1. 

   kobebryant168
   

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   Hi guys, successful cpas or candidates
   I was really depressed after I got my score today, it was my 2nd try on BEC and got a 71, while first time i got 73
   I worked so hard and mainly focused on the weak areas that I realized from the old 73 score
   Turned out those weak areas are my strong areas now but the ones I was comparable to others become weaker now...
   Is it my problem?
   BEC should be easy one right? since no simulations or any others...
   BEC is my first section becoz I want to avoid the changes in 2011...but I guess it's inevitable now...and this is very discouraging for me to take the remaining 3 sections
   Taking FAR this sunday, but I don't think I can focus study after this discouragement...
   Has anybody find BEC tough?
   I m feeling to give up the upcoming FAR exam now :(

   AUD 74, 77
   BEC 73, 71, 71, 78
   FAR 78
   REG 70
   
   I was born in the 80s...yet my scores are all in 70s

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   Posted 1 year ago #
2. 

   BEC I said so
   

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   what review course did you use?

   REG-84, FAR-75, AUD-79, BEC-TBD

   Posted 1 year ago #
3. 

   rmm91909
   

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   Kobe don't give up! I feel your pain with BEC I failed it twice and am taking it again on the 28th. I feel like quitting too at times especially because BEC is so fustrating but what are we proving? That we are going to let some silly exam stop us from a goal? Use the failure as motivation to pass the next one!! Good luck with your exam!

   Posted 1 year ago #
4. 

   kobebryant168
   

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   I used Becker
   Thanks rmm91909, but this post failing feeling is tough...I'm 26 but I couldn't control myself away from crying this morning, never cried since 12!

   AUD 74, 77
   BEC 73, 71, 71, 78
   FAR 78
   REG 70
   
   I was born in the 80s...yet my scores are all in 70s

   Posted 1 year ago #
5. 

   rmm91909
   

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   Well we have being 26 in common and I have totally cried over this exam before :)

   Posted 1 year ago #
6. 

   ILCPACANDIDATE
   

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   It's all right man (presuming you're a dude?). Just buckle down and take it again in January - that's what I'm doing - don't get scared of the new material.

   Not sure if you're working or not but the best part about studying in winter is that if you don't have any major family time planned, you could probably even take the week or two before the exam off to do nothing but study, study, study. One thing I wished I had was more time to solidify B3 in particular, and it ended up costing me dearly as I got a 74 (using Becker also) this window.

   Starting fresh in 2010 w/Becker!
   BEC: 74,80 - FAR: 64, 4/2012 - REG: 70,60,75 - AUD: 74,78
   Can't change the past but I CAN make the future. (ONE LEFT OMG.)

   Posted 1 year ago #
7. 

   sixth sense
   

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   Same here. I cried when I got my second failed score on BEC. The first one is 69, this time is 72.
   Exactly same situation as yours. The first time's strong part turns to weak part of this time.
   The second time I felt I prepared well, even though just spent 12 days. However, I found this was harder than the first I took.
   They all said BEC is the easiest part compared with other three section, but I couldn't pass it for twice. My confidence is also ruined by little tiny pieces. It is so hard to cheer myself up to study again.( having AUD within 10 days).
   I totally have the saming feeling as you, Kobe. I even questioned myself if i need to keep taking this exam, if i am capable to be a CPA......
   BEC ruins my confidence and hope. and I am not good at writing. maybe it will become the hardest one for me later.
   Even though i think about many times for quit, I still wanna keep fighting, just need more time to be ready.
   BTW, i used Becker also, trying to think change material next time.

   Posted 1 year ago #
8. 

   Need CPA Already
   

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   This is my theory..

   BEC to me was the easiest of all the exams. I really felt when I walked out of there that in each testlet there was only about 3-4 Qs that were giving me problems, the rest I felt I answered 100% correct. I had 5 full days off before my exam and I used them all (9 AM to 9 PM ish w/ breaks of course)

   I was kind of shocked when I got an 82 (I thought I nailed it, 90+), being that I got an 83 on REG and I thought there was a good chance I failed, they are curved in a way (there is no way I got more % correct on REG than BEC, no way)

   I feel like BEC has the smallest margin of error of all the exams. I used Becker but I think they can over complicate things. Really need to just keep it simple (don't waste time doing those long problems in Chp 3 & 5 supplemental questions as they waste time as you have to do multiple steps when on the exam the problems are really only 1 step).

