is this NORMAL? am I studying right??? Help please

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  • #171981
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Ok guys, I am new to this forum in terms of posting but have been coming here to look around for the better part of a few months. I graduated in May with 150 hours and began studying for the CPA exam this week (Tuesday). I am using BECKER self study for Audit, and my NTS is finished. I am taking AUD in July 27. The way I’ve been studying so far is watching and following along with Tim Gearty’s lectures including all the underlining and highlighting and then tackling the homework questions for each particular subtopic of chapter 1. Today I am redoing all of the homework for chapter 1 without lectures to see how much I know vs how much I memorized. It can be hard sometimes bc I feel I might be memorizing the answers or that I know them now but will forget them by tomorrow! Anyone else feel this way?

    Also upon doing the MCQ for the first times overall, I’m getting around a 55-65%. is this normal or should I have cause for concern? I’m sorry if I sound paranoid, just want to finish this exam and get it out of the way for the rest of my life.

    Anyone have any input? I’d really appreciate it!

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 21 total)
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  • #352767
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    anyone? please

    #352768
    ReneeNC
    Member

    I would not underline/highlight. Instead, actually take notes. Taking notes, reviewing those notes, and later re-writing those notes is the key to passing.

    At least in my 1/2 experienced opinion!

    REG - 89
    BEC - 82
    FAR - 87
    AUD - 81
    Used CPAexcel, Wiley Online Practice, and NINJA!

    #352769
    mla1169
    Participant

    I'm with renee on not highlighting, my favorite Jeff quote (paraphrased) is that you won't understand the material any better by making it a pretty shade of pink. I wrote and rewrote notes.

    Initial scores in the 50s and 60s are pretty normal. You'll keep doing sample questions and see improvement every day leading up to your test.

    FAR- 77
    AUD -49, 71, 84
    REG -56,75!
    BEC -75

    Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

    #352770
    MRSJLeon917
    Member

    I echo taking notes – I feel like I started knowing more of the audit section when I started doing note cards. Thankfully audit was my first section and I am going to use this approach going forward and will be taking and re-taking notes on all future sections!

    AUD (5/25/2012): 91
    FAR (10/22/2012): 89
    REG (11/28/2012): 89
    BEC (01/05/2013): 82
    Ethics Exam: 90

    IL Licensed CPA - 7/15/2013

    A long journey, officially DONE!

    #352771
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I would say the comfort zone for MCQs should be low 70s after you study the materials. To avoid memorizing the questions, make sure you studied (read the book and watch the lectures) first before practice the questions. However, don't panic if you get low scores at first since you are new to this. Once you get a feel of this, you will get better and better.

    #352772
    ICanHasCPA
    Member

    I didn't take audit yet, but if you're just watching the videos then that might not be enough. I read the book, then I watched the lectures. After that I did the multiple choice for all the sections. During the lectures focus less on the highlighting and more on understanding.

    Memorization is kind of a problem, but it can also be a good thing. Just make sure to memorize and understand why the choice is right and the others are wrong.

    #352773
    momto5
    Member

    I am also using Becker and currently studying for AUD. I actually do the highlighting mentioned, do all the MCQ's after each section, and then write notes after the chapter is finished. The highlighting reminds me what was deemed important to know during the lectures to help me know which notes might be important. I don't write everything that was highlighted, but try to condense, if possible. Having gone through the MCQ's first also gives me a taste of what types of things would be important to write down. I also then do flashcards so that I have quick review available to take along with me. Also do the progress tests at the end of each chapter, which bring back questions from the previous chapters.

    I agree that low 70% is a better comfort zone to be in on the first time through MCQ's, but don't panic as this is your first time at this stuff. It takes some practice and familiarity, and be very careful when reading the questions. Take your time and don't rush through them. Many times it is only the way the question is worded that will trip you up.

    By the way, I think it is typical to get through a chapter feeling like you have it down pretty well, only to forget most of it by the time you get through the next chapter or two. Don't sweat it – it should all start to come together better at the end when you are doing final review. Good luck!

    FAR - 92 (4/27/12)
    AUD - 96 (7/17/12)
    BEC - 92 (8/30/12)
    REG - 91 (11/12/12)

    #352774
    JakeO
    Member

    The material in auditing lends itself to be made into flash cards. These are a huge help and can be studied several times a day. A good tip is to get a phone app so u can study anywhere.

