BEC Written Communication Advice

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    Topic
  • #1750952
    Katie
    Participant

    Does anyone have any advice on how much focus to put on the written communication portion of BEC? I’m using Becker and I feel like the answers I give are never as detailed as the solution shows. I think I’m able to give a decent answer, but it seems like the solution literally gives every single detail they covered in the book. I know it’s only 15% of the exam so I’m not sure how much I should worry about it as long as I have the concepts down.

    AUD - 91

    BEC - 4/21/18

    FAR - 90

    REG - 80

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
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  • #1750965
    get_away06
    Participant

    @Katie I took BEC a few times and I didn’t really practice it til a week before the test and that was more so just to make sure I can get my mind going on how to write essays. As long as you are familiar with the material and can jot down key concepts, I think you will be fine. It is machine graded so just make sure you stick to the point. Hope that helps! Good luck!

    Keep going and never give up! 🙂

    B - 64, 70, 73, 72, 83

    A - 81

    R - 70, 75

    F - 75

    #1751019
    jenpen
    Participant

    Just remember – intro, body, conclusion. I always stuck to this very basic outline. I would have 2-3 body paragraphs, depending on the topic and my knowledge of it. It is a memo, so no need for a salutation or closing. I took BEC 3 times, and the first 2 times I didn't pass, but had “stronger” on the written portion.

    AUD - 85
    BEC - 84
    FAR - 82
    REG - 78
    Ethics - 95
    Licensed in IL & MO

    AUD - 56 - 68 - 61 - 9/8/16
    REG - 75
    FAR - 7/15/16
    BEC - TBD

    Wiley CPAexcel and NINJA 10 Point Combo

    #1751034
    CS
    Participant

    I wouldn't worry about being on par with review course answer examples. The used Roger and the WC “answers” he had were definitely more detailed than what I wrote. To be fair, my topics were fairly basic. However, I looked at 2 or 3 a few days before the test and checked the forum out for suggestions but nothing more than that. Honestly, if you know the material you're straight.

    I agree with Jennifer's assessment: intro, body, conclusion. Also don't be afraid to throw in “buzz” words, as I definitely did that and I don't think it hurt me.

     

     

    #1751037
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I agree with what both @get_away06 and @Jennifer are saying, but I'll elaborate some more on what worked for me.

    Like get_away said, it's machine graded. So first thing, make sure you don't have any spelling errors and no glaring grammatical errors. Also, I believe the computer is looking for what I call “buzz” words which are certain words that are connected to the topic of the question. So, in the intro paragraph repeat the question they asked but not verbatim and use some of the key phrases from the questioning. With the last sentence propose your solution using the “buzz” words. For example, if you get a question about the cash conversion cycle, a few “buzz” words would be accounts receivable, accounts payable, and inventory. Or, if you get a question about aggregate demand a few “buzz” words would be government spending, consumption, interest rate, exports, etc.

    In the body paragraph(s) write a little explanation on each “buzz” word and tie it into the answer to the question. You don't have to write a novel, just get down the basics and move on. Remember, these are supposed to be memos, not essays. Maybe write down each “buzz” word when you initially think of it so you don't forget any of them as you are typing.

    For the conclusion, repeat the question again in different words but maintaining some of the key phrases from the question. Then a quick sentence or two about what your solution was using as many “buzz” words as possible. Then wrap it up with a quick “if you have any more questions….yada yada yada.”

    Boom. You're done and ready to move on to the next one.

    #1751073
    alloverit
    Participant

    I more or less nailed all three written communications on three different topics with the same answer. Pick a general accounting theory (conservatism for example) or something else that works and write based upon that theory.

    That way, the buzz words will come to you naturally. You'll be amazed at how smart you got all of a sudden!!

    FAR 81

    AUD 83

    BEC 93

    REG 84

    Ross

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