[hellothere]

Studying for BEC (First Exam)

What I’m studying…

I am using Becker. I’ve been listening to the lectures, trying to understand BEC1-3 (since I feel the more mathematical/conceptual questions will hold there), did the multiple choice questions, but have NOT done the simulation parts on the Becker program.

I’m trying to save all the simulations for when I have my review week before the exam. Don’t now if that’s smart or not, but since BEC doesn’t have simulations for the exam but a written part, I didn’t think it would be a big deal to save it for the last weeks of review.

What I’m feeling…

I just feel inadequate. I barely passed some my accounting classes in colleges with a C. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate

accounting. I just have to work really hard to try and understand what the professor is saying, let alone take an exam a

week after the lecture. I hate to complain… but about the CPA, man is this really killing me.

I really feel like jumping off a bridge…

I am not motivated, I feel like I don’t understand a thing. I feel like I am just “memorizing” multiple questions when I review them.

People told me BEC was easy… NO way in hell…

I need serious advice! I feel like I am all over the place!

BEC- OCT 1, 2013
FAR- NOV 27, 2013
AUD- APR 2014
REG- MAY/JUL 2014

[Anonymous]

I am studying for BEC also (retake) and it is a tough section for sure. I'm not sure why people say it's easy. There are definitely a LOT of people around here that have had to retake BEC numerous times! I think you just need to stick with it. Just today I did a 100 question progress test on chapters 1-3 and I got an 88% (normally get in the low 70s). I just NOW feel like some of the things I have been struggling with are starting to click. How long have you been studying?

I started with REG because that was my strong area and it gave me a huge confidence boost to pass that one so easily. I think if I would've started with BEC I would probably be feeling the same way as you! Just keep practicing the homework and listening to the lectures over if you don't understand something and eventually it will click! Good luck!

[Having To Eek My Way Thru Life]

I took BEC (my first exam) while finishing up my last semester of grad school. I had 2 exams and a presentation due early in the week leaving me 4 days of pure BEC studying before my test. Also, I had some family problems that occurred during the month I set aside to study for this. I ended up only putting in about 40-50 hours into becker. That included listening to the self study lectures. I did not waste my time practicing the written portions because they could be over ANYTHING. All mine were FAR related.

I passed first attempt with a 76. It is not a great score but for the lack of time I put into it, I would say it is good! Just be sure to cover all the material and work the MCQ. Practice makes perfect. You can try the bare minimum like I did but I wouldn't recommend it!!!

[lmendez2]

@hellothere do not give up! I understand how hard it is, I felt that way when I was studying for FAR I wanted to give up so bad but at the end after studying like a crazy person I was able to pull a 75 not a great score but it is passing, I believe most of your lack of motivation is that it is the first exam and the process can be intimidating, I recommend to just keep studying until test day and take it with all the confidence in the world and whatever happens at least you know what it feels to take the test and know what to expect for the next one.

and who knows you might be able to pull a 75 like I did and keep you motivated for the next one.

Hang in there and don't give up!

FAR 5/29/13 75
REG 7/27/13 84
BEC 08/31/13 84
AUD 11/02/13 89

[smp73]

How are you studying?

Are you taking notes or just listening to lectures and doing mc?

If you are not taking notes I would suggest taking notes especially when you do the MC. If you get a question wrong take notes to make sure you understand the concept. I did them in “fact nuggets” which were short blurbs about a concept. I did this for every MC I got wrong while studying for REG/BEC and AUD. It forces you to slow down and think about the concept driving the question. It might be a way to build confidence by understanding concepts instead of just memorizing answers. Make sure you know why the right answer is right but also why the wrong answers are wrong.

You can do this. The CPA exams are a beast but you can do it. It may take tweaking your studying style to find a better fit but you can absolutely do this!

NYS CPA License # 113563
CIA: Done as of 2/15/14

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[MintsRGood]

BEC, or any other section for that matter, is not easy so don't beat yourself up!!!! When are you testing? If you are early on in your study plan then don't sweat it if something doesn't click right away. I think of the time I spend taking notes and reading my Wiley textbook like I'm building a foundation for learning. When you complete your review text and start hammering MCQs 24/7 that is when you start fine tuning and tightening up your weak areas one by one. Don't get stuck in the mud and keep moving forward…it really will come together at the end. And don't be so hard on yourself about your grades either. I hated my cost accounting classes (just never clicked for me) and was ecstatic to pass them with a C…and I still managed to pass BEC!!! We all have our strengths and weaknesses…this exam is great at exposing both. Is this your first section?

I 100% with @smp73 that taking notes and making “fact nuggets” are the best way to learn from the MCQs!

Keep your head up and keep moving forward because you can do this!!!!!!!!!!

REG: 75 DONE 🙂
AUD: 61, 71, 68, 92 DONE 🙂
BEC: 76 DONE 🙂
FAR: 72, 74, 79 DONE 🙂
Licensed Michigan CPA 🙂
-Some people dream of success...others wake up and work hard for it!!!
-The cowards never start and the weak die along the way!
-You better work, b***h!
-Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.-JFK

[Tncincy]

Hi all,

thought this would be a good place to vent instead of creating a new post…..I'm feeling the pressure. Taking FAR in 8 days. So tempted to change it. I don't want to be a weenie, I want to take it on so I can move on, but I don't think I will pass. I have been listening to ninja audio for the last few days, I have contracted a virus since Sunday (last day of power weekend) my stomach is in a knot and I have pink eye, and very drowsy. Why me? I have no idea where this came from, but at any rate…..I guess I am wearing down. I really need strength I'm having too many melt downs.

