[Yolonge]

I just wanted to share a story as I see people asking how to prepare for BEC. I studied BEC for 2 weeks with Wiley CPA Excel study guide and ninja mcq only approximately at around 30-35 hours. This is a study combination for poor and stingy people like myself who does not want to buy a review course.

To begin with, BEC is made up of 6 topics and has no simulation.

Corporate governance

IT

Economics

Finance

Strategic planning

Operations

I only had 2 weeks to prepare, because I wanted to take the test before the testing period so I can get the score for both REG/BEC on a same day (which is kind of dumb, but I hate waiting). Given that BEC has no simulation, I used similar approach as in FAR; that is I do not really need to understand to pass so hammering mcq will be fine as I am not targeting high score (FAR research is pretty helpful).

With 14 days available and 2 Saturdays off, I only had 12 days to study. I needed to take Saturdays off to keep my sanity. So I planned 8 days to study and 4 days to review.

I started with Wiley CPAExcel. The way I used it is instead of reading/solving MCQ, I went to problem straight but marked the answer prior from the answer sheet. I went over the questions with answers simultaneously to cover bigger topics (Corporate governance, IT, Econ, Finance) and skipped smaller two to save time (planning/operation). Covering one topic per day, It took 4 days to study with Wiley.

I used ninja MCQ to study and review. I was able to do all questions for 4 topics, but had to skip finance and half of operations management.

Ninja MCQ stat – https://tinypic.com/r/rw57xy/9

As for written part, I have read couple written portion on Ninja MCQ but did not spend time on it.

I have seen people studying BEC for 1-3 days, but this will work on people with normal intelligence like myself.

Score report – https://tinypic.com/r/2igp004/9

I am not surprised to do bad on finance, but this was expected.

I do not recommend this method, as this was really about passing but not to gain knowledge but you can certain pass BEC half-assed with just doing mcq without studying. But if you are like me just trying to pass, why not?

Good luck with studying and pass BEC while it is easy with no sim. Next year, it will be a 4 hour test with sim AND essay.

FAR - 83 (1/7/16)
BEC - 87 (4/18/16)
AUD - 92 (7/2/16)
REG - 83 (12/5/16)
Ethics - 100%!

Licensed CPA in state of Maryland Feb 2017

Materials: Wiley book + Ninja MCQ

FAR - 83 (Jan 2016)
Study time: 6 weeks
BEC - 87 (April 2016)
Study time: 2 weeks
AUD - 92 (July 2016), (74 Feb 2016), (72 May 2016)
Study time: 4 (Feb) + 2 (May) + 3 (July) = 9 weeks total
REG - (70 April 2016)
Study time: 3 weeks

[Spartans92]

Wow thanks! So would you say dont sweat on the WC?
I did several on becker but what I wrote versus the solution mine was only 2 paragraphs and the solution was like 4 paragraphs long. But the idea was the same, just wasn't as great as their solution (the flow etc.) Do you have any tips on that section since you got stronger..

BEC - 76
REG- 67, 85
AUD-63, 74, 80!!
FAR-65, 62, 57, 79

3 down 1 more to go. BEC is on the Line 🙁

BEC- PASS

[Yolonge]

Spartans92

As long English is not your native language AND you have no experience in writing, I believe you should be fine. That does not mean you should not study, I am just saying that as long as you know the content you can just write random gibberish (remember, computer grades it unless you get in the bubble) they will recognize it.

So for example, if they are taking about IT and server upkeep, just put things you know in memo (importance of backup including frequent update, etc etc.) like that. I have looked up some answer for Ninja essays, and some were concise but some where really long and detailed. Just like in your basic English class, know the preferred format (3-5 paragraphs). I was not sure if I could write that long, but it turned out if you know the subject you will fill it up pretty fast. Make sure to regurgitate the question in beginning/ending paragraph too (here is an idea. copy paste the exact question and modify it!)

I am not good with writing either. Heck English is not even my native language :D. Do not mind grammar errors or structure errors on my post, I was just writing stuff at 11pm right after work and about to pass out :p

FAR - 83 (1/7/16)
BEC - 87 (4/18/16)
AUD - 92 (7/2/16)
REG - 83 (12/5/16)
Ethics - 100%!

