[Anonymous]

I sit for REG in one week and due to “life” and lack of motivation after failing FAR, I have studied very little. My NTS expires next week, so although I realize my chances of passing are slim to none, I might as well give it my best shot because it’s money out the door either way.

I’ve read Jeff’s post advising how to study for an exam in 20 days and plan to follow a similar approach although I only have 8 days. My primary question: should I attempt to cover all the material and then focus on weak areas and tax or should I attempt to master tax because it is a greater % and almost guaranteed to be the topic for the simulations and just hit the highlights (ninja notes) on the rest?

edited to add materials I currently have: Yaeger 2011 videos, Wiley 2011 book, Wiley online test bank, Ninja notes, Becker flashcards

[Minimorty]

Depends on how you learn. I would be better served trying to watch all of the lectures once through. Some people will say just do multiple choice for the next 8 days. I would try to get through all of the material once though. If you only focus on tax, you will fail. Business law comprises a large percentage of the test, so you'll need to be pretty familiar with it. Again, just do the best you can with a review of everything. I would take your 8th day and just read the NINJA notes all day. Its probably the most concise overview out there.

[PistolPete]

I wouldn't bother with lectures. Hit the MCQs hard.

I took REG last week and focused my time on what I thought were key topics.

Property Transactions and Gain/Loss recognition

Professional Responsibilities

Securities Regulation

AMT, thresholds, to and from AGI.

Carefully read the NINJA notes once or twice. It's doable, just buckle down.

FAR - 68, 79
AUD - 82
REG - 71, 71, 80
BEC - 76

CMA
Part 1: October 2013
Part 2: January 2014

[That Cartoon Mouse]

I had 10 days to study for AUD, and I passed. Of course, I wasn't working, so those were 10 FULL days; your situation may be different.

I had already taken Roger's live course a month prior, but did not do any of the MCQs until my 10 study days. Here's what I did in the 10 days:

I used the Wiley Test bank (which lists 8 or so sections if you create custom study tests). Starting with the first section described in Roger's materials, I created short (20-30 MCQ) tests (usually without sims) and took them, making sure to read the explanation whether I got it wrong or right.

I would also add sections to my tests as I progressed. So I first did a test on Ethics, then I did a test on Planning, then I did a test on Ethics and Planning, then Internal Control, then Ethics, Planning, and Internal Control. Sometimes this got a bit unwieldy, so I modified this as I saw fit to make sure that I was not giving anything short shrift and to make sure I would be able to cover everything with a couple days change.

On the sections that were especially confusing I did all or most of Roger's assigned homework in the Wiley book.

Every couple of tests it was break time! Break time means watch Roger's AUD Cram video — they're like 10-40 minutes a piece and serve as a break from the MCQs. Take notes, do all of the MCQs in the Roger Cram book, and at least one of the sims.

After I had gone through each section, I had a day or two left before the test, so I took a bunch of full tests (this time with sims) in the Wiley software. I made note of the sections I scored poorly on (less than 50%) and did MCQs in the Wiley book on those subjects or made additional practice tests in the software.

It's a hard slog and I found AUD easier than REG, so this might not be your experience, but it is possible to pass a test with limited time. I had some SERIOUS advantages — no job, no girlfriend, no kids (that all seem like serious disadvantages now when I'm not taking a test) — so I don't want to pretend that it was all my brainpower and dedication. The truth is, it's just that I could study as much in 10 days as others could in a month because I didn't have the other distractions. It's possible to pass; it's a matter of making sure you can put the time in.

REG 82 (10/07/11)
BEC 88 (11/01/11)
FAR 86 (11/21/11)
AUD 82 (11/30/11)
----------
Roger CPA Review, live & cram course

[Working-Hard]

I also desparately need study tips, esp. from the good crammer(s). For some reason when I read most of the questions, each took me 3-5 minutes to read, answer, add my notes and understand them correctly; sometime even more if my brain is tired. Of course there're some questions that will take me 30 seconds to read and understand. But I am not sure how people can do the Pomodoro, etc for 30 questions in 25 minutes. So practically they can do at least 200 questions/ day (4 hrs of study) or at least 700 questions/day for the full-time exam takers.

Any insights will be greatly appreciated.

[That Cartoon Mouse]

I don't think pomodoro mandates 30 questions in 25 minutes as much as it mandates study for 25 minutes and then take a five minute break. If you have plenty of time before your test, taking 3-5 minutes doesn't sound unreasonable to me. If your test is tomorrow and you're just starting and you want to hit every topic, 3-5 minutes is a problem.

I probably took 2-4 minutes per problem. Slightly faster than you, but not a lot faster. Unless after all that time you don't feel confident in what you studied, it doesn't seem like you're doing anything wrong.

REG 82 (10/07/11)
BEC 88 (11/01/11)
FAR 86 (11/21/11)
AUD 82 (11/30/11)
----------
Roger CPA Review, live & cram course

[Working-Hard]

Thanks for the reply & encouragement.

I am extremely nervous… the materials & calculations are so many (& “identical”) for 3-hr exam. I am not sure if I can retain and pull the right answer(s) from my head under that pressure.

Oh you're so smart to finish them all within one window. I wish I have a little bit of your brain. Wish me/us luck pls!

[Author]

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