Please share the real deal with us
REG - 11/15/11 - 80
BEC - 01/17/12 - hopefull
AUD - 02/28/12
FAR - 05/31/12
BEC - 01/17/12 - hopefull
AUD - 02/28/12
FAR - 05/31/12
CPABear
offlineMember
I took REG yesterday and I thought the Becker MC were very similar. Of course, there were some MC on later testlets that were more difficult, but probably because I didn't know some topics in as much detail as I should have. Becker goes into a lot of detail about thresholds / phase-outs (I thought this was overwhelming when I read through the book), but as you can tell in the Becker MC, there's only a few that are important to remember the actual dollar-amounts.
The Becker simulations aren't very similar to the actual test. When I saw my actual simulations yesterday, I wasn't too sure on how to answer any of them. However, it's really important to use the research tab. I ended up using the research tab and found "the rules" to solve all of them. I spent 15 min / 45 min / 30 min (my 2nd testlet got extremely difficult) and then 1 hr 30 min for the Sims.
Lynn1234
offlineMember
I took REG last testing window and passed. I used Becker and I felt the actual exam had quite a few questions from the ancillary material. the simulations in Becker were easier than the ones on the actual exam. i remember one of my simulations seemed like it belonged in FAR and I took FAR prior to REG so I was able to get a little understanding of the simulation.
BaseballCPA
offlineMember
So hard. Whatever material you are using, supplement it with something else. Definitely the most challenging part for me.
BaseballCPA
offlineMember
lol ok, I'll try to detail out what I did (using Becker):
Step 1) Review the first sub-lecture (e.g. the first lecture in the R1 series). My method during the lectures was to pay attention to Tim/Pete and highlight/underline pretty much whatever they told me to. If I came across something that seemed more complex, sometimes I would rewind the lecture and watch it again while making additional explanatory notes in the margins.
Step 2) Do the questions for the sub-lecture (carefully review explanations for each answer selection whether I got it right or wrong). NOTE: I think this is a very important step; sometimes we aren't 100% confident in what answers we select, but once we get it right, we neglect to review why; it's important to note why a different selection would have been incorrect. In my opinion, of course.
Step 3) Complete the supplementary questions at the end of the lecture series (e.g. the supp questions at the end of the R1 series)
Step 4) Repeat for all series' (R1-R7)
Step 5) Take final exam # 1
Step 6) I would note which areas were the most difficult for me and go back through the book and re-read (sometimes re-listen to) the lectures, trying to comprehend the material better. Also, I would re-do those MCQ problem sets to gauge my new level of understanding.
Step 7) [If time] Only for REG did I do this, but I re-wrote my notes (essentially rewriting sections of the book); came out to about 50 pages of notes. I felt like writing it down on paper enhanced my understanding of some topics.
Step 8) [If time] I did as many simulations as I could (I really don't think this adds a lot of value; the becker sims [at least for reg] seriously underestimated the actual sims.
Step 9) [If time] Review flashcards (Again, I don't think this step adds an enormous amount of value, but if you have time, it can't hurt).
Step 10) Take final exam #2
Step 11) Pray to whatever God you believe in; pray very hard.
This is my method, but I don't mean to presume that it would fit everyone's learning styles. Also, I was in the Master's program when I took the sections, not a full time job, so take that into consideration. I would have to say I prepared about 5 weeks for FAR, 4 weeks for REG, 2 weeks for AUD and BEC. Best of luck to you.
JamaicaBro
offlineMember
I used Becker for all sections and passed all on the 1st attempt. I found REG to be the most challenging and had to supplement with other materials from the web for sections where I thought Becker was too brief. I would also recommend that you leave sufficient time for the SIMS as I had a 2 that were not covered in Becker at all and had to use the research tool. The research tool is useful but very time consuming to find exactly what is required so you have to leave sufficient time.
FAR 86
AUD 98
REG 92
BEC 92
mariamb
offlineMember
Just took REG and it was brutal...it kept getting harder which each testlet. I studied every day (and I mean every day) for 6, 8 and sometimes 10 hours a day for the past 6 weeks. Used Becker and I have to say I was a bit disappointed. All the areas that they guessed were going to heavily tested, were not. I did review every chapter and it's contents and I am glad I did. So many of the questions that they (Becker) said had a remote chance of being on the exam were on my exam. I did 52 simulated tests and every single simulation at least three times. I would have to say that the set up for the simulations were odd, if not confusing.
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