1. 

   dixichic22
   

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   I guess later is better than NEVER! I have finally decided to start studying and attempt the CPA Exam. I just wanted some feedback and most importantly, a support system! I know it's going to be tough, so I am preparing myself emotionally over the next few weeks until I start my mental preparation with my study materials. That's a bit of a dilemma in itself - I can't figure out which study materials to buy....especially since everything is changing in 2011! Can someone answer these questions for me? Tell me what you are going to do?

   1. Is Becker worth the $ - I have one income and don't have a lot of money to spare if I can get by with something else; however, I do want study materials that are very thorough and will present material as if I am very unfamiliar with it. I want to pass. If it takes $3k of study materials to pass within the first or second attempt, I will be okay with that - I just want it to be money well spent.

   2. How many hours per week should be devoted to studying?

   3. Are people taking the new 2011 tests more like guinea pigs and have a better chance of passing? Maybe grading standards won't be as high?? Or is that just my wishful thinking....

   4. Are they changing the format of the exam because they expect that this will improve pass rates? I know I already stand a slim chance at passing - like most anyone on their first go 'round - just trying to figure out if these changes will make things that much harder.

   4. Which section should I take first - what order should I take them in? I'm afraid if I take a harder one first (I know - they are all tough) that I will get discouraged if I fail and/or score really low.

   5. Even if I decide to go with Becker, how do I know they (or any other study materials I may purchase) have accurately depicted the changes to the exam in their materials? Since they don't have previous exams or people who have previously taken the new exam to relay information back to them, how will their updates be what we'd need to prepare for the new exam?

   Maybe I am overanalyzing the grading and informational changes coming in 2011 to the exam, especially since I've never studied nor sat for the exam. I just want to know it's still going to be as "passable" as it was in previous years before I make an investment on outrageously priced study materials!

   Please forgive me if my questions are repetitive or just completely stupid. I'm new at this. =)

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   Posted 1 year ago #
2. 

   michelle119
   

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   Alright well here's my take.....

   1. Do you have a good background in acg if so becker's is basically all review and is pretty dry you can get away with that. I used Becker but just graduated so take that with a couple grains of salt. A lot of people on here have used yaeger and it seems to be a bit cheaper, but not by much. It tends to be a more teaching program.

   2. It depends on if you are working full-time or not and how much you can commit to studying I have been studying full time all summer awaiting to start my job at the end of September so I found full time for 4 weeks per section was enough, roughly 100-160 hrs depending on the sections. If you go to the start of some of the sticky threads Jeff has how many weeks @ 20 hrs a week that is recommended to study.

   3. I have no clue what's going on for 2011, I'm trying to pass everything this year and am basically ignoring the 2011 changes hoping and praying they won't affect me. The cpa exam usually has pretest questions and simulations included in them so maybe they will somehow do it similar to this. I would think that you will somehow be graded on these questions or everyone wouldn't be freaking out so much about getting this done by the end of the year.

   4. It depends on yourself, and your weak areas. A lot of people find Financial (FAR) and Regulation (REG) to be the two hardest subjects, but it depends on your school and work experiences. I personally think that Audit was up there with Financial as I have had no work experience and only one not so great class in it. I would try and pass your hardest part first so that the 18 month window doesn't start ticking away and you find it difficult to pass it later on. You wouldn't want to take your easiest part and then 18 months later have to pass it again. A failure is a learning event, not to scare you but there is only a 45-50% pass rate for each part, and I've heard rumors of a 10-20% pass rate of all tests on your first attempt. You really shouldn't let a fear of failure deter you from this exam, if you fail you know that you have to try harder next time and you at least know what to half expect. Also REG is changing the least in 2011 if you are trying to take anything this year.

   5. AICPA releases past questions and simulations along with outlines of what is tested. This is how Becker at least builds their program, and I would assume the rest of the companies would as well. They can only depict on what has happened in the past so its all to hoping they don't change their ways. Also they cannot rely on people that have taken the exam due to exam disclosure rules, basically you cannot tell anyone what was tested on your exam. I'm not sure how this will affect all of the 2011 exam changes....

   I hope this answers some of your questions. Best of luck!

   FAR 7/2 - 88
   BEC 7/30 - 87
   AUD 8/27 - 80
   REG 11/12 - 96

   Posted 1 year ago #

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