[AndrewE]

Entering the final phases of review for a retake of audit (70 on 12/4/16). Have been putting in 3 to 4 hours each day whenever I can. I retook all my notes, and rewrote down questions I got wrong during Becker and plan to read them. I plan to take a Ninja practice exam opposed to Becker which I used last time.

Currently using Ninja to supplement, I’m trending at 78% with an avg score of 77% usually doing 50 MCQ or 30 at a time. While continuing with Becker, I also do a progress test of 50 questions everyday that I do MCQ from chapters, with scores ranging from 80-96% ( fearing that I’ve remembered the answers basically). Also doing Sims as well.

Is there any other things. I should be doing leading up to this exam?

BEC- 77 (10/1/16)
AUD – 70 (12/4/16)
REG – TBD
FAR – TBD

[AndrewE]

Shed some wisdom on this topic please and thank you anyone.

[shawn in VA]

I am in a similar situation. failed with a 64 on 12/10. retake is 1/25. I used only ROGER for my study materials. I listened to all the lectures, and did most of the MCQs. However, I only practiced like 3 SIMS and 1 research in total. I only had 6 weeks to study but no more than 20 hrs a week. I have never taken an audit class in my life, and been out of school for 10 years. So i feel 64 not bad.

Fast forward to my retake coming up on 1/25 and to answer your question. I bought the wiley test bank and am on target to finish all MCQ's and about 80% of SIMS. I also bought the NINJA Notes and read them and write them often. That helps with understanding concepts. I have learned for AUD you need to read and and just can't do a bunch of MCQs. Also I recommend doing the SIMS in wiley test bank as they really assess where you stand. MCQ usually you can eliminate 2 and then you have 50/50 chance from there.

For me REPETITION is key!! I hope we pass b/c the exam changes dont look pretty

[Anonymous]

@AndrewE-I have BEC scheduled on 1/21 and my study plan is similar to yours, doing progress tests in both Ninja and Becker jsut to keep everything fresh in my head. I am also randomly doing specific areas 20-30 questions at a time…I am also flipping through my Becker textbook, for review… Sorry can't comment on audit specifically as this is my first one…

[AndrewE]

@shawn in VA I plan to read my notes, and a few areas that I struggle with in the book again. First go I read the book and didn't truly understand things but now I feel understand things better. I re read Chapter 1 of Becker and plan to read audit evidence by transaction cycle and whats included in the various reports

[AndrewE]

@anyatver Make sure you do some sims as well and I think you should be good.

[AndrewE]

@shawn_in_VA I am not a flash card person but I have been reading them as well

[Anonymous]

I know we are studying different section but maybe you could offer some advice since study frame is the same. Given a “regular” progress test in Becker or doing random “all” ninja questions are am doing well…I even did in the 79-83 range on a Ninja practice test, but man those trouble questions in Ninja are driving me nuts and seriously killing my confidence! should I just avoid them or keep doing them and not worry about the stats, just use them as a learning tool?

[AndrewE]

@anyatver Use them as a learning tool, do them and write them down and read them over numerous times. You never know if you will see them on the test or not. Trouble questions are “trouble” for a reason, but if you go through them it will make you stronger overall. I'm in the same situation as well, we've got to kill our egos and learn from those questions. Not focus on the overall % but the quality of how we study.

[Anonymous]

Yes, those flipping averages and trending scores are messing with my head…Ok, I will focus on the “trouble” ones over the weekend and make notes on them as a learning tool…I think the ones I have consistently gotten correct and understand I am good with…Thanks for the input-I appreciate it!

[Anonymous]

I'm taking AUD next Friday. My suggestion is try to see Audit from a big picture perspective before getting down into the weeds. Like the purpose of why we Audit and then see that we evaluate the client and get an understanding. Then doing a risk assessment which is part of the understanding. That kind of high level stuff.

When I started I got so overwhelmed with Chapter 1 in Becker trying to remember all the reports and the details.Doing 3/4 or even Chapter 6 first helps if you are screwing up.

Also see that there are 4 levels of engagements starting with and Audit then Review, Compilation and then preparation. Alot of the steps are similiar. Try to see it that way and memorize the differences. Audit is so wordy, it is impossible to memorize it all.

It also helps to read the SASs directly on the AICPA website. Alot of the stuff in the Becker book is a copy paste job in bullet form.

Hope that helps a little. Cheers!

[AndrewE]

@anyatver By me telling you to do that, I now must follow through and do the same thing hahah -.-, no problem and good luck!

[rb2017]

I'm not sure if you work for a public firm, but if you do, you can ‘study' while working. I took audit last tax season and I paid extra attention to the audit/review report letters and language, as well as thoroughly going through workpapers/signoffs (not saying I didn't before :)). It's a little piece of advice but it's a different way of going about learning!

[AndrewE]

@toni I was planning on re reading thos reports again cause I don't remember all the contents of them, first test I definitely knew a little more on them. I do work for public firm but working in audit on the govermental side I ironically haha -.-. Trying to apply self taught concepts to work is sometimes a challenge for sure.

[Author]

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