[sidneybristow]

Just pondered across an infographic that explains why re-writing your notes stimulates your brain to remember. This infographic confirms Jeff’s Just-Re-write It theory in his NINJA system.The infographic reports “The physical act of writing brings the information to the forefront and triggers your brain to pay close attention.” I think Jeff might be on to something here. Check it out at https://www.bestinfographics.co/amazing-facts-about-writing-and-the-brain-infographic/ .

Go into the land I will show thee. (Gen 12:1)

"If you envision it, you can have it. And you can have it by aiming at it." (Jordan Peterson)

[MintsRGood]

Writing out the Ninja notes by hand twice is what saved my on Audit attempt #4!!! I only had time to write them out once for BEC, but let's hope that is enough!!! 🙂

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

[SeattleAccountant]

Hehe, I had always been puzzled of how you guys manage to do this. It seems that writing your own notes vs. rewriting material is way more beneficial, at least for me. I could not imagine having: 1. time 2. willingness and 3. physical ability to mechanically reproduce something. On the other hand, every missed question unless was missed due to being simply misread goes into my spiral. That continues until all the MCQ and sims are completed and during the last two weeks that spiral takes a place on the nightstand and being read nightly to remind of pitfalls and issues that earlier posed the trouble. Additionally, making flashcards with the key concepts, I used to write them but had to type them up lately, is very helpful. And, of course, nothing beats completing sims that really force candidate to think while trying to apply learned concepts from a memory.

I guess, everyone studies differently and this forum proves that point.

Becker Class of Jan - Aug 2013: FARB DONE!!!!
CPA license pending 🙂

[J]

I actually typed out my own notes for the business law stuff in REG and all of AUD… I never have used notes before in anything academically related, but it was a real benefit to have everything (A) in my own words and (B) organized as I wanted and in a central location. I think that I had everything necessary in AUD down to 30-35 pages of my own notes, which was perfect for the last couple days of studying. I think that I'm going to do the same thing for the CMA.

[J]

@SeattleAccountant – Exactly. I know that Jeff's Ninja notes do a lot of good for a lot of people, but I just couldn't get much from rewriting what other people have created. I even took the Yaeger notes and then basically redid them into a different format in my own words. But… to each his (or her) own!

[SeattleAccountant]

@InterFC1,

Yes, you've said it much more eloquently than i did. Exactly my point. Use your own words and organize it in the way that most benefits you!

Becker Class of Jan - Aug 2013: FARB DONE!!!!
CPA license pending 🙂

[jeff]

Re-writing works…some may choose not to do it for a variety of reasons.

Many alumni have walked through these halls and I've never had an email from someone griping because they regretted re-writing their notes whether it was their own or the ninja notes.

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

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

[KatieM]

I took notes every time I studied and then rewrote those notes making ADDITIONAL notes or ‘ah-ha' comments… those notes are what I reviewed… but I filled an entire 3-subject notebook for BEC. I did rewrite some sections of my Ninja notes but found that rewriting my own notes made more sense to me… (some of the ninja notes I didn't even understand… LOL… )– but I also wrote out every MCQ I got wrong or didn't fully comprehend and re-wrote those out sometimes multiple times if it was a complicated problem…. so re-writing definitely works for retention… you just have to find in what way it works best for you…

BEC (2/2013-59) - 5/22/2013-2nd attempt
AUD-
REG-
FAR-

[2012passtheCPA]

LOL @Jeff “walked through these halls”. Was your class like Mr. Hand's class?

[MCLKT]

I love rewriting my notes! Love it. There is nothing more enjoyable than sitting down with that Pilot Dr. Grip, ready to go.

Seriously. When I get to the point in my study regimen that I am rewriting I feel like I've reached the other side and it's all downhill from there. And I agree 100% with the link. rewriting helps reinforce.

I wouldn't take another test without rewriting my notes.

If you really want to test your knowledge, read a section of the Ninja notes and then write out everything you know about that concept. Mnemonics, definitions, formulas, JE, effect on income statement, balance sheet, audit report. Whatever it is you are studying.

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

[smp73]

Re-writing my notes is what got me through REG. It was ingrained in my head…that and the NINJA audio seeminly on repeat becuase I listened to it so much.

It takes a lot of time and may cost you a pen or 4 but it is more than worth it! 🙂

NYS CPA License # 113563
CIA: Done as of 2/15/14

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[whitelilies04]

Each time I've rewritten my notes I passed. Took FAR 2x the found this site. I tried the NINJA strategy for my 3rd attempt and passed. When I took AUD for the first time I ran out of time and didn't rewrite my notes, got another 71 (ha ha) whe I took it again I made sure to set aside enough review time to rewrite my notes and got an 82. I did the same for when I prepared for BEC in May. Even if I dont pass BEC I'm sold on the benefits or rewriting notes and I will never sit for another section without doing it again.

FAR - passed, 11/12
AUD - passed, 5/13

[Anonymous]

Might as well add to this. Another good article are how med students memorize their vast amounts of material.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/happiness-in-world/200911/how-remember-things

[sidneybristow]

@dutkas, Great article contribution. I like where the article states, “memory is a function of concentration,” and “write out items to be memorized over and over and over.” This exercise seems to be very effective. It's good to know, because I just started this process of studying for the exams and it helps me to hear what has worked well for others. I'm going to print out this article for future reference. Thanks again for posting it.

Go into the land I will show thee. (Gen 12:1)

"If you envision it, you can have it. And you can have it by aiming at it." (Jordan Peterson)

[MCLKT]

Oh that reminds me. I write out formulas and mnemonics over and over and over. Every time a question comes up I write out the formula or mnemonic if applicable.

Did the same thing with JE for FAR. I found that on test day for REG the formulas just came naturally after rewriting Basis equations over and over. It was practically muscle memory.

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

[Tncincy]

re-writing notes is a great way to remember. For those of us who go back in the day of grade school. The way to get 100 on the spelling test was to write each word 10 times each. Some words 15 but small words 10 times. I used to hate that on Monday, vocabulary day. But I always got a happy sticker, to free period on the last Friday of the month for getting consistent 100's on the spelling test. That was 1rst thru 6th grade, how much more now. Re-write those notes ninjas. Before you know it we will be able to write notes without looking. I definitely see the point of rewriting notes.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Author]

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