How the Hell Does BEC Have the Highest Pass Rate? - Page 2

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #202318
    Pete
    Participant

    I was just curious how the BEC section of the exam has the highest pass rate? Six percent might not seem like a lot, but on a test like the CPA, it’s significant. In addition, it’s 12% higher, than the other parts of the exam.

    Is this test a luck of the draw? I’m actually good at testing, but my god, this was the worst examination I have ever taken. I’ve passed the other sections on the first attempt essentially (I didn’t really try a few years ago and got two 69s). I’ve typically got 70s+ on my first attempt at the Becker HW, yet this section was insane. Hopefully, i’m not disclosing too much, but it felt like I was in a calculus class on the second testlet. I ended up guessing on like 5-10 questions. I likely could have solved them, but they would have easily taken me 10+ minutes each.

    At lest the first testlet felt super easy. The last testlet didn’t feel too bad either. I’m hoping there were some difficult questions though because I noticed some of the tricks they tried to confuse people with.

    B=84 This exam was such a b**** that I thought I failed-don't know how these things work
    A=76 Slacker I am, I'll happily take it
    R=81 I LOVE taxes
    F=80 I don't wanna get banned for an expletive I'm thinking with "yea" proceeding it

Viewing 15 replies - 16 through 30 (of 74 total)
  • Author
    Replies
  • #778759
    AccountantPinkHair
    Participant

    I'm in the same boat, having a very hard time passing BEC. Passed everything else on the second attempt and I'm going to have to take BEC for the 4th time next quarter.

    BEC 60, 71, 71, 73, 81
    AUD 72, 81
    REG 60, 78
    FAR 71, 78

    Licensed CPA in Texas

    AUD - 72, 81
    FAR - 71, 78
    REG - 60, 78
    BEC - 60, 71, 71

    IF I FALL, I WILL GET BACK UP. IF I AM BEATEN, I WILL RETURN.

    #778760

    I take BEC tomorrow at 2. This is all highly encouraging 😀

    AUD - 75
    BEC - 79
    FAR - 81
    REG - 75
    Happily Finished

    FAR - Aug 2015 (58), Feb 2016 (81)
    u
    BEC - May 2016 (79)
    AUD - Jul 2016
    REG - Aug 2016

    #778761
    Martin
    Participant

    Just think that statistically speaking, you still have 10% higher chance of passing BEC vs the other 3.

    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

    #778762
    Pete
    Participant

    I was shocked. I felt the first section was easy as fuck. Then I hit the second test-let and was guessing every calculation question; there were quite a few questions, which were completely devoid from the Becker book. I got like at least 15/24 questions, which were extremely calculation-ally heavy. By that, i mean the questions had at least 3 or more steps to solve. I was even unable to solve them, despite the fact that I knew what the “traps” were.

    I found the theory questions to be relatively easy. Are there any hints that a question is considered difficult? I'm hoping the fact they were including choices from other similar things as a sign the question was considered difficult, since those other choices were VERY reasonable options.

    I'm hoping that I was brought down by the simulation sections of the exam in the past, since that would mean I likely had a higher score for the writing section. I'm also hoping the fact that I was getting 70+, usually, the first time through my Becker HW means something.

    B=84 This exam was such a b**** that I thought I failed-don't know how these things work
    A=76 Slacker I am, I'll happily take it
    R=81 I LOVE taxes
    F=80 I don't wanna get banned for an expletive I'm thinking with "yea" proceeding it

    #778763
    SaveBandit
    Participant

    BEC is the worst effing exam. Most of that crap has nothing to do with accounting. It's like when you get a steak burrito at chipotle and they fill 25% of it with rice. That crap is pure filler! Give me less rice and more meat. Bec and the b law section of Reg is the cheap, filler rice of the cpa exam burrito. And for that reason, this test should be three parts, not 4.

    AUD - 94
    BEC - 86
    FAR - 85
    REG - 90
    If you pray enough, you can turn yourself into a cat person.

    4 for 4

    FAR 85
    AUD 94
    BEC 86
    REG 90

    #778764
    jdagna
    Participant

    Ugh I am planning to take BEC as my first exam hoping it would give me some confidence to tackle the rest. Looks like that may not be the case. 🙁

    #778765
    perezc3910
    Participant

    @jdagna, I also made the mistake of choosing BEC first. After reading many threads and three weeks of studying, I have realized that I am so doomed.

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

    #778766
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @jdagna and @perezc3910: I took BEC as my first exam 2 weeks ago. Yes, the content is EXTREMELY tedious, and the material is not as natural to accountants. BUT, don't fret! You are NOT DOOMED! I used NINJA, had a trending score of 74 and just found out I got an 89!

