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Today’s CPA Reviewed Questions:

1. Jared – I took Audit, used my video course, NINJA notes and Wiley TB and I got my worst score ever. I left the exam feeling super confident and now I do not know where to go. I am taking BEC at the end of May and I am thinking of putting Audit away for a while and starting fresh with either REG or FAR. Which do you suggest I go after first? Do you think I need a new course?
2. Nabeel – I failed my first attempt at FAR. I’m having a hard time retaining the information. Do you have any tips for easy ways to get points so I can pass?
3. Ken – I started studying for REG in February, and I’m scheduled to take the exam in May. Do you have any words of encouragement?
4. Gayle – What % of candidates pass all four parts of the CPA Exam on their first try?
5. Rose – I am currently studying for REG, and I’m struggling with Contract Law, particularly common law. I have read the Wiley chapter twice, read the NINJA Notes a few times, and spent one entire day watching videos by a law professor on YouTube. I felt like I had a good grasp on the material until I practiced MCQs. Do you have any words of wisdom?
6. Chad – I have passed BEB but failed FAR and AUD by 4 and 5 points. Do you know of any tutoring available to help me raise my score?
7. Mykel – I have failed FAR and AUD, and I’m lost on what to do next. Before each exam, I was averaging at least 75 on the Wiley MCQs, but I come up short on the actual exam. What should I do?
8. Kevin – I graduated in 2009, and now I’m ready to study for the CPA Exam, but I don’t know where to start. I don’t want to spend a lot of money on a review course unless I have a solid plan. My current job is unrelated to accounting, so I may need a refresher on some of the concepts. What do you recommend I do?
9. Rebecca – I am a student in an MS Accounting program, and I’m only 12 hours away from the 150 hour threshold required to sit for the CPA Exam. But I lack the work experience requirement for licensure. I am thinking about quitting the MS program after I complete the twelve hours I need and studying for the exam instead. Is this a good idea? Or should I complete the masters program first?
10. Eric – Can you please explain how the 18 month rule works? How do I know when my credit will expire?
11. Brandon – In your opinion, how important are the performance measures included on each score report?
12. Spencer – For the simulation portion of the REG exam, will I be graded against others who had my SIMs or against the aggregate population of CPA candidates in general?
13. Navneet – I passed CPA Exam in 2011, but now I am having difficulty getting a job with a CPA firm. I have 2 years of private company experience in the accounting department. Do you have any suggestions for finding a job?

Today’s Facebook Questions:
1. Brock – Is the 10 point combo enough study material to pass AUD? Or do you recommend purchasing an AUD review course and using the 10 point combo along with the purchased videos and book?
2. JJ – Hey Jeff, my question relates to your ninja framework. I was looking over the framework and for the “note taking” section, I saw that it suggests taking good notes from whatever video course one may have. However, all I have are the Wiley books and testbank along with the ninja audio. Is it necessary to purchase a video course? So far I’ve been reading and taking notes from the Wiley texts; however I feel the organization in the books isn’t the best. Do you suggest using the wiley texts and taking notes while reading through them? also, I tried your suggestion of taking a ton of mcqs before reg, but came out of the exam feeling more demoralized than ever – I’m guessing that’s normal? Take care and thank you for all that you do!
3. Lina – Advise to pass Reg? First time taking it.
4. Jason – I was 7 points away from passing FAR. Having been stronger in the Sims comparatively, I feel like its just a matter of misreading the MCQ that got me. That said my class for REG is starting up and the next class for FAR isnt until September. Should I study on my own and attempt both within the July-Aug window?
5. Tessa – How long do you suggest to review before the exam? I’ll have time to allow six weeks to study, but I didn’t know how fast I needed to get through the material to leave enough time for review. Should I plan on two weeks like my review course suggests?
6. Labrita – Failed BEC with a 71:(. How do I study for a retake?

Next Week’s Giveaway x2: Ten Point Combo Lite

Today’s Giveaway: Ten Point Combo Lite

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iTunes Version Intro/Outro Music: Mitch Langley “Free”

Have a question for the Podcast?

