[Broag]

Title says it all. I really don’t feel like studying for the idiotic exam anymore, but I don’t really have a choice. Was thinking of spending 3-4 weeks for BEC and AUD this time around, but don’t know where my time will best be spent. I know everyone will say MCQ until I die, but I’ve done that in the past to have sub-optimal results.

I was thinking about just watching Ninja Plus videos and taking notes/flash cards, but at this point I don’t have a clue what I’m doing.

Any advice?

REG - 79
FAR - ?
AUD - ?
BEC - ?

[hasy]

When doing MCQs or SIMs, QUALITY over quantity. You can do 1000+ mcqs and memorize all the answers.

1) When doing MCQs, do you understand why you're getting them wrong? Do you understand why the other answers are wrong and the correct one is right? When you are consistently getting them wrong, are you going back and reviewing while MAKING SURE you understand the material next time to ensure you won't get it wrong again? I actually did this for FAR and AUD, but when I would hammer through the questions, I made sure why other choices were wrong.

2) When you're studying, are you merely memorizing or understanding? Though with the old BEC, I think you could have passed with that but not anymore.

3) Also, so TBH, when REG was my last (heck even for AUD), I only watched videos for topics I struggled with and skipped them mostly altogether. Unless lectures really help you, I think your time is better spent with the book and writing more notes to cement the learning.

Honestly, hearing about everyone about the new exam, it really does not seem that different. I would think that it may be a harder to pass with the 3 TBS testlets but otherwise, the content shouldn't be different.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

-

BEC 80 (10/23/15)
FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
REG 52 (4/28/15)
AUD (9/9/16)

Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

[Anonymous]

You can do mcq until you are blue in the face, but if you don't understand the concept behind it, you're likely just using memory to tick through the questions.
That was my experience and I failed, HORRIBLY and I had studied my behind off thinking maybe I'd get lucky and not see that topic on the test. ha!You may also need a different test bank.

[Missy]

The only way I'd try to crank each out in 3-4 weeks is if I was (a) unemployed and (b) 8 weeks away from losing credit. Otherwise give yourself more time. How many hours per week do you study? You'd need to be at 40 hours per week to do 3 weeks and 30 hours per week to do 4 weeks (yes, even for a retake).

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[martimann]

Since the format is changing quite a bit, I would spend a large amount of time in the final review portion of your preparation doing lots of simulations and DRS simulations, that's of course after having nailed all concepts and MCQs.

[Broag]

I would study at least 20-25 hours a week over the span of about 6-8 weeks for each section. I'm beginning to feel that this may not be for me anymore. Been at it for over two years.

Also, I am married, have a kid, and a house, so my time is much more limited than a graduate.

I just don't have the desire to study for three more parts.

REG - 79
FAR - ?
AUD - ?
BEC - ?

[Broag]

I'll also add that it takes me hours to go through say 90 MCQ. It makes zero sense to me how people go through 200 MCQ a day and say they “read and try to understand why each answer is right or wrong.”

I have about 10 months until FAR expires. If I go through the rest of this year without passing any parts (which most likely will be the case), then my CPA journey will come to an end.

REG - 79
FAR - ?
AUD - ?
BEC - ?

[Missy]

What materials are you using and have you mixed it up at all (have you memorized your current mcq?)

6-8 weeks of studying 25 hours a week sounds just about perfect, but if you're struggling and using the same materials over and over again the material just isn't explaining concepts to you in a way that “clicks”. When I got the Ninja notes suddenly the aud material I'd already studied three times in Wiley actually MEANT something to me, it filled in the gaps perfectly.

Also re evaluate your techniques. I thought it was complete garbage to rewrite notes and a waste of time. But it was the only thing I hadn't given a chance, so I copied the ninja notes three times over. It did reinforce the concepts and brought my score from a 71 to an 84.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Broag]

I began my studying with Becker. After failing miserably, I dropped Becker and found Ninja. I finally passed two parts doing Ninja MCQ and rewriting notes non stop, but I've seem to have hit a wall with Ninja now too.

I don't feel like spending more money, but I hear Gleim's test bank is absolutely brutal. I'm not sure spending the money AND killing my self-confidence is the best route at this point.

I may just get the Gleim testbank and rewrite Ninja notes. Still not 100 percent sure, though.

REG - 79
FAR - ?
AUD - ?
BEC - ?

[Grey Worm]

the Ninja love goes too far here. If money is no concern, Becker is the best.

If you already paid for Becker, there is no reason to drop it and go full time with ninja.

✓ BEC: 77 (4/2015)
✓ AUD: 87 (4/2016), [85] [67]
✓ FAR: 79 (6/2016), [74] [74]
_ REG: __ (7/2016)

[Broag]

My Becker expired over a year ago.

REG - 79
FAR - ?
AUD - ?
BEC - ?

[hasy]

I would continue with NINJA. It may seem that you've hit a wall probably because you've seen the questions too much. If you were early in the studies, I would not really focus on how much time you're spending on each MCQ. At peak, I felt that 180 mcqs per day is already WAY too much (for FAR at least).

Practice creates efficiency. Once you're probably halfway through your studies, then focus on how much time you're spending per MCQ (90s being the benchmark).

You have 10 months to pass 2 parts, you GOT THIS! This is my personal recommendation if you want to shell it out, but one, buy NINJA MCQs for every part. It is $47, such a deal, get it while it lasts.

But in terms of review courses,

BEC – NINJA
REG – NINJA/Gleim
FAR – NINJA/Roger
AUD – Roger

You don't necessarily have to get it together, but I think if you have those courses, you should be pretty solid.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

-

BEC 80 (10/23/15)
FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
REG 52 (4/28/15)
AUD (9/9/16)

Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

[Tncincy]

So when is a good time to buy Ninja or any mcq's. I get really bored with the book really quickly and tend to go to the mcq's and like was stated my self confidence in what I know plummet. I know there is an expiration time, but when is a good time at the beginning of study or close to end.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Anonymous]

You simply must do whatever it takes to pass the exams. I did each one of the exams with 4-6 weeks of studying, but never below 4 weeks. I also failed 5 times along the way, but I never lost any credit. Did it while working full time and had two young kids and a wife at home. My wife also worked full time and then some. It took a massive amount of willpower and I am in the camp of doing MCQ's until you die. That worked for me. If you don't fully invest yourself you won't get it.

[Broag]

I have fully invested myself into this exam. There is no question about that. I've done 10,000+ MCQ over that span and it has undoubtedly resulted in diminishing returns.

I think I may give Roger a try for AUD. Do you recommend doing the cram or the full course if you have some audit experience and have taken the exam a couple times already? I also lost credit for REG but that is my strongest section by far since I work in tax. BEC I may stay with Ninja.

Going to start studying next month after my Vegas trip!

REG - 79
FAR - ?
AUD - ?
BEC - ?

[hasy]

If you have SOME audit experience, the cram should be sufficient. I did come from an audit background so the tickmark sims or some of the sims weren't too difficult for me. Though I know many who have NO experience blew my score out of the park. So it depends on the person. But yeah, Roger sets you up. AUD was by far the easiest exam to study for me. That one you can do 180 mcqs a day and be okay. Always study to grasp the material.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

-

BEC 80 (10/23/15)
FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
REG 52 (4/28/15)
AUD (9/9/16)

Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

[Author]

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