[GoalDigger]

Welp…I failed REG for a third time with a 68. The 68 was better than my previous scores. This is my last exam. I’ve passed the others on the first go, but REG is my kryptonite. Here is the breakdown of my score report:

Ethics – Stronger
BL – Comparable
Fed Tax Process – Stronger
Property Tax – Comparable
Individual Tax – Weaker
Entity Tax – Weaker

MCQ – Comparable
Simulation – Weaker

Clearly something is lacking. I know I need to focus more on Individual and Entity Tax, but I’m not sure what would be the most efficient. When I’m going through it, it seems like I understand it. But obviously not well enough. I’ve used CPAexcel + Wiley Test Bank for all. I also have the NINJA audio and notes for REG.

I’m off work for the next two weeks before busy season begins for me – meaning I can study full-time until then. So ideally, I would like to take it by Jan 15 – which gives me 3 weeks total.

Do you have any study strategies or tips for REG that you recommend to get me through this barrier? Is there any way to be better prepared for the sims? Any thoughts in general? I’m so tired of studying for this exam and was really expecting a break to enjoy these 2 weeks off – motivation is running real low!

[RE2PECT]

In the same boat as you. Our only motivation should be to get this exam over with before we're stuck with the new format. Try purchasing a different test bank. Ninja is good for the mcq's and Gleim is good for sims. Money shouldn't be an issue at this point and you need to do whatever it takes to pass.

FAR: 75 Roger & Ninja (notes/flashcards/audio/MCQ)
AUD: 73, 81
BEC: 71, retake 8/29
REG:

[.]

Get Ninja MCQ. Do all the MCQs at least once (“new questions”) and do them by each subtopic. Take your time when doing the tax MCQs but don't spend too much time on business law. When I say take your time, I mean reading all the explanations and links to explanations in each question.

I would do it in this order:

Ninja MCQs- tax topics
Ninja SIMs
Wiley Test Bank SIMs
Ninja MCQs- business law topics

Did you run out of time when you took REG? Did you verify your answers in the AL during the exam?

FAR - June 2016 - 88
REG - July 2016 - 89
AUD - Aug 2016 - review phase currently
BEC - Sep 2016 -

Wiley CPA Excel & Ninja MCQ

[mtaylo24]

Before I recommend anything, how are you doing with your current prep? Would you say that you have a handle on all topics, or are you barely scraping by before you sit?

AUD - 1st - 60 (12/12), 61 (2/13), 61 (8/13), 78! (11/15)
REG - 55 (2/16) 69 (5/16) Retake(8/16)
BEC - 71(5/16) Retake (9/16)
FAR - (8/16)

[GoalDigger]

@RE2PECT I don't mind buying something else, but want to make sure I make the best use of what I have and not get overwhelmed with quantity. Good luck to you as well! Hopefully we won't have to deal with this much longer!

@circadianmalfunction I actually bought Ninja MCQ for my second attempt. I went through almost all the MCQ but no sims. I think where I lacked at that time was not really understanding and nailing down the concepts. I don't remember my scores exactly, but I do know that my average score was a lot lower than my trending score. It's expired now, but torn about repurchasing. I actually haven't touched my WTB yet since my first attempt which was Jan 2015. (Maybe that explains something…) I see that you also used CPAexcel – Would you recommend I still go ahead with WTB mcq and then purchase Ninja MCQ? Or nix WTB and buy Ninja?

As far as timing goes, I write times down on my boards when I should finish each testlet (30min each MCQ testlet, 1.5hr for Sims) and usually finish MCQ with a few minutes extra for each, but when I get to the sims I'm always down to the wire. I do use the AL to help me answer some of the sims but for others I don't always have time to confirm with the AL.

@mtaylo24 I think what I struggle with is really knowing individual vs pship vs corp. When I study each entity separately, I seem to get it but when I'm studying cumulatively, I get all mixed up. Also, CPAexcel does not do a great job with mnemonics. As an example, sometimes I get mixed up with things like Deductions For AGI vs From AGI.

[.]

Hmmmm…..if Ninja didn't work for you the 2nd time, maybe you should do Gleim instead. Like I said before, focus on the tax and do the tax questions slowly. And since you already have access to CPAExcel and WTB, do all the SIMs in those ones over again. The review courses offer very few SIMs, so they really don't take much time.

If you have extra time after doing all that, then maybe do some WTB MCQs.

I did all the MCQs/SIMs in CPAExcel and Ninja. CPAExcel was for my initial learning of the material and Ninja was for the last 2 weeks of intense review. I only did a few SIMs in WTB and no WTB MCQs. So I can not comment on the MCQs in WTB.

How much time did you have for the SIMs during the exam? 2 hours or?

FAR - June 2016 - 88
REG - July 2016 - 89
AUD - Aug 2016 - review phase currently
BEC - Sep 2016 -

Wiley CPA Excel & Ninja MCQ

[mtaylo24]

You should try to fit whatever course and then Ninja last. I wish that I had time to do all of that for my last FAR attempt, I clearly ran out of time prepping 😂. But I did do that for my last Reg attempt. I went through Gleim first in its entirety, then switched to Ninja MCQs only and finished that completely. I encountered a mixture of both sets of questions when I sat. I also did the tax sims only for Gleim, which seemed to help as well.

Oh yeah, I must say that Reg was Gleim's worst section and Ninja's best in my opinion…Not too sure about Wiley or CPA Excel.

AUD - 1st - 60 (12/12), 61 (2/13), 61 (8/13), 78! (11/15)
REG - 55 (2/16) 69 (5/16) Retake(8/16)
BEC - 71(5/16) Retake (9/16)
FAR - (8/16)

[RE2PECT]

If you were weaker in sims like I was, then I would purchase Gleim. They're having a sale for $99 that gives you access through the next window. It's a pretty good deal imo. Their sims are laid out just like the exam and the AL is pretty much identical.

FAR: 75 Roger & Ninja (notes/flashcards/audio/MCQ)
AUD: 73, 81
BEC: 71, retake 8/29
REG:

[Author]

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