CPA GODS Please help me-Failed Audit, need advice for retake.

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #188577

    Yesterday I found out that I failed Audit with a 62. This is my first fail, so it stung quite a bit, but I am done sulking, and will crush this exam next time. I plan on studying again for it for about 2-3 weeks in october. I am using Becker self study, and do not plan on re watching lectures. I will be looking over the flashcards for each single chapter , and doing a bunch of MCQs for each separate chapter in 30 question burts. Each day I plan to put aside 3 hours M-F, and 10 hrs on the weekend. For the last two days prior to the exam, I will review sims and Study the material together instead of separate chapters. Please let me know your thoughts on this, or tell me what you would add or change to my routine.

    REG-79(7/14)

    BEC-76(7/14)

    AUD-88(02/15)

    FAR-73(10/14), Waiting on score 02/24/15

Viewing 8 replies - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
  • Author
    Replies
  • #601213
    mla1169
    Participant

    Sounds like a good plan. The difference for me with AUD that got me a pass on my 3rd try was the Ninja notes, I rewrote them 10 pages per day for a total of 3 times.

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

    Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

    #601214

    bump

    REG-79(7/14)

    BEC-76(7/14)

    AUD-88(02/15)

    FAR-73(10/14), Waiting on score 02/24/15

    #601215
    CPA50
    Participant

    Hi Ruby,

    What helped me, and what I didn't do in FAR, is to understand the material well enough to teach it to someone. I felt like I could have take an Intro to Audit class when I was done. I grabbed any friend that would listen and sit them down and explain a concept to them outloud. I also sketched out a diagram of audit procedures like a symphony. Music Director, Composer, General Manager, Conductor, First Violin…Sounds weird but it helped me see it in a different way and put it all together. I'm still trying to find my analogy for FAR.

    Oh, and LOTS of MCQ and enough SIMS to learn some of the tricky wording.

    Best wishes!

    AUD - 80
    BEC - 77
    FAR - 80
    REG - 80
    3 years

    + 16 tests

    + 2 expired sections

    = DONE FOREVER!

    AUD 88 (expired), 80 retake
    FAR 64,69,67,73,67,73,73,73, August 3
    REG 75 (expired) September 7
    BEC 72, 77

    The adventure continues...

    #601216

    Thank you guys, I will try some of these, anyone else feel free to elaborate on your successful methods

    REG-79(7/14)

    BEC-76(7/14)

    AUD-88(02/15)

    FAR-73(10/14), Waiting on score 02/24/15

    #601217
    rzrbkfaith
    Member

    For me, with each section, I found it helpful to learn not only what the right answer was and why, but what the wrong answers were and why. That helped me prepare for anything AND many times you find information or rules that were not included in the book. OR they will tell you that you wouldn't necessarily have known the right answer, but you should have known the wrong answers. Its helpful to learn how they think you should reason through the questions.

    Sounds like you have a great study plan ahead of you and I agree that you shouldn't waste time re-watching lectures. You'll get so much more out of doing rather than watching. Best of luck!!!

    AUD - 99
    BEC - 97
    REG - 91
    FAR - 1/8/16

    #601218
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I used Becker but gave up on the lectures through Auditing 3, which also coincided with the date I ran out of highlighters. I ended up reading the book twice, doing 1,200 of the MCQs, and a few of the sims. I did both final exam reviews and passed, though not nearly like I did on the actual exam.

    I do like how Becker organized the information and think it is prudent to work from the finished product backwards. Learn the form and content of each auditor report for audits, reviews, compilations, agreed-upon procs, and examinations. Know the modifications to each based on different situations. I would say more than anything, know the accounting of what's being audited. That proved helpful in the sims and understanding what you're doing when you audit (completeness >>> understatement of liabilities, expenses, etc., and existence >>> overstatement of assets, revenues, etc.,).

    I think MCQs are obviously helpful, but limited in their use once you do them twice. Just read, read, read, and read. Try not to memorize so much as understand the conservative nature of auditing and the importance/processes of planning, executing, and finalizing an audit.

    #601219
    greg422
    Member

    Add NINJA MC! I did 3,000 of them and did extremely well on the exam.

    REG - 82
    AUD - 97
    BEC - 81
    FAR - 84
    DONE!

    #601220
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    My method, which has worked every time I implemented it, is pretty much like the NINJA Method.

    1) Watch ALL the video lectures & take insane notes. Absorb the material, not just watch it.

    2) Transfer ALL those notes into individual Flash Cards. (I ended up with about 800 cards per section) Also, supplement with Ninja Notes & Audio (I found additional information in the NINJA notes/audio that wasn't covered in my lectures)

    3) Review Chapter 1 note cards, then kill the MCQ's (Repeat until you finish all chapters)

    4) Do a comprehensive review of note cards/MCQ's on your weak areas (I do this about a week from exam day)

    5) On exam day…read through EVERY note card right before your test.

    This is my method, and I passed every time.

Viewing 8 replies - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.