[Gabronis]

Got a 71 on BEC. Would appreciate suggestions from people on what to do from here. Do I take it again as soon as possible? Should I only focus on the weaker areas in my performance report? Used Becker and some free Wiley, anything else? How shall I proceed??

[tough_kitty]

Study as if you need a 75 at the very least!!!! Practice, practice, practice until you get 80% and more in each topic!

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

Study as if you need a 75 at the very least!!!! Practice, practice, practice until you get 80% and more in each topic!

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[Anonymous]

I don't put too much stock in the score reports. You probably know what areas are your weak areas from your own studying. I would definitely study everything, but as you go through your next round of studying don't move on to a section until you are scoring at least in the 80% on the MCQ. As the other comment states, you don't just need 4 points, you need 75. If you go into it thinking you only need 4 points and you get a completely different test with different focus areas you could have problems. My suggestion for BEC is to take as many MCQ as possible, but also to make flash cards for the things that require memorization: formulas, effects of economic changes, etc. and make sure you know those things word for word.

[Anonymous]

I don't put too much stock in the score reports. You probably know what areas are your weak areas from your own studying. I would definitely study everything, but as you go through your next round of studying don't move on to a section until you are scoring at least in the 80% on the MCQ. As the other comment states, you don't just need 4 points, you need 75. If you go into it thinking you only need 4 points and you get a completely different test with different focus areas you could have problems. My suggestion for BEC is to take as many MCQ as possible, but also to make flash cards for the things that require memorization: formulas, effects of economic changes, etc. and make sure you know those things word for word.

[wariobalotelli]

I failed BEC 4 times over the past 1.5 years. (65,74,74,71)… I finally just passed, and it's no coincidence that i passed as soon as i decided to try a different approach instead of just going through the multiple choice over and over again.. Here's what i did:

I had already seen the lectures, and practically memorized most (if not all) the multiple choice questions (Becker 2012) from my prior attempts. So this go around, I decided to try reading the book more and taking notes. I read the first 3 chapters of the Becker book 3 times over. The first time i read it, i took notes on every single page. (i only read the IT, Economics, and other chapter once each). It took me about 3 weeks to thorougly read and take proper notes. I then re-read the notes, over and over again. The last week, I used a Wiley 2011 test bank book and started doing multiple choice questions. While at work, I did the questions inside the Becker text book (like 20 per chapter). I then did progress tests on Becker software for a few days just to refresh, again, I had memorized those already from prior attempts. I woke up the morning of the test and read through all of my notes one more time, and this is how i finally passed.

Everyone i know tells me reading the books is a waste of time, but it worked for me. It did seem risky for those 3 weeks knowing I hadn't been working problems, but my overall comprehension of the material skyrocketed. As someone who was frustrated with BEC for a long time, I had to throw my two cents in here and perhaps it can help you out. Good luck.

[wariobalotelli]

I failed BEC 4 times over the past 1.5 years. (65,74,74,71)… I finally just passed, and it's no coincidence that i passed as soon as i decided to try a different approach instead of just going through the multiple choice over and over again.. Here's what i did:

I had already seen the lectures, and practically memorized most (if not all) the multiple choice questions (Becker 2012) from my prior attempts. So this go around, I decided to try reading the book more and taking notes. I read the first 3 chapters of the Becker book 3 times over. The first time i read it, i took notes on every single page. (i only read the IT, Economics, and other chapter once each). It took me about 3 weeks to thorougly read and take proper notes. I then re-read the notes, over and over again. The last week, I used a Wiley 2011 test bank book and started doing multiple choice questions. While at work, I did the questions inside the Becker text book (like 20 per chapter). I then did progress tests on Becker software for a few days just to refresh, again, I had memorized those already from prior attempts. I woke up the morning of the test and read through all of my notes one more time, and this is how i finally passed.

Everyone i know tells me reading the books is a waste of time, but it worked for me. It did seem risky for those 3 weeks knowing I hadn't been working problems, but my overall comprehension of the material skyrocketed. As someone who was frustrated with BEC for a long time, I had to throw my two cents in here and perhaps it can help you out. Good luck.

[nbad311]

I loved Jeff's Ninja notes for BEC. I got a 62 after using some Bisk and Wiley for supplemental support, then switched to just Wiley and added the notes and got a 79 on my re-take. Wiley provided challenging MCQs and in-depth information on all subjects and the notes counter-balanced that with a higher-level glimpse at all subjects/good for reviewing purposes.

REG - 65, 70, 80!
BEC - 35, 62, 79!
AUD - 73, 75!
FAR - 65, 73, 70, 75! DONE.

[nbad311]

I loved Jeff's Ninja notes for BEC. I got a 62 after using some Bisk and Wiley for supplemental support, then switched to just Wiley and added the notes and got a 79 on my re-take. Wiley provided challenging MCQs and in-depth information on all subjects and the notes counter-balanced that with a higher-level glimpse at all subjects/good for reviewing purposes.

REG - 65, 70, 80!
BEC - 35, 62, 79!
AUD - 73, 75!
FAR - 65, 73, 70, 75! DONE.

