[Anonymous]

Just started studying for BEC and thinking the writing questions. Now that I’m checking out the actual examples I’m kind of freaking out.

For example, I would normally intro a memo with a fairly conversational paragraph reiterating the purpose of the memo and the concepts it was going to address.

Then define/analyze/compare-contrast those concepts in the body.

Then a closing paragraph, i hope this information has been helpful. If you have any questions blah, blah, blah,

The example answers in the Gleim Book are dry and robotic – more like an answer on a high-school level essay test.

They sample questions also require a very detailed knowledge of the topic – as in you’d need extensive memorization to write about the concept in detail. Is this the case?

I don’t see a lot of posts complaining about this section, so maybe it’s not as bad as I’m assuming.

[Biff-1955-Tannen]

From what I understand about what people say about it, is that because it is graded by a computer (unless you almost passed, then it can get a person to look at it), it is mainly looking at key words and the structure of the memo. So you don't necessarily have to even have a correct answer. It just needs to have good formatting and buzzwords.

AUD 93 Jan 16
BEC 83 Feb 16
FAR 83 Apr 16
REG 84 May 16

99% Ninja MCQ only

[sar_rah]

Don't worry about the crazy detailed and perfect responses the course supplies for you. Literally copy and paste the prompt into an introduction. Address those topics in separated paragraphs. And then have a “Please feel free to reach out if I can be of any more assistance to you” type of closer.

I didn't have more than 7 sentences in each memo (not by choice, I just went into then memos with 20ish minutes and ran out of time). But I did use key words straight from the prompt and had an intro, 3 body paragraphs….lol more like sentences, and a conclusion. I'm pretty sure thats all the computer grading knows to look for.

Passed with flying colors in the high 80s

AUD: 98
REG: 91
BEC: 86
FAR: 83

DONE DONE DONE and DONE all on the first try! It IS possible, just keep on studying!

[nyclife]

CPA – I used the same format you mentioned. The answers don't have to be perfect but they should indicate some level of understanding. Make sure you have some of the key words and grammatically/structurally the writing makes sense. I'm sure I had less than 10 sentences for each essay.

The writing portion is 15 or 20% from what i remember so your MCQ performance drives the score. I believe I passed on the MCQ portion by a decent margin so the essays wouldn't have made much of a difference. I think that should be the mindset. If you don't know the topic via MCQ, chances are writing an essay on it is more difficult/impossible. Be comfortable with every topic that's tested.

[Author]

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