[B2RAD]

so got my audit score back, 69 again. glad i didnt start studying for another section. made that mistake last October. took audit, felt decent about, studied for 3 weeks on BEC and found out i got a 69. I am trying to figure out what i am doing wrong. Back during the last 3 attempts i was studying full time (6-8 hours a day).

But during my undergrad i was always working full time or sometimes two jobs and still managed to get all As and Bs so i am hoping being back in a work routine since i started my staff accountant position. I think my mind might work better with being a little more structured and busy.

I also was working on my MAC and trying to study for the CPA. i think that was a mistake and i have decided to do my MAC after i pass at least 3 sections and am close to finishing the 4th,

I was Wiley CPA excel,at first but this last audit section i would make my own notes and flashcards, had Wiley focus notes and flashcards, i have an older version of the NINJA notes and flashcards and got a 69 again.

My commute to work is only 15-20 mins so audio notes really wont help me and sadly my CPA firm is super strict about working 8-7 everyday during tax season and 8-5 everyday in the summer so trying to wake up earlier is tough call. just plan to study it up every night for hour or two and on the weekends hardcore for 2 months and try again! staying as positive as possible and any input is welcome 🙂

i also love all the experience i get at a smaller firm compared to my 3 tax seasons with huge firms but the culture my partners have was deceiving in the interview process. they made it out to be better than it is, now i have strict hours, no real work life balance, might end up looking at different smaller firms because i plan to get married after CPA and have some little ones and having no flexibility is no bueno as i still want to be there for my family. i love public accounting and one thing i really enjoyed about it was the little extra flexibility i had over my corporate friends. i understand i wont be able to be there for everything but still i am working longer days some weeks than when i was at a large firm and i the work load i have could be easily done in a 8 hour day but i end up dragging out my days cuz i accomplish tasks about 5-7 hours quicker than the budget time.

Brad

AUD - 69 (1/6/16) 69 (10-4-15)
FAR - Spring 2016
BEC - 73 (11-23-15) Retake plan Spring 2016
REG - Summer 2016

[monikernc]

don't let it kick you down. these exams are hard. keep going, you can do this.

if the ninja notes are yours and they are older, get the free updates before you start studying again.

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

[B2RAD]

the ninja notes were from a friend who passed really quickly and with ease so i may go in a hook myself up with some new docs! 🙂

i am starting to come back to real world and it will all be okay world.

hard part now is re take in march or try a different section? might try some in person course work as well. kinda all hits at once some days.

positive thinking 🙂

Brad

AUD - 69 (1/6/16) 69 (10-4-15)
FAR - Spring 2016
BEC - 73 (11-23-15) Retake plan Spring 2016
REG - Summer 2016

[Montiel68]

Hey Brad! I failed AUD for the 2nd time :/ I'm not quite sure of how I'm going to pass this section. I didn't improve at all and I've already added Ninja mcq to Becker.

I think I'll add Gleim + Cpa excel + Ninja…I just don't know if I should start studying right now or wait until March. I just started in public accounting, so I'm not sure about busy season.

FAR- Passed
AUD- **F,F,F,** Retake TBD
REG- Passed
BEC- Passed

[B2RAD]

@montiel68 we will get through this!! tax season is tough but you get used to it. honestly i was just having a moment this morning between not passing, being late to work, etc. just all come out in a forum post.

i think i am going to wait until March, start studying again and take a Live review course and sit for audit in May. Metro Detroit CPA Review is a live lecture format meant to supplement the wiley, gliem etc lectures. so they have you buy the books (already have them lol ) and they supply the rest. the audit section is 5 live sessions and they say to use more test bank if you need it but its worth a shot at this point since i have no 18 month window hanging over my head and when i look at my grades, my online classes are always lower than a class i take in person. Going to try one of there courses and if i like the live format i will pay for the other 3 sections.

Brad

AUD - 69 (1/6/16) 69 (10-4-15)
FAR - Spring 2016
BEC - 73 (11-23-15) Retake plan Spring 2016
REG - Summer 2016

[Montiel68]

I already tried a live class (Becker) and it didn't work for me. I'll give Gleim a chance and then I'll see what I do. Let's try to give it our best again. We just need to keep pushing

FAR- Passed
AUD- **F,F,F,** Retake TBD
REG- Passed
BEC- Passed

[monikernc]

Yes, i think you will do better with ninja notes you bought and paid for and didn't share.

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

[B2RAD]

We will get through @Montiel68!! yea i heard the becker live class is a joke. i almost paid for that too until my buddy did and was like sdave the money. i love the wiley lectures, i honestly for me its the questions. wiley questions seem ehh

Brad

AUD - 69 (1/6/16) 69 (10-4-15)
FAR - Spring 2016
BEC - 73 (11-23-15) Retake plan Spring 2016
REG - Summer 2016

[Montiel68]

@ Brad I actually had a good instructor at my live Becker class, but I think is just me who can't really ‘get' audit. Also, I think I just do better by doing self-study without vids or someone talking. Just me reading…is just kind of hard trying to figure out what best works for you.

Anyway, I'm looking at the Wiley and Gleim TB for my 3rd round. I'm leaning more towards Gleim bc I don't know much about Wiley but Gleim TB is more expensive (these NTSs + review material add up really fast).

So why do you think Wiley is so so? Are the questions not similar to what you saw on the test (maybe easier or unrelated)? Could you give me your opinion on your experience with Wiley?

FAR- Passed
AUD- **F,F,F,** Retake TBD
REG- Passed
BEC- Passed

[B2RAD]

@Montiel68 yea i think the Wiley package is great, the books are solid, lectures are great and overall i feel good about that, i think they have yet to do some updates to the questions. some of them seem odd compared to what i have seen. i think combining WIley with Ninja notes will help me but talking with a couple professors this week to see what i need to do to get over the 75 hump. but WIley has been releasing tons of updates recently so i imagine the questions will get a boost. i think i was just seeing the same flavor too much and diversifying the questions will help me. honestly i feel if i can master what works for audit, i will be able to pass the rest. i came close on BEC (73) and REG will be tough but i do so much tax work as a staff that i feel comfortable with studying for it and FAR is FAR, just going to have to grind out problems for it

Brad

AUD - 69 (1/6/16) 69 (10-4-15)
FAR - Spring 2016
BEC - 73 (11-23-15) Retake plan Spring 2016
REG - Summer 2016

[Author]

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