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

[Anonymous]

@tncincy Sorry to hear that you're going through so much. Maybe it's best to push your exam date a few weeks unless of course your NTS is about to expire. I would much rather go into it prepared than risk failing and go through the torture of studying for FAR again. I'm studying for it now (first exam) and feel like burning my review book half of the time.

[Tncincy]

My nts expires 8/16. I want to pass not take it again. I think I might have to pay if I change it (again). I don't know why I feel like I can't change it.

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

[hellothere]

Thank you everyone for the encouragement!

As for those who wanted to know, I don't have an exact date yet since the CBA is slow and annoying… I'm hope to take the exam in mid August if it's at all possible!

I'm currently on BUSN 5 out of 6 on Becker.

My studying approach:

1) I've been listening to all the lectures and when I start the MCQ's, the one's I don't get right away I write them in flashcards, especially if they are terminologies. Then plan on reviewing on final review weeks.

2) As for BUSN 1-3, since most of the questions are more conceptual and mathematical, I actually save each question I don't understand on pdf, print all of them, and review them.

3) I have not done any simulations on Becker yet, so I hope I can at least review that once.

4) I hope I finish the last section of BEC by this Sunday (7/28) then review for about 2-3 weeks of all 6 sections on Becker. (~2-3 days a section)

I hope this is a good studying approach… concerning all the time I may have? :0

BEC- OCT 1, 2013
FAR- NOV 27, 2013
AUD- APR 2014
REG- MAY/JUL 2014

[hellothere]

Sorry, I don't know why it posted multiple times, so I just left them blank since I don't know how to delete them.

BEC- OCT 1, 2013
FAR- NOV 27, 2013
AUD- APR 2014
REG- MAY/JUL 2014

[smp73]

@tnciny

How were you feeling about taking the exam before you got sick? Were you feeling confident? Can you take a day off from work (I am assuming youre working sorry if I am wrong) and just sleep for a day?

If you can push it back it might be good for you mentally. If not…trust in your studies. You probably know a lot more than you think and being sick might be making you feel like you know nothing. Hope you feel better soon!

@hellothere

For questions you do not know are you writing out something about the concept/the right answer? Just reading it over again may not be solidifying it in your head. By writing it out it forces you to slow down and read it in your head as you write. It is a good way to drill information into your head. good luck!

NYS CPA License # 113563
CIA: Done as of 2/15/14

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[MintsRGood]

@Hellothere your plan sounds solid and glad to hear that your are printing off incorrect responses for review! Making your own flashcards will go a long way also. Stick to your schedule and listen to @smp73; take those pdfs and turn them into fact nuggets! 🙂

@tncincy You know what is best for you and I do agree that being sick makes you feel brain dead! Give it a day or two and see how you feel. After a few days of rest, you could come back strong and ready to rock!

If in 2 days you still feel this way then pushing back until 8/16 will give you peace of mind and the extra time will boost your confidence, then don't think twice about doing it. In the grand scheme of life an extra 2 weeks and $35 doesn't matter but taking FAR when you aren't ready, possibly failing, dealing with stress from failing, restudying, and waiting until October to retest matters tremendously. I moved my exam from 8/8 to 8/27 for those exact reasons! Take care of yourself!!!! 🙂

REG: 75 DONE 🙂
AUD: 61, 71, 68, 92 DONE 🙂
BEC: 76 DONE 🙂
FAR: 72, 74, 79 DONE 🙂
Licensed Michigan CPA 🙂
-Some people dream of success...others wake up and work hard for it!!!
-The cowards never start and the weak die along the way!
-You better work, b***h!
-Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.-JFK

[LSNYC]

@tncincy – if you can get a good date and time I say push it back. I have pushed most of my exams back, if you feel like you need more time you'll feel better if you move the exam.

Good luck and feel better

A - 61, 91!!
B - 78!
F - 76!!!
R - 71, 73, 74, 69, 77!!!!

Finally done!

This is my 2nd attempt at the exam, I had two parts passed (failed many) and I stupidly quit, big mistake. Now I'm back and with a vengeance!

[Tncincy]

@LSYNC,

I guess I am doing what I said I wouldn't do and that's get caught up trying to keep up with others. I really appreciate the comments and blogs. They give me the courage to go on, but I have to wear it loose I just want to pass and get on with my career.

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

[SeattleAccountant]

People please don't give up! Giving up is not an option. Folks have taken and passed this exam, so we can do it too. For some of us it might be just a matter of time and several attempts, for others might be on the first attempt, but all in all, we all reach the same finish line!

Any section including my current & last BEC section, have some difficulties and obstacles that require switching gears and once again, realigning/pushing self to progress along. So, hang in there, figure out what exactly needs to be done for each section, don't be afraid to move exam if needed and you shall pass!

Becker Class of Jan - Aug 2013: FARB DONE!!!!
CPA license pending 🙂

[Author]

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