[Givemesleep]

Somebody somewhere is sweating the Notary Public Exam. For me, once I passed two parts, I realized I can do this, so just plugging away CPA’ers. If somehow I can pass BEC, I will be amazed. How does this compare to AUD and REG for passers?

Reg 11/15/2011 - 80
Aud 02/28/2012 - 81
Bec 05/31/2012 - 78
Far 08/31/2012 - 83 Do you believe in Miracles, YES !!!

CPA License received 10/2012 !!
CFE License received 04/2013 !!
EA License received

Givemesleep

[Anonymous]

Haha good perspective! Well, everyone is going to have their own take on how hard each exam was, so everyone's answer might be different, but for me, the order (easiest to most difficult) was: BEC-FAR-AUD-REG. I loved BEC…I actually really enjoyed studying for it and didn't sweat the exam too much. I think if you could knock AUD and REG out, you'll probably be fine. Let me ask you…how strong are you in the following areas:

-Cost Accounting (Incl. Overhead Variances, which some people really hate)

-Finance (WACC, CAPM model, etc)

-IT Concepts (what is a database, data mart, data mining, blah blah blah)

-Economics (international and domestic; micro and macro)

-Organizational Structures (probably got a handle on this because it is duplicative of REG)

If it matters, the order I took the exams was: FAR – BEC – AUD – REG.

Consider your (what I like to call) prowess naught (your skill level before commencing the study program) in the foregoing areas and you'll have an idea of how much of a challenge or cakewalk this section will be for you. Hope that helps.

[Anonymous]

Cost Accounting-Hated it! Worse subject ever!

Finance-Got a D+ in college.

IT Concepts-I'm great using MS Office and browsing the internet. Does that count?

Economics-Dropped it in college and retook it in summer school so I wouldn't have to endure a full semester.

Organizational Structures-Doesn't sound so bad. I think I remember something like that from my management class.

Thanks Baseballcpa, it looks like I have a lot of studying to do.

[Anonymous]

Haha! You're too funny, Cosmo! But you're right, I think you are going to HAAAAAATE BEC. My recommendation is to pound out multiple choice like a champ. Just grind your teeth and get through it! If it's any consolation, that's how I felt about REG. lol

[Anonymous]

Baseball-Thanks! I need to know what I'm in for so thanks for that rundown.

And yes-it actually is a consolation to hear that REG was like that for you. 🙂

[Anonymous]

Yeah, everyone has a different opinion on which section was his/her kryptonite…for me it was definitely REG…I hated tax in school and business law put me to sleep! Sure, no problem on the rundown…happy to help (erm, sort of lol).

[jtcali]

BEC was my beast. i thought I aced it with an 80 something but got my 77. just memorize all those formulas and brush up on your econ and IT.

[Anonymous]

While I'm sure JTCali's advice was well-intentioned, I would strongly advise you against just “memorizing formulas”. I used to teach introductory managerial/cost accounting at the undergraduate level and my mantra was, “do NOT just memorize; it will screw you over”…and it will. The problem is, you memorize a formula and recognize a specific application of that formula (e.g. Overhead Variances); however, the CPA exam likes to throw “curveballs” at you in an effort test your knowledge in unconventional ways. At that point, if you had just memorized the formulas, that “curveball” is gonna make your knees buckle and you'll get burned. I HIGHLY recommend that if you are struggling with a concept in BEC, that you either seek additional help from a tutor or tap this community as a resource. There are a lot of people on here who have either been through the process or have at least taken that section and may be able to help explain the formulas and how they relate to the underlying concepts that are truly important to comprehend.

[Author]

Replies