Becker or Not?

  • This topic has 8 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 7 years ago by Anonymous.
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    Topic
  • #1522725
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Hi,

    I am taking the FAR at the end of July and it will be my first time taking one of the sections as I recently got my NTS.

    I got a 50% scholarship for the Becker materials for all four parts (from my university) which would be around $1,800 and they have a gamification app (age of Empires) on the iPhone which I think could be interesting as I am a gamer. Has anyone ever used it?

    I have been thinking of buying the subscription to Becker or if I got the books would those be sufficient? There is a review book, a final review book and flashcards, right? Or is something else included? Is the online part worth, or will it help me with scheduling and making sure I am on track?

    Does anyone want to sell their books/flashcards? What are the Ninja notes and are those worth it?

    I would appreciate any thoughts or advice.

Viewing 8 replies - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
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  • #1522737
    ThomasHallberg
    Participant

    I use Becker, and followed everything about their full online course. It just depends on the way you study. If you like to read, the books are great. However, I know a lot of people who do the MCQ's only.

    AUD - 81
    BEC - 77
    FAR - 76
    REG - 75
    How does Santa's accountant value his sleigh? Net Present Value

    Good luck favors the prepared

    KPMG Audit

    #1522752
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    The Becker test bank is intense…contrary to some. I did a total of 500 MCQ for all four sections…but YMMV.

    Becker is well worth the money.

    #1522821
    GiniC
    Participant

    I passed all four sections on the first try, using only Becker. The course itself comes with the textbook and access to the online lectures and problem sets; the Final Review book and lecture are separate, and the flash cards are also separate. I bought all three for three sections, but found I didn't use the flash cards as much as I expected. That could be different for you – I tended to write my own cards and use those.

    The Final Review was absolutely great. After learning all the topics over 6-8 weeks, the final review brought it all back into focus at the end, so those topics studied early didn't get “lost” in the background. I really do recommend that product, though I got through REG without it. It's a great confidence builder in that last week before the test.

    FYI – when you purchase Becker course materials you sign an agreement which stipulates that the materials are not transferable, so you are unlikely to find many CPA wannabees willing to break that agreement to sell the books. Besides, the course changed completely for the Q2 exam, so the old books are probably useless now anyway. You need your own fresh set to write in, highlight, and otherwise make your own.

    AUD - 95
    BEC - 82
    FAR - 86
    REG - 82
    Started prep using Becker live classes then switched to self-paced
    #1522893
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    GiniC, ya, I looked on the site and I guess the flashcards are separate.

    I see books for sale on ebay and it says the books are good for tests after March 2017. I would like to get the final review book.

    Are there practice tests through Becker to gauge my progress? How is the Ninja multiple choice test bank?

    #1522980
    taskr
    Participant

    If you need a good review (after being away from university for a number of years), Becker provides the structure to get you from beginning to end. Lectures (minimum once through), MCQs, TBS, and practice tests (if only for the additional questions they provide). I had years of experience, but only narrowly so. Once I had completed the course, I began to repeat the MCQs constantly to understand concepts requiring computation and subjects that just had to be memorized. I made notes when necessary. For BEC, I did go through the flashcards once, if just to see if I knew the subject being quizzed. I passed first time for all exams, but I believe it is because I never took for granted that I had studied enough. You have to work it. I believe Beckers goal is to overprepare you for the exams, forcing you to aim for 80's and above.

    AUD - 91
    BEC - 86
    FAR - 85
    REG - 81
    You are never too old to do this

    Licensed Jan 2017

     

    #1523052
    lauren.wilson14
    Participant

    I can't stand Beckers new software. There are so many mistakes. Every time I sit down to study, I find spelling errors. There old software was a lot better. Now, it just seems like a HUGE waste of money

    #1523055
    ThomasHallberg
    Participant

    ^^ I love the new software.

    AUD - 81
    BEC - 77
    FAR - 76
    REG - 75
    How does Santa's accountant value his sleigh? Net Present Value

    Good luck favors the prepared

    KPMG Audit

    #1523068
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    If you are in college, or can get in touch with the Becker Rep you could possibly get the flashcards for free…I got the digital ones, as I did not want to lug around hard copy ones. I love the electronic ones, as if I was somewhere waiting, I could flip through a bunch and practice. They pull out the big important ideas.And I think that is what helped me versus doing thousands of MCQ..

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