[Anonymous]

This is my first time taking any part of the CPA Exam. Based on the closure of the Q1 testing window I will be taking the newly formatted exam in Q2 (April 21st). I have been studying since the last week of February for BEC using Becker (v3). Currently in the middle of B4, with B5 and B6 remaining.

I noticed that it is extremely exhausting having to go through Lecture -> Skills Practice -> MCQs -> Repeat

So after B2, I opted to this approach:

All Lectures for a section (while taking notes) -> Review Notes -> All MCQs -> Sims -> Additional MCQs
Leaving Skills Practice out entirely (maybe I’ll go through it once I am doing an overall review of the material)

Another reason for the switch had been because it seemed I was going at a much slower pace. Also, I am a full-time student but I only have to go for classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Anyone care to share what their study approach had been?

I am dealing with some extreme anxiety because it’ll be my first exam, I am going to be taking a more application based exam and it’s bad enough the results won’t be released until 10 weeks after the closure of the Q2 window.

[Andyred04]

Personal opinion you're wasting your time with lectures, they talk too slow and you end up zoning out from time to time even if you're completely dialed in. I just don't think they're an efficient use of your time.

My method (which I would not recommend but it did work for me) was to read the entire text, take a few notes but not many, NO MCQs, then when I was done with the text I hammered MCQs until my eyes bled and mixed in writing and reading Ninja MCQs.

FAR: 80 (Gleim, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQs)
REG: 87 (Gleim, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQs)
BEC: 87 (Gleim, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQs)
AUD: 8/27/16

PA Candidate

[Tncincy]

I guess this is the kind of answer I am looking for , I don't have the money to spend on different study courses. I have cpacxcel, I did not like it at all. I switched to Ninja…I like Ninja, maybe I don't know how to use it but I have the notes, audio, book, mcq's…..but I tried the mcq's without going through the book first. Too anxious to be done and received more failures with more self doubt….so since I know I was not ready last quarter( weenied out) I rescheduled for this quarter and intend to diligently study. But I wan the right method to be able to retain and pass. Yes, I know this question has been asked over and over, but good sincere comments is what i am looking for. Maybe i missed something, and I can live with that. Most of all willing to correct it.

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

[Anonymous]

I took BEC first and I think it is one of the more underestimated sections.

My recommendation is not leaving any stone unturned and go through literally every single MCQ to see how the questions are formatted and what to expect. Once you master the more difficult MCQs, chances are you will do well on the exam considering you will recognize the type of question and how to go about answering it.

But again, do not underestimate any portion of BEC and make sure you know all the details of the material and angles of how the questions will be asked.

Best “fast-track” way to do this is pound out the MCQs (at least 100+ a day), then use the supplemental material (book, videos, notes, etc) to go over topics you need a bit more clarification on. This applies to all sections of the exam.

[Dwill2nd]

You will find on here many different approaches to studying. For most individuals the one constant will be you have to put in the time no matter the strategies used. There is no shortcut to learning the needed information to pass the CPA exam.

My study plan has been different than most as I do not pound MC questions. My focus is on making sure I understand the topics and the underlying fundamentals of those topics.

My process was Watch Becker Video> Read Chapter> HW MC > Repeat > Final Review with some Wiley MC and review Ninja notes/Flashcards the day of.

By watching Becker video I get a good Broad View of the topics and drill in on some specifics. Sometimes if they are going through a problem in the chapter I would pause, attempt on my own first, then see their answer. Afterwards I read through the chapter making sure I understand everything in the chapter. Then I do the HW multiple Choice. By this time I have a good understanding on the chapter and if there are a few questions I am getting wrong I quickly learn and self correct. My first run through of HW problems I am typically scoring over 80%. At this point I have learned vs memorized that chapter.

I personally have never liked practice so I never did any practice exams or test. Once I get through the final chapter I take a quick review back through the material reinforcing what I learned. Then I did some Wiley MC's. By this time I usually feel good and I'm just ready to go take the real exam. My final reviews are usually less than a day.

Overall my approach is take the time and learn the material the first time and you don't have to spend time going over materials, sections, and questions multiple times.

Bec, 6/8/2016 - 84!
Far, 7/12/2016
Reg,
Aud,

[Anonymous]

I have been listening to the lectures while driving-I retain about 50% of the main topics that way. Then I do MCQ, then I do Skills Practice (you have to in order to get the Becker Promise), then SIMS. I then have to go through the text over, to make notes, additional flashcards. I usually read the text during review phase as well, to make sure I have no “holes” in my knowledge of the materials. This is when I alternate between Becker Progress Tests and Ninja MCQ to hone in my retention and knowledge of the material.

[industryCPA]

I use Wiley CPAexcel and Ninja MCQ. I printed all of the slides to the lessons. I set my exam date in Wiley for 2.5-3 weeks before my actual exam. I go through as scheduled and watch the lesson following along with the slides and adding anything they mention not in the slides. Then I read the lesson and add anything that's in there not on the slides. Then I do the practice questions after the lesson. I skip all the diagnostic assignments and post assignments. Then during the 3 weeks before my exam, I do a ton of Ninja MCQ. Like 120 a day or more. I also reread through all the slides a few times and Wiley Focus Notes. This method has worked for me 2/2 times so far. Waiting on the score release for test 3.

[Tncincy]

Wow these are good tips. I thought no one would really answer, but I found Jeff's video at the home page about passing with Ninja only and listened to it again. I just have to read the book. I am not a video person unless absolutely necessary. I do realize there is no way to pass without studying, back to the book.

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

[obduratecb]

Hello,

I would read Wiley Focus Notes on a section and do Wiley MCQ's about 20 at a time for each section until I score 75. Then I'd move on to the next section…I also use Ninja MCQ, but i feel like it takes too long to load.

I read all of the answer explanations and if I get the question wrong, I read the little background information as well.

Thanks, Chester

[Author]

Replies