    AUD-Failed (Waiting for Score)
    BEC-PASSED (First try)
    REG-Failed (Retake February 2013)
    FAR-Failed (Retake January 2013)

    #352775
    mrcpa
    Participant

    I would usually not worry about redoing questions the first time around. Instead I watch all lectures and then began doing all questions of over and over and over again. It's ok if you memorize some answers but just try to also know why it's right vs wrong. This is your first exam so you may not believe it but the mc are the key

    Licensed - 2012

    #352776
    lateralus ag
    Member

    I haven't gotten my score back on AUD yet, so this might be worthless information. But I will relate it to FAR and REG which I did well.

    I did exactly what the course guides and instructors recommend. I highlighted, reviewed my notes, then took the MCQs on. What I missed in the first go around, I went back and reviewed that section of the lectures, wrote some of my own notes, and then went back and redid the questions.

    I made sure that I got 100% the first time through, but my initial scores on FAR were in the 60's and 70's, with a few outliers. There were a couple of sections in FAR where my initial scores on the homework were 40's!!!! (I was panicky).

    However, I went back, studied the bad parts (and reviewed the good parts) and did the questions until I could go through and get a 100%. The memorizing questions got me so I decided that on the ones that I had memorized the questions I would explain why the right answer was right and why the wrong answers were wrong to myself before I clicked the answer.

    I really think that last step helped immensely. I was a good student during undergrad, but I did this same sort of thing. I found that explaining (even when I was the one I was explaining it to) really helped. Find someone that will let you explain the material.

    I found highlighting and underlining worked well too when I did my final review. It doesn't help you learn it any better the first time, but it gives you a focus for your review work. It also was amazing how much of the highlighted material actually ended up on the exam…..

    The Becker folks have been doing this a long time. They have it down to a science. Do what they tell you, to the letter, and I think you will do well.

    That being said, I wish I had known about the Ninja Notes, etc. before I started this whole process. I think it would have helped and maybe saved me a little money.

    FAR 88
    REG 89
    AUD 89
    BEC 86
    DONE!!!
    Using Becker Review and Becker Final Review, and Ninja Audio for BEC

    #352777
    ReneeNC
    Member

    A few more things:

    With regards to MCQs, before Regulation I was hitting high 70s, low 80s. Before BEC, it was more like low 70s. I did memorize some of them, but I made sure to know why the right answer was right and why the others were wrong.

    Flashcards are great. I actually write mine out because I find it more effective if I can separate them into know and don't know while reviewing them. Actually writing them out was better for learning as well.

    Finally, after I finish a section (comparable to a chapter), I make sure and review that information daily while moving onto the new. Jeff recommends watching all the videos and taking notes before doing the MCQs. It depends on what will work best for you.

    REG - 89
    BEC - 82
    FAR - 87
    AUD - 81
    Used CPAexcel, Wiley Online Practice, and NINJA!

    #352778
    lateralus ag
    Member

    I think Renee and my experience is interesting. I don't use flashcards at all and I highlight like a crazy person. She uses flashcards and doesn't highlight. Our scores on REG were similar. That goes to show you that what works for ME might not work for someone else. Learn how you learn, take as much advice as you can get, and STICK TO YOUR PLAN.

    Just remember, there's a bunch of us pulling for you and with enough dedication and determination, YOU WILL PASS THESE EXAMS.

    FAR 88
    REG 89
    AUD 89
    BEC 86
    DONE!!!
    Using Becker Review and Becker Final Review, and Ninja Audio for BEC

    #352779
    ReneeNC
    Member

    I agree about finding out what works for you and sticking to it. I tried to change my methods at the beginning while studying for FAR (based on the NINJA suggestions), and it wasn't working for me. So, I went back to the way I had handled the other sections.

    REG - 89
    BEC - 82
    FAR - 87
    AUD - 81
    Used CPAexcel, Wiley Online Practice, and NINJA!

    #352780
    Jessicaa
    Member

    I don't quite get this “notes vs. underlining” why are notes so much better?

    #352781
    ReneeNC
    Member

    For me, underlining is passive and note-taking requires me to really process the info.

    REG - 89
    BEC - 82
    FAR - 87
    AUD - 81
    Used CPAexcel, Wiley Online Practice, and NINJA!

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