[jeff]

Watch this Video (you will need to enter a valid email address for it to launch):

Official Rules:

-No purchase necessary

-Valid from 2/13/14 to 2/14/14

-Run by NINJA CPA Review, LLC

1100 SW Wanamaker, Suite 2

Topeka, KS 66604

-Three (3) iPad Minis (16 GB / WiFi / $299 retail price)

– Prize will be awarded via a $299 Apple Gift Card

-Winners will be selected using a RANDBETWEEN Excel formula, which will choose a random post within the thread. This post is post #1 and the final post will be the final post # in the formula.

-A posting of the winners will be within this thread by Monday February 17, 2014

-Void where prohibited

-U.S. Residents Only

-Must be 18 to Enter

-One entry per person. Participants with multiple usernames/entries will be disqualified.

Update – Winners: https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/ipad-mini-giveaway-x-3-official-thread/page/15#post-402516

[Anonymous]

The best study tips I have is to always keep up with progress tests and don't beat yourself up about wrong answers. They are jury opportunities to learn from your mistakes and ace the real deal.

[Anonymous]

The best study tips I have is to always keep up with progress tests and don't beat yourself up about wrong answers. They are jury opportunities to learn from your mistakes and ace the real deal.

[Anonymous]

My best exam tip (actually a couple of tips) is to truly understand why you are getting a question wrong (and right for that matter). Read all the answer eplanations to the question and understand why the right answer is correct and why the other answers are wrong. There is a lot of info in the answer explanations that are not in your material or videos. Little fact nuggets as Jeff would call them. Next I highly recommend using the pomodoro technique to study. Study 25 minutes, take a 5 minute break, do 4 sessions like this and then take a 15 minute break. Helps you to stay focused. You can set your study/break times to whatever you like.

[Anonymous]

My best exam tip (actually a couple of tips) is to truly understand why you are getting a question wrong (and right for that matter). Read all the answer eplanations to the question and understand why the right answer is correct and why the other answers are wrong. There is a lot of info in the answer explanations that are not in your material or videos. Little fact nuggets as Jeff would call them. Next I highly recommend using the pomodoro technique to study. Study 25 minutes, take a 5 minute break, do 4 sessions like this and then take a 15 minute break. Helps you to stay focused. You can set your study/break times to whatever you like.

[Anonymous]

Whether studying for the cpa exam or in your career, don't expect your life to always be balanced. Many times it will be greatly out of balance and some times (like the two weeks before you sit for a section) will be worse than others. Just establish and keep good boundaries. And make the most of those times that you can tip the scale towards family and friends.

[Anonymous]

Whether studying for the cpa exam or in your career, don't expect your life to always be balanced. Many times it will be greatly out of balance and some times (like the two weeks before you sit for a section) will be worse than others. Just establish and keep good boundaries. And make the most of those times that you can tip the scale towards family and friends.

[Anonymous]

Hi All,

Here is my 1st post.. I am one of those notorious lurkers Jeff alluded to in his video. I was going to be short and sweet with my post but I felt selfish as I stumbled through “work hard and blah blah blah”. So here's my attempt at helping at least one poor soul conquer the CPA exams!

1st, I want to establish the fact that I didn't attend a top tier business school, nor did I major in accounting (undergrad or grad). In fact, I basically bombed every entry-level/101 account course known to man (unmotivated and preoccupied). I say this to establish the fact that my study tips are for the layman, the average gent, pedestrian scholar, if you will… those among us that are smart/know how to work hard but are just now getting around to growing up! Also, I consider myself an auditory/tactile learner, although studying for the CPA exam has forced me to expand my visualization and reading comprehension skills.

1st dispel the notion that “this will not be over quickly.. you will not enjoy this” – 300 quote. This has been one of the most daunting tasks that I have ever undertaken. When I started the CPA journey I didn't enjoy the preparation.. the grind of this journey was job. But about 13 months ago my boss joined the CPA race with me. He taught me how to embrace the process and enjoy the learning & development that comes along with studying for the CPA. So although the preparation seems a bit daunting and time consuming, you have to plant the seed in your mind that this is what you want to do.. this is what you're built for! I know this is preachy but I didn't see success until I 100% adopted this mentality. Side note, my boss passed all exams 1st shot, even got a perfect score on one, while 10 yrs removed from school, working full-time, married, & having 2nd child during the process.

2nd – research exam content and figure out preferred exam order. I like to suggest BEC, AUD, REG, and then FAR acronym is BARF which summarizes this experience (jk stay positive). All jokes aside, I recommend studying for FAR out the gate b/c some of what you learn in FAR can carry you through BEC and the 18 month clock will start after you pass arguable the most time consuming prep in FAR. Next is BEC b/c of aforementioned connection. Then AUD – AUD was tough b/c I wasn't studying hard enough and have no audit experience, but it's manageable. Then REG -REG is a different abomination all together, very difficult, but I enjoyed learning about taxes. Note, this is not the order I prepped in but knowing what I know now this is how I would have approached it.