   Once again most people I know who passed the exam get their lowest score in BEC. Once again, most people think BEC is the easiest but it has a lowest pass rate in 2010 so far, DO NOT LET A FAILED SCORE IN BEC DETER YOU FROM OTHER PARTS......

   8/20 AUD: 90
   8/31 BEC: 82
   10/6 REG: 83
   10/25 FAR: 93

   Posted 1 year ago #
9. 

   whitesoxfancpa
   

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   BEC was by far the toughest for me to study. I did worse on the practice questions than the other exams. I had more "I want to give up" moments while studying for BEC than any other section. I felt more confused studying for BEC than any other section and I felt the exam was the hardest. In my opinion it is the hardest section, hands down. Keep your head up and focus. You will be a CPA. Maybe not as quickly as you wanted, but you will be a CPA. Hit the other sections, study hard, and conquer BEC later on.

   AUD 96 FAR 95 REG 94 BEC 88

   Posted 1 year ago #
10. 

    kobebryant168
    

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    Guys, your supports are greatly appreciated...No doubt it is frustrating and I asked myself whether this is the career I want? But what I like about accting is dealing with numbers, challenging and opportunities to help the community with taxes and audit are most fun part....but taking BEC as my first section may be a mistake truly
    I never studied REG and AUD before bcoz I just finished university this June and was hoping to get BEC and FAR out of the way before the changes in 2011
    I guess it's inevitable to accept the changes for BEC, taking FAR today, thanks to the score of BEC on thurs...my confidence is really ruined by BEC and really discouraged....
    Now, I studied BEC with Becker, how should I get the new BEC materials? and I agreed that I should really take BEC as late as possible...I don't want to deal with it in the near future

    AUD 74, 77
    BEC 73, 71, 71, 78
    FAR 78
    REG 70
    
    I was born in the 80s...yet my scores are all in 70s

    Posted 1 year ago #
11. 

    Herbieherb
    

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    I certainly underestimated BEC. I thought I could do it in 3 weeks/working full time. All MCQ,no WC or Sims Thin Wiley book..EZ right? NO WAY!!!

    I'm 2 weeks into studying and supposed to be ready for "Final Review" but I'm like stuck on every chapter after Economics (using Wiley). That Financial Management/Capital Budget/Risk/Cost Accounting...OMG its like how many pages of formulas do I have to memorize??? Some nights I'm fixated on studying complex formulas/problems -wasting hours on them, and when I look at it the next day, still confused. Look at another problem and think how did I forget basic alegbra already?....I know this strategy is failing with this low time restriction because I'm neglecting the easier theory questions. The only 3 subjects I feel comfortable are Business Structure, IT, and Economics to some degree. I'm still debating taking it in 2011 give myself another month to study.

    In comparison I studied AUDIT for 2 months, REG for 3 months... I gave BEC no respect and Its kicking my A$$.

    AUD 8/1/10 - 78 , REG 11/7/10 - 88
    BEC 11/30/10 - 81, FAR 2/28/11 - 79
    CPA 06/01/11 NEW YORK- DONE

    Posted 1 year ago #
12. 

    Grant9859
    

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    I have hit the wall studying for BEC. My exam is on Tuesday. I put in about 9-10 hours of studying in yesterday then about 8-9 more today. I took a break to eat dinner and just relax my brain for a little while, came back and just wasn't being productive so I'm done for the night. Having a beer and trying to get my mind off it a bit (I wish).

    I am off work tomorrow so I plan on wrapping up the last few topics in B-5 then will do a basic review, rewriting some formulas and skim through the Becker IT Technical Addendum. Maybe I'll gain something out of it. Seems like it might be a good idea to glance at the IT section of the AUD book as well. I just don't know what to expect for the exam, especially for IT, so I'm trying to learn as much IT stuff as possible even though it may be completely random stuff. It seems that even people who have felt prepared going in to the exam have been surprised at what they experienced. I am just hoping for a little bit of luck with the questions.

    Ugh, this was supposed to be the "easy" section...

    FAR - 81
    AUD - 91
    REG - 85
    BEC - 80

    Posted 1 year ago #
13. 

