Am I overestimating how much I need to memorize?

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  • #195658
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I am taking BEC on Tuesday (7/28) and got all the formulas and mnemonics memorized, so I am dynamite there. But I find myself forgetting other things here and there, and it is making me nervous. Just now, I redid the mcq’s on BEC 6 and mainly got the wrong answers because I forgot some information. Not that I did badly, but for example, I got a 72 on one of the BEC mcq topics, I figure I would have gotten at least an 85 had I not forgotten anything. All this after redoing the mcq’s this week and restudying the chapters, combined with a total of at least 90 hours of studying over 3 weeks (including the lectures and reading/highlighting the chapters the first time), and attempting some of the open ended questions. Am I overlooking this? And do I have a good chance of passing? Keep in mind this is my first exam so I don’t really know what to expect.

    Sorry if I sound paranoid, but as test day approaches, I get really nervous. It has always been my problem.

    Also, I am using Becker.

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
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  • #684141
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    There is no way to retain 100% of the information you've been studying for the past few weeks / months. That's why it's important to just keep drilling MCQ from all subjects to keep yourself sharp. Focus on what you know is important and heavily tested.

    #684142
    TaxGod
    Participant

    I actually did 0 memorizing for my first two exams. I will admit this exam has a little more memorization, but know you dont need to know everything they dont expect that!

    AUD: 02/28/15 - 89
    FAR: 05/29/15 - 80
    BEC: 08/03/15 - 81
    REG: 08/27/15 - 76

    #684143
    MaLoTu
    Participant

    How did you memorize the formulas?

    #684144
    pfitz092
    Participant

    I did not really focus on memorizing for BEC. Focused more on concepts and remastering cost accounting/economics/IT. On my exam, I was least comfortable with the economics questions I was getting. Some just felt like they were out of left field and I had to guess on what felt like several. I would not devote any time whatsoever to practicing the essays. Mine were very manageable and as long as you are comfortable with grammar you'll do fine and shouldn't worry about them.

    I think the most important formulas to know are the cost accounting formulas (e.g., COGM, etc). Lots of problems will require you to find plugs, so be comfortable with that. Also make sure you have IT down pretty well. And of course financial formulas are important to know, but I'm sure you have them down pretty well.

    For reference, it sounds like I'm doing the same type of studying as you. I studied for 17 days and 92 hours. Sounds like you'll crush your first part. And for the record, my friend and I both walked out of BEC thinking we failed the hell out of it. And he scored higher than me..

    Good luck

    #684145
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @MaLoTu I just read it over and over again and practiced the problems associated with them. However, I still mix up the formulas at times. Still, I have always been good at math so that may just be a part of it.

    @pfitz092 Thanks! It looks like I am not alone then. And judging by your BEC score, I guess very few CPA candidates feel comfortable thinking that they passed. And if you felt like that and scored in the 90s, imagine how getting a 75 would feel. Probably way worse lol. So it looks like I am more ready than I thought. I was just doubting myself since this is my first exam.

    And thanks everyone. I feel better now and realize that I was just overthinking everything. So I guess I will just review everything here and there tomorrow and Tuesday morning and continue practicing the mcqs, since my exam is on Tuesday night. I am determined to pass no matter what!

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