[gataeagle]

I have been following this site for about 6 months now and have learned a lot of useful information from it. I haven’t really had a need to post anything during that time because I hadn’t really started preparing for my exams yet (had to wait to finish my first busy season). Now that I am preparing for my first exam I need some help gauging my progress.

I am taking regulation first (July 3) and I have been studying since the first of this month. I am using Becker and the NINJA notes, as well as following the NINJA framework. My study method up to this point has been to watch the lectures and take down all the notes from the lectures into the book. After I complete each chapter’s lecture I will write out my notes with the help of the NINJA notes. I am able to study about 30 hours each week and I should be wrapping up the last of the lectures and first round of notes this weekend, thanks to an extra full day of studying on Monday.

I have a few questions related to the study time I will have remaining, which will be about a month, and how to spend it. I know the NINJA framework recommends to rewrite all your notes. I know that will be quite time consuming so how important is this? Would I be better off spending that week it would take me to rewrite the notes doing multiple choice problems instead? Also, I have been considering using the wiley test bank in addition to the becker homework to get a different view of questions and avoid memorization, any thoughts on this?

I think since this is my first exam I am still trying to figure out what study methods work best for me. Any other thoughts on the preparation would be great.

[Anonymous]

I personally think rewriting the notes it's very time consuming but I think it's worth it…. Also, the Wiley test bank is really good.. The questions there are more similar to the exams than Becker.

[whitelilies04]

Rewriting notes has been key to my success on the exam. I didn't find the ninja way until my 3rd attempt at FAR. I rewrote my notes before the exam and passed. Then when I took AUD I ran out of time and didnt rewrite my notes. Another 71. Retook AUD, made sure to budget time for rewrite and review and got an 82. So from my personal experience reprocessing all of the information in your own words helps tremendously. I'm planning to take REG 7/5. Good luck to you!

FAR - passed, 11/12
AUD - passed, 5/13

[Anonymous]

Hi Guys,

I am an International Student. I have given REG twice and scored 74 and 73 in my 2 attempts. I used Beckers for both my attempts. Unfortunately for my 2nd attempt as well I used the 2011 notes when i gave it in Feb 2013. I thought it would not make a difference, but it did. I failed by 2 points. Hard luck I guess (also the paper had almost 4 to 5 questions on a new concept of S-Corp which was nowhere to be found in my Beckers Material).

Now, I cant afford to spend 1100$ on Beckers material for REG. I am confused between Wiley CPA Review (REG Section pack, which contains everything), and CPA Excel. I have no clue about either of these, but I have read here that Wileys Test Bank is the real deal. Have also heard good reviews about CPA Excel.

Would need certain more inputs from you guys, I guess.

Kindly help. 🙂

PS – since I am asian, i dont mind Fat books.. :p

[Author]

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