[itsjustatest]

As a long time lurker of this forum during my 2 year journey through the cpa exam, I know how much the advice on here can help. With that said, I wanted to post a recap of what really worked for me in hopes that it will help others get through this long, frustrating CPA process.

Quick history lesson: I started studying in the fall of 2012. Failed REG twice with a 70 then 73, reflected on my study habits, considered abandoning the mission, changed my habits and then passed AUD (83), BEC (85), REG (79) and FAR (76) consecutively over a 14 month period.

Between the two tests that I failed and the 4 tests that I passed, I made 4 MAJOR changes to my study habits. (Note: Used BECKER for all exams failed and passed)

1. Stop watching lectures. Why? I found them to be a waste of time. Why would I spend 4+ hours per section listening to a guy read me the text? I abandoned the lectures and instead read through the chapters section by section while taking notes, then completed MCQs at the end of each section. If there was a page I didn’t fully understand in the text, I would then go and watch the lecture for that page only. Maybe the lectures work for some, but I fail to see the benefit in listening to Tim read the book back to you. We all got through college which proves we can read a book, understand it, and pass an exam. Over the course of a longer exam like REG and FAR, this strategy frees up about 30-40 hours of study time that can be put to better, more efficient use. Side note: for ALL exams, I went through all chapters and MCQs TWICE.

2. FLASH CARDS. I invested in flash cards from Becker and used them all the time. I believe these were the main key to my success. Have a spare 20 minutes? You can go through and review the main points of a whole chapter. In my opinion, these flash cards do a great job of summarizing the main parts of the chapter while keeping all the info fresh in your mind.

3. NINJA notes and wiley test bank. I used both of these the 3rd time I took REG. After failing the exam twice, I realized I was going through the MCQs and I knew the answer before reading the entire question. Invest your money in some additional questions and re write those NINJA notes. It works. If you keep doing the same thing over and over, you can expect the same results over and over.

4. RELAX. This is a test. It’s not brain surgery and we aren’t saving any lives. It’s not that serious. Don’t stress over one page in the text that equates to .01% of the total material.

When you are going through the book the first time and you don’t understand some of the material, don’t stress out. Get a basic understanding, get through it and be ready to nail it down the second time through the material. Let’s be serious, do you really expect to remember everything in F2 after getting through F10? No. You are going to have to re learn it either way. Don’t waste time your first time through the material. See it, read it, answer the questions and move on. The 2nd time through it will look familiar and you can nail it down then.

These are the 4 major changes I implemented and I ended up passing the exam. I was a 3.3 student in college with a 24 ACT. If I can pass it, all of you can.

Best of luck

AUD - 83
REG - 78
FAR - 69,73,79
BEC - 85

[D]

Thanks for posting. I'm hoping this will really help get me where I need so I can start passing these.

I've taken this thing 10 times and have only had 1 pass. Something has to change.

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AUD - 74, 77! (1/2016)
BEC - 80! (5/2016)
REG - tbd (8/2016)
FAR - tbd

Study materials: NINJA MCQ/Audio/Notes

"I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me!"
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[itsjustatest]

No problem – also side note, i realized after the fact that my screen name might lead ppl to believe i am talking down to others who have not passed. Please don't think that, I am apparently just really bad at spur of the moment screen names.

AUD - 83
REG - 78
FAR - 69,73,79
BEC - 85

[kplummer517]

Thanks, I needed some advise, I think I'm wasting my time memorizing MCQ's. I need to UNDERSTAND the material. After failing BEC 4-5 times and REG this last time I NEED to change something! Time is ticking.

AUD - Passed - 82 (10/1/13), Expires 4/1/2015 (57,62,64)
BEC - Passed - 77 (7/14/14) (53,67,70,74) Half way to CPA!!!!
REG - Passed - 81 (8/23/14) (68) 3 down 1 to go!!
FAR - Passed - 75 (11/11/14) I'm DONE!!!!!

Illinois Canidate

[Anonymous]

I wasn't able to pass anything until I started watching lectures; your problem was you were listening to that windbag Gearty… in that case I would agree with you. Roger's was much more enjoyable and engaging.

[kpb]

Thanks for the tips! I am sort of doing the same thing….passed BEC but failed AUD with a 70 because of the FAR sims that were in the AUD exam, why? I have no idea and it is completely not fair. currently studying for FAR…. I do agree with you, sometimes I can't grasp everything the first time around, but during review I get a better understanding of it. If not you'll be stuck on one chapter forever. and yes, probably forget it by Ch. 10 (great) i'm only on 4.

BEC - 81 4/08/14
FAR - 80 8/25/14 Thank you Jesus!
REG - 69 (Nov 14),80 1/08/15 Thank God!
AUD - 70 (May 14), xx 5/1/15

Becker Online & Becker Flashcards
I definitely wish I was one of those people who got all 4 exams done in 4 months, but unfortunately LIFE (being a newlywed, stress, adjusting to newlywed life and cpa exam study life, as well as starting a job with a Big4 which I am very happy about) got in the way, just happy that I am passing period!!

