[Peanut]

I’m feeling a little stuck on REG. This will be my third and last attempt at REG. My first two attempts at REG I used Becker soley. The second time I took REG I walked in feeling confident, I was scoring in the 80-90 range on Becker practice exams and was feeling like I could defeat it. It defeated me that attempt. For my third attempt I purchased Wiley, I went through each MCQ section and answered all MCQs. Since completing all MCQs I’ve given myself two practice exams (with Wiley) and scored a 83 on each. The reason I’m feeling stuck is I’m nervous I’ll face the same problem I had with the last exams. I realized with Becker I definitely knew how to answer “each question” as opposed to knowing the details of why each question was right. Also, this time I think I took too much time to study for REG (5 weeks full time) Sometimes I believe too much time works against you. I rewatched all videos, took intense notes, in the process of rewriting notes, read ancillary once, but am going to read 2 more times before the actual exam. The difference between this attempt is, Wiley, ancillary reading, and intense notes. Sorry I’m rambling, and not sure what advice I’m asking for, but I have to raise my score by 15 points (from the last score) to pass, and I’m worried I’ll face the same problems as last time!

AUD 81 (X4) Previous scores 59, 72, 72
REG 80 (X3) Previous scores 59, 60
FAR 75 (X2) Previous score 67
BEC 79 (X2) Previous score 58

[killaking]

I think your good Becker does a horrible job on corprate tax Im on there now and there were details not mentioned in becker same with partnerships.

FAR: 7/17/10 missed exam FML reschedule 8/29/10-77 EPIC!
REG: 5/31/11-73 SMH, 8/31/11-85
BEC: 4/15/10-72 : retake 10/3/10-80
AUD: 11/28/10-74, 02/27/11-71 FML, 8/1/11-80
Ethics 10/22/22-80, retake 11/28/11 - 88

[hav2pass]

About ur Q re. time, I don't think that will work against u. I prepared for REG for 4 months and passed the first time. When using a longer period the key is to revise material atleast once more, read most important notes once during the final exam week and keep doing MCQs. REG is very rule based and you need to have them on finger tips rather than struggling thru' the answer choices and the research tab. This time you have practiced more (nature, timing and extent wise) and it will not be like last time. Trust urself and do ur best.

Good luck!

BEC 86 (expires Sept'11)
FAR 85
REG 87
AUD 8/27 - waiting

[Zizoty]

I would beat the hell out of MCQs from all the available sources such as wiley book, test bank and cpareviewforfree.com. I would not spend too much time on SIMS and just focus on doing MCQ and read all the available choices and not just the one you think is right. Good Luck!

AUD - 83 Feb11
REG - 75 May11
BEC - 73 July11 84 Oct11
FAR - 63 Aug11 76 Feb12 I'M DONE!!!!!

[pshustler]

Using Wiley Test bank to supplement was a HUGE help for me on REG. I bet you do much better this time

BEC - 86
AUD - 94
REG - 88
FAR - 89

[khachik2003]

Were you scoring in the 80s-90s the first time doing the practice exams or were you memorizing the answer? I used strictly wiley to study for BEC and then I went and did becker's practice problems. I was doing well on the becker MCQ which showed that I had learned the material rather than memorized answers.

Im sure you'll do fine, just buy the ninja notes 🙂

[Peanut]

Thanks everyone! I'm hoping Wiley is the key this time around.

@Khachik2003 It's hard to say, because the first time I studied for REG I didn't give myself ANY practice exams (I'm an idiot.) I was convinced that's why I failed, so my second time taking REG I would bang out Becker's MCQs over and over. I had to have memorized them. I wouldn't admit that to myself at first I was convinced I knew the material. When I look at the score I got something must have gone wrong! I don't think I necessarily memorized the answer, rather I was very familiar with what each question was asking, if that makes sense? I do have the ninja notes, but I also have the Becker Final Review which is much more intense. We shall see how this goes. Thanks again!