    Make sure you envision passing, take deep breaths, and practice as many multiple choice questions as possible. I got Becker for free from my employer, but got NINJA as a supplement. Best 40 or so bucks I have ever spent! I know you can do it!

    #778767
    perezc3910
    Participant

    Thanks so much for the encouragement. I am having a really hard time with the formulas. No matter how many times I write and read them, they just don't stick. I think that will be my biggest challenge. I am also using Becker and Ninja Audio and Notes as supplements. How long did you take to study for the exam?

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

    #778768
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @perezc: Yeah I know, the formulas are quite intense and demanding. I don't know if its a good or bad thing, but most of those horribly long formulas/pneumonics were not tested on my exam! I say bad only because I spent so much time memorizing them.

    I followed the advice of many of those on the BEC study forum, and focused a lot of attention on COSO and IT. Boy, that paid off! While each exam is different, it seems they are really focusing on IT. NINJA did a much better job prepping me for the IT parts than Becker. Another suggestion, draft and memorize a good format for the WCs. I used the same template for each WC since they are computer graded.

    (If a letter) Dear _____,

    The purpose of this (memo/letter) is to _____________ (discuss some of the benefits of outsourcing/describe the main requirements for strong corporate governance/etc). When approaching______ (topic), it is important to consider (Buzz Word A), (Buzz Word B), and (Buzz Word C).

    First, (paragraph discussing Buzz Word A).

    Second, (paragraph discussing Buzz Word B).

    Finally, (paragraph discussing Buzz Word C).

    In conclusion, (restate three main points RESTATING buzz words). Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to discuss (main topic). Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

    Since the WCs are computer graded, the buzz words and structure of the WC is essential. Regarding how much I studied, I used NINJA for approximately 40 hours (I bought the week of the exam) and studied around 50 hours of Becker. I skipped BEC 5 and 6 because I got so bored. Definitely do not make that same mistake!

    #778769
    perezc3910
    Participant

    Thanks for the advice! I will definitely do that. I skipped over B3 and still have to review B2. I am currently working on B4 and B5. I am hoping to leave 3 weeks for review and MCQ.

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

    #778770
    TheHoundThatRides
    Participant

    I memorized no formulas or corporate governance stuff. I would have failed if not for the writing sections.

    BEC - 78 (August 2015)
    FAR - 80 (November 2015)
    AUD - 73, 67. (Ok I gotta confess I was even more lazy this time around)
    REG - August 27th, 2016

    #778771
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Anytime! I found the review and MCQ time to be the most beneficial. I hated using Becker for the comprehensive progress tests at the end. I kept seeing the same questions over and over. NINJAs adaptive learning feature is the BEST tool ever! I spent most of my time using NINJA for MCQ. If I got a question wrong, I would screenshot the question, print it out, and write the step by step below. It really helped keep track of my main deficiencies.

    Best advice though, never panic with NINJA MCQ for BEC. They are MUCH harder than the questions on the actual exam. It is 1000 times better to study with difficult questions, and then show up to the exam with much easier ones. The long MCQ that have tons of formulas and many many steps, they are often not in the actual exam. The examiners know we run on time constraints, so they focus on challenging questions, but not to the depth of Becker or NINJA.

    Let me know if you have any other questions. I found this forum to be a lifesaver when studying. After all the help I got from others, I want to give back to those who come after me!

    #778772
    Chris
    Participant

    Couldn't it simply be it has the least material the MCQ'S are weighted at 85% instead of 60%? Some people are better at sims but those who aren't have a strong advantage on BEC.

    AUD - 86
    BEC - 77
    FAR - 77
    REG - 88
    Now I could let these dream killers kill my self-esteem or use my arrogance as the steam to power my dreams.

    Licensed in NH. Working in MA.

     

    NH CPA
    REG: 07/03/2014 - 88
    AUD: 08/30/2014 - 73 - Retake 10/16/14 - 86
    BEC: 05/31/2015 - 77
    FAR: 08/08/2015 - 64 - Retake 11/23/15 - 77

    Becker*NINJA Notes/MCQ*

    Now I could let these dream killers kill my self-esteem
    Or use my arrogance as the steam to power my dreams ~ Kanye West

    #778773
    tonypineda88
    Participant

    I'm using Wiley CPAExcel. I literally memorized every formula in the book, and there were two chapters I had trouble with but I studied/practiced those the most.

    This was the only section so far that I walked away knowing I passed so from my perspective, I can see why it has the highest pass rate. If anything I was afraid my essays sounded stupid.

    FAR: 4/15 80
    AUD: 11/15 77
    BEC: 4/16 80
    REG: 8/25/2016 so ready to be done!!!

    Lost motivation for the CPA exam for a few months after FAR, but ready to finish now!

Viewing 15 replies - 16 through 30 (of 74 total)
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