[slindsey309]

So I got my score back for BEC yesterday… 74. Yep. One lousy point. Ugh. I studied my tail off and feel like I have a pretty good grasp of the material, but I keep running out of time. This last time, I finished 2 written communications, but I feel like I phoned them in; each had only 3 paragraphs with a few sentences per paragraph, so I don’t think they were all that great. I have passed the other 3 sections, so this is my last. I’ll loose my REG score on 10/16/13, so I have 2 more shots at BEC before that happens.

I’ve been using Yaeger, Wiley Test Bank and this last time I added Ninja 10pt Combo (LOVE Ninja study materials! Ninja Notes allowed me to pass AUD on my 1st try!). I did 400+ MCQs and did pretty well score and time-wise on all practice tests/questions. For some reason, I seem to slow down on test day and end up with only 10 minutes to do the 3 written communications.

Does anyone have any advice for me on how to speed up? Like I said, I feel pretty good about the material and I do well with my practice tests. I just feel like I’ve hit a wall. PLEASE HELP! Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[J]

@slindsey309 – Perhaps it was because BEC was the first section that I took and I really did not plan much for it as I did the other three sections in terms of thinking about time and where I wanted to be after each testlet, but I struggled with time on BEC as well. I had approximately 30-35 minutes left for my written communications and literally finished the last one with 2 seconds to go (I didn't have time to click “End Test”; it did that for me automatically).

My preparation for BEC was rather limited and I think that directly factored into my ability to move through the multiple choice questions quickly. I managed to pass with an 85 but in retrospect, I think I would have done much better and been able to move through the questions at a quicker pace if I would have practiced with multiple choice questions more going into the actual exam. You mentioned that you did 400+; given that MC questions make up 85% of BEC, I would at least triple that amount. Someone else mentioned this in another thread, but when you really hit the MC hard in practice, it's almost as if you immediately recognize many of the question stems on the actual exam and you're able to get through them much quicker. I spent more time on MC questions for the last two sections that I took (REG & AUD) and despite the fact that I generally move through questions carefully, I was done the 72 MC questions for REG in approximately an hour and 15 minutes, and the 90 MC questions for AUD in approximately an hour and 25 minutes.

It seems to me – at least judging from what you have written – that it is just time limitations that are holding you back, not necessarily a lack of knowledge of the material. Practice those MC questions in the WTB to the point where you've seen them 2 or 3 times each.

Good luck.

[hmesalguero]

One of my strategies is to go over the theories in the test and bookmark all the calculations and save it before I move to the next testlet.

Hope that helps! Goodluck!

FAR - 76
AUD - 74,84 🙂
REG - 76
BEC - 72, 80

Roger's CPA Review

[jokami]

I've said this before… BEC is the work of evil. I feel you and I'm hurting for you! Now; where do you feel you are weakest in BEC? For me, it was IT. I kept ignoring it. Once I studied IT I passed the stupid test. If you think you understand the concept of all the formula BEC has try focusing on your weak areas. You know which ones they are, focus on them.

B - 62, 70, 72, 79!!!
A - 68, 81
R - 70, 82
F - 84

"The limit to your abilities is where you place them" - Fortune Cookies

[Anonymous]

You said you did 400+ MCQs which really isn't that many. Becker has about 1,200 MCQs, and I know Wiley has more (if you include the testbank and textbook questions). Did you just do every 3rd question or something? My guess would be that you need to do more questions, that way you'll have more time for the WC. The WC is easy points, so there should be no reason for you to bomb on those as long as you can write intelligently.

I had 45 minutes to do the WC.

[slindsey309]

Thank you so much everyone for your feedback! I know it can be time-consuming reading and responding to message board posts.

After reviewing you comments, I realize that 400+ MCQs is not really that many. As charlie310 pointed out, there are thousands in the Wiley Test Bank alone. I passed the other sections with Yaeger videos, the questions they assign from the book and then doing a few practice sessions in the Wiley Online Test Bank (and the Ninja 10 pt Combo for AUD – HiYA!), so in comparison I felt like 400+ MCQs was a lot. And now I'm realizing it is obviously not.

Okay, so new plan: Review Yaeger notes, re-write Ninja Notes 3 times, refresh my memory on the formulas and do MCQs until my eyes dry up.

Thanks again everyone for your help! I will be sure to post after my next battle with my nemesis, BEC (I'm thinking toward the end of July).

[slindsey309]

[Author]

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