AUD 81 (X4) Previous scores 59, 72, 72
REG 80 (X3) Previous scores 59, 60
FAR 75 (X2) Previous score 67
BEC 79 (X2) Previous score 58

[Anonymous]

Same thing happened to me Peanut—scoring mostly mid to high 80s the week of my exam and it didn't translate for my actual score—-can't help but right away say “well I mustve been memorizing”. Even now, I am getting pretty good scores with Becker again so I will usually finish off with some Wiley questions and they have been more difficult and my scores are not nearly as high. For these last 2 weeks I will be practicing a lot with Wiley, because like you, I want to avoid the same fate as my last exam where I felt prepared but got smacked around at prometric. I gotta say though, you sound really prepared—I'd urge you to remain confident and calm on exam day—you can pass this thing.

[Peanut]

Would love to tell you my SIM topics but it goes against the disclosure rules! The two times I took REG they were totally different. Either time I did not think they were too horrible—then my progress report showed “weaker” for SIMS, doh!

@BakedCPA–I definitely need to remain calm on test day, I just blew my FAR exam by walking out, I can't let the SIMS throw me off! Third times a charm lets hope!

AUD 81 (X4) Previous scores 59, 72, 72
REG 80 (X3) Previous scores 59, 60
FAR 75 (X2) Previous score 67
BEC 79 (X2) Previous score 58

[vi3tdragen]

Were you doing the practice exam as stimulated exam, or the two actual exam like the real one including the sim for Becker?

[yankeeaccountant]

Peanut,

I agree with the hav2pass….trust yourself. It seems like you have been dilgent in preparing yourself. You have changed up your studying materials to better prepare and you are ready. But get a gameplan in your head: I agree with Baked, keep yourself calm. That was probably some of the best advice I had gotten last window. You know there will be a question from out of left field, don't let it eat up a bunch of your time, and give it your best shot and move on.

Good luck

[Peanut]

@vi3tdragen, I was taking the progress tests, and the simulated exams through Becker, my last attempt I took both Becker simulated exams and got a 70 on each. To be honest, I'm not sure if I will take the Becker Simulated exams again for any section. I say this because I took one for FAR a month back, scored a 60 (simulated exam) and it crusheddddd my confidence. I went into the exam and blew the whole exam :/ Not sure if I can put myself through that again

@Yankee, thank you. I really need to stay calm. That is one of the biggest flaws I have, test anxiety. Alright, 1 week from today! I can do this! Today—- Ancillary Material for the 2nd time (still amazes me how many handfuls of questions come out of that) and also 25 MCQ per topic in Wiley. Here we go!

AUD 81 (X4) Previous scores 59, 72, 72
REG 80 (X3) Previous scores 59, 60
FAR 75 (X2) Previous score 67
BEC 79 (X2) Previous score 58

[Anonymous]

I am in a similar situation as Peanut. I have had a 71, 70 (test changes that iI didn;t prepare for), and a 74, all using strictly Becker. I am now using Wiley test bank to supplement and the questions seem much more involved and trickier than Becker (almost similar to Becker practice tests). I have two weeks until exam day and I have been studying for about a month and a half, coming off of a 74 in May, thus the material is becoming almost like 2nd nature. Too much study time will not hurt you. I just try to study the more difficult and heavily tested areas over and over, take notes, and review. I think you really need to be at the point what you are looking at multiple choice questions and are able to answer them without looking at the choices. I also try and trick myself with the tax questions (i.e. if it asks for basis, I try and change the numbers in the questions around, like I will increase the liab assumed over the basis and see what the effect would be on the answer). Good luck. THis test is a beast and this is my last part. I pray to God every day! It will be conquered!

[vi3tdragen]

Reg is my last test as well and am taking it in August. I been studying using Becker, but here is what i have learned from the FARE test, Becker only prep you well on Multiple choice, in order to expand your knowledge deeply into each topic, i supplement the material with Gleim Simulation. I don't know why people are using Wiley, it is almost identical as Becker. I score 91+ each time on the simulated exam, and when i first try to do the Gleim Sim, i did poorly. But after going through, and i gain more knowledge on Corp topics, Partnership. Trust me Gleim sim will make you understand Corp inside out.

[vi3tdragen]

@dufala

When is your expired? Mine is in May 2012. I am so paranoid.

[Anonymous]

Mine begin expiring at the end of November, so I really need to pass this time. I could take it again in October, but I refuse to let it come to that.

Wiley is pretty good I think. The Sims are what they are. I am just really trying to understand the concepts. I feel pretty good with Corps and calculating basis, AE&P, gains/losses, etc. What are the Gleim Sims like? I also use CPA excel which also has some nice Sims.

[Author]

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