Option1: Call the NINJA Hotline – (323) 834-9132

Option 2: Ask Jeff

Today’s NINJA Hotline Question: FAR Study Tactics

Today’s Mailbox Questions:

1. Keith – Before tackling FAR and AUD, what is the least demanding section that I can take in May and only use MCQs and NINJA
2. Nathan – I’m trying to figure out a schedule for AUD and BEC. Can I prepare for AUD in four weeks, or is it better to plan for eight? Do you think BEC can be done in three to four weeks, or should I plan for longer?
3. Alex – I will be taking Audit for the third time on April 27th after scoring a 70 and 69. I could swear I passed the test after I took it the second time as I thought I really knew the material well. What can I do differently this time to make sure I pass? I have a video course as well as the Wiley test bank.
4. Jacade – I’m now approaching the Non-Stop MCQs step for the NINJA method and was wondering what is the most ideal way to tackle this. Is it best to methodically do 20-30 MCQs for each main study topic until results are constant and then move to the next topic? Or would a better method be doing 20-30 random MCQs from all of FAR until I see I have completed a large number of questions (~1,000)?
5. Elaine – My question relates to work experience. Do firms usually sign off the experience requirement after only one year as required by the state? Or do they require you to be there two years or even longer?
6. Sarah – If you graduated with a BBA in econ, but went back to school for an accounting certificate and hypothetically passed all 4 parts of your CPA Exam, would it be easy for you to land a job in order for you to acquire the one year experience?
7. Cedric – After taking a section, do you recommend spending 3 weeks or so waiting for your score to see whether or not you will need re-take that section or taking a short break and begin studying for your next section?

Today’s Forum Questions:
1. NASBA Turnaround Time for Exam Issues?
2. How to Stay Stay Motivated?
3. Using Old BEC Materials?
4. BEC Retake Advice?
5. How do you Prepare for IFRS?

Eight call-ins in this show. HiYa!

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Have a question for the Podcast?

Option1: Call the NINJA Hotline – (323) 834-9132

Option 2: Ask Jeff

Today’s Giveaway: NINJA Ten Point Combo

Subscribe to CPA Reviewed on iTunes

Have a question for the Podcast?

Option1: Call the NINJA Hotline – (323) 834-9132

Option 2: Ask Jeff

Today’s Questions:

Sheila - I passed the CPA Exam back in 1992, and find myself in the position of needing to pass it again. It’s a long story. What products would you suggest for me?

Christen – I have failed Audit five times but passed every other section. I have NO idea what I am doing wrong. I have the NINJA Notes, Audio, and Wiley test bank, as well as two lecture courses. What advice do you have?

Dolly – I am a full time accountant working 40-70 hours a week with no time on weekends to study. I have failed BEC three times, AUD once, and REG once. I am highly discouraged and don’t know where to go from here. What should I do?

Alex – I was just wondering if you had any specific info on how BEC written communication tasks were graded. If I get a written task about an unfamiliar topic that I don’t know a whole lot about, should I only talk about what I’m sure is correct/accurate (even if that is very little)? Or, should I try to give a longer answer and throw a little “BS” in there as long as it sounds plausible?

Kim – I am studying Audit right now. I read your post that you mostly memorize information to pass this section. Is that the best way to approach Audit?

Jeremy - I made a 57 on AUD the first time I took it, so I started from scratch and went through all my videos again. Then I scored a 71. Do I need to go through all the materials again? What suggestions do you have for my next attempt?

Ron – I scored a 44 on REG the first time and a 52 the second time I took it. Should I stick with REG or change it up and try BEC? I’m really frustrated right now.

Joel - I just received my first payment coupon to take the exam in Virginia. I may be moving to Pennsylvania in the next couple of months for a job that requests me to have progress toward the CPA. Should I continue with the exam in VA even if I get the job and move, or should I just switch everything over to PA?

Rana – Jeff, I am having the hardest time passing FAR. I just took it for the 3rd time. I have made a 43, 65, and now a 53. I am so discouraged. I have thought about moving on to a different part and then coming back to FAR. Any suggestions?

Inketsu – I am currently a sophomore in college, and I chose CPA as my career. I would like to start studying for the exam as soon as possible, but do you think I should wait until I finish school?

Kelly – If someone has many years of work experience but NO accounting experience, then goes back to school to complete a Bachelors Degree in Business with an emphasis in Accounting, are they likely to pass any of these exams?

Today’s Podcast Giveaway: NINJA 10 Point Combo (x2)