[Anonymous]

Using the Ninja analogy, what does it take to do a roundhouse kick and kick the CPA exams out of the park?

I’m looking for all the wisdom for those that have successfully done a first attempt and passed in the high 80s and 90s on any of the exams….It seems that would guarantee a win, no questions to ask…It is a PASS!

The truth is I have to do this first attempt…or maybe second attempt on one or two. I have two exam cycles to get this done in 2013. In California everything changes in 2014 with expanded academic requirements.

Also it seems that some have an approach that works and that first attempt strategies are out there. So bring it on.

[jgrfan1]

I use Wiley Test Bank and Wiley book. First I read the entire book and do all MC and most of the SIMS. Then with about 6 weeks from the exam I start on WTB and do every MC and SIM. I take a ton of notes. It takes me about 4-5 months to do 1 exam. I've been studying for FAR since Jan and I take it 5/29. I have a lot of other stuff going on so I estimate I might be able to complete this process in 6-8 weeks if I did not have a spouse/job/kids. Add prep time if you have anyone of those.

The process has worked for me although it has taken a long time. Hoping to finish up here in a week and 1/2.

Good luck.

BEC - 5/2012 - 91
AUD - 8/2012 - 89
REG - 1/2013 - 90
FAR - 5/2013 - 88
Wife, 2 kids and a job

[jgrfan1]

Oh and I like the BARF achronym. I am definetly barfing this week.

BEC - 5/2012 - 91
AUD - 8/2012 - 89
REG - 1/2013 - 90
FAR - 5/2013 - 88
Wife, 2 kids and a job

[J]

I don't know what I'm going to do with AUD (definitely the most difficult subject matter for me) and maybe I'm not a good example as my preparation really lacks in time/substance with respect to many of the others on here, but this is my general approach (I've used Yaeger and Wiley):

1) Watch Yaeger videos; I skip past the stuff on which I already feel comfortable (i.e. I really didn't watch much of the fixed asset/current liabilities stuff for FAR). You can also get a video player that allows you to speed up the lectures (i.e. 1.3X) to save some time.

2) Do the recommended MC and simulations.

3) Review material that wasn't comprehended clearly the first time through & hit some more multiple choice questions on that stuff.

4) For REG and AUD, I also have integrated Wiley Test Bank over the last couple of weeks (around 50/day… I know, some people like more).

5) Leave a few days for a final review, if possible and go over subjects that you need to review AND that count for a significant portion of the exam. I didn't have time for BEC (I actually never really even through the last couple modules in the Wiley book) and my preparation was lacking on a couple of things. With FAR, I made sure to go over government/not-for-profit the day of the exam, and I definitely reaped the benefits of that.

That's about it. Again, I probably put in less time than many others, but I firmly believe in the law of diminishing returns when it comes to studying. I probably did 35-40 hours for BEC, 70-90 for FAR, and 80-90 for REG… my goal for AUD is 70-80 (again, this is the subject that is most burdensome for me).

[Anonymous]

I used an Online Wiley course (DePaul University), Wiley book, and Wiley Test Bank for each section (except no online review for AUD and no TB for BEC). I took my first section in January and take my last next week.

Everyone is different, but I spent 7 weeks on each section. I meticulously planned out my studying for each section and (generally) stuck to the plan. I spent 5 weeks (more or less) studying each section and 2 weeks reviewing (i.e. pounding the Test Bank – 180-250 MCQs/day, 4-8 SIMS/day, every day).

Personally, I think it is very doable in 2 quarters, but that's my opinion. I was motivated more than anything by my now 1-year old son at home that I haven't been able to spend much time with.

IMHO, if you make a plan, stick with it, and put in the time and effort, you can wrap it up in 2 testing windows.

[KatieM]

I am taking BEC for the 2nd time tomorrow and after failing it in February, I am very nervous, but have really stepped up in terms of my studying and MCQ's. In a nutshell this is what I started doing and I have consistently been scoring high 90's and 100's on my pretests and practice 72 sessions— when I do the MCQ's I write down key information, and all formulas- every single time… even if I know it– if its a problem that I wasn't 100% sure on, I write the problem out completely sometimes this takes an entire sheet of paper and a lot of time, but some of the problems are tricky and although you will read that these WON'T be on the test that was not the case for me in February so lesson learned– my test was over 50% calculation problems… not theory like everyone says… ‘know your formulas'— I have an entire 3-subject notebook of re-written notes… and purchased a stack of white plain notepads for taking notes.. every time I do MCQ's I take notes… up to today I have done about 5000 MCQ for BEC– (every question in the book 3 times) and every Wiley question 5x plus — I read the ninja notes daily.

since my test is tomorrow, today I am just reading my notebook– reviewing, reviewing and more reviewing— but I am anxious for this to be over.

Good Luck and if you take anything from what I've written– just remember that every test is different and if someone tells you that XXX is not on the test or the test is XXX ………. don't listen. It really hurt me~

BEC (2/2013-59) - 5/22/2013-2nd attempt
AUD-
REG-
FAR-

[MRSJLeon917]

My approach for each section (using Becker & Ninja Notes) was as follows:

1) watch lecture

2) Take notes on section

3) Do all MCQ and SIMS

4) move to next chapter & repeat steps 1-3

5) during last week or so, review, including:

A) Redo MCQ and SIMS for each chapter

B) Rewrite Ninja Notes

C) Take Final Exam 1 of Becker

D) look at sections I am weaker in and try to understand concepts

E) redo MCQ and SIMS again

F) rewrite Ninja Notes again (time permitting)

G) take Final Exam 2

H) Reread notes as a final refresher

AUD (5/25/2012): 91
FAR (10/22/2012): 89
REG (11/28/2012): 89
BEC (01/05/2013): 82
Ethics Exam: 90

IL Licensed CPA - 7/15/2013

A long journey, officially DONE!

