[Anonymous]

Okay, I’m sure you’ve heard the same old story -sucked at school, suck at studying, suck at exams, terrified, aggravated.

Lol, nicely summed up. I’m currently studying for the BEC section (just to build up confidence), but just don’t know how to study.

I’m hoping to take the exam by the end of October and am using just the Becker books. I’m currently working full time, and usually only free on weekend and after 5pm. Could you please me formulate a plan that I can benefit from. I’m hoping to do one chapter a week. I watch the lecture, study, and then do horrible on the questions which is beginning to leave me frustrated.

How did you approach it? Did you study one section then HW or the entire chapter and then the entire HW?

Any advice will be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

[Anonymous]

I suck at studying as well, work full time, and never knew how to study effectively. I was ADD all my life and never knew until about 3 years ago. I got on medication and I am a machine, lol! Obviously not everyone is ADD, but I say that because its changed my life so maybe something to think about.

Things I do this go round that I failed at miserably my first attempt. I really don't start with the Becker lectures, because honestly I can highlight everything without his help. I go to each section and open the ebook, it has all the highlights etc. I take my ownnotes of the whole chapter. I learn better by writing, outlining my own. Then I answer the MCQ and SIMS. I also have added in Roger CPA Cram courses, because learn from him. He's up beat, excited. He also gives really useful ways to remember things. Jeff form Another 71 also has great Ninja material.

I work every night and all weekend long on studying. After I get all chapters done and the Cram I take practice exams. I shoot for 1-2 chapters a week. But I aim for understanding it not just getting it done.

Good luck!

[Kimboroni]

BEC is my last test, and I'm using a modified Ninja method. I read all of the chapters first and didn't do any MCQs. Now I'm starting to go through MCQs.

You probably need to be really structured and go full Ninja by following exactly what Jeff details in his materials– you can even just get the free downloads to get the method description. Also use his ELL plan, which is also free. Between Becker and Ninja, you should have a roadmap of exactly what to do.

You mentioned not doing well on the homework, which is fine. You will get better as you practice. Do not let this get you discouraged. I have also read that Becker homework is notoriously difficult.

Here are a couple of techniques that I use when doing MCQs:

~I do them one at a time– read the question, figure out my answer, then look up the correct answer. Rework if necessary, look up in book, etc.. Make sure I understand why the correct answer is correct and why the others are wrong. Then go on to the next question. (Rather than doing a bunch of questions and then going through and correcting them all.)

~If I'm looking at a question and can't recall the formula/concept/terminology/etc., I don't guess– I go to my resources and look it up. That way, I'm always focusing on the material and reinforcing correct answers. I have to look things up less and less the closer I get to test day.

I also try not to pay attention to percentage scores on practice questions. It is not graded the same as the actual test, and it is distracting. I try to focus on the material and cramming as much information into my brain as possible. There isn't room for negative data in there.

AUD 84 (1/9/14-Wiley books/TB + free materials)
FAR 83 (5/21/14-the above + NINJA 10 Pt Combo Lite)
REG 84 (7/9/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC/Notes)
BEC 76 (10/5/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC)

Disclaimer: My ninja avatar is not meant to imply that I have any affiliation with this site other than being a forum member. That's a pic of a T-shirt that my daughter gave me for my birthday. 🙂

[Author]

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