Licensed CPA in state of Maryland Feb 2017

Materials: Wiley book + Ninja MCQ

FAR - 83 (Jan 2016)
Study time: 6 weeks
BEC - 87 (April 2016)
Study time: 2 weeks
AUD - 92 (July 2016), (74 Feb 2016), (72 May 2016)
Study time: 4 (Feb) + 2 (May) + 3 (July) = 9 weeks total
REG - (70 April 2016)
Study time: 3 weeks

[hannahFletcher16]

I have failed this damn test twice!!!!!!! I do not understand how you did this. I am so jealous!! So I can re take in freaking july and your advice would be to just hammer out multiple choice questions in Ninja over and over until then?

Also what do you mean regurgitate the question in the beginning and the end? Just completly re ask the question?

I feel like a total idiot not passing in 2 testing periods and you passed in 2 weeks:( happy for you though!

Thanks for sharing.

[hannahFletcher16]

I have failed this damn test twice!!!!!!! I do not understand how you did this. I am so jealous!! So I can re take in freaking july and your advice would be to just hammer out multiple choice questions in Ninja over and over until then?

Also what do you mean regurgitate the question in the beginning and the end? Just completly re ask the question?

I feel like a total idiot not passing in 2 testing periods and you passed in 2 weeks:( happy for you though!

Thanks for sharing.

[Claudia408]

what's the point in this post?
“but you can certain pass BEC half-assed with just doing mcq without studying”
hear that all you BEC people?

BEC 65, 71, 75
AUD 62, 70, 78
REG 67, 66, 65, 66, 64
FAR 68, 64, 73

BEC - 75 (3x)
AUD - 78 (3x)
REG - 67, 66, Aug 1
FAR - 54, Sept 8

[Yolonge]

hannahFletcher16

I would modify a bit, but pretty much mention what they have said for your introductory and conclusion paragraphs. Also I think it is good to have 2 sources (wiley is pretty much free..). When you do mcq, try not to spend too much time on it and make sure to read explanation. Even if you memorized the answer, you should be able to see why other choices are wrong.

I failed 2 parts as well as you can see on my profile, so everybody's different. Most people fail at least once and you should have no shame. Also I think I got little lucky with my test.. it was very straightforward.

Claudia408

I meant “traditional” way of studying where you read and study first, then approach mcq. The point with unique BEC format (no sim) enable this way of preparing to work and it can save time when you skip lecture and reading. Also I did not want to offend “scholars” who are studying to gain meaning knowledge.

FAR - 83 (1/7/16)
BEC - 87 (4/18/16)
AUD - 92 (7/2/16)
REG - 83 (12/5/16)
Ethics - 100%!

Licensed CPA in state of Maryland Feb 2017

Materials: Wiley book + Ninja MCQ

FAR - 83 (Jan 2016)
Study time: 6 weeks
BEC - 87 (April 2016)
Study time: 2 weeks
AUD - 92 (July 2016), (74 Feb 2016), (72 May 2016)
Study time: 4 (Feb) + 2 (May) + 3 (July) = 9 weeks total
REG - (70 April 2016)
Study time: 3 weeks

[Martin]

mhei8116, you mentioned that bright students can pass BEC in 3 days, and then average students like yourself can do it in 2 weeks with Saturdays off. Then WTF am I doing studying Accounting? I must be 1 point away from being retarded. It took me two windows with almost no breaks to get a 75.

Through God all things can happen!

“You never fail until you stop trying.”
― Albert Einstein
When I was young, I used to admire intelligent people;as I grow older, I admire kind people.
“Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.”

FAR= 72-84
Audit= 73-82
BEC= 74-75
Reg=77

[hannahFletcher16]

Thank you. I think for my 3rd damn try I am just going to mpc myself to death for 2 months and hopefully that helps. I pray this is the only test that will give me that much greif.

Although I am envious, I like hearing how people succeed. so thanks for sharing!