    CPAcandidate
    

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    I feel your pain, everyone! I'm taking this section Saturday and my brain is FRIED!!!! I don't know how many more MQ's I can look at!!!

    I get frustrated b/c I read/study a section & re-read/study later and have forgotten things that I just looked at. I was "hoping" this was going to be an easier section, but man, BEC is just detailed. I have no idea what to expect Saturday, but I'm hoping I remember something on that day. Ahhh!!!!

    BEC | REG 87 | FAR | AUD

    Posted 1 year ago #
14. 

    ChiGirl10
    

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    Not to bash Becker, but it seems like most people use it without researching other products or talking to other people about what works best for them. I talked to several people who had success with Gleim, and the format seemed like something I could work with (I get bored very easily, and Gleim's videos are only about 1 to 10 minutes each). So far I've passed all 3 sections I took (including BEC). No, I didn't do amazingly well, but I also didn't put in as much time as the people who did amazingly well. But what I did do was use the Gleim MCQ bank over and over and over again. Since you already paid for Becker, it might be cost prohibitive to purchase a whole new test prep system. But if you can afford it, I recommend buying the MCQ question bank (I think they call it the Test Prep Software Download). Not once did I feel caught off guard when I was taking the exam. In fact, I think Gleim's questions were harder than the actual exam. And each section has about 2,000 questions so if you just do them over and over and over you should get a good feel for everything they're going to ask. I did them over and over and over until I was consistently getting scores I was pleased with.

    I realize I now sound like a Gleim salesperson, but I'm not. I just think that too many people pick Becker because it's the most popular. But it's also the most expensive, and it doesn't work for everyone. Everyone should shop around and ask around and figure out what will work best for them.

    But don't give up! You can do it! You just need to find what works for YOU.

    FAR-7/26/10-81 BEC-8/30/10-81
    REG-10/18/10-83 AUD-11/22/10-93
    Ethics-98

    Posted 1 year ago #
15. 

    Grant9859
    

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    The second time around with the MC, I ignored some of the ridiculous questions that were in Becker B-5 (and a few in B-3). They just served to confuse me more than anything. This may not be the best way to handle this stuff, but I honestly feel like some of the questions reach a level of complexity and confusion at which point they are actually counter-productive. I understand the point of this is to make the actual exam questions seem much easier, but, for me personally, it doesn't always work that way. I certainly didn't skip everything that was past beyond basic level, but at this point, with just a day or two until my exam, I need to focus on nailing home the topics rather than reading a "book" for one question and trying to understand what they are asking.

    @ChiGirl

    As far as Becker goes, I can't really say anything bad about them (yet) as I have been able to pass 3 parts using Becker exclusively. It was expensive, however I do get reimbursed at work. The thing that keeps me motivated, though, is that I had to front all the money and I only get reimbursed upon passing. I'm actually glad that my firm decided to do it that way because it gives me a bit of a motivation boost when I am getting burned out.

    BEC is just such a crapshoot. Like I said, I'm hoping for a little bit of luck in the question I draw on Tuesday. I certainly hope I pass this thing, but either way, I can't wait to actually have some free time. I've been waiting so long for the day when I can come home from work and not feel the pressure of having to study. Not to mention that having a completely free weekend would be nice too!

    FAR - 81
    AUD - 91
    REG - 85
    BEC - 80

    Posted 1 year ago #
16. 

    2010Please
    

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    @Grant9859 - I skipped most of the supplementals in B3 and B5 too...like you, I felt that they were doing me more harm than good. I don't regret skipping them - this is the one section (BEC) where I feel Becker definitely went way overboard on the questions.

    @ChiGirl10 - I used Gleim for an internal audit class (was required to use it) and absolutely HATED it. Contrary to what you may believe, most people who choose Becker do ask around before purchasing it, as did I. I also asked around before purchasing Yaeger for FAR (bought it as a backup because I really want to understand FAR topics as thoroughly as possible - again a conscious decision - and I got a good price on it too, thanks to Jeff). Both were deliberate decisions, and I haven't regretted either one. If I had chosen Gleim exclusively, I think I would have had to shoot myself by now...just how I feel about Gleim after having experienced it for an entire semester. So, you are correct - choose what works for you. I'm glad Gleim has worked for you...just wasn't my cup of tea.

