[QueenCPA]

Hi All,

I have less than 20 days to my AUD exam and I find myself yawning once I pickup my audit book.

Any advice on strategies to study smarter

[margaret874]

Jeff's audio is great… nothing beats listening to AUD lectures delivered with a Kansas twang (no extra charge). I do the audio while being held captive during my commute.

[waffle_house]

Haha yes Aud put me asleep in the beginning.

[Dwill2nd]

Right a Note to yourself and what happens after you pass the CPA. When you get bored read that note and perk up. Rather it's money, job opportunity, not having to do this again, getting your life back… That's what always got me to push through some of those long marathon study sessions I had.

Bec, 6/8/2016 - 84!
Far, 7/12/2016
Reg,
Aud,

[QueenCPA]

Thank you All

@Dwill2nd

Your Audit score is so impressive, please can you share any advice on how to adequately prepare considering I have 3 weeks left.

Also, I am currently using Becker – what supplement will you suggest for MCQ's and SIMs preparation

[Dwill2nd]

Thanks @QUEENCPA

This was my strategy for Audit. A few disclosures is they I've always been good at self-studying and I tend to study hard in a short period of time.

Overall Most of Audit is based on a few key concepts which builds upon itself and shows itself through out the audit materials.

At the high level understand the Key aspects of Audit and engagements. What are the objectives? Who is responsible for what and what are we trying to prove. You need to truly understand the objectives of the audits/engagements and where the risks are (Could be based on the company) in the financial statements so you understand the details of what we test, why, and how.

My process was
1) Watch the Becker lessons. Really pay attention while not losing attention. At times I might pause and recap the current lesson.
2) I then took my time reading the chapter in detail. I don't shortcut this part. If there is a tricky section I spend a little more time ensuring I understand the concept. Usually as I am reading through I will think of my own examples to myself and apply them making sure I get it.
3) Do HW problems. If there was an area I am shaky on it comes out quickly in the MCQ's. I take the time to understand why I got the question wrong. At times I may go back to the book. But once I have it I have it. By the end of the MCQ's for that topic I am usually scoring well.
4) Rinse and Repeat.

The good thing about Audit is the same few core concepts repeats itself throughout Audit. So once you understand the core you get to some new chapters but can already feel good about the information because you understand the underlying principles of Audit.

5) Final review. By the time I got through the Material I felt great so my final review was minimal so I'm probably not the best person there. I did a few hours of Wiley Multiple Choice and then the day off read through my Ninja Notes. That was it. Though I don't do them I would recommend the final mock tests. I never do those because I don't like practicing exams, speeches or anything. I've always been one who likes to show up and perform and hate doing and mock exams or run through.

Also I never practice simulations, but I would also recommend that you do as it's a way to ensure you know the material in a broad non multiple choice environment. For me I felt good and didn't want to use time practicing those.

Bec, 6/8/2016 - 84!
Far, 7/12/2016
Reg,
Aud,

[NeedsA75]

I scored pretty high in AUD. I used Dwill's strategy more or less and it worked great..

[QueenCPA]

Thank you @Dwill2nd

Also, @NeedsA75 your score is also impressive and you mentioned you used Gleim and it prepared you well.

Would you say Gleim really prepared you for the sims? I used Gleim for REG sims and it was indeed the best decision i made but im wondering if the investment will be worth it for AUD.

[NeedsA75]

Yes, Gleim sims ruled for AUD. I saw at least one sim on the exam that was the exact same format as what I practiced in Gleim. I'd highly recommend their test bank!

[Anonymous]

@NeedsA75-do you know how Becker/Ninja SIMS stack up? Becker now added Skills Practice which I think is also helpful in preparing for the sims. and I have done ok (60-100 on Ninja SIMS, which is ok considering I am still 2 weeks out and reviewing)… Just wanted to get your take on it as someone who is done…

[NeedsA75]

I only had the Becker book for AUD, but I used becker sims for REG and thought they did a really good job. I don't think you can go wrong with Becker honestly…

I did some of the Ninja sims for AUD but I didn't like how I could only do one sim at a time and then had to submit it for grading and then randomly get another one selected. Maybe I didn't know how it worked, but I used Ninja almost exclusively for MC practice

[Anonymous]

I agree-Ninja SIMS aren't the best and the authoritative literature module is terrible, but it's ok to just get an idea. I have skipped all the research ones in Ninja because I know how to do them based on Becker SIMS in homework….

[ssaetern]

I don't mean to hijack this thread but I have a question for Dwill2nd. Did you apply the same strategy for FAR? I want to conquer that beast first as I start my journey. Thanks.

[NeedsA75]

My FAR score isn't the best because it was my first ever CPA exam attempt, I wasn't expecting to pass, and didn't have my study method down. Once I figured out how to study I went 3/3 with an 92, 86, and 96 using a similar method to Dwill2nd's

[ssaetern]

@NeedsA75 care to share your strategy? I'm just starting out and would like to learn about studying strategy as much as possible. Thanks.

[NeedsA75]

OK, here it is. I work full time so I studied an hour every morning before work and then when I got home after work.

1) Read the text and take notes outlining the details in the text.
2) Wake up every morning and hammer MC on the section of the text you are currently reading/outlining.
3) Once you get through the text once, hammer MC for a 10 days straight
4) Reread the text and update your notes as needed. Continue hammering MC every morning before the work day starts
5) Once you finish the text a second time, start practicing your sims and continue hammering MC
6) Final review, take the practice exam and read through text a third time focusing on weak areas or areas you know will be tested on the exam. Re-read all your handwritten notes in the days leading up to the exam

My strategy was basically involved reading the text while simultaneously working MC through the process. By the time you get to the third read through of the text, you will have filled in a lot of gaps and feel very comfortable with the material for the most part. Full disclose, reading the text 3 times through plus working thousands of MC took me on average 8-10 weeks of prep. I did BEC in about 6-7 weeks. I may have over studied but I didn't want to leave anything to chance. Good luck!

[Author]

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