[Yolonge]

Hello Ninjas,

So for my CPA journey..

In general I go straight to MCQ without knowing, and try to learn from explanation. AVG % does suffer going this way but with limited time (work full time) I figured this may save time. Not looking for scores in the 90s..

I took FAR in January and passed with 83. Mainly used Ninja MCQ (5k questions) and Wiley study guide passed it with little time on simulation.

No reading, no notes. Probably spent 150 hours over 2 months. I was nervous about first test so I probably over spent the time.

I took Audit in February and failed with 74. Mainly used Ninja MCQ (4k questions) and Wiley study guide.

No reading, no notes. Probably spent 60-70 hours over a month.

I am taking Regulation on April 2. I rushing through Ninja MCQ, finish up Wiley study guide (not for business law) and review simulation for last week.

Ninja MCQ stats:

1 Ethics/Professional/Legal Responsibilities 170 total, 239 attempted, 74% avg, 3 hrs

2 Business Law 750 total, 260 attempted, 59% avg, 4.5 hrs

3 Federal Tax Process, Procedures, Acct 166 total, 238 attempted, 69% avg, 3 hrs

4 Federal Taxation of Property Transactions 164 total, 263 attempted, 62% avg, 4.5 hrs

5 Federal Taxation of Individuals 268 total, 419 attempted, 63% avg, 7.5 hrs

6 Federal Taxation of Entities 420 total, 653 attempted, 64% avg, 11 hrs

Overall 2072 attempt, 65%, 33 hrs (57 sec avg)

Started business law yesterday, trying to finish it by at least this week.

I am trying to finish ninja MCQ, go over Wiley study guide, and use ninja simulation and mcq till test day.

I feel little lost on REG, as you can see from the avg. What should I do for my last 2 weeks?

Also taking BEC after REG. I have 2 weeks to study, but I hope it should not be as bad as Reg. Retaking AUD in May but not really worried about them.

Often I want to shoot myself when I go do MCQ, hate it so much but I suppose there is no escape until I am done.

I purposely scheduled it tight to see if I can work under pressure and keep myself busy. I will have to see if that can work out..

Materials: Wiley book + Ninja MCQ

FAR - 83 (Jan 2016)
Study time: 6 weeks
BEC - 87 (April 2016)
Study time: 2 weeks
AUD - 92 (July 2016), (74 Feb 2016), (72 May 2016)
Study time: 4 (Feb) + 2 (May) + 3 (July) = 9 weeks total
REG - (70 April 2016)
Study time: 3 weeks

[EuroAddict]

I just shake my head at this method. Just doing MCQ's I really don't consider learning but to each their own. Also, trying to rush it is crazy to.

Granted if it works for you than more power to you. But you see many folks on here rushing through things and it ends up costing them more time and money (so many retakes).

-----------------------------
BEC - 77, 03/2015 (first try)
FAR - 79, 05/2015 (second try)
REG - 83, 12/2015 (first try)
AUD - 84, 03/2015 (first try)

I got 99 problems but the CPA ain't one.

[Anonymous]

You passed FAR that way, so perhaps the method is good, just didn't quite make it with AUD. So, I'll stay with ya and see how REG goes.

Two weeks before REG is still enough time to learn a lot. I know, you work full-time, but there's still a lot of time around full-time work to learn a lot. If you work full-time in public accounting so are in busy season and working 80 hours a week right now, then not as much time around work…but if you're in private, then you've got plenty of time to still learn a lot. So, don't let yourself even start to think that REG is in trouble yet.

I would finish the Wiley study guide first, and then go back to the MCQs if it was me. I hate lectures, think they're a huge waste of time, but do think the Wiley study guide is a good use of time. It gives you a framework to use to build on when you learn from the MCQs. So, I'd finish the Wiley study guide, then pound the MCQs. Doing that, you'll have time still to get through a lot more MCQs, and I'd say you stand a pretty good shot come test day.

