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.
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Jeff - another71.com
offlineadminPosted 2 years ago # -
Olinto2020
offlineMemberI 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 ??Posted 2 years ago # -
Jeff - another71.com
offlineadmin"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...
Posted 2 years ago # -
zrhodes
offlineMemberI'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 - 11/9Posted 2 years ago # -
WICPAHOPEFUL
offlineMemberI 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.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Jeff - another71.com
offlineadminI have a section on how I attacked BEC and finally passed in my e-book if interested.Posted 2 years ago # -
Jeff - another71.com
offlineadminPosted 2 years ago # -
KSgirl86
offlineMemberOk, 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!
BEC - 72, 82; FAR - 60, 79; REG - 86; AUD - 77; Ethics Exam - 100!!
Yaeger Convert!Posted 2 years ago # -
CPAPlease
offlineMemberKSgirl86: 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!
AUD: 82 BEC:78 FAR: 78 REG: 89Posted 2 years ago # -
Jeff - another71.com
offlineadminKSgirl - I agree that you should postpone FAR and take BEC at the end of November...100% agree with that plan.
-Jeff
Posted 2 years ago # -
KSgirl86
offlineMemberI 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?
BEC - 72, 82; FAR - 60, 79; REG - 86; AUD - 77; Ethics Exam - 100!!
Yaeger Convert!Posted 2 years ago # -
acrua112
offlineMemberKSgirl86,
Since you are using Bisk books only, are you getting enough practice doing retired CPA exam questions?
In my opinion, even if you know the material inside and out and have been practicing it for years, if you don't practice doing actual CPA exam questions, you are not going to do well. They are VERY tricky!Posted 2 years ago # -
KSgirl86
offlineMemberI 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.
BEC - 72, 82; FAR - 60, 79; REG - 86; AUD - 77; Ethics Exam - 100!!
Yaeger Convert!Posted 2 years ago # -
CPAPlease
offlineMemberI 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!AUD: 82 BEC:78 FAR: 78 REG: 89Posted 2 years ago # -
KSgirl86
offlineMemberI 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.
BEC - 72, 82; FAR - 60, 79; REG - 86; AUD - 77; Ethics Exam - 100!!
Yaeger Convert!Posted 2 years ago # -
CPAPlease
offlineMemberThats 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!
AUD: 82 BEC:78 FAR: 78 REG: 89Posted 2 years ago # -
KSgirl86
offlineMemberThat is exactly how I feel. I am currently on Chapter 13 - Accounting for Income Taxes in the Bisk book and it is the only chapter out of 20 that I know like the back of my hand, but I work a lot in this area. So for the other 19 chapters, I am not so much retaining anything whatsoever.BEC - 72, 82; FAR - 60, 79; REG - 86; AUD - 77; Ethics Exam - 100!!
Yaeger Convert!Posted 2 years ago # -
KSgirl86
offlineMemberI 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!
BEC - 72, 82; FAR - 60, 79; REG - 86; AUD - 77; Ethics Exam - 100!!
Yaeger Convert!Posted 2 years ago # -
CPAPlease
offlineMemberYa 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!
AUD: 82 BEC:78 FAR: 78 REG: 89Posted 2 years ago # -
KSgirl86
offlineMemberI 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.
BEC - 72, 82; FAR - 60, 79; REG - 86; AUD - 77; Ethics Exam - 100!!
Yaeger Convert!Posted 2 years ago # -
CPAPlease
offlineMemberDon'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!
AUD: 82 BEC:78 FAR: 78 REG: 89Posted 2 years ago # -
KSgirl86
offlineMemberI 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.
BEC - 72, 82; FAR - 60, 79; REG - 86; AUD - 77; Ethics Exam - 100!!
Yaeger Convert!Posted 2 years ago # -
CPAPlease
offlineMemberhahaha 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!
AUD: 82 BEC:78 FAR: 78 REG: 89Posted 2 years ago # -
WICPAHOPEFUL
offlineMemberKSGirl86,
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!
Posted 2 years ago # -
cc_cpa
offlineMemberKSGirl86,
I was very unfamilar with the exam when I started the process. Here is how I did it. First off...Use Becker. It worked for me. Follow the Becker program exactly how it is laid out. If you want to know my exact study plan, just let me know. My last 2 exams were audit(89) and financial(80). I am not saying any of the other products do not work, I just have never used them. I am sure Yeager is good. Jeff gives good advice. I am just trying to help.Posted 2 years ago # -
OnePointAway
offlineMembercc_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.Posted 2 years ago # -
melloyello
offlineMemberI 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!
10/5/09 - BEC - 85
1/11/10 - REG - 96Posted 2 years ago # -
cc_cpa
offlineMemberOnePointAway,
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?
Posted 2 years ago # -
glutenator
offlineMemberI'm taking BEC on November 30. I just took REG on Oct 6. I hope I'm leaving myself enough time to study. The material seems to repeat some of the concepts I saw in REG, which is good. No Sims will be a plus. I'm using Becker, but I only do the book, and practice CDs and index cards. I don't watch the videos (I have no tolerance to sit through them).I'll Pass Eventually
REG (67, 66), BEC (79), FAR (5/26/10), AUD (August 2010)Posted 2 years ago # -
CPAPlease
offlineMemberglutenator, 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.
AUD: 82 BEC:78 FAR: 78 REG: 89Posted 2 years ago # -
Hope2BCPA
offlineMemberI 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!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Jeff - another71.com
offlineadminHope - 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?
Posted 2 years ago # -
Jeff - another71.com
offlineadminHey - you're awesome...thanks!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Jeff - another71.com
offlineadminI'm not sure if I did...did you identify yourself as CPAPlease?Posted 2 years ago #
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