[MintsRGood]

Hello fellow exam candidates!

I’m looking for some guidance on the vast array of review courses and study programs out there and feel totally overwhelmed!

I’m currently using the Ninja Study guides and the Wiley Online Test Bank to prep for Audit and BEC, are these enough to get me passing score exclusively? I work for a small firm that does not subsidize the costs of review courses and materials, so I’m going it alone on the costs for a pricey course like Becker. Granted I’m willing to do/pay for what ever it takes to see a 75 or better but I would love to hear your thoughts on the Ninja and Wiley Online combo before I give Becker my Visa!

Thanks and good luck to you all!!!!!!!!

BEC 2/20/12

AUD 4/2/12

REG TBD

FAR TBD

REG: 75 DONE 🙂
AUD: 61, 71, 68, 92 DONE 🙂
BEC: 76 DONE 🙂
FAR: 72, 74, 79 DONE 🙂
Licensed Michigan CPA 🙂
-Some people dream of success...others wake up and work hard for it!!!
-The cowards never start and the weak die along the way!
-You better work, b***h!
-Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.-JFK

[mla1169]

I don't think theres an across the board answer to this, it depends on your individual learning style, how long its been since school, etc.

For example I passed FAR using nothing but cpareviewforfree.com and google. (true story!) However I used wiley for reg and BEC, and used Jeffs Ninja notes, Wiley, cpareviewforfree.com, and a lot of prayer for AUD.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[katiekanton]

Holy crap, mla1169. I've never heard of anybody pulling that off.

I wish someone with experience with lots of different materials would chime in on this. My impression that I've gathered from people is that if you're willing to really put the time in to do all the work Wiley is enough, but if you can spend the extra for Becker or Bisk, they make it a little easier for you. For instance, my Bisk cost $1,500 on a buy 3 get 1 section free special, and it came with the lectures and a study guide that summarized main points to know. I am too chicken to actually try it, but I think it's probably possible to just watch the lectures and memorize the study guide and pass without reading and doing MCQs, but that's because of the study guide they provide. Is this the way Becker people feel? That the extra $ is worth it because it makes it easier to pass with less study?

AUD - 88
FAR - 90
REG - 85
BEC - 88

[Minimorty]

@katie – I would change “less study” to “more efficient” study. Becker lays out the material in a clear and concise manner. I thought it was worth the price of the materials to not have to go through the emotional toll of retaking exams.

[katiekanton]

Yes, Mini, that's more what I really meant. I'm willing to pay extra to spend my time mastering rather than organizing and summarizing.

AUD - 88
FAR - 90
REG - 85
BEC - 88

[Minimorty]

I thought so. Just wanted to clarify. 😉

[mla1169]

The creator of cpareviewforfree has many testimonials of folks who only used his website and passed all 4. I hadnt even heard of THIS website when I first applied and sat for FAR so I just plunged in, got an outline on the free website of the topics then googled everything I could on those topics. In reality I compare it to walking to work instead of driving, it got me what I wanted but I don't think it was extremely efficient and I wouldn't recommend doing it that way to anybody! However it was one of my better scores at a 77 so maybe I was on to something.

Of course I was still in school at the time, and while it killed me to have to split my time/attention between the two, it probably worked to my benefit in a sick sadistic way.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[RedRage00]

You can pass just using the Wiley online test bank and book if you're motivated and dedicated. I did. You just have to put in the quality study time. I was too cheap to fork over all that money for Becker. lol

Texas CPA
Licensed, March 2012

[Minimorty]

@redrage – Remind me, did you have to retake any sections? or did you knock them all out on your first try?

[kmwgrace]

The only reason I was able to buy the Becker stuff is because the course is being taught at my University for credit so I was able to use financial aid funds to pay for it. Whether it's enough to pass or not I won't know for a while – I plan to sit for my 1st section in early July.

~ Kate... MTX!
CPA exam on hold while I homeschool my 6 year old!

[Author]

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