Then for BEC in 2 weeks, there's no doubt that will be a challenge. With working full-time, I probably would've suggested more like 3 weeks for it, but too late for that now. So, just give it everything you've got. Again, I'd suggest going through the Wiley study guide first – even if you don't comprehend anything you're reading, it gives you a framework. Then go to the MCQs and pretend nothing else in the world exists (except work of course lol) for 2 weeks. I'm generally a proponent of taking breaks, days off, etc., while studying, but that's for more extended study schedules. With 2 weeks for an exam, you'll have to be a hermit, but you can do it if you put in the effort. BEC is probably a 40-60 hours of study exam, depending on how you study, and 30 hours of study a week around a job is attainable, so 60 hours in 2 weeks can happen.

Good luck and keep us posted! 🙂

[Tncincy]

Wiley study guide? or wiley focus notes? I guess I didn't know wiley had a study guide….where is it.

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

[Martin]

mhei8116, did you take notes on the questions you got wrong, or just read the answers?

Through God all things can happen!

“You never fail until you stop trying.”
― Albert Einstein
When I was young, I used to admire intelligent people;as I grow older, I admire kind people.
“Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.”

FAR= 72-84
Audit= 73-82
BEC= 74-75
Reg=77

[Tncincy]

Never mind my previous question, I assume you mean the wiley book.

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

[Yolonge]

tncincy: Full name is Wiley CPA Excel study guide.

I mostly read the answers and try to memorize it; I believe taking memo will be the best thing, but I will try to leave memo for wiley (I will print it out hard copy. I have electronic version).

I now have 1 week to do it. I was away for a week for work so that is nothing good.

I kinda gave up on some portion on biz law, time is very limited. For last week I need to redo wiley, cover simulation, and mcq as much as I can. Thanks everybody!

Materials: Wiley book + Ninja MCQ

FAR - 83 (Jan 2016)
Study time: 6 weeks
BEC - 87 (April 2016)
Study time: 2 weeks
AUD - 92 (July 2016), (74 Feb 2016), (72 May 2016)
Study time: 4 (Feb) + 2 (May) + 3 (July) = 9 weeks total
REG - (70 April 2016)
Study time: 3 weeks

[Yolonge]

One reason I want to rush it is to test myself and I really hate studying. Not to mention I am going to take 2 summer classes to get 150 (online at cc). Not a big deal but I hate doing 3 things at once (study, work, school); i had that plenty. First year staff in public accounting so end of those classes busy season will start. So schedule is tight…

tncincy: Full name is Wiley CPA Excel study guide.

I mostly read the answers and try to memorize it; I dont really believe taking memo, but I will try to leave memo for wiley (I will print it out hard copy. I have electronic version).

I now have 1 week to do it. I was away for a week for work so that is nothing good.

I kinda gave up on some portion on biz law, time is very limited. For last week I need to redo wiley, cover simulation, make some notes, and mcq as much as I can. Thanks everybody!

Materials: Wiley book + Ninja MCQ

FAR - 83 (Jan 2016)
Study time: 6 weeks
BEC - 87 (April 2016)
Study time: 2 weeks
AUD - 92 (July 2016), (74 Feb 2016), (72 May 2016)
Study time: 4 (Feb) + 2 (May) + 3 (July) = 9 weeks total
REG - (70 April 2016)
Study time: 3 weeks

[Anonymous]

@mhei Just memorizing the answer with trip you up more in REG than FAR (and may be why you missed AUD). REG seems to test all the exceptions. I also have a family, work full time and HATE learning what I already know. I have found the following works well.

1. Study a single area at a time (ie: Agency)
2. Review either the book or notes for 10-30 mins. depending on the size of the topic
3. Re Write main concepts, things that are slightly fuzzy etc. (Writting helps with retention) during the review time.
4. I do MCQ's in blocks of 10, filter for ones I have yet to see. I do 3 series of 10 then a short 5 min break and repeat
5. Once I hit 50% of the MCQ's completed I see what my Ave % is, 80% or above and I move on to the next topic
6. If I am 75% or below I review the wrong questions to see if there is weak area I can improve on or if I have been getting better results later in my testing (ie: if the last several were 80% and I bombed an earlier quiz) something that would point to an area that needs specific attention. If nothing then I look for an alternate (YouTube etc) to review the main points of the topic.

Also, there were 10 days added to the testing window, I think 3 weeks would be better for BEC, maybe you could move that out to give you some breathing room. The last test can be the most difficult as burnout and fatigue set in.

Good Luck, I sit REG on the 18th and BEC shortly thereafter as well.

[Author]

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