[I'm, Ron Burgundy?]

BEC just all around sucks. Have you tried the NINJA method? I got a 54 on my first BEC test, switched to NINJA and boosted to a 72 and then an 80.

1. Pay no attention to your score report. You didn't get a 71, you got a 50. I didn't even bother looking at my score report because that approach sets you up for another non-75. Attack everything full blown not paying attention to the weak spots on the score report. Next time they could test you heavily in other areas that you neglected based on studying to weaknesses in your score report. Only you know what you are struggling with and where you need to place emphasis. If you are comfortable with Economics but struggle in Cost Accounting then focus 70% of your time in Cost Accounting and 30% on Economics/Other Areas until you get a grasp on the Cost Accounting.

2. Keep reviewing. Even though you may be 100% comfortable in a particular area do not neglect it. Skim a chapter during the day, do 10 MCQ's each day, etc. in those areas just to keep them fresh, etc.

3. Do as Jeff says in regard to IT: RE-READ the entire IT chapter the morning of the exam. The IT is so involved it's easy to overlook the tiny details such as segregation of IT duties.

4. Take it when you are ready, not ASAP. However, do not wait too long. You want to get it knocked out quick with a score like 71 as you are so close. However, treat it like you got a 50, go through the coursework like you are seeing it for the first time.

"If you're going through hell, keep going"
- Winston Churchill

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed."
- Michael Jordan

BEC: (54), (72), 80 (losing credit on 02/02/15 - nervous)
AUD: 78
REG: (74), 91
FAR: (71)

[I'm, Ron Burgundy?]

BEC just all around sucks. Have you tried the NINJA method? I got a 54 on my first BEC test, switched to NINJA and boosted to a 72 and then an 80.

1. Pay no attention to your score report. You didn't get a 71, you got a 50. I didn't even bother looking at my score report because that approach sets you up for another non-75. Attack everything full blown not paying attention to the weak spots on the score report. Next time they could test you heavily in other areas that you neglected based on studying to weaknesses in your score report. Only you know what you are struggling with and where you need to place emphasis. If you are comfortable with Economics but struggle in Cost Accounting then focus 70% of your time in Cost Accounting and 30% on Economics/Other Areas until you get a grasp on the Cost Accounting.

2. Keep reviewing. Even though you may be 100% comfortable in a particular area do not neglect it. Skim a chapter during the day, do 10 MCQ's each day, etc. in those areas just to keep them fresh, etc.

3. Do as Jeff says in regard to IT: RE-READ the entire IT chapter the morning of the exam. The IT is so involved it's easy to overlook the tiny details such as segregation of IT duties.

4. Take it when you are ready, not ASAP. However, do not wait too long. You want to get it knocked out quick with a score like 71 as you are so close. However, treat it like you got a 50, go through the coursework like you are seeing it for the first time.

"If you're going through hell, keep going"
- Winston Churchill

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed."
- Michael Jordan

BEC: (54), (72), 80 (losing credit on 02/02/15 - nervous)
AUD: 78
REG: (74), 91
FAR: (71)

[tough_kitty]

Reading the books is a waste of time?!?! Only in America maybe…..

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

Reading the books is a waste of time?!?! Only in America maybe…..

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[jw_83]

I am also having to retake BEC in January. I plan on going through my review material again and spend more time on areas I am weak in. My co-worker gave me her Wiley text to use. However, it is from 2009. I thought maybe if I need some clarification on things like cost accounting and variances, it might help. I don't see how things like that could have changed much. But maybe I am wrong. When 2014 NINJA notes are available, I will get the update and rewrite those. Last time I just rewrote my own notes and looked over the NINJA notes. I haven't got my score report, but since I was on the bubble, I think I can assume I didn't do so well on the WC. Any suggestions on how to practice those? My software gives an example to the WC to compare to your answer, and it has you grade yourself.

REG - 64, 72, 81!
FAR - 77
AUD - 79
BEC - 72, 79! And Done!

[jw_83]

I am also having to retake BEC in January. I plan on going through my review material again and spend more time on areas I am weak in. My co-worker gave me her Wiley text to use. However, it is from 2009. I thought maybe if I need some clarification on things like cost accounting and variances, it might help. I don't see how things like that could have changed much. But maybe I am wrong. When 2014 NINJA notes are available, I will get the update and rewrite those. Last time I just rewrote my own notes and looked over the NINJA notes. I haven't got my score report, but since I was on the bubble, I think I can assume I didn't do so well on the WC. Any suggestions on how to practice those? My software gives an example to the WC to compare to your answer, and it has you grade yourself.

REG - 64, 72, 81!
FAR - 77
AUD - 79
BEC - 72, 79! And Done!

[Gabronis]

Wow! Really appreciate the advice everyone. You guys rock! To Jw_83…On my score report I got a comparable grade on WC with people who received scores of 75-80 on the exam. I really didn't know how to answers the questions, just threw out a lot of BS but I made sure to have no grammatical errors, 3 or 4 short paragraphs using key words they would probably want to hear and having a nice looking intro and conclusion. Pretty much if you do those things it should be enough to have a decent score in the WC.

[Author]

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