Ninja Audio + Notes to supplement with Becker

  • This topic has 3 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 9 years ago by Anonymous.
  • Creator
    Topic
  • #191866
    matwmurp
    Member

    I need some assistance. I am beginning to start the CPA exam study process. I am currently registered with Becker and will complete that course because I am going to work for a Big 4, and it was part of my contract that Becker would be available at no cost (Direct-bill to Big 4). I am doing the Self-Study format.

    I am thinking about supplementing the audio and notes with the Becker program, b/c I have heard great things about ninja. I work out every morning and I feel like I could listen to the audio and look at the notes to maximize efficiency of time. Would the information contained in these help me understand material in Becker, or it pretty much the same thing?

    Also, regarding the Ninja MCQ— I have heard great things about these also, but I noticed that Becker does have practice tests, etc.

    What would be the most cost efficient way to obtain these? I am open to any advice that you all have to offer.

    Thanks!

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
  • Author
    Replies
  • #649058
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    My company paid for Becker, and I purchased the NINJA 10-point combo myself. So far, I think Becker does a fine job. I was worried after the REG exam because I saw some things on the exam that I didn't recall learning in Becker and couldn't find in my Becker text, but apparently, I did fine on the exam.

    The NINJA products that I have found most helpful are the audio and MCQs. I'd rather listen to Jeff than Tim Gearty any day of the week, so I have been skipping some of the Becker lectures and just using NINJA audio. And I don't think there is such a thing as too many MCQs, so you can't go wrong in purchasing access to those, either, plus you get much more comprehensive progress reporting with the NINJA MCQs, i.e. your stronger and weaker topics, how you're doing over time, etc. Becker does have homework questions, as well as progress tests, which you can customize to cover whatever chapters/topics you want. Becker also has “final exams,” which are basically like practice exams … 3 MCQ testlets and some SIMs. But if you're doing the questions over and over, you'll get to a point where you've memorized the answers, and you're no longer truly “working” the questions. You're just answering them. It helps to have another test bank to work through.

    I like to take my own notes, using my own style, so I haven't used the NINJA notes a ton, but they come highly recommended by plenty of this site's users, so it really depends on your preferred study methods. I did use the NINJA flashcards for FAR quite a bit and referred to the NINJA text for FAR on some topics that I wanted more coverage of than was provided by Becker. I did not use much more than audio for REG due purely to lack of study time for that one.

    If I were going the cost efficient route, I'd start with the products I KNOW I will use. For me, that would be audio and MCQs. For you, it might be notes and flashcards. Jeff frequently has promos on various products, and for what it's worth, if he ends up offering the combo at a discount, and you've already bought bits and pieces of the program, he typically lets you buy the rest of the combo at a discounted price, as though you had purchased the combo all along, so keep that in mind if you're worried about purchasing a little at a time and then having to pay for the whole thing later.

    #649059
    matwmurp
    Member

    Casey-

    A lot of valuable information. Thanks a lot for providing that, it is extremely helpful. I am currently signed up for FAR and REG. I have decided that I am going to purchase some of the Ninja products. I just finished my college football career in November, and I noticed that you are a powerlifter. Much respect, I am an avid weightlifter as well. Wouldn't classify myself as powerlifter, simply because I am cutting some of the football weight that I carried and doing a lot of high-rep workouts simply to let my body recover from the 4 years of pounding that it took from football–haha.

    Anyway, I noticed in your reply that you are visual learner and like to make your own notes, etc. I am the same way, and am sure that it is just our athletic nature. I like to be active when I'm studying as well. I write things out over and over and re-write notes. My company had the flashcards included in the Becker package. Personally, I never use flashcards when I am studying for school. I am not sure if you are the same, but I question the usefulness that the Becker flashcards will provide for me.

    With that being said, I am just trying to come to a conclusion about what to purchase. I know you touched on a few aspects in the post above, but I just wanted to get your advice. I just do not think that I will use all of the parts of the 10-point combo. Do you think that having the 10-point combo to refer to and use with the Becker review has helped you tremendously, or do some portions of the 10-point combo go untouched (i.e. you don't study them)? I know it varies based on the person, but the whole process is kind of overwhelming right now, and I want to do everything in my power to have the materials needed to succeed the first time.

    I am definitely going to purchase the MCQ. Also, I am pretty sure I will order the audio as well. My goal is to listen to it while I work out and any other time that I have. I may order the notes just for reference against personal notes.

    Since you are enrolled in Becker— do you think that any portion of the 10 point combo (i.e. audio, notes, flashcards, etc.) is more informative and useful regarding portions that may be difficult to understand in Becker? For example, like-kind transactions is presented in Becker in a way that may be a little confusing, but you were able to understand it better with the help of the audio, notes, flashcards, etc.

    I hope that makes sense.

    Do you think I should order for both FAR and REG at the same time since I am registered for both. Or should I try some of the NINJA material out for FAR, and then if it works–use the same approach for REG?

    I apologize for rambling, but am certainly appreciative of your help and advice.

    Thanks

    #649060
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    matwmurp, my apologies, as I just noticed your post with questions for me.

    It sounds like audio and MCQs would work well for you, so I would start there. Try it out for FAR, and take it from there. Again, Jeff is very accommodating when it comes to purchasing other parts of the program later on, so there's no need to make a big financial commitment right now if you're not sure.

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.