[NotAnother74]

Hi all,

I am starting to study…again. I am 0-2 on AUD and have turned my attention to REG since I am on the tax side and need some positive reinforcement…despite knowing that changes are happening to AUD in July. Don’t care at this point, just need to get some confidence.

My Becker material expired some time ago, but it’s ok becuase I personally did not enjoy that course. I need more then watching highlighting and reading. I don’t learn that way. I can focus maybe 30-45 mintues reading before my eyes glaze over and I start not absorbing anything anymore. I learn better answering questions and learning from mistakes….something that will give me numbers, graphs, ect.

I have purchased the Wiley test bank for REG and the Ipad app for the book. But the book has an overwhelming amount of information to just read over, so is it effective to take the test bank questions first to gauge my knowledge and then read only the sections that I am clueless in? I think this will help me in test strategy when I don’t know something and efficiently read since my attention span for that is so low. What is everyone’s thoughts on this? I am also interested in ninja flashcards because those tend to help me too. Anything visual.

F AR - 76
B EC - 82
A UD - 77 (lost credit)/Retake 2/25
R EG - 80

[Anonymous]

The Wiley testbank and app are good tools. My opinion (for whatever its worth) is that a teaching course is needed unless you are prepared to read the book. I would suggest finding a course you like (both Yaeger or Roger are good options) and take active notes while you are watching the video. If you're taking enough notes, you'll find that you are pausing the video often. The goal for me is to take notes to the point where I should not have to refer to the book or videos again. I then use my notes to refer to during MCP practice.

I think you'll find that although you work in tax that the exam contains a lot of information you don't often use. Or at least information you haven't had to figure out in the same way. For example, when was the last time you manually computed AMT?

Ninja notes are a good tool to use too. For me they offer another way to digest the material. I also compare them to my notes and look for anything I may have missed.

It sounds like you have been trying to prepare for the exams through passive learning (watching videos & highlighting). I don't think you will find success this way. Check out the Ninja study framework on this site. It requires active, engaged learning which I think is the best way to learn the material.

Best of luck. You're not the only who has felt discouraged by this exam, its not for the feint of heart.

[NotAnother74]

Thank bluegirl. Yes, passive is definitley the way I have been trying to do it and it isn't working. So, I am looking to switch it up. Thanks for the advice on Yaeger or Rogers never have thought to use them. Doesn't Yaeger use the Wiley book? That would be convenient.

Thanks again!

F AR - 76
B EC - 82
A UD - 77 (lost credit)/Retake 2/25
R EG - 80

[sdgh1826]

Are your study materials updated? I would still recommend having a full course, there are others aside from Becker that are as good, more affordable and might fit your learning style. The Wiley TB, Ninja notes and audios are good supplements, they are not substitutes for a full review. Set a schedule and stick to it, condensing your own notes, making charts, tables and formula sheets really helped me understand and simplify the material.

Do the MCQs several times, a big chunk of the learning comes from here. You might know the concepts, but you'll have to see how they are presented and all the other stuff they add that are either necessary or unimportant. Good luck.

Becker 2012, NINJA notes

[NotAnother74]

My wiley REG book is up to date. I just cannot pay $595 per section for a supplemental video to accompany the written material. I have the all the material, I just need to figure out a way for me to efficiently go through it in 60 hours. I can devote 15 hours a week to studying. More if needed. I suppose reading and rewriting will help as NINJA suggests. I just need to put in the time.

F AR - 76
B EC - 82
A UD - 77 (lost credit)/Retake 2/25
R EG - 80

[Anonymous]

Yes, Yaeger uses the Wiley books. Take a look at their sample videos online. Its like a college class, each video has some teaching, some reference to the book.

Also, I understand that the exam gets expensive fast. If you feel like you're not making it. (ie you're scoring poorly on Wiley practice exams) I would consider rescheduling the exam and getting some videos to help you along. It can end up more expensive to have to take the exam multiple times.

Also, I notice above that you mention needing about 60 hours for study. From what I understand, most people put in quite a bit more than 60 hours study time per exam. I know I have, maybe others can give their two cents on this one.

