[Anonymous]

I am studying for BEC and am worried about the WC. From what I’ve read the topics can come from any area. I’m good with AUD, and will obviously be good with BEC concepts by the exam, but am concerned about being asked questions on FAR or REG areas. Any advice on this?

NOTE: I am not asking anyone for specific topics covered in their WCs, just general info.

[jeff]

Anything and everything … that's about the only answer one could give.

Insane score on AUD … replicate those study habits on BEC … know the MCQs well enough to articulate your knowledge in a few short memos…you're golden.

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

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

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the reply. I guess I will just look at a couple of examples on how to write a good response and hope for the best when it comes to the topics.

[J]

If you write well, don't even worry about studying for the written communications. I apologize in advance if I offend anyone, but I thought this was the easiest part of any of the four sections of the entire exam. It's like being a kid and going out for Halloween… you go door to door and get those bite size candies that you don't even like, and then as you're on the last street before getting home, someone has left a basket of king size Hershey bars outside with a note that says “Please Take One”…

[MCLKT]

I agree with InterFC1, I love the WC portion. It would probably be very intimidating for ESL that may get tripped up on some English grammar rules. Or accountants that struggled in Business Composition classes. Possibly even the next generation that has grown accustomed to text and communicating in 140 now 117 characters or less 😉

But for the most part, just make a good template to follow.

Introduction, Explanation and Suggestions, or Compare and Contrast, Summary

DNJ maybe come join the BEC study group or skim through the discussions. There are a lot of helpful and encouraging topics from old discussions and I'm sure more to come!

A:[73]97 F:[74]85 R:86 B:[74]82
*NINJA 10 Pt. COMBO & Yaeger*

[IwannaBaCPA]

I think the biggest thing is to plan enough time. You will have 3 to write and I think the general rule is 15 minutes for each one – so be sure to plan ahead so you get the the WC section with enough time.

[edited for disclosure]

Even if you don't know lots of details about the topic, you will likely be able to come up with an answer that works. Also, I think in most cases, the answer doesn't really need to be factually correct (there is some debate on this).

Good luck!

BEC: 79 - April 2011
FAR: 78 - May 2011
AUD: 81 - May 2012
REG: 79 - October 2012
Ethics: Passed - March 2013
I am finally DONE!

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for the feedback. I actually have an undergraduate degree in English and do quite a bit of business writing in my role, so the mechanics of it aren't as concerning to me as the idea of getting whacked with a topic on which I have no real knowledge to base a reasonable response. Let's hope for three “easy” ones!

[ORcpaHOPEFUL]

It's totally random. Just make sure you are good at professionally BSing 🙂 one topic I got was not even touched on in BEC but luckily it was a pretty easy question in general that you could BS through if you paid attention at all in college. The other 2 questions slightly touched upon in the BEC books as well. 🙂

FAR: PASSED!! 64, 68, 79 on 2/27/13!
AUD: PASSED!! 73, 93 on 4/5/13!!!
BEC: PASSED!! 75 (phew) on 5/24/13!
REG: PASSED!!! 77 on 8/7/13 I AM DONE!!!!!

Experience: got it!
Ethics Exam: PASSED on first try (what a waste of money)

[Author]

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