[jeff]

REG Study Group Links and Resources:

1. NINJA Monthly – $67 REG Course
2. Free REG Notes
3. REG Course Comparison
4. How to Pass REG (with NINJA)
5. How to Pass REG (in 20 Days)
6. How to Pass REG (after Failing)

See Also:

• FAR Study Group
• AUD Study Group
• REG Study Group
• BEC Study Group

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS) | Another71 | NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE

[Tncincy]

I'm using Ninja audio, mcq's, notes and Becker lectures. I will tighten up the more this time and practice sims. Sometimes I felt I did too much and most of the time I feel I didn't do enough. Well, now I know. So I am cleaning off my desk and getting my mindset ready. I'm not going to waste time I am going to get started this weekend. I am determined to pass. I guess I better pay for Reg so I won't spend the money on feeling better (lol) Like shopping, or deck furniture, or a new purse…etc
@phoenix, I am sorry to hear your score. I know you wanted to be done. But I'm here with you to cheer you on. We know what we have to do.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Ali]

Sorry to the people that didn't pass. I understand, I got a 74 the first time I took FAR. Do you have any suggestion s on what material to focus on most? I've heard so many mixed things about BLaw being in a lot of MC questions and it not being covered at all. Also do you suggest memorizing phase outs? There are so many!

My test is next week and I'm not even halfway through the material so will be cramming a lot over the next 6 days.

[23]

I'm sorry to hear @74phoenix, I thought you had this one. I recommend taking a couple days off then coming back harder than ever.
@Ali, I though basis was a common theme throughout my test. Everyone's test is different but I think BLaw was covered about as much as expected (I wish it was more). I think with phaseouts, you should be familiar with the major ones, and be generally familiar overall. We can't be expected to know all the phaseouts or the amounts.

WA candidate

[asdf]

@Ali
Agreeing with @23
I didn't try to memorize every phaseouts but did memorize the major phaseouts such as Sec 179.
Also, good to memorize how to amortize organizational expense (up to 5k exp'd and rest is capitalized/amortized over 180 months)
Not only Blaws but also Ethics are heavily tested areas but should try to study well on all subjects..
“Everything is on the test!!” was my personal REG experience.

[Tncincy]

My mind is still rolling on how did I fail again? Well, I looked at my mcq trending and didn't get over 50% so that means I didn't do enough questions. Then add on that I didn't do any sims. I know, I know, it's done, it's over but I want to be ready next time around. Good luck to those still working. Don't ignore your scores.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[CH89]

@Tncincy – If you don't mind me asking, but what is your study habit/routine?

[Tncincy]

@CH89 I went through materials, kinda second guessed on the lectures because they were old. Wrote Ninja notes, listened to the Audio, did mcq's went through the book on the topics I was consistently wrong. I was also working on this through tax season so I had to improvise and make up sometime on Sundays. I admit my structure was not too good. I was able to do better closer to test day because my time was freer. I am using Ninja only, I am going to go step by step with the Ninja plan.(if I can stand it). I am open for suggestion though.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[CH89]

@Tncincy – Did you also take notes while doing MCQs? What do you mean by second guessed on the lectures, and did you read the Ninja books fully? That's ok, it took me a little bit to find a structure that was well suited for me. I noticed in an earlier post you said you didn't do nearly enough questions, how many did you do? I apologize for what seems like 20 questions! I really do wish to help.

[23]

@tncincy, Did you go chapter by chapter or do random sets of MCQ? What I believe is useful for me is to read the answers, including the incorrect choices. In other words, determine why one is correct and the other 3 are wrong. I do believe the NINJA MCQ is a good barometer of test score. I don't have the exact numbers in front of me, but Jeff recommends a trending score of 85ish. I would be curious if he's changed that recommendation because the trending calculation may have changed. Many in the trending vs actual thread have lower than 85 as well. I think ~65 is about the minimum one would want going into test day, with the exception of FAR (where I've seen much lower trending). It may be helpful to set goals to stay on track as well.
I'm with @CH89 and the rest, we want to help!

WA candidate

[Tncincy]

@CH89 and @23 I appreciate you for answering and trying to be a help. Yes I did read the answers, I second guessed the Lectures because they were old and I had the TCJA on my mind and any other changes. I went topic by topic in the mcq's and did not do enough. I got through the initial phase but did not get through the recon phase. With the Mcq's most of the time I got them wrong from not reading the question before answering. Yes, I did take my own notes, but I relied on the Ninja notes as well. If you have suggestions or what helped you from the book to mcq's just send it. I am more than willing to read it and apply what ever I can. I sincerely appreciate any help. I did not read the book entirely, because I had lectures. My intention is to do Ninja completely including the book if I can stand it. When I do the questions and see where I am weak I went to the book, then I knew what I was looking for in particular. So again, I am open for any suggestions and will apply them where I can. I am determined to pass, so nothing is too much at this point. Been here too long as a cheerleader.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[23]

@tncincy, with REG still fresh in your mind I'd skip the lectures for the retake. I think more MCQ is the key. Get through the recon phase, then keep going! Mix in some sims as well.

WA candidate

[CH89]

@Tncincy – I agree with @23, I would do more MCQs, and definitely SIMs too. As I mentioned before, doing SIMs really helped piece together some topics that were a bit meh for me such as Section 1231, 1245, and 1250. That's a common thing with MCQs, reading them to fast or answering before reading the question fully. Slow your a pace a bit, if it's a lengthy question, try reading the question stem first, then go back to the full details of it all. When I was going through REG, I would re-write the specific section from the Ninja notes then go do some MCQs for that specific section. From studying AUD, I've learned to look at the answers and eliminate ones that I know are wrong.

[Tncincy]

Thanks CH89 and 23. I am definitely going to get through the mcq's and I am looking to incorporate the sims in my olan. I don't want to wait so This weekend I am jumping back in. Sections 1231,1245, and 1250 were my exact weak points. So I am going to probably deal with those first. I will make myself read that book. I appreciate your in put…..I'm not about to quit.
@CH89 what did you do on Reg?

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[CH89]

@Tncincy – I use Wiley and Ninja, so I read the book/study guides for each lesson and completed those. I would read and listen to the Ninja Notes and Audio. After that it was just doing an insane amount of MCQs, and doing SIMs specifically for Property Transactions, Individual Taxation and Entity Taxation. If I had to be honest, I think part of me passing REG was luck. While the MCQs were harder, imo, compared to prior attempts, the SIMs were too easy. I hope this wasn't a fluke, and I can pass the remaining 3 haha.

If you find it boring to read a book, and you truly feel that you learn nothing after reading a book, then perhaps reading isn't for you. If watching lectures best suits your study needs, then watch lectures. You'd be more willing to retain information by doing what makes you happy and preferences. I enjoy reading and taking notes, maybe you enjoy watching and taking notes.

Lastly, if you need any help on Sections 1231, 1245, and 1250 etc., please post your questions! I'd be more than happy to help, and I'm sure others would chime in too! Sometimes having someone else explain something helps things click a bit better. If you haven't already, I suggest checking out this thread. It kind of gives you an idea of what to expect on Exam day regarding SIMs. It is from 2017, but its easy to compare it to the REG blueprint. – https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/potential-reg-sim-topics-from-the-aicpa/

Good luck!!

[Desiree]

AMT question:

Becker used the excess percentage of 26% for a married couple, but the book says to use 25%

This causes a $1 difference for the skill practice so I got it wrong. I’m not sure what % to take and why is this not explained in Becker??

[Author]

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