CPA Review | CPA Exam Review – Another71.com

Bridget is a weekly Club 75 Blogger as she documents her journey through the CPA Exam. She has been a member of  Club 75 since December 2010.

Because of the Holidays and various family emergencies, I find myself a week behind on my study plan. Right now, I really wish I chose to take any other test than FAR. I hate bonds and pensions. This material really should not be as difficult as I am making it out to be, but for some reason, it doesn’t want to stick.

During my master’s program, I experienced, for the first time, a final exam where I completely blanked out. I couldn’t remember my name, or anything else for that matter. The class was Intermediate Accounting and covered much of the material I see in FAR.

Just listening to the Roger CPA Review lectures, I flash back and begin to panic all over again. I learned most of this material at least two times before, and yet I feel as if I am seeing this stuff for the first time. I desperately need to find a way to break through this mental block.

Maybe I contracted a mild form of PTSD and need medication. (Just kidding). But I do need to step up my exercise and nutrition. Mini-doughnuts and M&M’s do not qualify as a breakfast of champions, however therapeutic they seem at the time.

Luckily, my 2012 Roger text and homework books arrived in the mail late last week. As I am moving into the more detailed portions of the exam, it helps to have the book in front of me while I listen to the lectures and try to take notes.

I hope to plow through a large amount of material in the next few days. That accomplishment may quell the voice in my head that says that maybe I should put this exam off until early April.

My original plan had me finishing all the lectures by this Sunday. I could do a few late nights, but if I move too fast and cannot grasp the material, wouldn’t that be a waste of time?

Even though in my first attempt at this exam I scored lowest in REG, FAR is by far the most difficult for me. Don’t even talk to me about all those journal entries, as I have a few choice ideas about to where to place them.

I hope I find some of my self-confidence this evening, as it picked a very bad time to play Hide and Seek. There are so many other things I would rather use my time to find, like my mind.

Megan is a weekly Another71 Facebook blogger as she documents her journey through the CPA Exam.

The theme of the week has not been mustard, but catch-up! I realized I was about eight lessons behind where I wanted to be coming out of the holidays. That sounds like a lot, but I’m trying not to think about it. I’m doing my best to devote all the time I possibly can to getting back on track.

This weekend was nicely balanced. I was pleased that I got enough sleep to finally conquer the cold I’ve been battling since New Year’s Eve while also completing over two lessons of REG with Roger CPA Review between Friday and Saturday. I even squeezed in time with my boyfriend AND celebrated my brother’s birthday. Although I often sacrifice social gatherings in order to study, birthdays require attendance!

I found myself looking for a comfortable and productive study environment this past weekend, because my original plan of locking myself in the library was foiled. It turns out the library will not be open on weekends until the end of January…bummer! Wait…did I just say that? I’m actually disappointed that I can’t spend my weekends in the library. See what the CPA exams do to a person!?!

Luckily, I found a good way to create a fruitful environment in my often distracting home environment. I discovered a great way to minimize distracting background noise and block out other sources of procrastination. Have you ever tried listening to classical music while practicing multiple choice questions? I was surprised how well it kept me focused! I searched for “classical” music on the Spotify and actually came across “Classical Study Music.” Perfect!

I followed up the weekend with some Monday night studying which helped solidify this welcome momentum. If this pattern continues, I’ll be able to get back on track in a few weeks.

Historically, I would have my exam date scheduled by now, but that is not the case this time. Taking into consideration I will be moving into a new apartment at the end of this month, I am allowing myself the option to schedule my REG exam first thing in April as opposed to my original plan- the last weekend in February.

Although I find it difficult to compromise my plan, let’s be realistic. The goal is to PASS. I want to make sure I allow enough time to put in the effort required.

Keep it up, everyone! The Christmas cookies may be stale, but keep the accounting fresh!

Kim is a weekly Another71 Facebook blogger as she documents her journey through the CPA Exam.

I hope that 2012 has started off well for all of you!

After finally getting past so many distractions during the holidays, it feels really good to get back into my normal study routine. I’m working through my FAR study materials and working as many MCQs as I can get my hands on. But even with this said, it still feels like I’m moving at a snail’s pace when I look at all the material that I have left to cover before February 29th.

My observation is that it takes me at least two and a half hours to watch a one hour lecture video because I stop and start the video a lot to take notes. Do any of you find this to be true? Or if you know of any shortcuts or a better way of doing this, will you share?

One very helpful hint that I’ve picked up from Jeff is to put away the hi-lighters and just read the material. First of all, I didn’t realize how distracting that hi-lighting or underlining is until I quit doing it. Secondly, I think I comprehend the material better by just simply reading it. Wow… I’m 48 years old and have learned a new trick!

I have received my study materials in the mail for the FAR review course that I’m going to attend next weekend. The first thing that I noticed is that the notebook is 70 pages longer than REG was. It will be interesting to see the speed at which we cover this material since the REG review course was like a whirlwind. Guess I better get rested up and hold on for dear life!

The thing I like most about the review course is that I’ll be doing nothing but reviewing for FAR for 9 hours on Saturday and 9 hours on Sunday. There won’t be any clothes to fold, meals to cook, or phone calls to answer during that time. I’ll also use the time on the airplane going there and coming home to study as well. I’ll be pooped when the weekend is over, but it will be well worth it.

The name of the game right now is maximizing the amount of study minutes in each day. Saying ‘No’ to certain things is essential and although it tugs at my heart strings to do so sometimes, all I have to do is think about the hours and money that I have invested in my passing BEC and REG scores and I find the strength to do it.

Have a very good week.

Kim

Kricket is a weekly Club 75 Blogger as she documents her journey through the CPA Exam. She has been a member of Another71.com’s Club 75 since May 2009.

I want to be watching the Saint’s game right now, but instead I’m working property transaction simulations. But the truth is I am a football jinx. If I watch the game, then the team I want to win will lose. So I do my part for my state, the Saints and the LSU Tigers, and I don’t watch.

It kills me to miss the games, but Louisiana has had its fair share of bad luck in the past few years. Between hurricanes, droughts and oil spills, it’s time we had something good.

Last year was probably one of the worst years of my life. I lost my dad, my health went down the drain, and I lost my FAR score. But this year things are going to be different. After many attempts, I passed my first exam the year the Saint’s won their first Super Bowl. I told everyone that if the Saints could win the Super Bowl then I could get a CPA license.

2012 is a new year, a fresh start for a lot of us. Now it looks like the Saints are on the road to another Super Bowl. If they can do it then so can I. I’m not about to start shining a trophy too soon but we’ve got a chance and sometimes all you need is a chance and someone to believe in you.

I’ve been reading Jeff’s NINJA Study Notes over and over again, and finally some of this property stuff is starting to make sense. I searched high and low trying to find something that would explain the difference between Sec 1231, 1244, 1245, and 1250 property. My boss suggested that I read the instructions for the 4797, and after about 10 minutes I realized that he may be able to read them and understand what is going on, but I couldn’t.

Then I felt like a fool when I read Jeff’s Ninja notes again and found exactly what I needed. I had it all along! We’ve all heard the expression “Can’t see the forest for the trees.” Well, I found the forest in those notes! Thank you Jeff Elliott! You are my hero!

My REG exam is Monday at 12:30. I should be home in time for the BCS Championship game with LSU and Alabama, but I promise I won’t watch! Sorry Alabama fans, but I’ve got to be true to my Tigers. I will probably be reading Jeff’s Ninja notes for FAR. Good Luck to everyone! Remember that we all have a chance and somewhere there is someone who believes in you.