[Accountant183748]

This will be my third attempt at BEC and I would like some suggestions as to whether I should get a different test bank or stick with NINJA. I like NINJA, but my biggest concern is that I will have memorized the answers.

I took the test on 11/18/15 after studying for about a month and got a 66.

I took it again on 2/20/16 after studying for about 6 weeks (during busy season at a new CPA firm) and got a 73.

I’m hoping to pass this time and I think both my failures are attributed to me not studying enough and lack of focus. The first time I took it right before a two week vacation so I was pretty much already in vacation mode and the second time I took it after getting back from vacation (I know it was silly to take a vacation before my exam) and starting a new job at a CPA firm during busy season. I’m not trying to come up with excuses, but I know I wasn’t focused either time and this time I want to focus and get it over with!

Any other tips for passing? This is my last exam!

[Anonymous]

Given that NINJA is a 3-month subscription, I'm guessing you don't currently have NINJA. If I'm wrong, and you do currently have it, then I'd try a few questions and see if the questions seem familiar; if so, you definitely need a new test bank. If you try and they're not seeming familiar, then you may not have memorized the questions.

Presuming you don't have current access, though, you'll have to make a best guess. I think you can still learn from a test bank in which you've memorized the questions <i>if</i> you are extremely intentional about thinking through why the right answer is right, not just seeking if you can pick the right one. However, it may be easier to learn with a new test bank. So, I'd think the question comes down to: would you rather have it easier or cheaper?

If you decide to go for a new test bank, realize that a lot of questions will still overlap, since most test banks use mostly AICPA-released questions. From what I've gathered, Gleim adds lots of questions from their other courses in with their CPA questions (so, covering the same topics, but not AICPA-released questions, and not created exclusively for CPA review) – if you decide to get a new test bank, I would look into Gleim because it's more likely to have a large number of new questions. I don't know if the “Gleim has questions from everything” rule applies as much with BEC as it does with exams like REG that overlap with EA or AUD that overlaps with CIA etc., cause I'm not sure what other certs Gleim has that would overlap with BEC, but I'd still probably look into Gleim first if I was looking for a new test bank.

Still, though, I think you could do it with NINJA, even if you've memorized the answers, as long as you're very intentional about making sure that you're looking for learning not just looking for speed.

[jeff]

Since you last looked at the material 4.5 months ago, I don't think memorization of the questions will be a problem. Usually it's only an issue if people work an insane # of questions for an exam and keep repeating them.

AUD - 79
BEC - 80
FAR - 76
REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[Accountant183748]

Thank you both for your advice.

I got it because I like the layout/format. I've gone through the corporate governance and did recognize a few of the problems but not necessarily the answers. There was only one question that I remembered and had the answer memorized, but I did as Lilla suggested and made sure I understood the answer.

If I notice I remember and have more questions memorized I will look into getting Gleim as well, but I didn't want to spend the $250 yet. Although it might be worth it to make sure I pass this last exam!

[Anonymous]

Did you actually attempt to answer every question in the first or second attempt? I never had a problem with memorizing the questions, i had a problem with not doing enough questions and not flagging the questions I really needed to focus on. Once I figured that out I passed all of the exams.

[Anonymous]

Did you actually attempt to answer every question in the first or second attempt? I never had a problem with memorizing the questions, i had a problem with not doing enough questions and not flagging the questions I really needed to focus on. Once I figured that out I passed all of the exams.

[Accountant183748]

Silvermoons, what I usually do is go through each section and select “new questions” until I see I all of the questions. Then, I “analyze” my data and see if there is a trend and a section/subsection I really have trouble with and go back and reread that part, take notes and try to understand those parts better. I take an MCQ break and rewrite notes/study flash cards/review notes/etc for a few days.

Then I go back through each section and select “missed last time seen”. I then “analyze” the data again and see if I am still having trouble with the same areas or different areas. I take the MCQ break again and rewrite notes/study flashcards/etc. Then I start alternating between doing random sets of 30 MCQ and working on “missed last time seen” by section to keep things fresh and to continue working the problems.

How does this process sound? Do you think I am repeating too much? What do you do?

[Anonymous]

I do that same method, except I do part 1 (new questions) on day 1 and part 2 (missed last time seen) on day 2. For instance, I'll pull a set of 50 new questions on day 1. On Day 2 the first thing I'll do is select a group of 30 questions of “Missed Last Time Seen.” The trick here is that if i miss any on day 2 that is a big red flag. It tells me that I couldn't even remember the correct answer although I saw it on Day 1. I write those down in particular and spend more time studying them since obviously I don't know the answer and I couldn't even remember the correct answer. On Day 2 after I finish that set I'll do another batch of “New Questions” and repeat.

Over time your notebook will contain primarily questions that you need the most work on. It worked for me.

[milira10]

I used CPAexcel and the online test bank. The online test bank was great and very useful. I felt well prepared for the BEC exam

BEC - 6/9/16 Passed
AUD - 7/14/16
FAR - 8/24/16
REG - ?

[Author]

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