BEC next week SCARED —how to prepare for writing section BTW???

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #185532
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Gonna take BEC on 05.21 which is one day after my birthday, which this could bring me some good luck. This is my last one and I AM SCARED. I have a such wired feeling about BEC. I feel like I know nothing about it, even though I do pretty good with Becker, always above 85. I just don’t have a very clear thought about it like what I had about all other three before. When I study Reg, Aud and Far, I knew what every chapter was about, what were testing points and what I gonna see in the test.

    And I am curious about how you guys prepare for writing section? since there is really no such a right answer, it is all about writing and wording, I went through Becker Sim once and should I do something more? or should I just leave it and focus on MC.?

    Wish everyone GOOD LUCK !!!!

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 20 total)
  • Author
    Replies
  • #553271
    NYCaccountant
    Participant

    I think the writing section is pretty straight forward. I did not practice any of the writing assignments, failed to repeat the initial question in the first paragraph, and wrote 3 short paragraphs for each memo. I ended up passing. I think just repeat the question in the first paragraph, focus on structure and spelling, and write something to the affect, ” If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me” in the last paragaph. By structure, I mean thesis, body and conclusion, and make sure it flows together.

    AUD - 99
    BEC - 84
    FAR - 93
    REG - 87
    NYC born and raised.

    FAR - 93
    REG - 87
    BEC - 84!!!!
    AUD - 99!!!!!! CPA exam complete.

    #553272
    NYCaccountant
    Participant

    I think the writing section is pretty straight forward. I did not practice any of the writing assignments, failed to repeat the initial question in the first paragraph, and wrote 3 short paragraphs for each memo. I ended up passing. I think just repeat the question in the first paragraph, focus on structure and spelling, and write something to the affect, ” If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me” in the last paragaph. By structure, I mean thesis, body and conclusion, and make sure it flows together.

    AUD - 99
    BEC - 84
    FAR - 93
    REG - 87
    NYC born and raised.

    FAR - 93
    REG - 87
    BEC - 84!!!!
    AUD - 99!!!!!! CPA exam complete.

    #553273
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    If you know how to write complete, coherent sentences/paragraphs and you feel comfortable with the actual material then I don't think you should do anything to prepare for the WC. If you struggle with writing then you may want to practice by taking one of Becker's examples and try to write out your own response without looking at what they wrote as the acceptable response. I didn't practice at all, but I was confident in my writing abilities because of my MBA program. I looked at every example of a WC question/response in my review software just to see what they were looking for, but my test was so different than the examples that I'm not sure it helped much. BEC is a hodge podge of information.

    #553274
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    If you know how to write complete, coherent sentences/paragraphs and you feel comfortable with the actual material then I don't think you should do anything to prepare for the WC. If you struggle with writing then you may want to practice by taking one of Becker's examples and try to write out your own response without looking at what they wrote as the acceptable response. I didn't practice at all, but I was confident in my writing abilities because of my MBA program. I looked at every example of a WC question/response in my review software just to see what they were looking for, but my test was so different than the examples that I'm not sure it helped much. BEC is a hodge podge of information.

    #553275
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @CPAMommyof3 Thank you!!! I probably will practice just in case

    #553276
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @CPAMommyof3 Thank you!!! I probably will practice just in case

    #553277
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @NYCaccountant Haha I will keep your words in mind and definitely do it in the exam Thank you

    #553278
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @NYCaccountant Haha I will keep your words in mind and definitely do it in the exam Thank you

    #553279
    D
    Participant

    Good luck! I take it the 22nd, I'm going to do my best to stop scoring 72s and get my 75!

    For WC, which I've always scored above average on, follow the format below and you will be good. Just remember OPENING-BODY-CLOSING. In the OPENING, always state what the memo is about (which they tell you what you need to write). In the CLOSING, restate what the memo is about.

    Let's pretend you've been tasked with providing the President of Dr. Pepper Snapple Inc.information pertaining to changing the name to Doc Pep Snap. Advantages,disadvantages,etc.


    Mr.________,

    The purpose of this memo is to address the proposal of changing the company name from Dr. Pepper Snapple to Doc Pep Snap. While there are some benefits to changing the brand name, there are also many disadvantages and drawbacks that will need to be taken into consideration.

    [NEXT WILL BE A PARAGRAPH OR TWO, WITH 2-4 SENTENCES EACH, PRESENTING YOUR ARGUMENTS, SUGGESTIONS, ETC.]

    Thank you for allowing me the time to address concerns of changing the name of the company from Dr. Pepper Snapple group to Doc Pep Snap. I hope I have addressed the topic thoroughly and that the information will help to make a confident final decision. Please feel free to contact me should you have any further questions.

    Sincerely,

    [your first name], Concerned Soda Drinker

    **************************
    AUD: 77  (Jan 2016)
    BEC: 80  (May 2016)
    REG: (rematch May 2017)
    FAR: (rematch Apr 2017)
    **************************

    ----------
    AUD - 74, 77! (1/2016)
    BEC - 80! (5/2016)
    REG - tbd (8/2016)
    FAR - tbd

    Study materials: NINJA MCQ/Audio/Notes

    "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me!"
    ----------

    #553280
    D
    Participant

    Good luck! I take it the 22nd, I'm going to do my best to stop scoring 72s and get my 75!

