This thread is for people taking the Business Environment and Concepts section of the CPA Exam in the October/November 2009 window.
As always, please adhere to the AICPA disclosure guidelines.

This thread is for people taking the Business Environment and Concepts section of the CPA Exam in the October/November 2009 window.
As always, please adhere to the AICPA disclosure guidelines.
I took BEC this past week, used Becker and thought I was well prepared. This is my last section and I can't say how happy I was to not have to study for any sims. As far as the IT stuff was concerned I thought Becker did a fine job getting me ready. Don't underestimate BEC though. It packs a punch!
FAR 88
Aud 92
REG 97
BEC ??
Hi.. I'm taking the BEC on Nov.30 for the fourth time. Any advice??? I'm determine to pass this exam no matter what.. Help...!!
"Hi.. I'm taking the BEC on Nov.30 for the fourth time. Any advice??? I'm determine to pass this exam no matter what.. Help...!! "
Have you considered the Yaeger BEC HomeStudy? It's what I used to pass BEC after 3 failed attempts...
I'm taking BEC on Nov 9th and am using Becker Review materials. I'm just wondering how other people have studied as far as reading the actual material. The other sections of the exam have had chapters around 55 pages but all of the BEC chapters seem like there 100+ pages. The instructors tell you to read through all the material at least once. What have others done as far as reading or just going over what they covered in the lectures that has seemed to work for you?
Thanks
AUD - 92
FAR - 89
REG - 10/1 (felt like I got a 40)
BEC - 11/9
I read through all of the chapters twice and skimmed the supplement/addendum that is on the becker site. I relied a lot on the pass keys and did A TON of MCs. I took on Oct 3rd and felt pretty good when I left. After I started studying (after the 3rd chapter), I was so ready to give up! Don't let the exam scare you, but don't take it for granted either. Know your formulas and how to get to the answer if you have to get there by working backwards, plugging, etc.
BEC score release on Friday the 13th?!
Ok, here goes...I have been contemplating how I was going to take FAR (60-ouch) and BEC (72) and in what order. My parents had asked one of their friends who took the exam at 50 how he studied for the exam and explained that he used Bisk everything and without everything he would not have passed. (I am using ONLY Bisk books, because I did not want to pay all that money.) So my parents called me one night and said "Would you care if we paid for a complete review course for you, since you are 0/2?" Of course, I said sure and she said well our friend said Bisk is $1500. So I started researching different study materials...I purchased Yeager today (Now & Then). I am so excited to start using Yeager.
However, I was going to retake FAR on November 9th, but all I am doing is basically handwriting the entire book over and I am not retaining anything. I am also leaving for Hawaii next Monday until the 28th, so I really wouldn't be ready. So after total deliberation and pondering, I decided I am going to wait for my Yeager books to arrive and begin reviewing for BEC on the 29th of October and take the exam on November 30th. I only studied for three weeks with an additional review of 1 week, only with the Bisk book. I feel like I will be more than prepared for the exam! I AM NOT FAILING AGAIN! I will then take FAR in January or February, take a break for the heat of tax season, take REG in May, and AUD in July! Does this sound like it makes sense or should I change how I am doing things? I hate failing, especially when my sister is a 4.00 at a D1 school and is such a perfectionist. I am the oldest one and I have to look up to her! How sad is that? Oh...and she begins taking the CPA in a year...so, I need to pass this and be finished before she starts.
Sorry for such a long post. I don't really have anyone to take advice from here, so this site is so encouraging! Thanks, Jeff!
KSgirl86: Sounds like your awfully competitive with your sister, I'm competitive in general as well and my advice would be to absolutely use that as motivation. I strongly think that you have to find what motivates you to get the exam done, and everybody is motivated differently.
Definitely make sure you have enough time for FAR. It's a WHOLE lot of information to take in. I don't know about Bisk review, I used Becker, but i would recommend understanding the topics at the depth they are presented, don't try to go and understand them deeper than you need to. That exam is huge, but each topic doesn't go very in depth. Know the needed material for each topic, don't make it more complicated than it already is, it sucks enough without that!
KSgirl - I agree that you should postpone FAR and take BEC at the end of November...100% agree with that plan.
-Jeff
I just can't wait for Yeager to get here! I only ordered it this morning when I got to work, but I want it now! When this whole thing is over, it is going to be a miracle! I gave up my GPA for somewhat of a social life, my sister gave up her social life for her GPA. There is a difference, but you have to have social skills. She retains everything and I study for the exam and forget it all. I really think Yeager is going to work well for me! I am sooooo excited!
Thanks for your comments!
Do you think I will be ready to take any of these exams sooner, or do you think they are spread out with time wisely?
I didn't give up social life for my GPA and I didn't give up social life for the CPA exam. No wonder I'm going on 2 years trying to pass this madness...
I'd go crazy with no socializing!
I agree! The more practice you can get on those evil questions the better!
I just didn't want to fork out the money. Now my parents are helping me out, so I get the most out of my review material. My Yeager was shipped today! YAY! Then I will have the lectures, software, and the books. I am not gaining anything from the books alone. So I am trying something else before I get my motivation so far down the drain that there is no coming back.
I think a good review software is necessary. I would have been completely lost and wuldn't not even have known where to start without it!
I'm sure you'll find it very helpful! I used Becker, but I've heard great things about Yeager!
