[Excel14]

Hi everyone:

Was wondering something….I see where everyone talks about taking mini-review sessions to keep things fresh, but I’m half way through, and can’t even seem to keep up with current assignments, let alone do a review. My question is, whether or not I still have a shot at this, having not reviewed ANYTHING prior at the half way point? Not sure where the time will come from for review, but thought you guys/girls may be able to provide some suggestions on how to do this.

What do they call an accounting person, who only managed a 75 on all four parts of the CPA exam....you got it, CPA!!!

BEC (2/28/16) ----- 78
FAR (09/10/16)-----
AUD
REG

CIA, CGAP, CFE

[JamesBJames]

Sure. I normally don't start doing progress tests until a few modules in, anyway.

For FAR, I did 90-question progress tests after each module. For BEC, I'm doing around 50-question progress tests after each module. It helps you keep the earlier topics fresh in your head, and it's not a big commitment. Just spend an hour or two every now and then.

That said, I got sort of lazy with AUD and didn't do any progress tests at all; as a result, I might have forgotten all about A1 and A2.

Which test are you studying for, by the way?

FAR: May 1st, 2014 - 91
AUD: May 29th, 2014 - 97!
BEC: July 16th, 2014 - 91
REG: August 29th, 2014 - 88

Licensed December 2015

Feel free to add me on LinkedIn by clicking my username!

[Excel14]

Studying for FAR. I haven't done ANY older units at all, at the half way point. Just haven't had the time. I already feel as though the material studied before is gone, but with a FT job, it's all I can do to keep up with the new stuff. I know I'm no different than a lot of you with a job, but still. Overwhelming!

What do they call an accounting person, who only managed a 75 on all four parts of the CPA exam....you got it, CPA!!!

BEC (2/28/16) ----- 78
FAR (09/10/16)-----
AUD
REG

CIA, CGAP, CFE

[JamesBJames]

I think it's crazy how anyone studies for this exam with a full-time job. I have this whole summer solely to study for the CPA exam and it's still hard to put in more than about 30 hours a week. I understand the issue with time constraints.

At any rate, your review period doesn't even have to be that strenuous. I'm not sure which review provider you have, but spend… I dunno, 30-45 minutes after a couple of topics to review prior material. In my opinion, it's a lot better to re-learn a couple of things now and a couple of things during the next review session (and so on) than it is to feel overwhelmed by having to remember dozens of things at the very end.

FAR: May 1st, 2014 - 91
AUD: May 29th, 2014 - 97!
BEC: July 16th, 2014 - 91
REG: August 29th, 2014 - 88

Licensed December 2015

Feel free to add me on LinkedIn by clicking my username!

[Excel14]

It's tough. I know a lot of you have done it with FT jobs though. I have CPAexcel. I agree with your theory on review, so as to not be overwhelmed at the end. I'm starting to just now get a lesson or so behind, due to work. I am trying diligently to not just fly through just for the sake of keeping up; but I also don't want to fall further behind than what I am now. That's why I ask….Review? Who has the time? lol

What do they call an accounting person, who only managed a 75 on all four parts of the CPA exam....you got it, CPA!!!

BEC (2/28/16) ----- 78
FAR (09/10/16)-----
AUD
REG

CIA, CGAP, CFE

[Anonymous]

I use the same software you do and I never review until the end. I did it with FAR and still passed so it is possible. I usually give myself a good two week review after I am finished going through the material. With each lesson I do ten of the multiple choice questions just to help the information sink in a little more, but I save most for the review.

[Excel14]

@bbrandenburg10:

Thanks. I have been doing all of the PQ, EQ, and SIMS as I go, but I'm falling behind a bit now. Nice score on FAR man! I have programmed my scheduler to allow 2 weeks for the final review, but I'm hoping that sticks with me starting to lag a bit. Do you feel CPAexcel prepped you well for all aspects of the exam? I've read where people say the SIMS in CPAexcel are too “easy”, which doesn't bode well for me if true (bombing a lot of those).

What do they call an accounting person, who only managed a 75 on all four parts of the CPA exam....you got it, CPA!!!

BEC (2/28/16) ----- 78
FAR (09/10/16)-----
AUD
REG

CIA, CGAP, CFE

[Anonymous]

I only do the EQs as I go, and if there are more than ten with a lesson, I stop at ten. When I'm done I go back and answer the EQs I didn't get to and do the diagnostic exams. The SIMS are the last thing I do and only if I have time. SIMS cover the same material as the MCQs but take more time. In the exam I approach them as if each blank is a questions. I don't feel that CPAexel's are too easy just oddly structured. For instance, I never know if I am supposed to leave a square blank or put a zero in it.