    For WC, which I've always scored above average on, follow the format below and you will be good. Just remember OPENING-BODY-CLOSING. In the OPENING, always state what the memo is about (which they tell you what you need to write). In the CLOSING, restate what the memo is about.

    Let's pretend you've been tasked with providing the President of Dr. Pepper Snapple Inc.information pertaining to changing the name to Doc Pep Snap. Advantages,disadvantages,etc.


    Mr.________,

    The purpose of this memo is to address the proposal of changing the company name from Dr. Pepper Snapple to Doc Pep Snap. While there are some benefits to changing the brand name, there are also many disadvantages and drawbacks that will need to be taken into consideration.

    [NEXT WILL BE A PARAGRAPH OR TWO, WITH 2-4 SENTENCES EACH, PRESENTING YOUR ARGUMENTS, SUGGESTIONS, ETC.]

    Thank you for allowing me the time to address concerns of changing the name of the company from Dr. Pepper Snapple group to Doc Pep Snap. I hope I have addressed the topic thoroughly and that the information will help to make a confident final decision. Please feel free to contact me should you have any further questions.

    Sincerely,

    [your first name], Concerned Soda Drinker

    **************************
    AUD: 77  (Jan 2016)
    BEC: 80  (May 2016)
    REG: (rematch May 2017)
    FAR: (rematch Apr 2017)
    **************************

    ----------
    AUD - 74, 77! (1/2016)
    BEC - 80! (5/2016)
    REG - tbd (8/2016)
    FAR - tbd

    Study materials: NINJA MCQ/Audio/Notes

    "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me!"
    ----------

    #553281
    Juliemiddle
    Member

    Don't be too scared if you don't know the subject matter well to answer a written prompt. Make sure that you remember essay format (intro, supporting paragraphs, conclusion), correct grammar/spelling, etc. Try to incorporate key terms regarding the subject. And make sure you answer ALL of them…even if you only get 2 or 3 sentences in…you need to write something.

    AUD: 84 - Oct. 2013
    BEC: 83 - Feb. 2014
    REG: 91 - May, 2014
    FAR: 68, 96 - Oct. 2014...DONE

    CPAExcel, Ninja Audio (all sections)

    #553282
    Juliemiddle
    Member

    Don't be too scared if you don't know the subject matter well to answer a written prompt. Make sure that you remember essay format (intro, supporting paragraphs, conclusion), correct grammar/spelling, etc. Try to incorporate key terms regarding the subject. And make sure you answer ALL of them…even if you only get 2 or 3 sentences in…you need to write something.

    AUD: 84 - Oct. 2013
    BEC: 83 - Feb. 2014
    REG: 91 - May, 2014
    FAR: 68, 96 - Oct. 2014...DONE

    CPAExcel, Ninja Audio (all sections)

    #553283
    LaComptable
    Participant

    If you are fully prepared on the rest of the material, I don't think it would be a bad idea to spend an hour or so to practice the writing, especially if it makes you more confident going into the exam. I practiced. I knew that time would be my biggest challenge because I can get very focused on small details. So, I did a couple of practice sessions within Becker with the emphasis being to finish in the time I allotted myself. I think it did help on exam day. You can practice using TXCPAGAL's template and applying it to the Becker problems.

    Good luck on BEC! I just took it on 4/28 and am waiting *anxiously* for the 5/23 score release. It seems like an eternity!!

    BEC - 88
    AUD - 74, 87
    REG - 77
    FAR - 63, 82

    CIA certified in 2013

    #553284
    LaComptable
    Participant

    If you are fully prepared on the rest of the material, I don't think it would be a bad idea to spend an hour or so to practice the writing, especially if it makes you more confident going into the exam. I practiced. I knew that time would be my biggest challenge because I can get very focused on small details. So, I did a couple of practice sessions within Becker with the emphasis being to finish in the time I allotted myself. I think it did help on exam day. You can practice using TXCPAGAL's template and applying it to the Becker problems.

    Good luck on BEC! I just took it on 4/28 and am waiting *anxiously* for the 5/23 score release. It seems like an eternity!!

    BEC - 88
    AUD - 74, 87
    REG - 77
    FAR - 63, 82

    CIA certified in 2013

    #553285
    wrj02
    Member

    Someone once mentioned when you are in the WC section of the exam, go through all three and write your intro and conclusion in each before you go into detail with the body. That way you have a light start in each of them and it should be easier to pick up and keep it light (and not get caught up in the details of just one, like I did the first time), and then when they all have an intro, body, conclusion, you can go into more detail as time permits.

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you do well on the MCQ, the writing will be computer graded and thus will pick up those “key” words and grade as you completed all three. I guess it's preference, but I think this method helped me the second time around.

    Also, before I went into Prometric, I knew my time limits on each section. I budget the time I feel comfortable to be left with the WC (or sims, I do this for all exams). As soon I get in the room, I write down the time I need to start the each of the sessions. You just don't realize how long you've been staring at the same problem until you're budgeted time is almost up and you're on MCQ14/24….

    I thought BEC was going to be the easiest of all, but I was blindsided. A mile wide and an inch deep in material……some of which can't be found in any review books. Know what you can. GOOD LUCK!!

    FAR 77
    REG 82
    BEC 73, 83
    AUD 59???, 87! DONE!

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