MCQ from there too. I think Becker is not good for BEC. Do you have any suggestions?

I really want to pass this. I want my life back!:)

AUD 87
BEC 69, 81
REG 76
FAR 72, 11/30/12

[Anonymous]

@Nora

It doesn't sound like any of the preparation softwares have a clue what BEC is testing on in 2012, i've noticed a lot of posts about people being caught off guard with BEC in 2012, but then again, I think a lot of people take BEC more lightly then other sections.

[Anonymous]

I certainly didn't take BEC for granted, I studied as hard or harder for it as I did Auditing. With all the capital budgeting, IRR, NPV, weighted average capital, variances, etc. I thought it was going to be a computation fest. However, when I took it at least, the calculations that were there were elementary.

Kind of like preparing for a calculus test and walking into an elementary math test. The IT questions were a JOKE, I can't believe that anyone who has ever turned on a computer would have problems with that.

I'm wondering if the pass rate for the second quarter BEC isn't going to skyrocket. Who knows, maybe someone at the AICPA had a Jerry McGuire moment and decided that what they were doing to candidates was unconscionable?!? At any rate, I hope that the same person or persons make my REG and FAR exams in May and August, respectively.

[Anonymous]

“Who knows, maybe someone at the AICPA had a Jerry McGuire moment “

Yeah, they did. “SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!!” as the pass rate stays the same and the AICPA rakes in more fees 🙂

[Anonymous]

Bobkorz, I agree. The AICPA during their annual meeting:

– “We didn't meet our budgeted revenues. We have to fail more candidates, those exam fees really help our bottom line.”

– “Which section? Last time we failed a lot of Audit exams.”

– “Let's do BEC this time.”

I feel guilty for this. But might have some truth to it. You never know. (Lord, forgive me.)

[selkins]

I passed BEC with only Becker. I cut it way to close but I attribute that mainly too my lack of dedication the last week leading up to my exam; not saying that becker doesn't have its faults but it does get the job done and everyone has different learning styles so what works for one may not work for another; anyway good luck with BEC!

AUD- 76
BEC- 75
FAR- 87
REG- 78

[Anonymous]

@Selkins

So it can be done… i'm tired of this anti-becker non-sense, its good to see someone passed in the first window of 2012 using just Becker.

@Anonymous

You would probably be blacklisted for that type of talk, but then again, you are anonymous…. haha.

[ROACH]

@Whyme, the step/direct method of cost allocation for service dept. Its something covered in cost accounting class. I'm sure Becker covers this. Wiley covers it briefly but I mean its fairly simple concept in the first place. Still its best to practice it multiple times.

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

[Anonymous]

@Roach I am 24 and currently attending the same school you graduated from. I am going to finish my accounting degree in the fall of 2012. I know our school is pretty much a joke, so I would like to know how did you do the in the work field in accounting? Did you do any internship? I feel like I will be clue less after graduating and will not be able to work in the accounting with the way our school is set up. Hope you have the time to answer. Thanks

[Author]

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