    AUD 92, REG 85, BEC 90, FAR 85
    Ethics 100
    Obtained License 7/11/11 :)

    Posted 1 year ago #
17. 

    FormerChemist
    

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    I love Gleim. Passed BEC with an $84 investment. Purchased all the other Gleim sections at http://www.gleim.com/accounting/cpa/ as well. Gleim rules (for me).

    BEC--83
    FAR--89 !!
    AUD--85
    REG--81 (shew!!!)

    Posted 1 year ago #
18. 

    nycegurl
    

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    Oh so thankful to find this post! I am sitting for BEC tomorrow am and I am not feeling too hot about this at all! FAR is nothing compared to this section! I'm with Grant9859, I feel like I have hit a wall. I have done all the questions in Wiley/Yaeger and just do not feel prepared. I took a practice exam in the Wiley test bank and got a 66. I really want to be done this year! God help me tomrrow morning!

    REG - 82 (11/09)
    FAR - 72 (2/27/10), 79 (5/29/10)
    BEC - 69 (7/9/10), Retake 11/26
    AUD - 75 8/28/10

    Posted 1 year ago #
19. 

    potatogun
    

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    What...FAR is nothing to BEC? BEC is much less material. Just write down a list of what you need to memorize on a notebook. A lot of BEC is understanding the concepts as well. If you can do that successfully then you don't need to memorize every formula in there.

    FAR 92 - AUD 91 - REG 94 - BEC 86

    Posted 1 year ago #
20. 

    nycegurl
    

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    True, BEC is far less material but I feel so lost! at least with FAR, we use that info on a fairly regular basis...sort of? I suck at Cost and I am no am no financial guru. Bad choice of words on my part. Its just with FAR, I was more familiar and comfortable with the topics...BEC, not so much. These questions are killing me! BEC is all over the place. IT, Fin. Mgt, Econ, Cost...ugh.

    REG - 82 (11/09)
    FAR - 72 (2/27/10), 79 (5/29/10)
    BEC - 69 (7/9/10), Retake 11/26
    AUD - 75 8/28/10

    Posted 1 year ago #
21. 

    potatogun
    

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    Most of the financial area is just understanding net present value or basic ratios. The thing to memorize is probably the financial risk formula regarding beta. And understand what beta represents as far as correlation with the market.

    IT is a lot of stuff that might be all over the place but understand the main roles that need to be segregated. Understand hotsite vs cold site. Understand the basics of what a LAN is..

    Econ is mostly supply vs demand. Understand it graphically and draw it out as needed. Also understand GDP, GNP, and how to calculate them.

    Regarding Cost accounting...make sure to have an understanding of what is exactly going on. What is an equivalent unit? What is an activity when I do activity based costing? What is actual vs budget? If you see the reason to it then it is not so much "random" calculations. I don't think you can successfully master cost accounting without understanding it...

    FAR 92 - AUD 91 - REG 94 - BEC 86

    Posted 1 year ago #
22. 

    nycegurl
    

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    Thanks for the tips potatogun! I think my panic mode set in and I am feeling very overwhelmed. Your simple breakdown is helpful! Focuses my review and helped me calm down a little. happy thanksgiving!

    REG - 82 (11/09)
    FAR - 72 (2/27/10), 79 (5/29/10)
    BEC - 69 (7/9/10), Retake 11/26
    AUD - 75 8/28/10

    Posted 1 year ago #
23. 

    32CPA
    

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    Kobe... I have heard many times that BEC is the easiest... yet, every person I know that has passed it (outside of this forum) says BEC was their lowest score... and I'll tell you that while I passed, I had to KILL it to pass.

    Becker is HORRIBLE for BEC. Great for Audit, but horrible for BEC. When I finished their course for BEC, I felt like I knew NOTHING! I had to get the yeager cram... which was exactly what I needed to pass. I don't know what you have or how much $$ you have spent or are willing to further spend, but the BEC cram from yeager is awesome! I would suggest when you come back to start BEC studies again... plan for three weeks:

    1st week... considering that business structures will be in another exam in 2011, you can throw out Becker chapter 1. Start the yeager cram... view lectures and do the minimum questions at the end of each lecture.