[Yolonge]

hannahFletcher16

When I started CPA journey in November/December of last year I barely knew anything but I learned a lot from the forum so I would like to do the same thing If I can. Failing can be hard to take but you should be proud that you are willing to study and take the CPA exam, I think any part is difficult (although I think BEC is shorter, not easier and it really depends on person's background and experience. For me REG was nightmare). Failure is better than no attempt; now I am really scared to retake audit this week… 🙁

FAR - 83 (1/7/16)
BEC - 87 (4/18/16)
AUD - 92 (7/2/16)
REG - 83 (12/5/16)
Ethics - 100%!

Licensed CPA in state of Maryland Feb 2017

Materials: Wiley book + Ninja MCQ

FAR - 83 (Jan 2016)
Study time: 6 weeks
BEC - 87 (April 2016)
Study time: 2 weeks
AUD - 92 (July 2016), (74 Feb 2016), (72 May 2016)
Study time: 4 (Feb) + 2 (May) + 3 (July) = 9 weeks total
REG - (70 April 2016)
Study time: 3 weeks

[hannahFletcher16]

I try to have a positive outlook. I will once I pass one at least. but you're doing great! You were so dang close. I bet you have it in the bag now. GOOD LUCK and keep us posted fail or pass!

I am thankful for this forum, I am glad we can all help each other out.

[mtaylo24]

Yeah, i may kind of agree with your method. During my final review cram this past weekend for BEC, i decided to drop the online testbanks and bang out the Gleim book problems instead. I also got my hands on the wiley pdf book and printed out all of the questions, and decided to work the print-outs. After doing this, i kind of wish i had done this earlier. Reason(s) being, (1) the book questions set a solid foundation for the massive online tb (2) you can bang through the material faster, rather than wasting 2-3 days on a single chapter. I probably learned more in those 2 days leading up to the exam then the 2 months i wasted reading first then knocking down the entire Gleim online testbank twice.

CPA (2017)

REG:  75

BEC:  76

FAR:  77

AUD: 78

 

CMA (2019)

P1: 380

P2: 360

AUD - 1st - 60 (12/12), 61 (2/13), 61 (8/13), 78! (11/15)
REG - 55 (2/16) 69 (5/16) Retake(8/16)
BEC - 71(5/16) Retake (9/16)
FAR - (8/16)

[perezc3910]

I really wish that I could do this. I am using Becker and I can barely get through the second chapter. BEC is just a bunch of random stuff in one book. I can barely remember half of the formulas that I have come across in the first two chapters. I already know that the calculation problems are going to kill me on the exam.

BEC-July 2016
REG-August 2016
FAR-October 2016
AUD-Nov/Dec 2016

[Vanessachy]

Thank you for sharing. I have one month to study and work full time, I was worried. I think now I have a much better idea about how to study from you post.

Far, 64 82
Reg, 60 86
Aud, 74 82
Bec, 70 81
Done done done! I did it!!!
Licensed CPA in MA, issued October 2016

Far 10/26/2015, 64, 1/4/2016, 82
Reg 7/10/2015, 60, 2/27/2016, 86
Aud, 5/9/2016, 74 (ouch), 7/26/2016, I cannot wait to take this test again
Bec, 6/10/2016, 70,9/8 retake

[Nessie]

So Vanessachy, what will your approach to BEC going to be?

I have about 3 weeks to study- will be getting ready to start working, and I just don't want to go with Becker again.

I'd be interested to know what you are going to do.

AUD - 80
BEC - 84
FAR - 80
REG - 88

Using Becker Self-Study, Final Review and NINJA MCQs
Sat for BEC Dec 6th, 2016 !!!! 84!!!!!

REG Aug 20/15: 88
AUD: Feb 29/16: 80
FAR: Jun 10/16: 80
BEC?

Becker self-study, Becker Final Review & NINJA MCQS

[Broag]

@mtaylo24

I'm really interested in this idea of doing book problems. How did you get the Wiley pdf book? For some reason, I feel like I'm able to focus more by doing questions from the book versus an online testbank. I don't know if I lose focus or what. It is kind of hard to explain. Could you give some more insight on what you did here? I have FAR in a week and BEC in four weeks.

Much appreciated.

REG - 79
FAR - ?
AUD - ?
BEC - ?

[Author]

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