[kandisjoy]

If anyone out there is looking for a new idea on how to study for the CPA exam, maybe this will help. I’m not saying that this is the perfect CPA Exam study method for anyone else. I just know that I struggled a lot with several different study guides and I’m happy to say that I’ve finally figured out what works for me! And if that can help other people not waste all the money that I did… well I’m glad to help. 🙂

First, my CPA exam study history:

Roger CPA: I used Roger for FAR and failed. I found it difficult to follow him because he drove me nuts. I’m not a big fan of his teaching style. I know a lot of people are, but he’s just not for me. I also half-assed AUD with this program, but I failed AUD because I didn’t study enough, not because of Roger.

CPAexcel: I used CPAexcel to pass BEC with an 82. The study material was excellent and I loved that it made a study schedule for me. The only bad thing about CPAexcel is that you don’t get any books. You can print up their material, but you have to print each section one at a time, which can be pretty annoying. I also got a 71 on REG with this program, but it wasn’t because of CPAexcel. I got behind in my study plan and never got caught up.

Ok so now, finally, I have figured out MY perfect way of studying!:

CPAexcel: Follow the study plan – read the material and do the exam questions. If I fail on the exam questions, I do the proficiency questions and/or review the text. If I do well on and feel comfortable with the exam questions, I move on to the next topic.

Ninja notes by Jeff: As I’m reading CPAexcel material, I find the related section in the Ninja notes and write additional notes on that. I also insert my own pages of notes into the Ninja notes so that everything is organized by topic. I flag every section of the Ninja notes with a big sticky tab and then I flag important topics with little stick tabs. I also make flash cards for almost everything that I think I might have trouble remembering. I bought the neon colored cards and each color represents a topic.

Wiley book: If I am really struggling with a topic, I’ll read over it in my Wiley book just to get another explanation. I also use the additional questions in the Wiley book if I want to strengthen my knowledge in an area.

After I make it through the entire study program in CPAexcel, I use the Exam Tutor in CPAexcel to narrow down my weak spots. Then I spend some time studying those topics, and test again. I keep doing it until test day. Also in the last week, I do as Jeff suggests and re-write all of my notes.

And there it is! My perfect CPA Exam study method. If anyone has another method that works for them, please feel free to list it here. I know that a lot of people feel overwhelmed when studying for this exam. They might appreciate a place to find ideas.

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FAR: 71, 77
BEC: 70, 82
AUD: 62, 78
REG: 71, 68, 85

CA Licensed 11/2011

[SusanStudies]

As someone who is just starting out with my studying (I just ordered Yaeger yesterday), reading your post has me concerned that one program may not be enough to get me through the exam. I've read posts from numerous others also mentioning the use of multiple review programs and study tactics.

I'm not afraid of the time commitment. I just wonder if I have enough material to study by.

So glad to hear you found what works for you. It may be trial and error for me.

AUD: 07/11/11 - Passed
BEC: 08/27/11 - Passed
FAR: 01/17/12 - Passed
REG: 04/30/12; Re-take 7/16/12 - Passed

FINISHED!!!!!!!!

[Herbieherb]

I think the whole CPA exam is getting way way more competitive and candidates are spending more money and doing anything they can to get an edge over others. A Wiley book seems to be the standard CPA review for cheapest cost…others then go beyond that and purchase Becker, or Yaeger, Roger etc or go for a hybrid system. I've seen a few posters who did Gleim/Yaeger or Yaeger/Becker or Roger/ Becker blah blah mix and match 🙂 Bottom line for me is don't spend too much money, or get confused. Stick with a review program until you feel it has marginal returns, then move on. Don't beat a dead horse to the ground or let your review materials become obsolete (using last years)

NEW YORK- DONE

[Anonymous]

I agree with Herbieherb. When you are just starting out, and if you've already chosen something like Yaeger, then stick with that until you feel that you are no longer benefiting from it. If it turns out that you are struggling to understand a concept, and the lectures aren't enough, then look for a different way to get that information and gain a new perspective. Or if you've found that you have done the multiple choice questions so many times that you've memorized the answers without really knowing if you've mastered the material, then get supplemental questions from another review. But technically if you've spent that much money on a review program, you shouldn't have to supplement it with anything, it should be enough to pass on its own.

[PASSED]

kandisjoy

You did a good job explaining your study method! I spent $15,000 on review materials and the exams.

This is how I divided my study materials, based on their strengths:

Best Lectures: Yaeger for FAR, BEC and REG and Lambers for AUD

Best Explanations for Wiley Questions: Yaeger for FAR, BEC, REG and AUD

Best Organized Material: Becker

Best Mneumonics for Memorization: Becker

Best Detailed Book: Wiley

Best “Cliff Notes:” Becker Book

Best Help for Difficult Topics (bonds, etc.) Bob Monette with Bisk Hot Spots

Best Organized Questions for Weak Areas: Gleim

Best Flash Cards: Kaplan

This is how I mixed and matched the above for each exam:

FAR: Yaeger and Becker

REG: Yaeger and Bob Monette's Bisk Hot Spots for taxes

BEC: Yaeger and Kaplan's flash cards for IT

AUD: Becker, Lambers lectures by Garland and Gleim for weak areas in AUD

Depending on the exam and your needs, mix and match. I did not have Jeff's notes available for my exams, but I certainly would have bought his notes.

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[Liz317]

My advice on study materials:

1.) Find where your method of studying matches with the many review materials out there. All of the programs work for someone, but they all aren't the best for you.

2.) Don't buy all 4 sections at once. That way you won't feel guilty for buying all 4 if you find out after part 1 that it's really not the best for you.

3.) Ultimately, YOU are the one that will pass the exam, not your review material. No review material substitutes for hard work and perserverance. However, some materials will be better suited to support you in your journey than others.

FAR - 92 --- AUD - 87 --- REG - 80 --- BEC - 87
A licensed CPA in Louisiana!!!

Dear CPA Exam, You are a beast. But you WILL be defeated!

[Anonymous]

PASSED….that's a great summary for people to review.

I started out with all 4 sections of the Becker classroom training. I needed that as a base.

I bought more review materials after that (Excel flash cards, Yaegar Audio and DVD's, etc.)

[Author]

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