[KADFC]

I don’t know if this is right, so that’s why I’m asking it here.

Is it wrong to study extensively on WTB first, then go back to read the text (CPAExcel)? There’s 2 ways I can look at this.

If I do WTB > Textbook, I feel that I learn things faster because random topics are thrown at me and I’m forced to learn them. The same topics will repeat themselves, but they get trickier and I like the challenge. It allows me to think and when I take it a second time, I can analyze the question to see what needs to be done in order to arrive at the correct answer. Plus, there’s a tip button that I can read to further understand the question. The Textbook can then later on fill in the gaps. However, but the end, I do have to wonder, did I really learn everything there is to know about in this section?

If I do Textbook > WTB, it feels like the proper way. It’s like building the foundation first and get the basic concept. Learn by constantly reading and hopefully you’ll absorb what is being given. One of the flaws that I have when it comes to reading the text is that I get bored tend to procrastinate. CpaExcel does have MCQs for every section, but every single time that happens, I don’t know, but I feel like I’m being thrown off course and sometimes, I just don’t feel it’s enough to test my knowledge.

Another things that kinda of bothers me and I haven’t done yet, is outlining. They say it’s helpful and I see it a waste of time. Has anyone actually try doing this before? What do you do in cases where it’s all about definitions and such?

I have spent the last 19 days just doing WTB at 50 to 60 MCQs a day (fully reading the text of all possible answers, plus the tip). If I go back to do those MCQs again, I can say that I can get 85% of those right. Yet, the same questions looms over me, did I really learn everything there is to learn from doing those MCQs alone? My REG comes in 2 weeks, so I’m somewhat panicking. I did the same thing for BEC before and I got a 66 with this study tactic, but it more like in 3 weeks of WTB studying; but I can’t really say I can get 70%+ if I redid those questions before test day.

FAR - 62 (10/2/13), 50 (5/30/14)
AUD - 73 (10/30/13), 66 (5/6/14)
REG - 69 (4/8/14)
BEC - 66 (2/27/13), 73 (4/21/14)

[Tasia]

Personally, I think that going over the MCQs first may lead you to learn what the right answer is and not necessarily why, even if you are studying the reasons for the correct answers. So, going over the same questions may lead you to get a better score the second time, but some of that is probably remembering which answer was the correct answer.

I am retaking REG the day before you, so you have about 2.5 weeks. Perhaps to incorporate more of the text and your notes, take the rest of this week/weekend and really go over some textbook material, write and rewrite some notes that you are having a hard time remembering, and the 2 weeks up to the exam do MCQs but refer to your notes and textbook as well, maybe give yourself an hour of textbook/note study time each night and use the rest for going over MCQs.

Otherwise, if you're still not fond of diving into your textbook material, start taking note after note on the MCQs you're going through. My only concern would be that you won't necessarily be able to assess how well you're doing on them a second or third time around due to remembering some of the right answers.

I don't know if that helps or not, but that's just my advice! Good luck!

BEC - 78 (8/30/13)
REG - 73 (1/31/14) - 76 (4/7/14)
***GETTING MARRIED 7/19/14***
FAR - after the wedding
AUD - also after the wedding

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

[Tasia]

Personally, I think that going over the MCQs first may lead you to learn what the right answer is and not necessarily why, even if you are studying the reasons for the correct answers. So, going over the same questions may lead you to get a better score the second time, but some of that is probably remembering which answer was the correct answer.

I am retaking REG the day before you, so you have about 2.5 weeks. Perhaps to incorporate more of the text and your notes, take the rest of this week/weekend and really go over some textbook material, write and rewrite some notes that you are having a hard time remembering, and the 2 weeks up to the exam do MCQs but refer to your notes and textbook as well, maybe give yourself an hour of textbook/note study time each night and use the rest for going over MCQs.

Otherwise, if you're still not fond of diving into your textbook material, start taking note after note on the MCQs you're going through. My only concern would be that you won't necessarily be able to assess how well you're doing on them a second or third time around due to remembering some of the right answers.

I don't know if that helps or not, but that's just my advice! Good luck!

BEC - 78 (8/30/13)
REG - 73 (1/31/14) - 76 (4/7/14)
***GETTING MARRIED 7/19/14***
FAR - after the wedding
AUD - also after the wedding

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

[CPA soon]

Within the first 10 questions, you will realize that you can't answer anything correctly and nothing makes sense without the prior background study. It won't work unless you are like me taking Regulation for the third time, and pretty familiar with the subject lol.