    2nd week... redo all minimum questions (and in 2011 Cram, I'm sure they'll have Sims for you too). Watch Roger's CPA's free video... he does a free video online that explains variance analysis better than Becker and Yeager. It's an hour long, and well worth your time. Go to his website and sign up for the free trial video samples.

    3rd week... guess what... do questions!

    Actually, you probably don't even need the 3rd week. You have been through Becker's course, which means that you have a knowledge base that you need to just put a new coat of paint on. I promise you, after you do the Yeager Cram, you will feel like a BEC rock star. I finished Becker with 5 days to spare before the exam... spent those 5 days with the Yeager Cram (skipped most of the econ lecture (only 10% of exam)... before those 5 days, I would not have showed up on exam day. After those 5 days... well, let's just say if I had started with Yeager earlier, I would have done better than 77.

    I attribute 70 points to yeager, and the other 7 to Becker.

    The BEC cram is very reasonably priced, and only about 10 hours of lecture. Another word... I failed FAR with Becker... then afer I finished my BEC exam, I dropped the becker book entirely and did Yeager Cram for 3 solid weeks... I haven't got my FAR score b/c I'm in a snail mail state, but I feel VERY confident I beat FAR.

    I do not work for Yeager... but if they'd let me sell for them, I would. It's the best money my employer ever spent!

    BEC - Pass 10/2010
    FAR - Pass 10/2010
    AUD - Pass 11/2010
    REG - Pass 05/2011

    Posted 1 year ago #
24. 

    32CPA
    

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    Oh, and Kobe, one more thing... keep your head UP!!!

    I was devastated when I didn't pass FAR. I got my results while I was in the middle of studying for BEC. Remember, you didn't FAIL... you just didn't pass.

    The human body and psyche can handle more failures than it can successes. We're designed to fail, learn, fail, succeed. I'm not just speaking of the exam here.

    I had to realize that very quickly during my BEC studies about FAR. Ever watched a baby learn to walk? They fall WAY more than they walk. But then, one day, they walk a lot. For BEC, you just fell. What's your next step?

    BEC - Pass 10/2010
    FAR - Pass 10/2010
    AUD - Pass 11/2010
    REG - Pass 05/2011

    Posted 1 year ago #
25. 

    beancnter2002
    

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    I last attempted BEC about a year and a half ago. I haven't touched any of it since then. I am now determined to get this test done. The last time I took BEC, I had to keep myself from literally dancing from the Prometric center to my car. I felt so confident taking the exam, that I was sure I nailed it.

    I got the results and quite literally went into a state of shell shock. I spent about two hours with my mouth ajar; trying to rationalize how I could have gotten a 73-74(I don't remember exactly, but it was that close). I had put in the time and felt like I understood the materials.

    I am going to take it again this Monday and am hoping this time will be it.

    Posted 1 year ago #
26. 

    Herbieherb
    

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    @32CPA who does the cram BEC lectures? If i order the webcast, can I view immediately?

    AUD 8/1/10 - 78 , REG 11/7/10 - 88
    BEC 11/30/10 - 81, FAR 2/28/11 - 79
    CPA 06/01/11 NEW YORK- DONE

    Posted 1 year ago #
27. 

    32CPA
    

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    @Herbieherb... I believe you can get immediate access to the online version. The dvd is the way to go, but considering you plan to take 11/30, that isn't a viable option. Unfortunately, you won't have the book... unless you have the Wiley books from your regular course.

    You can gain a lot with out the books... but I'll be honest, Becker was really weak with the BEC homework questions... most came from the CMA exam. I think there is a yeager or wiley online test bank you can use too.

    BEC - Pass 10/2010
    FAR - Pass 10/2010
    AUD - Pass 11/2010
    REG - Pass 05/2011

    Posted 1 year ago #
28. 

    potatogun
    

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    A lot of Becker questions come from the cma in general.

    FAR 92 - AUD 91 - REG 94 - BEC 86

    Posted 1 year ago #
29. 

    75 CPA
    

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    kobebryant168

    Switch to Yaeger BEC Home Study and you will pass. Cindy Simpson is an awesome teacher! I passed BEC on my first try with Cindy's and God's help.

    Posted 1 year ago #

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