[jmz]

I just started studying for the CPA exam and chose to start with REG. While I study, I notice that I tend to type TOO many notes because I more or less type everything that’s in the book because I feel like I need to know all of it (I have about 28 pages worth of notes for the first chapter of REG…). Anyone have any tips so that I can streamline this process? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

u definetely need help on this one…28 pages is way too much

[jmz]

haha tell me about it. would it help if i watch the lectures first and then take notes on the book?

[financeguy]

that is f*cking insane! I took, maybe, 50 pages notes all together for AUD and pretty much no notes for BEC. I am extremely lazy when it comes to note taking, and barely did it in college. 28 pages for 1 chapter is just nuts. How long did it take you to get through the chapter?

Also I only took notes from lectures, whenever I felt I heard something important. My notes definitely helped for AUD. I'm sure your method would really help you learn it, but it would be highly inefficient.

AUD - 81, BEC - 74, 80, FAR - 82, REG - 81
Done!

[75 CPA]

I worry about those people who take too many notes. Take notes on the formulas for tax. I took a lot of notes for tax in REG. However, I took no notes for BEC. I passed both exams on the first try.

Every exam is difficult in a different way. REG (tax) is difficult to learn, but easy to pass. AUD is easy to learn, but difficult to pass. May God help all of us!

[Anonymous]

Everyone has a different approach, but I listen to the lectures, THEN go back and read the chapter and take notes. I'm handwriting them, so that helps me to cut down on what to take notes on!

I want my notes to be a study tool that I can review before bed, right before the exam etc. If you take too many notes you may not even end up using them effectively.

[Anonymous]

I take handwritten notes… about 15 pages per chapter. I ask myself during this long process if it's worth it. In the end I always come right back to one thing: my notes do help me. I would recommend watching the lectures first. I know the Becker lectures will say “Star this: you've gotta know it!” or “This is a heavily tested area”… it's important to know these things when you're taking your notes. Good luck!

[Shawna]

I actually go through all the lectures and write down only what Becker has us write in the margins. During the review I reread all of the chapters and make the flashcards at the same time. This helps me remember what I need to know. I didn't take any “notes” per se.

FAR- 70, 76 REG - 91 BEC - 80 AUD - 74, 85

GA - NASBA state

[jmz]

Thanks for your help everyone! I'll definitely give watching the lectures first a shot.

[whitesoxfancpa]

I take NO notes outside of what I write in the text. Becker tells me what to star, what to underline, and I go with that. Occasionally I'll write down a couple extra bullet points or my own notes, but usually I go with what they say.

I do read the chapters a few times over…and I figure any notes I take would have come right from the chapter anyway.

I have Becker's flashcards and I review those as well.

With all this, no need for any additional notes. It's all in the text!

AUD 96 FAR 95 REG 94 BEC 88

[Author]

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