Hi guys I’m preparing for REG and I have a hard time reading the tax book. It just seems like a lot of info all thrown at you. Im using Ninja while I wait for my Becker books to come in. Is it efficient to just go from videos to MCQS ??

[Anonymous]

@itagain-I think watching the video then doing MCQs and reading explanations will get you there mostly, but in my studies I have always found that the missing pieces are in the book, MCQ alone never did it for me. What I have always done and it worked for me, is watch/listen to lectures, do MCQ on the first pass, then go back to the book, take notes, and redo MCQ. I have gone back to the book during review and it always helps to take me full circle.

[Recked]

Agree with the above. I would watch the videos and then jump into the MCQs so you can sort of pull the entire picture together conceptually.
The problem with CPA questions is the level of detail. The best example I can give it blind fold yourself, randomly open the book to any page, highlight 5 words.
There will be a question on those 5 words. It can be ANY random 5 words in the book. The devil is in the details.

All that being said… I did not read any of the books cover to cover. Not sure if reading comprehension has faded as I got older, or what my problem was. I could read the same paragraph 5 times in a row and have no idea what it said. My mind just wanders too much to concentrate on reading. I would read areas that I was having trouble understanding the concepts, or testing poorly in. Also known hot topics.

Thanks guys, sounds look good advice will take it!

[Go.For.Broke]

@itagain I seriously disliked reading the REG textbook, but it is very important to do so. I'd even suggest reading the chapter in the textbook before watching (and following along with) the lecture. They go through the material so quickly, and while you're underlining and highlighting, you're unable to actually read the text or pay close attention to what they're saying.

Reading the textbook (for me) was the most time-consuming portion of my studies, but it's very important. I've seen studies that show reading from a page (i.e. your textbook) allows you to absorb and retain the information better than on a screen (much less from listening to someone on a video). Don't get me wrong; I wouldn't have passed without the lectures and MCQs – but I also wouldn't have passed without the textbook.

Good luck!

[Tim]

I'm a pure book-learner. Videos are a waste of time for me and just go in one ear and out the other.

[Mike J]

Maybe the best thing is to find another POV.

Pick like 2 or 3 topics that you really don't get. Then spend a day or two searching the internet, your old college textbooks, youtube, etc. Forget your studying for the CPA exam and just try to learn as much as you can about those 2 or 3 topics.

Take notes on what you think is important, based on your research. Then incorporate those notes with your CPA exam notes.

Once youre more comfortable with the subject matter, then go back to your CPA exam materials (MCQ and SIMs).

Basically, you have to know when you need to take a step back before you can go forward. That was the hardest lesson for me.

[Author]

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