[Anonymous]

@Excel14

Do you ever have to wash dishes? Cook? Clean the bathroom or fold laundry? Those are great times to re-read acronyms, watch blitz videos, or even re-watch lecture videos. Another trick I do is I use a white board marker and write lists and terms and equations on my bathroom mirror to read while I'm getting ready in the morning. It helps to have low-key times to just review terms and equations without feeling like I'm fully paying attention or really studying. I find it a little refreshing.

I also keep a note card or two in my lunch box to look over as I'm getting my lunch set up.

Also, as I get further along, I will answer even just 10 old mcq before starting a new lecture or working on new mcqs. A little bit here and there can really add up, and be better than nothing!

Good luck!

[Excel14]

@bbrandenburg 10:

I know what you mean about the structure of the SIMS. There have even been several that have instructed to put an “N/A” in the cell, but at times the program only allows a “0”, so it marks it wrong. Also, in some cases I've noticed that CPAexcel places SIMS in units preceding lessons that teach the material.

Some people I've encountered, don't even read the study text, but there is no way this stuff would make sense if I just “blindly” attempt MCQs without having some sort of basis. So did you feel that despite having some MC left during review, that you were perhaps memorizing answers versus learning? I bought both NINJA MCQ and Gleim, to have plenty of test questions to practice on. Too bad I may never get to them! 🙂 It is cool to have someone using the same program to bounce things off!

What do they call an accounting person, who only managed a 75 on all four parts of the CPA exam....you got it, CPA!!!

BEC (2/28/16) ----- 78
FAR (09/10/16)-----
AUD
REG

CIA, CGAP, CFE

[Excel14]

@Amanda:

I do study while washing, eating dinner, cleaning the kitchen, etc., and I agree it all adds up. My problem seems to be perhaps, attempting to try and do ALL MCQs and SIMS before going on, and now it may be taking its toll on my scheduling.

What do they call an accounting person, who only managed a 75 on all four parts of the CPA exam....you got it, CPA!!!

BEC (2/28/16) ----- 78
FAR (09/10/16)-----
AUD
REG

CIA, CGAP, CFE

[Anonymous]

FAR had so many multiple choice questions available I never felt like I memorized them. I would recommend having access to an extra test bank to keep that from happening. I don't read the text either. I basically replace that with the lectures, but that is just the way I learn. You are right about needing a basis and the lectures do that for me. Some people read the text to do that. Its just a matter of what is best for each person.

[Excel14]

I agree, we all learn differently. I think it funny that I read people complaining on the first go round they are getting 60s-70s on the multiple choice; heck, I'm averaging closer to only 50%. That is what has me sort of worried. I've been away from school for many years now.

What do they call an accounting person, who only managed a 75 on all four parts of the CPA exam....you got it, CPA!!!

BEC (2/28/16) ----- 78
FAR (09/10/16)-----
AUD
REG

CIA, CGAP, CFE

[Kimboroni]

When I was studying for FAR, I didn't try to nail anything down or do all of the MCQ the first time through, knowing that it would be wasted efforts because I would just have to do that work again once I got closer to test day. So I just did a few of the problems in each little area initially. Then a few weeks later I did just a few more problems. I saved most of them for my 2 week review period, since that would be the most efficient use of my time, and I could nail everything down at that point and remember it for my exam. I don't think it's too late for you to revise your system and try something more like that.

AUD 84 (1/9/14-Wiley books/TB + free materials)
FAR 83 (5/21/14-the above + NINJA 10 Pt Combo Lite)
REG 84 (7/9/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC/Notes)
BEC 76 (10/5/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC)

Disclaimer: My ninja avatar is not meant to imply that I have any affiliation with this site other than being a forum member. That's a pic of a T-shirt that my daughter gave me for my birthday. 🙂

[Excel14]

@Kimboroni,

Thank you for your study tips. I'm glad you don't feel its too late, since I've already forgotten most (if not all) of what I've done. I guess everything is a give/take. I want to have plenty of practice on the MCQ, yet not feel as though I'm merely memorizing. There is that, plus struggling with time management to get through it all. I agree, one way or another, I'm going to need to “tweak” things a bit.

What do they call an accounting person, who only managed a 75 on all four parts of the CPA exam....you got it, CPA!!!

BEC (2/28/16) ----- 78
FAR (09/10/16)-----
AUD
REG

CIA, CGAP, CFE

[Author]

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