[Anonymous]

Hey guys,

I just took FAR yesterday and I really want to try to squeeze REG in before Q3 closes on September 10th. Does anyone have any suggestions or tips to try to really get the most out of Becker in this time? I think I’m going to skip over the lectures and only watch them for areas I’m struggling to grasp concepts in (absolutely sick of hearing Tim Gearty tell me highlight a random line in a paragraph only to immediately move on). I planned on just reading the textbook and doing the homework questions/SIMs. If you guys have tried it in a similar timeline I’m definitely open to suggestions! Thanks!

[shawn in VA]

Brady- best of luck to study REG in 24 days (assume you take SEPT 10- Sunday) which Prometric will be open.

It took me 2 months to study ( I work FT) and put in 20 hours a week and barely squeezed out a 75 on my 1st attempt. I am in TAX at a CPA firm so this section is not easy and I heard on this forum that the SIMS are a nightmare.

My recommendation would be to do as many MCQs as possible and read the answer explanation very carefully. Its probably to late to listen to lectures and read the book. You could try Ninja notes and Audio but I think they are way too high level.

I am sure people have done what your trying to do, but it has to be a minority of people.

[Finally_a_CPA]

I think it really depends on your learning style and how comfortable you feel with Reg.

I actually only studied for REG for about three weeks during tax season (although my hrs are not totally crazy). REG was my last section and I really wanted to take it before the changes so I took the exam on March 10th, 2017 after only three weeks of studying and I got my highest score by far.

The thing is, I always knew that REG would be the easiest section for me because even though I only had about 1 busy season under my belt, I always enjoyed tax class.

I used Roger CPA review and I would watch the lecture videos (skipping sections that I felt confident in) and then do a bunch of ms questions. I didn't even bother reading but mostly because I didn't read for any of the other sections because I felt Roger did a great job in explaining concepts. I do hear Becker mostly tells you what to highlight so maybe watching their videos when you have only a short amount of time is not such a good idea.

Anywho, I think it is totally doable. Since I've never used Becker, I would recommend you either watch lectures OR read the book, depending on which of the two you think helps you the most. And second, do ms question until you puke.
I don't know if and where you work but your schedule is not too crazy, you might even consider taking a week or two off to focus on this exam full time.

[Anonymous]

That's Mission Impossible my friend, unless u can do 8-10 hour days for 24 days straight and manage to actually get a spot in Prometric on the 10th! REG is a Beast! If u have a solid tax background it may be possible, but it might be the most miserable 24 days of your life. Lol. I I've found REG to be more challenging than FAR.
Goodluck and give it a try if u are truly serious about it!

[Finally_a_CPA]

Blue Collar Nerd: I see your point but I honestly think it is different for all of us. I know most people claim audit is one of the easier sections and I just hated aud and was the hardest for me by FAR.

On the other hand, I always enjoyed taxes (even though I did not have a strong background) and managed to pass in three weeks while working 10 hrs a day.

Of course, those three weeks were miserable. I would get up at 4am and head to Starbucks to study before work. After work, I wouldn't even head home; instead, I would go back to Starbucks and study until they closed. Those weeks were miserable but they paid off for me. So it is not easy but doable if you enjoy the material. I do have to say that I checked my bank statement afterwards and I spent almost $300 at Starbucks in those three weeks and probably put on some weight from all that coffee/pastries.

[Omar]

I tried before to study REG in 10 days using only Becker's Final Review but I didn't pass (70). To be clear, I didn't had the time to solve all Becker's MCQs. But I felt some how confidence that I can pass if the SIMs was little easier.

Now I'm studying again using only Final Review and have the time to go through all MCQs and SIMs. I think I can pass this time.

Don't forget to focus on Corporate and Individual taxation, don't waste much time on Business Laws because its long (About half the materials) and only represent 10-20% of the exam. Plus it's mostly logic and easy to understand.

Good luck to me and you on September.

FAR: 73, 85
BEC: 79
REG: TBA
AUD: TBA

[Anonymous]

I did it in 17 days, just studied stuff I didn't know and relied on remembering stuff from school. for SIMS I looked up EVERYTHING in the authoritative literature. Theres no possible way I passed it. Good luck. If possible id push it back.

[Anonymous]

@Finally a CPA

Sorry if I came off as being rude. I was just being brutally honest that passing REG in about 3 weeks will be very tough. There is a lot of material and nuances that one must master. The MCQ's are not terrible, but you better understand the “big picture” when it comes to the differences between Individual, Partnership, C-Corp, S-Corp, Estates, and Trusts for the Sims.

Again, sorry if I was rude. If you are willing to buckle down for 3 weeks and have absolutely no life and really grind through the material, then give it a shot!! I'm rooting for you!!!

Goodluck!

[Anonymous]

I'd do as many MCQ's and Sims as possible and read very carefully why I answered right or wrong. Also, know the numonics and glance through the various tax forms. Some of the Skills will help you too because the mini lectures get straight to the point.

[Finally_a_CPA]

Blue Collar Nerd:

Oh no worries, I didn't think you were coming off as rude at all. I agree with you, it's not an easy task. I also agree about being able to understand the differences, especially S-corps and Partnerships.

I was lucky I wasn't really tested on Trusts or Estates because I am willing to admit that I know nothing about these entities.

[ashl07]

I used Wileys CPAexcel free trial so 2 weeks but I work in a small public accounting firm that does a lot of tax.

I used the authoritative literature to check answers in the SIMs with the 45 minutes I had.

[cparesultsq3]

thanks guys ..I have no life…i am doing reg in 21 days …with no tax background of US.I feel its doable provided you are willing to put efforts…time now 2.35 am pdt (another 3 hours to go before i Sleep ) ..wish me luck.I am using wiley & becker.Any exam trips will be appreciated.

[Author]

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