BEC in 5 weeks…can it be done? Rhetorical question, but can I get some tips??

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  • #201217
    diegotron
    Participant

    I had a mishap w REG so I took it first because I was so close to passing, now I have an NTS w BEC expiring on May 10th, so I am going to take it anyway and do the best I can, but I also know that passing BEC on my first try is not out of the question.

    Does anyone have tips for speed studying this section of the exam or tips on this topic as far as what are the most heavily tested subjects?

    Thanks!

    AUD -73, 82
    REG - 65, 71, 79
    BEC - 83

Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
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  • #771439
    RE2PECT
    Participant

    I'm in the same boat as you as I just moved up my AUD exam a week so I can take BEC at the end of this window. I'm leaving myself exactly 5 weeks for BEC, which hopefully is doable. Everyone is different, but I've read other people's comments saying they studied anywhere from 80-100 hours and passed so hopefully that's enough for me as well. I heard you should definitely focus on IT and COSO for this one.

    "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."

    Roger & Ninja

    FAR: 75
    AUD: 73, 81
    BEC: 71, 73, 82
    REG: 68, 82

    FAR: 75 Roger & Ninja (notes/flashcards/audio/MCQ)
    AUD: 73, 81
    BEC: 71, retake 8/29
    REG:

    #771440
    wombataholic
    Participant

    I passed it with about 5 weeks of studying @20ish hours per week. I copied Ninja Notes by hand to a notebook, then did a ton of MCQs. I practiced a few of the written communications, but not too heavily – mostly just to get used to writing.

    Off the top of my head, you'd better know these topics:
    – Cost Accounting
    – COSO
    – IT
    – Cost accounting a second time.
    – Economics

    Good luck!

    AUD - 91
    BEC - 85
    FAR - 91
    REG - 92
    CPA, CFE
    Passed all 4 CPA exam sections with Ninja Notes/MCQ/Audio

    Licensed CPA
    Passed each section on the first try with Ninja Notes/MCQ/Audio

    #771441
    jessica8926
    Participant

    I definitely agree with RE2PECT about the COSO and IT part. My first try had a lot of IT specifically. Makes sense as technology is such a huge focus in the current world.

    I did want to emphasize the writing portion though only because it is an easy 15 percentage of the test!! I did not do any practice writing for the test but I did watch the lecture and read the few notes in my Becker book where they talked about the writing section. I got a “stronger” on my performance report so I know you should literally copy and paste the prompt in your intro and continue to use the key words and phrases from the prompt thought your response. Basic essay or memo format is a must and make sure you pay attention to grammar. They focus a lot on the structure rather than the actual content and what you say. I bs's my way through one like completely wrong answer but I followed the structure of an essay and used the prompt words a million times and still did well!

    Good luck to you both! Don't underestimate this one!

    AUD - 77
    BEC - 82
    FAR - 75
    REG - 81
    Illinois Certified Public Accountant 2016

    AUD - 69, 77
    REG - 74, 81
    FAR - 75!
    BEC - 71, 82

    IL candidate!

    Finally done (5/24/16)!! Yahooooooo!

    #771442
    Stilgoin
    Participant

    I did BEC in 2 weeks – studying every day – both times I took it, so 5 weeks should be plenty of time. I agree with Jessica. The writing portion is easy points. Don’t get caught up on content details: form and restating the prompt should get you easy points. The Ninja MCQs helped me a ton. I made a 62 after my first two weeks, and a 78 after the last. I used Becker and Ninja MCQs both times.

    Good luck!

    Stilgoin, CPA

    There are enough critics. Be an encourager

    B | 62, 78
    A | 73, 67, 79
    R | 82
    F | 59, 59, Waiting

    Ethics | 93

    "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."
    ~Winston Churchill

    “In a world full of critics, be an encourager."

    #771443
    RE2PECT
    Participant

    @wombataholic How comfortable were you with cost accounting before studying for it? That was easily my least favorite subject and didn't do as great in those 2 classes compared to my other ones. One of the classes was online and was pretty much a waste of time and money. I'm hoping Roger's lectures help me get through it.

    @jessica8926 Thanks for the tips for the writing section. I'm pretty good at writing and hope I can bs my way through it with proper formatting and grammar.

    "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."

    Roger & Ninja

    FAR: 75
    AUD: 73, 81
    BEC: 71, 73, 82
    REG: 68, 82

    FAR: 75 Roger & Ninja (notes/flashcards/audio/MCQ)
    AUD: 73, 81
    BEC: 71, retake 8/29
    REG:

    #771444
    Jdn9201
    Participant

    BEC is definitely doable in 5 weeks. I did it in 4, but could have done it in 3 (it took me a good 7-10 days to get into routine, as it was my first exam). Agree with others on the important topics, but don't spend too much time on the writing portion. You gain so many points just by repeating what's being asked (intro) and repeating your answer (conclusion). IMO, you only need 3-5 sentences of actual technical knowledge. Also, the writing is only 15%…nothing to sneeze at, but you are far better off focusing on MCQ's. Pull up the content specific outline from the AICPA – I prioritized my studying based on that, and found it to be accurate. Don't get too bogged down on specifics -think mile wide, inch deep. The volume of material is actually a blessing because 90 questions isn't enough time to ask you specifics about everything.

    BEC - 88 8/29/15
    REG - 82 11/14/15
    AUD - 83 1/8/16
    FAR - 80 2/29/16

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