[Nikki.L]

I have failed BEC 4 times since beginning of last year. My score was 74, 74,73,73. I used Becker and felt well prepared (not for score 99, but I think I was ready to pass). However, after took exams, I was so disappointed. I am so tired of doing Becker since I already knew the answer. After I review some postings, somebody mentioned if exam was failed so many times, it is better to think of a new study material. I was wondering if you guys could give me any suggestions to pass the exam? Do you guys think Becker + Wiley Test Bank (Ninja MCQ) + Ninja Notes will help me to pass the exam ? By the way, I have Wiley CPA Exam Review 2013, do you think it is a good study material for the exam?

[Anonymous]

Everybody learns differently and everything works for somebody. Clearly, what you are doing is not working. When you say you did Becker, how did you study?

Also, it looks from your post that English may not be your first language. With scores so close, is it perhaps the writing you are struggling with?

[Nikki.L]

Hi Audit_This,

Thanks for the response.

You are right! English is not my first language, but my writing part was fine which was comparable. I always did “weaker” for MCQ part. I tried to focus more on the “weaker” topics from prior exam for the next exam. I got comparable or stronger in these topics, but I got weaker in these topics I spent less time.

I usually spent 2 hours on weekdays and 6 hours on weekends. Every exam, I sent one and half month to review. First, I watched lexture by topics and made nots/outline. Second, I reviewed notes and textbook to understand knowledge. Finally, I started to do MCQ. The ovarall correction rate was over 75%. During the last week review, I went over the material again and re worked on MCQ. However, I did not spend a lot of time on writing, I read few sample essays before exam.

I totally agree with you everyone learns differently. I am currently working full time, but the working hours is pretty good (9am-5pm no over time). I am planning to reivew 2 months for the exam and deeply focus on COSO and IT . Any suggestionsm from everybody would be very helpful!

[Ninja Juice]

Same has happened to me always within 3 points but be encouraged. I still empowered to be done..3rd try in novemeber. however now im studying for REG

[Anonymous]

I haven't passed BEC yet, but I think it's because of me and not my test prep. So I adjusted the way I study (take hand-written notes and write out the formulas multiple times) and hope that this will be enough to push me to the 75 or above.

[AScott89]

Every time you study you should study as if you haven't seen any of the material before. If you just study the stuff you're weaker on you could forget the stuff you did well on. Ninja MCQs are good and so is the notes. Maybe you should try the Ninja BEC book as well.

--
B - 65, 74, 2/26/18
A - 72, 68, 84
R - 72, 82
F - 55, 79

BEC-65
AUD-72(8 '14); 68(11 '14)
FAR-
REG-

[Tux]

I would recommend getting a new test bank.

Although I have not used Ninja MCQ, I'd recommend it based on other reviews.

I just starting using Wiley test bank to supplement my Becker BEC.

I've only done a few questions in Wiley, so far, but they seem a little too basic to prepare for the exam.

I'm considering adding Ninja MCQ to my studies as well.

FAR - 86 - 2/27/14
AUD - 75 - 5/29/14
BEC - 80 - 8/31/14
REG - 89 - 2/27/15
Praise Jesus! I'm done!!

Study resources:
Becker
Wiley test bank

[Nikki.L]

@Tux How do you think Wiley test bank for FAR and AUD ? Is difficult than Becker or easier than Becker ?

[Tux]

Nikki –

I used Wiley FAR before Wiley was purchased by CPAExcel. So, it may be a little different now.

At the time, I found the comparison pretty equivalent in difficulty. In fact, I found that I learned things in Wiley that I didn't learn in Becker So, I was thankful that I did such a thorough preparation.

For AUD, it was the “new” Wiley, since they had been purchased by CPAExcel. I didn't use Wiley as much for AUD as I did for FAR because I just ran out of study time.

However, – again – I learned a few things from Wiley that I did not learn in Becker, (mostly on the technology topic)

So, that's why I purchased Wiley again for BEC. I have only used it a tiny bit so far. The questions that I have come across seem kinda basic, so I'm wondering if they might be too easy???

I will continue to use it over the next week and then decide if I need to also purchase Ninja MCQ.

But, as with my Audit studies, I'm running out of study time, so I just need to cover as much material as possible in the time I have remaining.

FAR - 86 - 2/27/14
AUD - 75 - 5/29/14
BEC - 80 - 8/31/14
REG - 89 - 2/27/15
Praise Jesus! I'm done!!

Study resources:
Becker
Wiley test bank

[Reflektor]

I definitely recommend the NINJA test bank. I can't definitively say it's better or worse than Becker, but it's another resource with questions that often focus on different areas that Becker doesn't emphasize…so it gives you a far better, more well-rounded grasp on the material than if you only used one study bank. I used the NINJA test bank and I definitely think it helped me get my passing score for AUD, and I think it's going to be a big reason I pass REG later this month as well. I'm sure putting more money into study materials is the last thing you want to do, but the NINJA test bank is pretty affordable, and from my experience it's well worth it.

BEC - 69, 70, 82 - DONE
FAR - 59, 77 - DONE
REG - 53, 70, 85 - DONE
AUD - 66, 68, 70, 85 - DONE

[Anonymous]

I use Wiley Books and supplement with the Wiley Test-bank (essential). I have also perused Becker many times (courtesy of my friends).

If English is your second language I do not think Wiley (books) would be a very good choice. The books are dense. So much so that sometimes I have to re-read a paragraph a couple of times to understand what is being said.

I think that Becker takes more of a pedagogical approach, whereas Wiley is very dry and goes into more depth than Becker.

I read the chapter, do all of the questions in the back of the section, and then do the Test Bank section afterwords.

If you don't have the Wiley Test bank, you definitely need to buy this. Many people pass without it, but I find it invaluable.

[JamesBJames]

Sounds like you're really close, Nikki. If you can keep getting “stronger” in areas that you got “weaker” in before, you're more than capable of passing on the next attempt — just don't neglect the other topics.

I'll throw in a vote for Ninja MCQ too… or if not Ninja, some other test bank. After four times through any test bank, I imagine you're going to remember a majority of the answers when you go through the fifth time.

FAR: May 1st, 2014 - 91
AUD: May 29th, 2014 - 97!
BEC: July 16th, 2014 - 91
REG: August 29th, 2014 - 88

Licensed December 2015

Feel free to add me on LinkedIn by clicking my username!

[Author]

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