[Nahla2016]

Am I the only one who feels that the information is totally new for me? I know that it should be a review course but I feel that I have never heard about anything. I graduated 3 years ago and didn’t work in accounting field. Like I was talking to a friend who passed the CPA test few years ago and I mentioned that I didn’t remember Sarbanes Oxley act in Reg. She was totally surprised that I don’t remember it at all. Any one was in the same position and passed the 4 sections? I am using Becker self study and trying to stick to 4 to 5 hours a day of studying which seems to be not enough for me unfortunately.

Nahla

[marqzho]

You don't have to remember anything in college to pass this exam. Although they are called”review” course, you can just take them as brand new knowledge.

In regarding to hours of study, 4-5 hours a day for a week and 4-5 hours a day for a year make a huge difference. Also, don't focus on quantity, make sure they are “quality” time. Make a good plan, think about what type of learner you are, find motivation, have a study- life balance, put in hundreds of hours. “If you study, you will pass.”

REG 90
FAR 95
AUD 98
BEC 84

[TheHoundThatRides]

I got mostly C's in accounting courses and barely remembered anything once I graduated. I've been relying on Roger to teach me a lot from scratch and I feel he's done fine so far. Passed FAR and BEC alright. The only subject where I really thought “man I wish I took this in school” was Government since it's so annoying to learn and it's so much.

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

[Anonymous]

I barely learned anything in college and had a 3.2 accounting GPA. I relied on Becker to teach me everything- just as another poster said, it's called a “review course” but you can learn everything you need to pass the exam from the study material. Of course, experience and college knowledge would help but definitely not necessary to pass the exams. Goodluck!

[Missy]

Just remember when it gets overwhelming and frustrating that there are people taking this exam who graduated before sarbanes oxley even existed! 🙂

Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

Finance manager/HR manager

 

 

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

[Track55]

The only thing I remember from college is how to pronounce my professors' names. And that's with a 3.8.

AUD - 99
BEC - 83
FAR - 86
REG - 92

California - Internal Audit

CPA since December 2016.

(took seven tries, 1 year 10 months).

AUD - 74, 99 !!
REG - 74, 92
BEC - 83
FAR - 73, 86

Studying for Ethics exam

California candidate
Business and Industry

[Tncincy]

Most of us re-learn the materials rather than review. Some of the courses are structured to re-teach concepts so that you can pass the exam. That's why it seems some of the topics are over kill, accommodating those that need to be re-taught instead of review. Don't feel too bad, it's enough information in the review courses to help you pass the exam. Experience will help you develop into a good or even great, maybe seasoned accountant.–if that's your desire.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Spartans92]

I can sure say I have learned a lot more in these “review courses” than I did in school. I didnt study as hard in my core accounting classes just enough to pass. Especially during senior year. I mostly got C's and few B's in them. I think Becker does a good job with FAR. I can actually explain these concepts to others and have them understand, I feel like I am finally learning and accomplishing something.

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

[Nahla2016]

Thanks all for your replies. @mla11692 you made me smile. Thank you!!

Nahla

[CPA_Chik]

When I was studying for REG on each tax topic I had the exact same question: “what the hell, where was i in school when this was covered?” and i had a perfect attendance…

I got my life back and it's beautiful!!!
Licensed May 2017

REG - 75
FAR - 66; 73; 75
AUD - 68; 76
BEC - 79

REG - 75!!!
FAR - 66; 73 (FML!!!)
AUD - 09/16
BEC - TBD

[Nahla2016]

@cpa_chik how long did it take you to prepare for Reg? What was your technique for studying? I am planning on having the test on June 10th but not sure if I have enough time.

Nahla

[CPA_Chik]

@Nahla2016: have you started already? If not, then I'd suggest postponing it. Law and tax takes time, especially to grasp all tax concepts since they are different for different reporting entities. I was studying for 2 and a half months (i'd say 2 months is ideal). I use Wiley CPAexcel because they break it down into bite size lectures. I watched videos for each chapter and made notes in the book as i went along. Then re-read the chapter and did corresponding MCQs and TBS. I also made notes on the most important concepts and stuff that you had to memorize. Just make sure to move along and don't get stuck in 1 area. The majority of it made sense and cemented in during the review stage. I was doing MCQs in a study mode for 2 weeks afterwards and made review flash cards on the ones i got wrong.

I got my life back and it's beautiful!!!
Licensed May 2017

REG - 75
FAR - 66; 73; 75
AUD - 68; 76
BEC - 79

REG - 75!!!
FAR - 66; 73 (FML!!!)
AUD - 09/16
BEC - TBD

[Nahla2016]

@CPA_Chik Yes I started two weeks ago but honesty it is taking me a while to adjust to the right studying technique.

Nahla

[Nahla2016]

@CPA_Chik Yes I started two weeks ago but honesty it is taking me a while to adjust to the right studying technique.

Nahla

[Unbalanced_23]

Nahla2016 I know exactly how you feel. I graduated from a very small liberal arts school in May. So small that I had the same accounting professor for three of my upper level accounting courses because we didn't have enough professors to teach them. He didn't care about the quality of our work and he gave A's to everyone. We didn't even have tests in this course! Anyways, by the grace of God I ended up getting a job at one of the big 4 and they are paying for my Becker but I feel as if everything I'm learning is new information! I thought that I would at least past AUD considering that's what I do for a living; however, I am struggling with that as well considering I got a 68 on my first try. I'm feeling a little discouraged but I have my retake tomorrow.

Also, it doesn't help that a lot of other first years in my class that came from top notch schools are pretty much done with all 4 parts.

[confusedcandidate]

I never took Accounting 3 (consolidations) and barely learned anything in Gov/NFP, still passed FAR

My cost accounting class was a joke and I still passed BEC

Barely learned a thing in BUL I and II, still passed REG (I am a tax accountant though)

Took one six week summer class and…well, I'm really struggling with audit right now 😀

Just study hard and you'll be fine.

Weekends are meaningless to a CPA candidate

[Author]

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