FAR - 71, 68, 74, (8/31/14) 78 ✔
REG - 67, 71, 71, (10/18/14) 78 ✔
BEC - (11/29/14) 86 ✔
AUD - 73, (4/4/15) 86 ✔

I can't believe this is over! 2 years and 3 months..

[CPA soon]

Within the first 10 questions, you will realize that you can't answer anything correctly and nothing makes sense without the prior background study. It won't work unless you are like me taking Regulation for the third time, and pretty familiar with the subject lol.

FAR - 71, 68, 74, (8/31/14) 78 ✔
REG - 67, 71, 71, (10/18/14) 78 ✔
BEC - (11/29/14) 86 ✔
AUD - 73, (4/4/15) 86 ✔

I can't believe this is over! 2 years and 3 months..

[Anonymous]

My thought is that if you've done it that way twice, once for AUD and once for FAR, and you haven't passed yet, then it's likely that is not the method for you. I won't say that you can't pass doing it, but it doesn't appear to be what works for you.

[Anonymous]

My thought is that if you've done it that way twice, once for AUD and once for FAR, and you haven't passed yet, then it's likely that is not the method for you. I won't say that you can't pass doing it, but it doesn't appear to be what works for you.

[Study Monk]

I would recommend quickly reading the applicable chapter first to get a basic understanding. I think there is an advantage to knowing what is the most commonly tested material before you spend to much time with the book. I also use the multiple choice questions as a primary way to learn the material, but I also tend to supplement with a lot of questions so that I can still benefit from testing myself on knowledge that I already have.

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[Study Monk]

I would recommend quickly reading the applicable chapter first to get a basic understanding. I think there is an advantage to knowing what is the most commonly tested material before you spend to much time with the book. I also use the multiple choice questions as a primary way to learn the material, but I also tend to supplement with a lot of questions so that I can still benefit from testing myself on knowledge that I already have.

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[KADFC]

@ Tasia: Yeah, I guess I'll have to mix it up. About memorizing the questions, well, I guess it depends on how many questions there are for each section. When a section has like over 100 questions with all numbers, it's better to just remember the concept in general and keep applying that, say… 2 days after you've taken all the questions of that sections. You are right though, for section with less than 50 questions and ALL word, I practically just KNOW the answer.

@ CPA soon: That's what I don't want to see! When I took BEC, less than half of the questions were from left field because it was asked in a certain way where the key was 1 word difference. That one word, which I'm not familiar with and I don't have a dictionary to use, can throw me off. They use it like everyone's basic grammar. I wish the test had a thesaurus or something. Yeah, I think I'm know what you're saying as well. Study the text right?

@ CPAMommyof3: Not fully correct

FAR – CPAExcel Only over 2 months worth of studying

AUD – CPAExcel for 3 weeks, WTB for last week (didn't finish 50% of the questions)

BEC – WTB Only for 4 weeks

REG – The plan was WTB for 3 to 4 weeks with 1 to 2 Week of Study Text/Blitz Vid

It's because I'm not passing that I have never stucked with the same strategy of the past. If anything, I'm kinda gambling because honestly, I don't know how my brain works lol. For AUD, it's because I like the topic and I am already familiar with it because I have a bias for it. All other topics, no, don't really care for except for passing.

Not sure if this applies to anyone, but even if I'm fully focused in reading, I can read out loud and I still won't understand what the hell the text is talking about. After that I'll find myself repeating the same sentences over and over again for like 3 times… still don't know what they are talking about.

So for the time being, I've decided to do 2 things and see if it will help me improve. Watch videos and put the text into speech. Yet, I'm only 200 questions away from finishing all the WTB questions for REG… somewhat of a downer. So I might be inclined the wrap that up first, then proceed with the text for the remaining of the time. It won't take more than 3 days anyways…

FAR - 62 (10/2/13), 50 (5/30/14)
AUD - 73 (10/30/13), 66 (5/6/14)
REG - 69 (4/8/14)
BEC - 66 (2/27/13), 73 (4/21/14)

[KADFC]

@ Tasia: Yeah, I guess I'll have to mix it up. About memorizing the questions, well, I guess it depends on how many questions there are for each section. When a section has like over 100 questions with all numbers, it's better to just remember the concept in general and keep applying that, say… 2 days after you've taken all the questions of that sections. You are right though, for section with less than 50 questions and ALL word, I practically just KNOW the answer.

@ CPA soon: That's what I don't want to see! When I took BEC, less than half of the questions were from left field because it was asked in a certain way where the key was 1 word difference. That one word, which I'm not familiar with and I don't have a dictionary to use, can throw me off. They use it like everyone's basic grammar. I wish the test had a thesaurus or something. Yeah, I think I'm know what you're saying as well. Study the text right?

