[Noct]

I’ve found what I consider to be the most efficient study method. I don’t expect this would work for everyone, but has worked for me so I thought I should share.

First off, the only study material I’ve used is the Wiley books (which can be bought in a set for relatively cheap from Amazon).

Now for the strategy… First thing, before doing any reading, I answer all of the multiple choice questions at the end of each module. I do this very quickly and don’t spend more than a few minutes on any question. If I don’t know it, I flag the question and move on, and I also flag the question if I was unsure and had to guess.

At the end of each module, I review the questions I got wrong and the ones I flagged to make sure I understand why I got it wrong. I usually find the brief descriptions in the answer section sufficient, but I will go to the reading material if necessary.

Once I’ve gone through each module, my strategy changes slightly. I pick the module I was weakest in and I do the MCQ for it again using the same method as before (flagging guesses/skips). And again, I review any questions I got wrong/guessed/skipped (a bit more thoroughly than the first time). Then I move on to my next weakest section and repeat. Note that my ‘weakest’ section is constantly changing as new scores replace old ones, so I may end up doing one module four times, and another module only once.

I continue this process until I get at least an 85% in each module (or I run out of time). If I have time to spare, I repeat the process with the practice exam at the back.

I’ve found this method automatically forces me to spend more time on my weaknesses, and prevents me wasting time on my strengths.

Overall, I found I can go through 6-10 modules per weekend, and maybe 1-2 modules per weeknight in a pinch. You may have noticed I do not do any practice simulations. I’ve found that the same info is covered in the MCQ and that doing MCQ is a more time efficient method. I also do very minimal memorization unless it applied to several MCQ in a given module.

I hope someone finds this helpful. I would have saved myself weeks of work studying for my first exam if someone had suggested this strategy to me.

FAR - 79 - 07/2012
AUD - 65, 78 - 11/2012
BEC - 76 - 11/2012
REG - 78 - 01/2013
ETH - 98 - 01/2013

Material: Wiley books

[ReadytoPasstheCPA]

@Noct: Looks like an efficient approach. Do you typically read the whole chapters? If so, when?

[Ag12thman]

Same question as Readytopass – do you read the chapters at all and if so when? Using any flash cards or audio to supplement?

FAR: July 2016

[Noct]

@ReadytoPasstheCPA

Actually, no. I never fully read the material. I only read the portions that I don't understand from the brief explanations provided in the MCQ answers section.

FAR - 79 - 07/2012
AUD - 65, 78 - 11/2012
BEC - 76 - 11/2012
REG - 78 - 01/2013
ETH - 98 - 01/2013

Material: Wiley books

[Anonymous]

I'm assuming from your test score signature, that you were able to successfully use this method to pass BEC within one month's time?

[Noct]

@CEH84

Yes. In fact, I only had 3 weeks for BEC (because I had to retake AUD). I would have passed it by a wider margin, but I caught the flu a few days before my exam so I was not on my A game, and I ran out of time before I could answer a single essay question.

FAR - 79 - 07/2012
AUD - 65, 78 - 11/2012
BEC - 76 - 11/2012
REG - 78 - 01/2013
ETH - 98 - 01/2013

Material: Wiley books

[ReadytoPasstheCPA]

@Noct: Thanks for sharing your approach. I too agree that MCQs are the best bang for your buck. This approach is similar to eating bite size pieces of a moderate portion of food. Whereas, sitting through an 8 hour CPA Review Lecture in Regulation is like trying to eat a 48 oz. Steak in one sitting, not very digestible.

[Tncincy]

@Noct

I appreciate you sharing your study technique. I am going to try it….the thing I like is that I really don't what to study for trying to read all the materials and then do the mcq's. But doing the mcq's first, I like the approach….What about the sims? Do you think sometime should be given to sim practice? It's one thing to read the questions and another to know what to do with it. Also what about the research questions? Sorry to bumrush you but as you can see study strategy is the name of the game.

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

[Noct]

@tncincy

I honestly have not done a single practice sim for any section and it hasn't hurt me yet. In fact, when I failed AUD they said I was “stronger” in the simulation portion. That having been said, I currently work in public accounting so I am already familiar with the format/presentation of the simulations so for me it's just a matter of understanding the concepts (which are also covered in the practice MCQ). If that weren't the case, I would probably work some practice sims to feel more comfortable.

One thing to keep in mind with the simulations is that you have access to the authoritative literature for that portion of the exam. If you really get your MCQ down pat you can zip through the first three testlets relatively quickly leaving plenty of time to lookup answers or guidance on the sims in the literature.

FAR - 79 - 07/2012
AUD - 65, 78 - 11/2012
BEC - 76 - 11/2012
REG - 78 - 01/2013
ETH - 98 - 01/2013

Material: Wiley books

[Tncincy]

@Noct,

Thank you for that. I am reviewing my study habits and not my review materials. thanks. Points taken

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

[Ag12thman]

Thanks for the information on the study strategy you are implementing.

FAR: July 2016

[Ag12thman]

Has anyone else tried Noct's study strategy?

FAR: July 2016

[anmore]

Bump – also wondering if anyone has used this strategy.

Your poor planning is not my emergency. My poor planning is!

[Keely]

I don't practice the SIMs either. I find that, on the actual exam, they are pretty much impossible to predict and your knowledge gained from lectures/reading/MCQs should carry you through. Like you, I also do the MCQs once before doing any real studying. I do this to test my knowledge of the overall chapter. I usually score anywhere from 40% (a couple FAR sections…horrible) to 85%. Then I do some real studying and do them again.

I am an advocate for reading the book though. I read it thoroughly, many, MANY times before exam day. But I don't just read, I take notes while reading. Reading is nothing without the reinforcement of notes. But I have had on every exam I've taken at least a few questions I wouldn't have gotten if I hadn't read the book from cover to cover. They always get you on some weird detail, and it couldn't hurt to read everything before you take the exam. Just my suggestion.

BEC: (4/2012) 88
AUD: (5/2012) 91
REG: (8/2012) 82
FAR: (1/2013) 78 🙂

VA CPA #42010

[Noct]

@Keely

I don't claim that my method is comprehensive, but rather efficient.

I'm not going for complete understanding, just to pass. I gather from your scores that you prefer a more conservative approach.

FAR - 79 - 07/2012
AUD - 65, 78 - 11/2012
BEC - 76 - 11/2012
REG - 78 - 01/2013
ETH - 98 - 01/2013

Material: Wiley books

[Tncincy]

Keely,

I am so scared to read everything. I get too caught up and I will read the book cover to cover, but I keep feeling like I don't have enough time to do so much reading. This maybe why I don't feel like I am accompllishing anything, I'm reading, note taking, answering questions, getting the questions wrong, re-reading again, getting the questions wrong. Wrong is discouraging but I will keep trying. don't know if I have time to do cover to cover. I rescheduled my test from the 1/31 to 2/23. Tax season starts the 30th, won't be able to close shop on a week day so I will go for the week end. I got to move forward between now and the 2/23. Ughhh…I feel so stuck.

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

[Author]

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