I just don't get Bisk! Maybe it is because I only used the books, but after all the things I heard about Yeager, I was impressed. I even talked to Bonni Yeager on the phone and she was very personable and acted like she cared.
Thats nice for them to be so personal. Becker is definitely not very personal. Although I must say when I had complete electronic failure, they did a great job of making sure I could still put the software on my computer even though I went over my alotted download amount! So I guess they did a pretty good job overall.
I think it would be hard to study with only books. I feel like things have to be told to me in like 3 different ways before I get it haha. I'll stare at a book for hours and not retain a thing!
You definitely have to figure out what works best for you! Luckily I took the exam during/right after my master's degree so I felt pretty comfortable with how I needed to study to retain the information
I don't have my masters. I have two BBA in Accounting and Financial Planning. I finished my accounting degree a year and a half before I graduated from college, so I was only working on Financial Planning to get my required hours. Then I graduated last December and started working December 29, just in time for tax season. So I had almost 2 years without any accounting classes. It is really hurting me!
Ya it makes a big difference, keeps it fresh in your head! My professors did a great job stressing us to get the exam done ASAP. The program has a great passing rate so they seem to be doing an excellent job!
My boyfriend is in a similar boat as you, he's been working for 9 years or so though and the exam just kept getting put off,and hes going back to do it now. He's having a difficult time, but making progress!
I guess you could say I am making progress to going from a 60 on FAR (my first test, which I forgot how to study) to a 72 on BEC (sort of figured out a better way to study). So close, but yet no cigar.
Don't get discouraged, its hard but theres a lot of people going through the same thing! You just have to keep at it every time! He passed audit, but has failed REG & FAR multiple times, it hasnt' been fun but I just keep tryign to stress to him how rewarding all the hours will be when he just gets it over and done with!
I have wanted to quit so many times. I can't even sleep at night because I feel like I should be studying. I can't have a drink with friends because I should be studying. This exam is to me and my friends baby is to her. It is absolutely disgusting. I just dont know how I will feel when this thing is over. I might be lost and not even know who I am anymore.
hahaha ya its weird you all of a sudden have time for a life! It helped me to focus on how much better things will be when its done, rather than letting it get you down, use it for motivation to get you moving the right direction!
KSGirl86,
Don't get discouraged. I have my undergard in social work, my masters degree in taxation and I only worked an internship at a public accounting firm for 6 months. Now I work in industry and do corporate tax work. I have never done financial accounting in my life. Only took a few classes to be eligible for the exam. I have taken 3 and passed 2 (feel good about the 3rd one) exams on my first try. I have FAR left and it is very overwhelming for me but I am trying to stay positive. Speaking from experience, you need to take some time and have fun for a few hours a week or you will not be as productive. Keep your head up! You can do it!
cc_cpa,
I used Becker for all 4 sections. I passed 3 on my first try but I got a 74 on AUD. You got a good score on AUD. How did you prepare for it? I am retaking AUD on Oct. 27.
I took BEC as my very first CPA section on Monday the 5th and felt really great about it! I used Yaeger's Home Study and felt over-prepared, if anything. Yaeger uses the Wiley books as accompaniment and I did TONS of MCQ's. I did every question on the practice exam CD probably 3 times, did every question at the end of the modules, and did the practice final exam in the back of the book as well.
If I can take one simple piece of advice away from my experience to be of help to others, it would be this: MCQ's, MCQ's, MCQ's. You cannot possibly be ready for the exam unless you see every single question you can get your hands on. If you've seen them all, you're ready for anything the test can throw at you!
OnePointAway,
For audit I viewed each lecture in one sitting. The following 2 days I did all of the M/C including the supplemental questions. Before I did the simulation I re-read the chapter. I also had the becker flashcards to keep around. Do progress exams as you go so you are still familiar with the previous material. Good luck. What did you get on BEC and Reg?
glutenator, I think you left yourself enough time, its a much shorter section. However, make sure you don't underestimate it based on no simulations etc. Out of all the people that were in my classes taking the exam, BEC was definitely on average passed by the smallest margin than the other sections of the exam.
It also seems that Ch.'s 3 & 5 of Becker at very highly tested on the BEC exam
@CPAPlease, Thanks! That's good to know.
No problem!
I took my Aud for the the Second Time and I think I did fine. I am just scare for the simulation because both simulation was killer. Taking BEC on Nov 5th hopefully
I am taking BEC in a couple of weeks, and I'm using Yaeger. I am doing well with Cost Acctg, Econ, and Bus Structure but I'm having a really hard time studying for IT... Does anyone have any suggestions?! I am not computer illiterate, but it just seems so involved. Thanks!
Hope - I cover this in my book...something to consider...
5. I cant pass BEC! What should I do?
6. Information Technology is heavily tested on BEC and I hate it! Any tips on how to study for IT?
Thanks Jeff! I sent in a donation!!
Hey - you're awesome...thanks!
Hey Jeff - Did you ever get that e-mail I sent you?
Probably not haha. I'll send it again! I need some help for my boyfriend whos having a real hard time with the exam.
YAY! I got my Yaeger material today! I am watching the first video lecture in like 10 minutes! I'm so excited...I could wet my pants! LOL!
hahaha Enjoy!
are the BEC testlets reactive? (meaning if you score well on testlet 1, testlet 2 will be more difficult).
I know FAR, REG, and AUD are reactive. But I remember hearing the BEC isn't.
Does anyone know the details on this?
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