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

[Anonymous]

Yes, i remember that Audit sims were incredibly tough…

good luck with your exam!

My journey was 1 year and 2 months but it felt like an eternity

FAR: PASSED

AUD: PASSED

REG: PASSED

BEC: PASSED – took it on 05-29-14 :O)

[kpb]

Thanks Aguirre81 hopefully I pass the 2nd time. How much studying should i dedicate to restudying AUD?

I'm thinking re-read the chapters and redo all MCQs..I don't plan on taking it until i am finished with FAR and REG which will be right around the time i start working full time with a big4 therefore won't have much time to study reg for example, whereas aud will be easier to study for since ive already seen the material once. any tips appreciated

BEC - 81 4/08/14
FAR - 80 8/25/14 Thank you Jesus!
REG - 69 (Nov 14),80 1/08/15 Thank God!
AUD - 70 (May 14), xx 5/1/15

Becker Online & Becker Flashcards
I definitely wish I was one of those people who got all 4 exams done in 4 months, but unfortunately LIFE (being a newlywed, stress, adjusting to newlywed life and cpa exam study life, as well as starting a job with a Big4 which I am very happy about) got in the way, just happy that I am passing period!!

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

[stag]

I thought viewing the Becker videos where helpful since I could then skip all the material that they didn't tell us to highlight or to memorize. That probably saved time versus going over the book myself and wasting brain cells to retain material that were probably irrelevant. I was betting on that either Tim or Pete knew more about the CPA exams than I do. So when they didn't say know this or highlight that, I just didn't bother.

FAR - Aug 2013 Passed
REG - DEC 2013 Passed
BEC - FEB 2014 Passed
AUD - MAY 2014 Passed

BSEE = who needs accounting degree to pass CPA exams?

[itsjustatest]

@stag I agree with that. I should have specified that I followed the ebook, not the hard copy. I placed much more importance on highlighted sections and briefly skimmed the portions w no additional markings

AUD - 83
REG - 78
FAR - 69,73,79
BEC - 85

[Anonymous]

My advice to those still in the grind. Keep fighting. I got knocked down twice, but you have to get back up and get right back at it. Allow yourself to sulk for a day or two, then turn that sadness into fire and get pumped. It's all about making adjustments to your studying and seeing what works and what doesn't and following a plan consistently. A couple of pointers that I feel made a WORLD of difference for me:

1. Do not just do a ridiculous amount of MCQs without really understanding the concepts, why you got the question wrong, why the correct answer is right, and why the others are wrong. I made this mistake for AUD where I just did MCQs nonstop until I was blue in the face, and barely took the time to make notes or actually understand the material, and wound up with a 64. This is a lazy way of studying. You must read the textbook and/or make notes and read them until those concepts are drilled into your head to the point where you can look at a blurb of your notes, read the first word or two and can finish the sentences of your notes without looking. Again I adopted the Ninja method and never failed again, passing three consecutive exams. It really works. Also, make fact nuggets when doing the MCQs and add them to your notes when you get a question wrong due to not maybe having enough notes on that topic.

2. It's quality over quantity. It's better to do two really good hours of studying than four garbage hours where you are not focusing 100% on the material/get easily distracted. Using EAR PLUGS is a great thing, a partner at my old firm suggested this and it helped tremendously, blocking out all outside noise. You have to give yourself up to the material, it's the only way to do it right.

3. Awesome tip for MCQs, what I did which really helped big time, was I went through a chapter of MCQs in Becker and I took a piece of paper out and wrote down what section of questions I was in (ex: Chapter 5 “bonds” or Chapter 5 “leases) and I would make a list of questions by topic. So that way, if I felt I was weak in an area, I knew which question numbers to go back to. Like for FAR, any questions that had to do with EPS calculation, I wrote on my sheet EPS and wrote out those question numbers, or installment sale method calculation I would write Installment Sale Method and list those question numbers out. Then I would put all the theory questions (non calculation) under a theory column. Then, I would take another sheet of paper and write formulas out for each chapter, such as steps to calculate installment sales/cost recovery method, EPS, financial ratios, etc and keep memorizing them. The key really is to make that list of MCQs by topic because if you feel you are weak in something and need practice, you know what questions to go to.

4. Final review is HUGE and CRITICAL. Allow yourself AT LEAST TWO WEEKS, to do a final review. This helps tie up loose ends, and refreshes your memory on things that you may have forgotten or overlooked while trying to get through the chapters. I cannot stress this enough, this can make or break you and I agree that my final reviews are what put me over the hump. If I didn't take the time for a review, I know I would have failed.

5. Make sure you maintain some sort of life/interests while studying. I had the gym, some time with my wife and friends and sports while I was studying. Study hard, make it a number one priority, but allow yourself some free time or you will go nuts. I almost didn't make it out of studying over tax season for FAR, but I was desperate and wanted it bad.

I went 4 for 6 on my exams, so I think these things definitely helped me finish the exams. Good luck to those studying!

[Author]

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