[kettlecorn]

Without having to go all in with an expensive review course, what’s the absolute cheapest way to get my feet wet for the CPA exam to see if it’s something I feel I want to/can pursue?

I’m thinking I want to try and go all out on 1 section and if it turns out Ok, as in I don’t get an abysmal score, I may buy more expensive courses and prep materials. But for the first one, I want to try to spend as little as possible while getting the most bang for buck.

My plan is to take FAR first. It’s apparently the hardest, one of the longer ones and if I can pass that then it will give me confirmation I can and should finish the other ones.

I’m still researching all the different brands and prep materials out there. There are SOO many. Becker, Wiley, Ninja, Roger, Moger, Doger, idk..

I know that the big “courses” are thousands of dollars. not an option right now.

Can I just get a good multiple choice test/solutions book from Wiley or Ninja and just do those over and over and over until my eyes bleed? And maybe get a review book as a reference for things I don’t understand? Or would I need to read/listen/view lecture materials before I even attempt the questions?

The best way I learn personally, is to just do it. Doing practice tests and practice problems even without reading the chapter as always been the best way for me to learn accounting. I sit there, try to do the problem, look up a sample problem, figure out how it’s done. And if I still cannot figure out, I go watch a video and read the section on the chapter it pertains to. And repeat.

Any recommendations would be appreciated. thanks

[Anonymous]

A review book will have everything you need at $50 per.

You don't have to break the bank. I didn't spend more than $100 in total on CPA materials.

A book and a little discipline are all you need.

[elvinglara]

In the next couple of years the CPA review industry is going to come to a crossroads. There are many people like me who have passed multiple parts or the entire exam on the first try using just NINJA materials.

Spending multiple G's on a review course is going to go the way of the dodo.

FAR (8/17/14) - 86
AUD (8/22/14) - 90
BEC (8/31/14) - 86
REG (2/29/16) - 90

Study Materials: Ninja Notes, Flash Cards, and MCQ

[Lion_of_the_Rock]

Brasskey is a frugal legend but there is an even cheaper way…

Find someone who is also studying who would be attracted to you and has very minimal dating prospects.

Do a little bit of innocent flirting and bond over this menacing CPA exam. Go on one date, and make sure they bring their materials. Once you have the materials, start to feel sick, and go home.

Study for the exam. If they ask about the stuff just say you'll return it soon and you're constantly thinking about them. This should prevent them from filing some kind of bogus police report.

Done.

BEC - 78
AUD - 75
REG - 74, 79
FAR - 75

You have to buy a ticket to win the raffle.

[Anonymous]

Lion-

I like your way better, but there are no decent looking associates at my firm.

I'd rather wake up spooning my dog.

[M.O.D.]

All colleges with an accounting program have CPA preparation books in their library.

BA Mathematics, UC Berkeley
Certificates in CPA and EA preparation, College of San Mateo
CMA I 420, II 470
FAR 91, AUD Feb 2015 (Gleim self-study)

[silvercamaro77]

I've used Becker, Yaeger,and NINJA. If you need the hands on you're probably going to do the best with a test bank (best bang for your buck is the NINJA MCQ) and a book to reference.

If you're extremely dedicated I have seen people post that they passed with only the NINJA MCQs, but you have to work them like it's your job and you have to spend time on every single question going through all the material available on each screen.

If you're trying to make sure you pass with the least investment I think NINJA MCQ and a book is your best bet, but with every additional item you add that you actually use you increase your likelihood of passing.

AUD- 95
FAR- 75
BEC- 83
REG- 85

Officially done! Exclusively used NINJA for BEC, REG, and FAR

[kettlecorn]

Haha I can see it now. Tinder Profile : Looking for someone who is studying for the CPA exam. MUST bring exam materials to first date and let me borrow it indefinitely. Dinner at TGIFriday's, I'll even pay for myself.

Ok so I found out Becker has a Demo so I signed up and it only has part of 1 module. I thought they just give you access for a week or something. I think I'm going to go the Ninja MCQ route. And maybe a book for reference. 5900 questions/60 days = 98 questions a day. 4 questions an hour for 24 hour straight. Totally doable 😀

Did not realize how much it would cost just to register in fees for the damn thing. $300 or so for taking just FAR?? Sheesh

[jeff]

If you want to be a CPA – REALLY want to do it – you'll find the time, money, motivation.

It sucks – it's not fun.

It's like training for a marathon…you don't just start jogging to see if a marathon is right for you.

You have to want to do a marathon.

You're not going to start studying for FAR and realize it's awesome. It's not.

The accomplishment is the payoff.

The means to getting there is tough/boring/horrible at times.

btw – I hate running…probably why I played goalie for 15 years 🙂

AUD - 79
BEC - 80
FAR - 76
REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[Anonymous]

^^^^ sticking that to the front cover of all my review texts.

[marti1nd]

I've got experience with the expensive and the cheap route.

I passed AUD and BEC with outdated Wiley books. I then used Becker for REG and FAR once I got my offer. With that being said, I thought Becker was the better material but I do not think it would be worth the price if you had to pay for it out of pocket.

My advice would be to get a cheap set of books and then buy a test bank. The lectures etc are nice but they are not necessary in my opinion.

BEC: 10/2013 71
AUD: 12/2013 75
BEC: 02/2014 89
REG: 05/2014 86
FAR: 11/2014 81

[Anonymous]

You sound like a guy I work with.

The cheapest way to get your feet wet is to buy the Ninja MCQ on this site. It's like $40 with the code for 3 months access. You'll get a ton of multiple choice questions and SIMs but no real context for the exam. So the positive is that you can practice a bunch of questions but the negatives are that you really won't learn as much. But it is a good way to see what the exam questions are like and you'll start to see what your weak areas are.

[Skynet]

Gleim is pretty good. Great test bank too.

Worked so far with BEC and REG. Using it for FAR and AUD next.

There's also have Ninja Materials.. My friend has the Mcq's and she said it was really good.

AUD - 90
BEC - 78
FAR - 84
REG - 87

World Domination Plan

Phase I : Pass CPA Exams - Complete
Phase II : Megan Fox - In Progress
Phase III : Megan Fox & Scarlett Johansson Lingerie Pillow Fight
Phase IV : Form the new Charlie's Angels with Megan Fox, Scarlett Johansson, & Gal Gadot
Phase V : TBD

BEC : 78
REG : 87
FAR : 84
AUD : 90

World Domination Plan

Phase I : Pass CPA Exams - Complete
Phase II : Megan Fox - Initiated
Phase III : Bring back 8-Tracks
Phase IV : Megan Fox & Scarlett Johansson Lingerie Pillow Fight
Phase V : TBA

[Anonymous]

Ever hear the phrase you get what you pay for?

[Tncincy]

Wow Jeff,

That was really an attitude adjuster for me. (stop whining, pay the money for the NTS and get it done). The truth hurt, but we can count on you. It's probably why we cling to this site for dear life.

So, I agree with others Wiley books are the cheapest with the Ninja materials or a good test bank, with extra discipline. You just can't bum ride your way to CPA no one will pick you up.

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

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

[mla1169]

Yes it's entirely possible to do this inexpensively, but there is no getting your feet wet or just seeing how the first one goes. If you try a shortcut like only doing MCQ and using a book as reference you have to mentally prepare yourself that there's a good chance you'll fail (actually even with a full blown $3k review there's a good chance you'll fail.)

The only people who pass all 4 are the ones who are fully committed to finishing even if it means dealing with multiple failures along the way. Some people pass all 4 on their first try but I have to believe that those same people wouldn't have walked away if they hadn't.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Author]

Replies