[msquared17]

Becker Question –

I took a 60 question progress test today and scored 42%. I’m not sure where to go from here. I was planning to take the exam on 12/5 which means I need to finish the material by 11/20. My study plan has me at 13-15 hours a week. I’m already a week behind schedule. Do I take a few days to thoroughly review F1-F4 and fall further behind or just move on to F5 and hope and pray that things start to click? The other option is to take the exam in January which means learning the new testing topics. Which I will have to do anyways if I fail the test in Dec.

I’ll admit that I’m struggling with staying focused and motivated. 20 years out of college, 12 years out of accounting, work full time and teenage kids. It’s taking me a lot longer to grasp some of the topics. Oh, and my attention span is about as long as an eyelash. LOL.

Can I still be ready for this exam in Dec? I’ve come to realize I will I have to put in more hours. How do I effectively review the previous material while moving on?

Any thoughts are appreciated.

[Earla Riopel (NYCARE)]

It depends on how many hours you're going to spend before the day of your actual exam.
If I'm in your situation, I will:

– re-do the ones I got incorrect.
– know my weaknesses – work on that before the exam
– Actual MCQs are very similar to AICPA MCQs newly released exams, since the computer version (2004) started. If you don't have access to these MCQs (2005-2016) individually, ask your CPA exam providers if they are all included on their MCQs/SIMs app.
– If not, get a newer MCQs/SIMs app as a supplement, like Ninja.
– Make sure to visit the AICPA's website, for sample test, especially for TBS/DRS format.
– Few days before exam, read the whole book briefly, front-to-back cover. See if all chapters are covered and comfortable.
– Also, since there aren't that many SIMs out there to practice on, closest to actual SIMs exam, knowing the materials really well will help a lot with SIMs.
– Lastly, ask myself a question? Can I do 45/45/25/60/65 testlet allocation on a FAR exam? If not, I am taking a chance for a 50/50 pass/fail score. No one wants to be in that situation, except for those who are experimenting on knowing on how the new format exams are like, and how AICPA is testing each section.
– Book/notes/videos/audios/flashcards are about 50-60% of the score generated for actual exam, but the ones that bridged that gap (25-15%+) into passing are MCQs/SIMs app practices, and being a decent test-taker during the actual exam.

Goodluck.

AUD - 49
BEC - NINJA in Training
FAR - NINJA in Training
REG - 55

Passed: AUD (75%'08/77%'17), REG (76%'09) & BLaw(77%'99); highest on FAR (63%'11/'15) & BEC (63%'11). Credit Hours: USA(PH)-BCom'85(4yr-grandfathered); UBC-(DAP'02/'19); DC-(BBA-Acctg.'22-4th yr)=over 150 hrs credits

[Anonymous]

I would say push your test back to give yourself more time. Is this your first test? If going through the progress test you felt like you had no idea what they were asking then perhaps you need to slow down and take more time with the material. I usually listen to the lectures in the car, then read the text while on the train, then do MCQ for related module at night while taking notes/making flashcards. I also do or at least listen to the explanation on the Skills Practice. It is an extremely painful and slow process but it works. I would also do a progress test every chapter, this way it stays fresh in your mind. Also, when I feel like I don't remember what the questions are about at all during the progress test or a study session, I do it open book-no shame in that-this way you review the material! I usually aim to study about 20 hours a week. The last two weeks I have studied 7 days a week. I am 16 years out of school with two kids so I really feel your pain-you can do it! 🙂

[M123]

As far as December, I think it's still possible. That's a month and a half. If you let it sit too long , things fall off.

You don't pray that it clicks. MCQ is what will get it to click. Hundreds of them.

You're being inundated with details of things that will take time to process. The way the exam requires you to process them is through application and that means practice with MCQ. You can continue to do progress tests or better yet, get Ninja which includes MCQ.

I did between 1200 and 1300 MCQ for FAR. Things started to click 700 questions in. So before my 700 questions, I felt absolutely helpless. But there is a point when things start to click if you monitor results, learn from mistakes and keep going.

It is impossible to retain and apply this content solely through reading and videos. So my suggestion is to plow through the content, identify your known weak areas, then work on MCQ until you get it right. You might touch up on the problem areas of F4 but the reality is – it's a lot of content that only through application will it go into the long term memory and skills needed for the exam.

AUD - 77
BEC - 81
FAR - 77
REG - 81

REG - 1. Becker only - fail (forgot to study depr - oops); 2. Becker only - Pass
FAR - 1. Becker only - fail; 2. added Ninja Notes and MCQ - Pass
AUD - 1. Becker videos; Ninja Notes, Audio, MCQ, Becker Notes - Pass
BEC - 1. Ninja Notes, Audio, MCQ, Becker Notes - Pass

[Anonymous]

I agree with M123-but I also think that if you keep getting low scores in a certain area, time to revisit the book. I cannot tell you how many times I have looked at a multiple choice question, convinced this wasn't covered in my Becker book, only to find it sitting right there for me to read…. So MCQ will diagnose the weaknesses and help you study of course, but reading the book is extremely important as well, in my opinion…

[Anonymous]

Don't push your test date back. There's plenty of time to review. Keep pushing through the material. Make flashcards on the stuff you're having trouble with. Load those things up with information and memorize it one step at a time. In a couple weeks do another progress test and see how you're doing.

[msquared17]

These are all really good tips. I will keep plowing through the MCQ and see how I progress in the next couple of weeks before scheduling the exam.

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

[Author]

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