[Anonymous]

My approach has been pretty simple:

1.) Watch Yaeger videos

2.) Do MCQ's & SIMs from the Wiley Test Bank

I think the thing that is helped me the most is I don't typically split the questions up by section. I always do sets of questions based cumulatively on the material I have covered. For example, if I have covered Module 1 & 2, then my questions are a mix from Module 1 & 2. After I completed Module 3, I would do sets with a mix of questions from Modules 1, 2, & 3. This is one of the reasons I love the Wiley Test Bank. Not only can you decide what subjects you wish to do questions on, but you can also set criteria such as “Not yet seen” or “answered incorrectly”. Also, when you answer questions in practice mode, you get nice little explanations as to why you got a question right or wrong.

I know that my approach isn't the “norm” because I don't typically take notes during the video nor do I re-write the ninja notes. I just find that doing multiple choice and adding new subjects as I go along helps me learn the material easiest.

[Anonymous]

I've just done this:

Lots of MCQs. All the homework and thousands of progress test problems.

If something is particularly sticky I'll read about it in the book or watch the lecture if I'm feeling lazy.

Just hammer MCQ.

[RandomAlt]

@840048 – One of the things most people suggest is hammering the MCQs, which must mean something (lol). My question is, how do account for repeating the same questions, and memorizing the answers?

FAR - [10/07/2013 --> 66] [07/07/2014 --> 86]
BEC - [08/31/2014 --> 86]
AUD - [11/24/2014 --> 88]
REG - [02/14/2015 --> 92]

[jlg2010]

Random take notes on every Wiley mcq and also aicpa released questions trust me you won't have time to worry about any other questions make sure you review those notes once or twice it's painful but it's the extra work that may. Give you advantage over other candidates who have worked hard…

FAR Aug 12 84
Aud Feb 13 99
BEC Apr 13 86
Reg May 13 87 Done!!!

[rroano]

The one thing I'd say is you know your strengths. Work hard on understanding your weaknesses and always do progression tests. Every progression test was 100 questions for me. Good luck!

AUD 93 08/20/12
REG 87 11/26/12
BEC 91 02/25/13
FAR 98 05/14/13

Licensed in TX on July 2013.

[JBD]

I used BECKER only and passed all 4 exams the first time.

For REG, I studied for about 2 months, did all the practice questions, tests and sims at least twice. July 2012 – 90

FAR – studied for about 2 months, did all the practice questions – but barely practiced sims at all. October 2012 – 79

AUD – studied about 3 weeks, did most of the practice questions & sims – November 2012 – 88

Took a break until mid February – didn't look at anything!

BEC – actually watched the videos between Reg and Far, then studied for about 3 weeks after AUD. I'm a pretty good writer, so didn't practice the written sims. April 2013 – 86

I think for me, just hammering out the MCs until I got them all correct at once was key. Everytime I got one wrong, I would read through the explanation until I really understood the concept. Also, I did grab the AICPA recently released questions for the past few years off the web, just to be sure.

To study, I would stay at my desk until 10pm some nights, eat lunch in a quiet room with by sandwich and becker books and spent about 16 hours each weekend at the coffee shop.

I work full time, minimum 40 hours per week, have 2 young children and an amazing husband who made it all possible. If you're working and have children, make sure you have a support system so that you can devote the time…but…it's definitely possible!

[Anonymous]

@randomalt

Just work it every time. Work the process of the problem. Think in terms of muscle memory.

[Anonymous]

I used Becker online, passed everything on the first time w/good scores and here's what I did:

1) Watched the videos and did related MCQ's after either 4 hours of video, or I broke it down (i.e. watch one section, do the MCQ for that section. I didn't take notes during the videos, but did write out the answers to questions I got wrong (and also any other answer explanations that were useful). I'd usually fill up at a whole spiral notebook by the end of the course.

2) I didn't bother with any progress tests at all.

3) After finishing all the videos & MCQ's (including optional ones), redo all Becker MCQ's. I usually aimed for ~200 a day.

4) Do all the MCQ's in the Wiley test bank once. I then went back and redid the ones I missed.

5) At some point in the process I'd usually rewrite Ninja Notes one time, but other than that didn't really use them.

6) Do both Becker Final Exams.

7) Sit for exam.

I usually had at least 3 weeks for the “review” part where I redid the Becker MCQ's and then did the Wiley ones. I think the key for me overall was writing out the MCQ question explanations.

Hope that helps!

Anita

[Pellerific]

I used Beckers only and passed all four on the first try

Studied about 2-2.5 months for each, but FAR was more like 3 months as it's the longest and my first test.

My method was listen to the videos and write notes simultaneously (I would pause the video), do the MC right after and went through them slowly. For each question that I got wrong I physically wrote out the question, the correct answer and why the one I chose was wrong.

In the final 1.5-2 weeks before the exam, I would reread the entire book, reread my notes, do the sims and 1 or 2 final exams depending on the time.

I think that the best advise is to reread the book in the last 2 weeks. This way everything on the test is more familiar. I found that it worked really well for me.

F-82
A-91
B-91
R-86

[Author]

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