@ CPAMommyof3: Not fully correct

FAR – CPAExcel Only over 2 months worth of studying

AUD – CPAExcel for 3 weeks, WTB for last week (didn't finish 50% of the questions)

BEC – WTB Only for 4 weeks

REG – The plan was WTB for 3 to 4 weeks with 1 to 2 Week of Study Text/Blitz Vid

It's because I'm not passing that I have never stucked with the same strategy of the past. If anything, I'm kinda gambling because honestly, I don't know how my brain works lol. For AUD, it's because I like the topic and I am already familiar with it because I have a bias for it. All other topics, no, don't really care for except for passing.

Not sure if this applies to anyone, but even if I'm fully focused in reading, I can read out loud and I still won't understand what the hell the text is talking about. After that I'll find myself repeating the same sentences over and over again for like 3 times… still don't know what they are talking about.

So for the time being, I've decided to do 2 things and see if it will help me improve. Watch videos and put the text into speech. Yet, I'm only 200 questions away from finishing all the WTB questions for REG… somewhat of a downer. So I might be inclined the wrap that up first, then proceed with the text for the remaining of the time. It won't take more than 3 days anyways…

FAR - 62 (10/2/13), 50 (5/30/14)
AUD - 73 (10/30/13), 66 (5/6/14)
REG - 69 (4/8/14)
BEC - 66 (2/27/13), 73 (4/21/14)

[KADFC]

@ StudyMonk: What's an “applicable chapter”? Assuming I'm using CPAExcel and WTB, where do I find this? Are you talking about the introduction of each section?

FAR - 62 (10/2/13), 50 (5/30/14)
AUD - 73 (10/30/13), 66 (5/6/14)
REG - 69 (4/8/14)
BEC - 66 (2/27/13), 73 (4/21/14)

[KADFC]

@ StudyMonk: What's an “applicable chapter”? Assuming I'm using CPAExcel and WTB, where do I find this? Are you talking about the introduction of each section?

FAR - 62 (10/2/13), 50 (5/30/14)
AUD - 73 (10/30/13), 66 (5/6/14)
REG - 69 (4/8/14)
BEC - 66 (2/27/13), 73 (4/21/14)

[ruggercpa2b]

KADFC I was like you when I first started studying for the CPA exam. I would read the text but nothing stuck with me. I always thought that I was an auditory learner and thought I did better by watching the videos. That did not work so much for me either. This time around I am doing Jeff's Ninja method. I have come to realize that after watching the videos I go back and read and write notes. As I write the notes I am explaining the concept out loud to make sure I get it. In doing this I am doing so much better when I go over the MCQs. Its almost a trial and error thing and sometimes it takes a while to find what actually works.

AUD - NINJA in Training
BEC - NINJA in Training
FAR - NINJA in Training
REG - NINJA in Training

AUD - 1/6/18
FAR - TBD
REG - TBD
BEC - TBD

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[ruggercpa2b]

KADFC I was like you when I first started studying for the CPA exam. I would read the text but nothing stuck with me. I always thought that I was an auditory learner and thought I did better by watching the videos. That did not work so much for me either. This time around I am doing Jeff's Ninja method. I have come to realize that after watching the videos I go back and read and write notes. As I write the notes I am explaining the concept out loud to make sure I get it. In doing this I am doing so much better when I go over the MCQs. Its almost a trial and error thing and sometimes it takes a while to find what actually works.

AUD - NINJA in Training
BEC - NINJA in Training
FAR - NINJA in Training
REG - NINJA in Training

AUD - 1/6/18
FAR - TBD
REG - TBD
BEC - TBD

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[CPA soon]

@KADFC to be completely honest I am still trying to find the right recipe, but right now my plan is to review a section, not a whole chapter then do its Wiley test bank questions right after then move on to the next then skim through all the chapters (Or maybe Becker Final Review, or Ninja notes) after all the mcq's are completed. For example read about agencies then do agency questions, contracts then contracts questions, individual tax then individual tax questions and so forth. Reading big chunks of text then going through hundreds of questions after, did not work for me. And starting with mcq definetly wasn't possible because I wasn't understanding anything.

FAR - 71, 68, 74, (8/31/14) 78 ✔
REG - 67, 71, 71, (10/18/14) 78 ✔
BEC - (11/29/14) 86 ✔
AUD - 73, (4/4/15) 86 ✔

I can't believe this is over! 2 years and 3 months..

[Author]

Replies