[Anonymous]

Wouldn’t it make sense for review courses to offer “additional” material or coverage on the more difficult concepts?

Like, why only half-ass review courses and give general/basic study material on a section when it’s the more difficult areas and questions that people miss and fail?

Not speaking particularly about NINJA because I know it is a good review course, but imagine if there was additional material or lectures that make the more “difficult” concepts easier to learn?

[Anonymous]

I totally agree with you, but I think the reason is because you're supposed to have learned everything in your accounting classes, and the review courses are just that – a review that can be completed in a relatively short period of time. I've been using my old notebooks from college as a supplement to Becker for a lot of the tax concepts that Becker kind of skims over, which has been helpful.

[Anonymous]

Most questions are very easy and it's not hard at all to score in the 60-70 range on these exams.

A person can get through these exams in this score range by using simple memorization and algebra.

But the more difficult problems involving calculations that try to trick or fool you I think should be given more attention during these reviews instead of just briefly covering them just the same as any other question.

Just my thoughts, surprised no one has done it yet.

[Valar Dohaeris]

Probably because the CPA exam questions aren't THAT tricky in general, nor should it be. I mean, how long and difficult can a MCQ be when you have over 70 questions to get through and touch on a broad range of topics?

Although, I do recall Becker having some batches of difficult questions that can trick you. The questions in Becker are prior exam questions.

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[jeff]

Generally – review courses tend to put too much info into a course/book, which is why it requires an instructor to tell you what parts to skip.

What you're saying, if I'm hearing correctly, it you would like the option to drill-down deeper into certain tough topics outside of the regular review course.

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REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[Anonymous]

“What you’re saying, if I’m hearing correctly, it you would like the option to drill-down deeper into certain tough topics outside of the regular review course.”

Yes, exactly. Maybe I am missing something or just being picky.

With BEC for example, the cost variances (usage/efficiency/price/etc) using standard/actual isn't too difficult to understand, but it is easy to forget how to do these in my opinion. I would consider it one of the more “difficult” areas on the exam.

If there were cram courses or just a standalone option that focused on these type of areas that can get in depth or tricky, that would be great.

At times I feel I am studying the same thing over and over which only leads to burnout rather than gaining any useful knowledge. I'm sure I'll just have to manage and get through it like everyone else, but I think it would be a useful tool.

[jeff]

I think it comes down to cost (time) vs benefit … you could spend 4 hours (basically, 1 study day) on a topic or nuance you might get 1 question on.

AUD - 79
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FAR - 76
REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[REG-FTW86]

On the tough topics I found it best to hop on youtube. You'll find professors explaining it in details. Google it as well if you'd rather read about it. Youtube videos are usually short and to the point. Best of all, it's free supplemental materials. That's what I started to do when I was struggling with FAR. It really helped out.

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REG - 80

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[jpowell31]

I agree in the sense that I end up spending more time teaching myself those more difficult things because you want to get it and you want to be prepared because those questions will be worth more. unfortunately for REG I got majority very random theoretical questions and the tax questions I got with calcs were the exact same type of problems (i.e. testing the same understanding of a transaction…)! frustrating to say the least…because i didn't focus on some of the smaller stuff, I didn't get those harder testlets that I had prepared for and ultimately not enough points to pass..i'd agree that there are some videos out there that definitely help on those tricky items. unfortunately I think about 75% of what we study is BS and not relevant in real life. nothing is relevant to my job – I manage insurance companies. sure, we can't learn it all but somehow farming is something we NEED to know?

-__-

[.]

I googled a lot. This website often came up. Pretty good explanations and example journal entries:

Accounting Tools

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[Lisa]

I totally agree. While I understand its a review course and we supposedly “got it” in our course studies in college, for me, that was a long time ago. Although my professional life was varied in the accounting field, there are many concepts that I was not exposed to and at times feel like I am learning it for the first time. In this regard, I would like more intense coverage and problems to practice. I am currently using Wiley Test Bank, Ninja Plus and Roger.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I do google quite a bit and search for videos on youtube which does help. Sometimes it leads to nowhere though, just wish there was an easier way. Burnout is no bueno!

[Author]

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