[CPANOVICE]

Please critique my study plan below:

I am using Becker self-study, ninja blitz and Wiley test bank (textbook version of the test bank)

Study method currently using:

1. Skim through chapter quickly

2. Watch lecture videos for each chapter

3. Take a lot of notes on what the lecturers emphasize (incorporating ninja notes as well)

4. Complete 20 or so more homework problems after taking notes

5. Listen to ninja audio at work

6. Rewrite notes

7. After rewriting notes complete more homework problems

8. After following above strategy for all chapter work on wiley MCQ for each module

9. Keep rewriting and reviewing notes throughout process

Constructive criticism would be much appreciated. Feel free to add or remove anything from my plan above to help me come up with the best study plan.

Thanks in advance!

FAR:TBD
REG:TBD
AUD:TBD
BEC:TBD

I am using Becker self study, ninja blitz and Wiley (I am using the paperback version of the testbank)

Brief overview of study method:
1. Skim through chapter quickly
2. Watch lecture videos
3. Take a lot of notes on what the lecturers emphasize
4. Complete half HW after lectures half after rewriting notes

[Study Monk]

I would increase the number of multiple choice questions per study hour.

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[Study Monk]

I would increase the number of multiple choice questions per study hour.

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[CPANOVICE]

thanks for your input study monk.

FAR:TBD
REG:TBD
AUD:TBD
BEC:TBD

I am using Becker self study, ninja blitz and Wiley (I am using the paperback version of the testbank)

Brief overview of study method:
1. Skim through chapter quickly
2. Watch lecture videos
3. Take a lot of notes on what the lecturers emphasize
4. Complete half HW after lectures half after rewriting notes

[CPANOVICE]

double post

FAR:TBD
REG:TBD
AUD:TBD
BEC:TBD

I am using Becker self study, ninja blitz and Wiley (I am using the paperback version of the testbank)

Brief overview of study method:
1. Skim through chapter quickly
2. Watch lecture videos
3. Take a lot of notes on what the lecturers emphasize
4. Complete half HW after lectures half after rewriting notes

[CPANOVICE]

thanks for your input study monk.

FAR:TBD
REG:TBD
AUD:TBD
BEC:TBD

I am using Becker self study, ninja blitz and Wiley (I am using the paperback version of the testbank)

Brief overview of study method:
1. Skim through chapter quickly
2. Watch lecture videos
3. Take a lot of notes on what the lecturers emphasize
4. Complete half HW after lectures half after rewriting notes

[CPANOVICE]

double post

FAR:TBD
REG:TBD
AUD:TBD
BEC:TBD

I am using Becker self study, ninja blitz and Wiley (I am using the paperback version of the testbank)

Brief overview of study method:
1. Skim through chapter quickly
2. Watch lecture videos
3. Take a lot of notes on what the lecturers emphasize
4. Complete half HW after lectures half after rewriting notes

[Anonymous]

While I am a huge fan of taking notes, I'm not sure I would suggest writing “a lot” of notes for FAR. I started with that method and I have over 100 pages of notes. It is quite overwhelming. I would suggest going through your materials (reading, videos–whatever works for you) and doing lots of MCQs. Take notes on the MCQ concepts that you don't get. I've found that taking notes on everything can actually waste time because there are some topics you are either already going to know or you are going to understand and remember from one lookover, no sense wasting time writing pages on those topics or rewriting notes on them. Just my opinion though. Also–don't forget to include the AICPA release questions in your studies. There are 50 per year. Start with 2013 and go back for as many as you have time for. It's like taking a 50 question, multi topic quiz. Google “AICPA Release 20XX” and you can find them for each year.

[Anonymous]

While I am a huge fan of taking notes, I'm not sure I would suggest writing “a lot” of notes for FAR. I started with that method and I have over 100 pages of notes. It is quite overwhelming. I would suggest going through your materials (reading, videos–whatever works for you) and doing lots of MCQs. Take notes on the MCQ concepts that you don't get. I've found that taking notes on everything can actually waste time because there are some topics you are either already going to know or you are going to understand and remember from one lookover, no sense wasting time writing pages on those topics or rewriting notes on them. Just my opinion though. Also–don't forget to include the AICPA release questions in your studies. There are 50 per year. Start with 2013 and go back for as many as you have time for. It's like taking a 50 question, multi topic quiz. Google “AICPA Release 20XX” and you can find them for each year.

[CPANOVICE]

@CPAMommyof3 Thank you very much. I will definitely incorporate the AICPA questions in my study thanks.

You are absolutely correct about the note taking. I thought about your strategy as well but i'm just afraid that if I don't write notes on what the lecturer is saying I might get lost. So do you think taking notes on the multiple choice questions and than referring to the text to clear up anything (and writing down any fact nuggets that help me answer the question) would be a better strategy?

Everyone please feel free to share your thoughts on this strategy mentioned by CPAMommyof3.

