I think it is easier to pass BEC because the MCQ are weighted so heavily and the WC portion is fairly easy. However; BEC is a catch all of random accounting stuff. In Becker there are 6 chapters and none of them relate to one another. You have to learn a broad spectrum of material and that makes it harder to study than AUD.
AUD is relatively easy to study. There is no math really. Almost all the material expounds on something you just learned. However; the exam tests a very intricate knowledge of understanding. You can walk into AUD feeling super prepared and walk out feeling like you studied for the wrong exam. My first attempt at AUD I felt confident going in and coming out just to receive a 55 =(
None of the exams are easy. BEC can probably be accomplished in less time than AUD with a good result. It is certainly a “pick your poison” sort of situation as detailed above!
For me, BEC was easier by a mile, but it depends on your background and experience. BEC was my first exam in Aug 2015. I began studying Aug 1st, but I probably didn't get into a good routine until the 10th or so. I estimate I spent around 50 hrs studying for it, but I skipped a lot of the lecture material. I do a lot of reading on my own about BEC-related issues and I made a 74 taking the exam with no studying at all in 2014. I'm still waiting on my AUD score and I walked out of the exam with no clue on how I performed. I felt confident on the MCQ but the TBS were from left field it seemed like. I'm very math oriented and do not have an AUD background, so the lack of numbers in AUD made it more difficult for me to grasp the concepts. I'm hoping I passed AUD because FAR is my last exam, and I'm almost looking forward to it because it's so calculation-based.
BEC was a nightmare for me. I ended pushing it back because I felt like after I went through the material once, I had no idea what I was doing. I reviewed BEC basically by redoing it and finally it seemed to stick more. I breezed through audit, although I am waiting on my AUD score. I have already passed BEC. A lot of difficult calculations in BEC though!
Keeping my fingers crossed for audit scores on Feb 4th. Those sims were the death of me!
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!
The AUD material seems easy when you're studying, but the way they test it is super difficult. I haven't taken BEC yet but am currently studying for it and I think the material is really tough (so far).
FAR - 80
AUD - 82
BEC - 80
REG - 85
ETHICS - 90
EXPERIENCE - COMPLETE
Application for California license mailed 8/4/2016
AUD is a process and tricky wording. BEC is made up of so many topics and tricky wording. BEC is taking much longer for me to prepare. Some folks do it in a month. I am taking 2+. Audit took me six weeks. Audit you can do sitting in a comfortable chair. BEC at a desk to do all the computations. Pick your poison but at the end of the day you have to get through both.
FAR 7/25/15 76!
AUD 10/30/15 93
BEC 2/27/16 82
REG 5/23/16 88!
Ninja Book and MCQ and the forum - all the way!!!
and a little thing i like to call, time and effort!
if you want things to change, you have to do something different
They are both equally difficult to study for in their own ways but the reason I say BEC is easier because of how the exam is structured with multiple choice at 85% and the written part at 15%. No simulations. Personally, the multiple choice are never the reason why I fail it's always the simulations and the written portion of BEC is mostly testing your writing ability from what I have heard. Don't sleep on any of them though.
I Believe any of these tests are how prepared you are. Asking what one is hardest is all relative. You don't know how the person studied for that exam did etc. These kind of Q's will just psych you out 🙂
One would think REG and FAR would be harder than BEC but I scored higher on both of those than I did on BEC.
Hate to be that guy, but aud seemed to be easy compared to the rest( regardless of my score), no math, 4 hours. Its the only one were you i walked out and felt as if their was a chance. Now Far and Reg were bad, Studying for Bec is a nightmare, but i cant seem to understand why people struggle so much with AUD.
FAR-76 First attempt.
AUD-79 First attempt.
REG-79 First attempt.
BEC-79 First attempt.
.