Is there really anything that can be gained a day before the exam?

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    Topic
  • #194384
    MaLoTu
    Participant

    I am trying to study, but after many weeks of studying (i would say about 10 weeks at least 25 hours a week) I just feel like I know what I know and the other stuff I can’t really master with less than 24 hours left.

    I am going to do my second Becker exam. I feel that the first one helped me to see where I really understood and where I had to focus a little more energy.

    Almost always from my phone... please excuse my typos!

    All 4 passed - 2016

    CA CPA

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 26 total)
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  • #670226
    okcpa2015
    Participant

    @MaLoTu, I've been there and completely agree.

    Although, and quick review of a one page cheat sheet before you go into a test can be very beneficial. It always you to use both your short-term and long-term memory.

    FAR - 91
    REG - 88
    AUD - 98
    BEC - 88

    #670227
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    A good night's rest.

    #670228
    Missy
    Participant

    Day before the exam I tried to master ONE concept even if it seemed insignificant could be the difference between a 74 and a 75.

    Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

    Finance manager/HR manager

     

     

    Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
    Finance/Admin/HR Manager

    #670229
    MaLoTu
    Participant

    @mla – what would you recommend for REG?

    Almost always from my phone... please excuse my typos!

    All 4 passed - 2016

    CA CPA

    #670230
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I always gained a LOT from the last day before the exam. I'm one of those needs the short-term memory as well as the long. So for me, I drilled MCQs the day before – not practice exam style, just in groups of 5-10 out of the test bank, and reviewed the answers as I went (so do one, view the answer, do the next, etc.). I really think that “last minute” review helped me substantially. However, day of the exam I always kept it light – about 30 MCQs that morning, maybe a couple SIMs, then on the 1 1/2 hour drive I usually just listened to music or tried in other ways to keep my mind from working. (Tried listening to NINJA Audio on the way, but my car didn't have A/C, so the sound of the highway with the window open for air drowned out Jeff's voice…in hindsight, I think the mental break was more beneficial for me at that point, but that's personal preference.)

    #670231
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Yes, do!

    I was studying the dollar-value LIFO while waiting at the CPA exam center and 5 minutes before the exam. Don't listen to people who say rest before exam.

    When you take the exam you actually will be awake and your eyes wide open and your brain will be at its highest.

    So, if you're tired, exam will make you energetic.

    BUT do not do MCQ. There is no point in doing MCQ the night before.

    #670232
    golfball7773
    Participant

    Why is there no point of doing MCQ's the night before? I respectfully disagree with that.

    AUD - NINJA in Training
    BEC - 86
    FAR - NINJA in Training
    REG - NINJA in Training
    AUD - 71, 73

    BEC - 74, 86

    REG - 77*

    FAR - 57

    *expired

    (I have been trying to become a CPA since 2013). only one test down.......

    FAR: 63, 55, 62
    REG: 65, 77*
    AUD: Fail, 64, 71
    BEC: 72, 74, 81

    *expired

    #670233
    Rodney Ruxin
    Member

    FAR - 75
    AUD - 82
    REG - 83
    BEC - 79

    #670234
    Sleep Optional
    Participant

    I skated by with a 78 for FAR. The morning of the exam I had my dad drive me to the test site which was 45 minutes away. I spent that time reviewing my flashcards and re-reading Ninja notes in the car. In that 45 minutes I remembered a few key concepts that I had previously forgotten.

    Lo and behold, on the exam there were 2 MCQs that were on the stuff I had previously forgotten and 1 simulation as well. If I didn't study for that 45 minutes, I most likely would have failed.

    Never give up until your testing clock hits zero. That could mean the difference between a 74 and a 75.

    BEC x1 - Passed
    REG x2 - Passed
    Audit x1 - Passed
    FAR x2 - Passed

    BEC: ☑ x1 attempt(s)
    REG: ☑ x2 ''
    AUD: ☑ x1 ''
    FAR: ☑ x2 ''

    Done!

    #670235
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Two days before (Saturday), I would spend pretty much all day doing MCQs and SIMs. The day before (Sunday) I would do about 30 MCQs and 1 or 2 SIMs in the morning, and then relax the rest of the day. The morning of (Monday), I was up around 5 AM, did 20-30 MCQs, had a couple cups of coffee, and hit the road for my test at 8.

    #670236
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I sure hope so because I'm feeling a bit unprepared when it comes to my BEC exam tomorrow. At the same time I don' t want to burn out though

    #670237
    zoctoman
    Member

    For me, I always took the night off before a CPA exam….or any exam for that manner. Before each CPA exam I went out to dinner with my wife and toddler. I focused on my son, ate good food, and laughed all night. The morning of the exam I would review my nuggets for an hour or so and go take the exam at 8am.

    Everyone does what is best for them. If you are going to be super nervous if you don't study the night before than it is better to study. If you can truly relax like I did the night before the exam without studying, I would recommend that.

    Best of luck!

    Audit(11/5/13) - 89
    Reg(5/16/14) - 86
    FAR(7/18/14) - 82
    BEC(11/14) - 85

    #670238
    mrgriff21
    Member

    I would generally do a set of 20 MCQs, go do something fun, do another set of 20 and so on until maybe 6pm and then I would just relax the rest of the night.

    A - 84
    R - 81
    B - 77
    F - 81

    #670239
    More_Coffee
    Participant

    I've always been someone that needs a quick cram session before taking a test. I know it's not the “best” strategy, but it has always worked well for me. I feel like I gain a lot from the day before the exam. I never do MC's, but instead I will go over my notes on all the modules. I also prefer taking my tests in the afternoon so that I have time in the morning to do a quick run-through of my notes. I generally remember things better when I write them, so I make sure to write formulas over and over until I can do it without thinking too much about it.

    I think it's just all about finding what works for you. 🙂

    REG - 86 (4/11/15)
    BEC - 92 (5/29/15)
    AUD - 99 (7/23/15)
    FAR - 89 (11/23/15) It's over!!!
    >> Becker Self Study

    #670240
    josh81808
    Participant

    I'm testing “hopefully” my last CPA exam tomorrow with AUD and my strategy for the day before the exam is to review MC lightly (not to the point of exhaustion) and to review my notes of areas I thought were tricky. I try to make it more laid back day that way I am fully energized for the exam.

    Good luck!

    REG 79 1/15
    BEC 82 2/15
    FAR 84 4/15
    AUD 78 5/15

    Using Becker Self-study

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 26 total)
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