FAR:TBD
REG:TBD
AUD:TBD
BEC:TBD

I am using Becker self study, ninja blitz and Wiley (I am using the paperback version of the testbank)

Brief overview of study method:
1. Skim through chapter quickly
2. Watch lecture videos
3. Take a lot of notes on what the lecturers emphasize
4. Complete half HW after lectures half after rewriting notes

[CPANOVICE]

@CPAMommyof3 Thank you very much. I will definitely incorporate the AICPA questions in my study thanks.

You are absolutely correct about the note taking. I thought about your strategy as well but i'm just afraid that if I don't write notes on what the lecturer is saying I might get lost. So do you think taking notes on the multiple choice questions and than referring to the text to clear up anything (and writing down any fact nuggets that help me answer the question) would be a better strategy?

Everyone please feel free to share your thoughts on this strategy mentioned by CPAMommyof3.

FAR:TBD
REG:TBD
AUD:TBD
BEC:TBD

I am using Becker self study, ninja blitz and Wiley (I am using the paperback version of the testbank)

Brief overview of study method:
1. Skim through chapter quickly
2. Watch lecture videos
3. Take a lot of notes on what the lecturers emphasize
4. Complete half HW after lectures half after rewriting notes

[Anonymous]

It depends on the topic. Obviously if there are calculations involved you will need to take notes. You also need to take notes on Journal Entries. I just advise against writing every fact down because there are SO many facts and how realistic is is that I will go back and read 100+ pages of notes and actually retaining anything, not very realistic. Keep your facts concise instead of writing out full sentences. Focus on the key words that will make a difference in the answer you will choose if asked a question about that topic. Some of each exam is strictly memorization. For those, focus on acronyms or neumonics…something you can remember that will make the list or calculation stick for a longer period of time. Study flashcards to make concepts/definitions/methods stick. Good luck! You can do it!

[Anonymous]

It depends on the topic. Obviously if there are calculations involved you will need to take notes. You also need to take notes on Journal Entries. I just advise against writing every fact down because there are SO many facts and how realistic is is that I will go back and read 100+ pages of notes and actually retaining anything, not very realistic. Keep your facts concise instead of writing out full sentences. Focus on the key words that will make a difference in the answer you will choose if asked a question about that topic. Some of each exam is strictly memorization. For those, focus on acronyms or neumonics…something you can remember that will make the list or calculation stick for a longer period of time. Study flashcards to make concepts/definitions/methods stick. Good luck! You can do it!

[CPANOVICE]

@cpamommyof3 thank you very much. I am reconsidering my whole study strategy after your input. If you don't mind can you please elaborate step on how you are using this approach . For example, read text, listen to lecture video, do mcqs and the notes etc

FAR:TBD
REG:TBD
AUD:TBD
BEC:TBD

I am using Becker self study, ninja blitz and Wiley (I am using the paperback version of the testbank)

Brief overview of study method:
1. Skim through chapter quickly
2. Watch lecture videos
3. Take a lot of notes on what the lecturers emphasize
4. Complete half HW after lectures half after rewriting notes

[CPANOVICE]

@cpamommyof3 thank you very much. I am reconsidering my whole study strategy after your input. If you don't mind can you please elaborate step on how you are using this approach . For example, read text, listen to lecture video, do mcqs and the notes etc

FAR:TBD
REG:TBD
AUD:TBD
BEC:TBD

I am using Becker self study, ninja blitz and Wiley (I am using the paperback version of the testbank)

Brief overview of study method:
1. Skim through chapter quickly
2. Watch lecture videos
3. Take a lot of notes on what the lecturers emphasize
4. Complete half HW after lectures half after rewriting notes

[Anonymous]

I won't go over my BEC study plan because I didn't do as much as someone without a business background should do. It was basic studying to say the least, but I have 2 degrees in business so it was my “easy” one. Memorization is the key for BEC.

For my AUD pass I read each chapter, took notes, listened to the NINJA audio when I was in the car, reviewed flashcards whenever I had a few minutes, and did nonstop quizzing. I didn't really take notes while I was quizzing. I just kept answering MCQs and SIMS.

For FAR, I skipped the lectures and only read half of the book. I have the Ninja Notes, flashcards, audio, and the WTB. I go through one section at a time. I listen to the audio, read through the ninja notes and then do EVERY question in the WTB for that section, taking notes within the Ninja notes as I go through the MCQ. If you have the WTB, be sure to utilize the textbook link feature. You can click on the link and it will show you the textbook exerpt that discusses the concept that the current question is asking about. That has been a HUGE help since studying for FAR. I think it is important to answer all the questions for a section at one time during the learning phase because if you only do a 20 question quiz over multiple topics you don't really have time to learn the topic. By the end of a 65 question quiz on a topic, you learn the concepts and the multiple ways they can ask questions about the concepts. I hope this helps. I would write more, but I'm at work.

[Author]

Replies