[futureCPA12]

So my next exam is BEC on October 14th. I find that the MCQ take forever to work through, compared to FAR and REG. Has anyone passed BEC without even reaching the WC section? I know it is worth 15%, but technically that means the maximum you can get is an 85.

Just curious.

AUD - 92
BEC - 81
FAR - 76
REG - 89

Never give up!

[Texas CPA]

I felt the same way when I first started working BEC MCQs. After a while you do get quicker. Further, the exam probably will not have as many or as complex calculations( at least this was true for me as compared to Becker.) IMHO, it is best to allow time to get those 15 points. See the other thread on BEC scoring.

Reg - Passed 82 Nov 2012 - Becker
Aud - Passed 86 May 2013 - Becker
BEC - Passed 88 Aug 2013 - Becker
FAR - Passed 88 Nov 2013 - Becker

https://www.becker.com/cpa-review

Texas CPA

[Texas CPA]

I felt the same way when I first started working BEC MCQs. After a while you do get quicker. Further, the exam probably will not have as many or as complex calculations( at least this was true for me as compared to Becker.) IMHO, it is best to allow time to get those 15 points. See the other thread on BEC scoring.

Reg - Passed 82 Nov 2012 - Becker
Aud - Passed 86 May 2013 - Becker
BEC - Passed 88 Aug 2013 - Becker
FAR - Passed 88 Nov 2013 - Becker

https://www.becker.com/cpa-review

Texas CPA

[tough_kitty]

It depends on your writing skills. If you KNOW you have good writing skills, then there is no need to spend any time preparing for this part of the exam.

The most important thing to know is: it doesn't have to be correct, it has to be on topic!

So, for example, if they ask you to compare AND contrast, make sure you mention similarities AND difficulties. And if the question asks to give a recommendation, then make sure you include it in your reply.

Also, paraphrase/copy all the info you are given in the problem in your reply. The WC is graded by the computer, so it will be looking for the key words. And make sure you use the linking words/sentences. It's all about the structure!

I took BEC in July this year. 2 out of 3 WC were on topics I had very little idea about, so I had to make things up, but I did stick to the principles mentioned above and ended up with “stronger” score on WC in comparison to others – so I know for sure it worked!

Good luck!

PS. Also, just read through a few examples so you have some idea on how to write your responses.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

It depends on your writing skills. If you KNOW you have good writing skills, then there is no need to spend any time preparing for this part of the exam.

The most important thing to know is: it doesn't have to be correct, it has to be on topic!

So, for example, if they ask you to compare AND contrast, make sure you mention similarities AND difficulties. And if the question asks to give a recommendation, then make sure you include it in your reply.

Also, paraphrase/copy all the info you are given in the problem in your reply. The WC is graded by the computer, so it will be looking for the key words. And make sure you use the linking words/sentences. It's all about the structure!

I took BEC in July this year. 2 out of 3 WC were on topics I had very little idea about, so I had to make things up, but I did stick to the principles mentioned above and ended up with “stronger” score on WC in comparison to others – so I know for sure it worked!

Good luck!

PS. Also, just read through a few examples so you have some idea on how to write your responses.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[vartex]

I've taken BEC 5 times. This last exam consisted of mostly time consuming calculations and I got to the WC with 18 minute left. I copied one answer word for word and BS'ed the other. I have always scored Stronger in WC without writing more than 3 paragraphs with about 4-5 sentences each.

BTW, I finally passed with a 94!! I scored stronger in every category and am assuming I could've passed without the WC points.

[vartex]

I've taken BEC 5 times. This last exam consisted of mostly time consuming calculations and I got to the WC with 18 minute left. I copied one answer word for word and BS'ed the other. I have always scored Stronger in WC without writing more than 3 paragraphs with about 4-5 sentences each.

BTW, I finally passed with a 94!! I scored stronger in every category and am assuming I could've passed without the WC points.

[Wolfchicken]

I wouldn't consider myself that great of a writer and I did not study for the WC at all. I passed BEC with an 84. As long as you know what they are looking for and answer the question with keywords and make sure look over spelling etc I think you would be ok. I would honestly spend most of your effort on the MCQ. As a side note, BEC sucked studying for and I hated how long the MCQ's took. You will get through it!

BEC - PASS
FAR - PASS
Audit - PASS
REG - PASS

[Wolfchicken]

I wouldn't consider myself that great of a writer and I did not study for the WC at all. I passed BEC with an 84. As long as you know what they are looking for and answer the question with keywords and make sure look over spelling etc I think you would be ok. I would honestly spend most of your effort on the MCQ. As a side note, BEC sucked studying for and I hated how long the MCQ's took. You will get through it!

BEC - PASS
FAR - PASS
Audit - PASS
REG - PASS

[futureCPA12]

Thanks guys! I'm not really asking how to approach the WC, just looking for the kind of feedback from @vartex. Amazing that you got a 94 and had only 20 minutes for the WC.

Side note: I'm not planning on having zero time left for WC, but I want to know how much it really factors into one's score. Given @vartex‘s story, I guess if you do well enough on the MCQ it really doesn't matter.

AUD - 92
BEC - 81
FAR - 76
REG - 89

Never give up!

[futureCPA12]

Thanks guys! I'm not really asking how to approach the WC, just looking for the kind of feedback from @vartex. Amazing that you got a 94 and had only 20 minutes for the WC.

Side note: I'm not planning on having zero time left for WC, but I want to know how much it really factors into one's score. Given @vartex‘s story, I guess if you do well enough on the MCQ it really doesn't matter.

AUD - 92
BEC - 81
FAR - 76
REG - 89

Never give up!

[tough_kitty]

Yeah, but you never know how you gonna do on the MCQs. Some of them seemed really hard even though I felt prepared. While WC can give you easy 15%! I ended up with an 81 on BEC. My WC was stronger and MC was over all comparable.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

Yeah, but you never know how you gonna do on the MCQs. Some of them seemed really hard even though I felt prepared. While WC can give you easy 15%! I ended up with an 81 on BEC. My WC was stronger and MC was over all comparable.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[Anonymous]

It all depends on the type of exam you get really. I had to take BEC twice (74/79) and the first time was more conceptual, second time was heavy on calcs (and to be honest I felt like I rushed through the MCQ's hence why I was still in the 70's).

I think if you aim for 45 minutes per testlet, you'll be fine with WC even if you go over 45 minutes on a section or two.

[Anonymous]

It all depends on the type of exam you get really. I had to take BEC twice (74/79) and the first time was more conceptual, second time was heavy on calcs (and to be honest I felt like I rushed through the MCQ's hence why I was still in the 70's).

I think if you aim for 45 minutes per testlet, you'll be fine with WC even if you go over 45 minutes on a section or two.

[Author]

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