3rd Tip – Don't schedule your very 1st exam until you are ready. Some people like the added pressure of having a definitive exam deadline, and I generally do too, but it is not necessary out the gate. Give yourself ample time to digest the material (especially if you are going for the beast aka FAR or the kraken aka REG) and get acclimated to the grind. You'll know when you are ready and then you can pay the piper!

4th Tip – Whether you're using Becker, Wiley, Ninja, Roger or any combination of study material, make sure you make a study time-line. I primarily use Becker, b/c my firm provided it for $free.99, and it has a helpful study road-map, but it's not the only way to plan. Once my Becker software expired I had to start mapping out my study schedule the old fashion way.. simply put fingers to keys and typed it out (pin to pad is a viable option for the older/mature, less computer-centric folks out there). If you are studying for 1st exam give yourself a soft deadline, study, and schedule exam in following weeks, if ready. Try to schedule exams based on score release date b/c this will allow you to game the system a bit (not much) and save you from agonizing over unreleased exam scores for extended periods – this hinders focus and efficient exam rescheduling (just in case).

5th(a) Tip – “Get your popcorn ready” – T.O. quote. If you have study material with lectures treat each lecture like a cinematic masterpiece. I lie to myself.. I literally convince myself that every lecture is prime-time television worthy. Lecture 1 to lecture 100 = Series finale of Breaking Bad! I know it's nuts but the lectures are gold for me. Lectures can set the ground work for your success, bridging the gap between indecipherable text. I don't suggest live courses unless you don't have lectures and auditory learning works best. I hear Jeff, Peter Olinto, and Tim Garrity in my sleep and on exam day!

5th(b) Tip – If you don't have lectures, don't learn well that way, or do have the lectures this tip may still be helpful. Read the material and take notes prior to completing MC and simulations. I read Becker books line for line, even after listening to lecture, and take notes on my computer (with pictures and diagrams) to make sense of it all. Once I commence practice hmwk I have notes available and refer to them when I get an answer wrong and can't make sense of explanations provided. If necessary, I reread page(s).

6th Tip – Do 5 to 15 cumulative practice MC questions per day. For example, if you completed your review of chpt. 1 do practice MC review for chpt. 1. Once you finish chpt. 2 do MC through 1 & 2. Rinse and repeat!

7th Tip – Stay positive leading up to exam & on exam day, no pressure lol! The elevator ride and walk through the halls of Prometric are what I assume the walk down the “Green Mile” was like for John Coffee. The nervousness can be crippling but you need to quickly pull yourself together and mentally prepare yourself to take what's rightfully yours! Go to the bathroom prior to exam start, look yourself in the mirror and give yourself a slow head nod (up and down).. it's your time to shine!

That's pretty much it.. take from this what you may! It's not the blueprint but it's a start. I started this regimen a yr ago and now I feel relatively good going into exams.. never after, as most of us don't! Again, I am pretty much as self-taught as they come, every detail of the CPA review is challenging for me but I have a relentless will to concur this and I will!

B 74, 77

A 71, 77

R 56, 77

F 2/28/14 (COME TO PAPA 77)

[Anonymous]

Hi All,

Here is my 1st post.. I am one of those notorious lurkers Jeff alluded to in his video. I was going to be short and sweet with my post but I felt selfish as I stumbled through “work hard and blah blah blah”. So here's my attempt at helping at least one poor soul conquer the CPA exams!

1st, I want to establish the fact that I didn't attend a top tier business school, nor did I major in accounting (undergrad or grad). In fact, I basically bombed every entry-level/101 account course known to man (unmotivated and preoccupied). I say this to establish the fact that my study tips are for the layman, the average gent, pedestrian scholar, if you will… those among us that are smart/know how to work hard but are just now getting around to growing up! Also, I consider myself an auditory/tactile learner, although studying for the CPA exam has forced me to expand my visualization and reading comprehension skills.

1st dispel the notion that “this will not be over quickly.. you will not enjoy this” – 300 quote. This has been one of the most daunting tasks that I have ever undertaken. When I started the CPA journey I didn't enjoy the preparation.. the grind of this journey was job. But about 13 months ago my boss joined the CPA race with me. He taught me how to embrace the process and enjoy the learning & development that comes along with studying for the CPA. So although the preparation seems a bit daunting and time consuming, you have to plant the seed in your mind that this is what you want to do.. this is what you're built for! I know this is preachy but I didn't see success until I 100% adopted this mentality. Side note, my boss passed all exams 1st shot, even got a perfect score on one, while 10 yrs removed from school, working full-time, married, & having 2nd child during the process.

2nd – research exam content and figure out preferred exam order. I like to suggest BEC, AUD, REG, and then FAR acronym is BARF which summarizes this experience (jk stay positive). All jokes aside, I recommend studying for FAR out the gate b/c some of what you learn in FAR can carry you through BEC and the 18 month clock will start after you pass arguable the most time consuming prep in FAR. Next is BEC b/c of aforementioned connection. Then AUD – AUD was tough b/c I wasn't studying hard enough and have no audit experience, but it's manageable. Then REG -REG is a different abomination all together, very difficult, but I enjoyed learning about taxes. Note, this is not the order I prepped in but knowing what I know now this is how I would have approached it.