[NotAnother74]

I am really just at a loss here. Very discouraged. I don't have $1500 to spend on a review course AND pay the exam fee's. I don't want to get a credit card and put it on that since I just now got out of my college credit card debt. I don't have the time to save for that kind of money since I want to finish this exam this year so I can move on with my career. This is a mess and I hate it. I really, really hate it.

F AR - 76
B EC - 82
A UD - 77 (lost credit)/Retake 2/25
R EG - 80

[Anonymous]

If it helps, I don't believe Yaeger covers anything content wise that is not in the Wiley book. The caution I give you is that if you are only going to use the book, you will need to learn everything in it. Everything is fair game on the exam as I'm sure you discovered on your previous attempts.

For me using a course helped to narrow down what I had to learn. It also gave me a framework to study, like a class to attend so I was accountable.

If you find that you are scoring highly on Wiley Testbank practice and you feel that you truly know the material (you are not just guessing lucky) then you should do well.

I'm sorry you're frustrated, there are plenty of frustrated people on this forum. You will have to commit a lot of time to this exam if you expect to pass. Probably more than 15 hours per week, even if you are very bright and good at taking tests.

Keep on referring to the forum so you can hear other's experiences, it can help.

[NotAnother74]

It's cool. I am just frustrated. I am just really stressed out by this exam (as is everyone else) and I need to get it done. I am going to make out my plan this afternoon and it'll take however long it's going to take. Maybe 60 hours maybe 80. But I really can't stretch more than 15-20 hours a week. I work in big 4. No way, no how.

Today is my first day of studying and I am just freaking out a little bit, but maybe once I start studying and get into my routine it won't be so bad.

F AR - 76
B EC - 82
A UD - 77 (lost credit)/Retake 2/25
R EG - 80

[K_Sunshine5]

I understand that CPA review materials are expensive. Yaeger is about $1,800 for the full course which includes all 4 parts (compared to about $3,500 for Becker). But honestly, it is SO worth the money if you need to learn visually. As @bluegirl said, it is like a live class. I have been using Yaeger since I started and I couldn't recommend it enough. It really does prepare you for the exams if you put the time and effort into it. I just took AUD a couple weeks ago and I feel like Yaeger prepared me VERY well for the exam. I felt pretty good coming out of there but we'll have to see come this Friday what was my score is.

I know money is tight for a lot of us but buying a full review course could definitely save you money in exam fees in the long run. So keep that in mind. I know racking up debt is probably the last thing you want to do but once you pass the exam, you'll be glad you spent that money because it will seriously help you with these exams. Yaeger uses the Wiley books and test bank, both of which I think are great.

So overall, you might seriously need to consider investing in a full review course, whether is it Yaeger, Roger, or another course. I really think it could benefit you with these exams.

Good luck and keep your head up. You CAN do this!

FAR: 65, 77!
AUD: 72, 72, 80!
REG: 64, 84!
BEC: 83!
Ethics: 98!

Delaware CPA as of May 23, 2014 at 10:43am EST.

"She believed she could, so she did."

[Tncincy]

What ever you decide don't procrastinate. Sometimes we over think this thing. Decide, get what ever materials you are comfortable with and get to it. Procrastination is probably the biggest problem with studying along with being consistent. I am with you, I can't afford any more materials so I have to make due. Since that's the case, I just got out my pen, paper, calculator and started. I am so glad I did because I believe would have still been stressing and not studying, but letting time get away.

Hope this helps. :-}}

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

[Tncincy]

What ever you decide don't procrastinate. Sometimes we over think this thing. Decide, get what ever materials you are comfortable with and get to it. Procrastination is probably the biggest problem with studying along with being consistent. I am with you, I can't afford any more materials so I have to make due. Since that's the case, I just got out my pen, paper, calculator and started. I am so glad I did because I believe would have still been stressing and not studying, but letting time get away.

Hope this helps. :-))

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

[Tncincy]

I am using Yaeger for FAR. I bought a full course from CPAexcel, but it was too tedious and redundant for ME. I am not speaking for anyone else. I found that I did need the videos to put the mcq's in proper perspective without reading the whole book, line by line. Materials make a difference, but again don't procrastinate. Study, Study, Study, Study is the name of the game.

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

[Author]

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