3rd Tip – Don't schedule your very 1st exam until you are ready. Some people like the added pressure of having a definitive exam deadline, and I generally do too, but it is not necessary out the gate. Give yourself ample time to digest the material (especially if you are going for the beast aka FAR or the kraken aka REG) and get acclimated to the grind. You'll know when you are ready and then you can pay the piper!

4th Tip – Whether you're using Becker, Wiley, Ninja, Roger or any combination of study material, make sure you make a study time-line. I primarily use Becker, b/c my firm provided it for $free.99, and it has a helpful study road-map, but it's not the only way to plan. Once my Becker software expired I had to start mapping out my study schedule the old fashion way.. simply put fingers to keys and typed it out (pin to pad is a viable option for the older/mature, less computer-centric folks out there). If you are studying for 1st exam give yourself a soft deadline, study, and schedule exam in following weeks, if ready. Try to schedule exams based on score release date b/c this will allow you to game the system a bit (not much) and save you from agonizing over unreleased exam scores for extended periods – this hinders focus and efficient exam rescheduling (just in case).

5th(a) Tip – “Get your popcorn ready” – T.O. quote. If you have study material with lectures treat each lecture like a cinematic masterpiece. I lie to myself.. I literally convince myself that every lecture is prime-time television worthy. Lecture 1 to lecture 100 = Series finale of Breaking Bad! I know it's nuts but the lectures are gold for me. Lectures can set the ground work for your success, bridging the gap between indecipherable text. I don't suggest live courses unless you don't have lectures and auditory learning works best. I hear Jeff, Peter Olinto, and Tim Garrity in my sleep and on exam day!

5th(b) Tip – If you don't have lectures, don't learn well that way, or do have the lectures this tip may still be helpful. Read the material and take notes prior to completing MC and simulations. I read Becker books line for line, even after listening to lecture, and take notes on my computer (with pictures and diagrams) to make sense of it all. Once I commence practice hmwk I have notes available and refer to them when I get an answer wrong and can't make sense of explanations provided. If necessary, I reread page(s).

6th Tip – Do 5 to 15 cumulative practice MC questions per day. For example, if you completed your review of chpt. 1 do practice MC review for chpt. 1. Once you finish chpt. 2 do MC through 1 & 2. Rinse and repeat!

7th Tip – Stay positive leading up to exam & on exam day, no pressure lol! The elevator ride and walk through the halls of Prometric are what I assume the walk down the “Green Mile” was like for John Coffee. The nervousness can be crippling but you need to quickly pull yourself together and mentally prepare yourself to take what's rightfully yours! Go to the bathroom prior to exam start, look yourself in the mirror and give yourself a slow head nod (up and down).. it's your time to shine!

That's pretty much it.. take from this what you may! It's not the blueprint but it's a start. I started this regimen a yr ago and now I feel relatively good going into exams.. never after, as most of us don't! Again, I am pretty much as self-taught as they come, every detail of the CPA review is challenging for me but I have a relentless will to concur this and I will!

B 74, 77

A 71, 77

R 56, 77

F 2/28/14 (COME TO PAPA 77)

[Helpless]

CPA exam preparation tip:

Study over and over again and be detailed in your studies to be able to tackle the sims. Give ample time to study and make sure that you are well prepared for the exam. There is no reward in studying for a short amount of time but ended failing. It sucks so bad when you have to restudy all the materials over again. Good luck guys! Two more exams to go (AUD & REG) and I am done! 🙂

[Helpless]

CPA exam preparation tip:

Study over and over again and be detailed in your studies to be able to tackle the sims. Give ample time to study and make sure that you are well prepared for the exam. There is no reward in studying for a short amount of time but ended failing. It sucks so bad when you have to restudy all the materials over again. Good luck guys! Two more exams to go (AUD & REG) and I am done! 🙂

[F.O.D]

Set up a study schedule and stick to it!

[F.O.D]

Set up a study schedule and stick to it!

[Jrogers]

Find a quiet place away from your kids, wife, and dog. M/C is the key. Find a cpa review that works for you and your job. Did I mention find a quiet place away from the kids. Have fun with studying. Otherwise you'll lose focus

[Jrogers]

Find a quiet place away from your kids, wife, and dog. M/C is the key. Find a cpa review that works for you and your job. Did I mention find a quiet place away from the kids. Have fun with studying. Otherwise you'll lose focus

[jfernandes256]

The best advice I can give is talking to people about the different accounting topics. Explaining a subject in a clear and concise manner shows you understand the material. In addition, it proves that you are not just learning the subjects for the exams rather you are learning them to provide knowledge to the company you are working for. Your employer see you can add value to the company because of your knowledge.

[Author]

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