Done with the CPA. Here was my study method

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #200680
    EuroAddict
    Participant

    Beckers + Ninja MCQ

    1. Watched becker video and highlighted/wrote down material.

    2. Rewrote everything I highlighted.

    3. Did HW Q’s then moved onto next chapter.

    4. Rinse & Repeat

    5. Once done with becker Q’s I then attacked Ninja MCQ’s.

    I passed all but FAR (73) on my first try. This was when I was reading the book before videos and I wasn’t including Ninja MCQ’s in it. Notice I stopped reading the book. I found that to be a waste of time for me sine I wasn’t grasping the material.

    I was working FT during all tests so it can be done. I also moved across the country and I am married. You just have to make the time for it.

    Make sure you make a plan for timing. I passed all within 12 mos but I see so often on here where people are in a do or die situation.

    -----------------------------
    BEC - 77, 03/2015 (first try)
    FAR - 79, 05/2015 (second try)
    REG - 83, 12/2015 (first try)
    AUD - 84, 03/2015 (first try)

    I got 99 problems but the CPA ain't one.

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 18 total)
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    Replies
  • #761731
    MaLoTu
    Participant

    Big congrats, Euro! Thanks for the tips.

    Almost always from my phone... please excuse my typos!

    All 4 passed - 2016

    CA CPA

    #761732
    marqzho
    Participant

    congrats!!!!!

    REG 90
    FAR 95
    AUD 98
    BEC 84

    #761733
    TheHoundThatRides
    Participant

    I'll be using your advice to write down everything I highlight. I'm not a fan of heavy notes but this seems reasonable. Thanks.

    BEC - 78 (August 2015)
    FAR - 80 (November 2015)
    AUD - 73, 67. (Ok I gotta confess I was even more lazy this time around)
    REG - August 27th, 2016

    #761734
    happygal
    Participant

    Congrats! 🙂

    #761735
    EuroAddict
    Participant

    Oh. I would also crack open a brand new bottle of bourbon as soon as I got home from each exam 🙂

    -----------------------------
    BEC - 77, 03/2015 (first try)
    FAR - 79, 05/2015 (second try)
    REG - 83, 12/2015 (first try)
    AUD - 84, 03/2015 (first try)

    I got 99 problems but the CPA ain't one.

    #761736
    Andyred04
    Participant

    ^ Finally some useful advice 🙂

    FAR 80
    REG 87
    BEC 87
    AUD 96

    Primarily Gleim, supplemented with Ninja Notes & Ninja MCQs

    Missouri CPA as of January, 2017

    FAR: 80 (Gleim, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQs)
    REG: 87 (Gleim, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQs)
    BEC: 87 (Gleim, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQs)
    AUD: 8/27/16

    PA Candidate

    #761737
    EuroAddict
    Participant

    lol – It was a superstition I could get behind 🙂

    -----------------------------
    BEC - 77, 03/2015 (first try)
    FAR - 79, 05/2015 (second try)
    REG - 83, 12/2015 (first try)
    AUD - 84, 03/2015 (first try)

    I got 99 problems but the CPA ain't one.

    #761738
    justkeepswimming23
    Participant

    Happy for you congrats !!

    FAR: 78
    REG: 74, 75
    AUD:
    BEC:

    #761739
    Jdn9201
    Participant

    Congrats EuroAddict! I thought I'd be helpful (hopefully :)) and share mine. I found out last night I passed FAR, which was my last section.

    Study program used – Roger CPA review. His program is awesome. He does skim over some details which I liked, because I don't want to feel like my time is being wasted. He's very engaging and teaches in a way that helps you remember the material. His test bank is very good and I like his memory aids.

    My plan:

    BEC – Started studying Aug 1, 2015 and took exam Aug 29th
    Estimated study time – 50-60 hours
    I gave myself pretests which allowed me to eliminate about half of the lectures. I did not take notes. I did MCQ sets after every chapter of lectures that I watched then took about 5 practice tests. My review phase was 5 days prior to the exam

    REG – Started studying Sept 15th, took exam on November 14th, 2015
    Estimated study time – 75 hours
    *I've worked in corporate tax for almost 10 years, which really helped
    I also gave myself pretests which eliminated about 40% of the lecture material. My study plan was the same as BEC – watch lecture, do MCQ, repeat. Review phase – 3 days

    AUD – Started studying 12/1/15, took exam 1/8/16
    Estimated study time – 75-80 hours
    I watched all of the lectures this time – no notes – MCQ after watching each chapter's lectures. Review phase – 1 week

    FAR – Started studying 2/7/16, took exam 2/29/16
    Estimated study time – 80 hours
    I would listen to lectures either at work or in the gym, then do MCQ sets after every 3-4 chapters due to condensed schedule. Review phase – 4 days before exam

    BEC - 88 8/29/15
    REG - 82 11/14/15
    AUD - 83 1/8/16
    FAR - 80 2/29/16

    #761740
    theunexperienced
    Participant

    Great job @jdn!

    FAR - 75 (2/25/16)
    AUD - 80 (4/8/16)
    REG - 80 (6/10/16)
    BEC - 79 (7/19/16)

    You only get one shot with the spirit bomb.

    #761741
    Spartans92
    Participant

    Congrats!! Euro and Jdn! Wish I possessed the ability like yours Jdn9201. FAR is so overwhelming and frustrating… really need to add Ninja, seems like that is a very good point booster.

    BEC - 76
    REG- 67, 85
    AUD-63, 74, 80!!
    FAR-65, 62, 57, 79

    3 down 1 more to go. BEC is on the Line 🙁

    BEC- PASS

    #761742
    Jdn9201
    Participant

    Thanks Spartans. Honestly, I'm surprised no one in my neighborhood called the cops on me last night from screaming about my score. 🙂 I couldn't help it – I was just being realistic, but i was expecting a retake. I had originally planned on taking it in April or May, but this process is so tiring. I was willing to trade 3 weeks of misery for 3 months of slightly less misery. I also left out that I used the AICPA's Content Specific Outlines to guide how much time I spent on which topic, and they were very helpful. For FAR, I felt I gave myself the best chance at passing by attacking based on the outline, and doing my best to get myself to the point where I could at least narrow down a question about any topic to 2 possible answers. I also spent 1 day during my review doing nothing but research questions from the AL. If you know how to navigate the AL quickly, it can give you word for word examples that basically give you the answer for a SIM. I used the AL for every SIM I did. Looking back, I will never say that any of this was easy, but I think the study materials need to prepare people based more on concepts rather than specifics. I think people, myself included, get so buried and intimidated by trying to remember every specific about everything that they overlook the big picture. 90 questions and 7 word problems simply isn't enough space for them to test you over the specifics of everything.

    BEC - 88 8/29/15
    REG - 82 11/14/15
    AUD - 83 1/8/16
    FAR - 80 2/29/16

    #761743
    Tncincy
    Participant

    Congrats on the pass, hold out hope for the rest of us.

    It begins with a 75
    Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

    It begins with a 75
    Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

    #761744
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    My study method was the same except for Rewriting/highlighting things. I skipped over that, personally I learn by doing/watching instead of reading/writing.

    Also, if I noticed a trend of questions I was answering incorrectly, I would do a deep dive on that material to understand what I was doing wrong.

    HW questions are a MUST. Pretty much just pounded em out. And I agree with your approach, watch lecture and then do HW questions right after. Worked really well for me and was able to pass each test on the first try.

    #761745
    Duskfall
    Participant

    Congratulations Euro and JD! It is great to see people finishing strong, and the advice is very helpful, thank you!

    • FAR - 81 - JUN 7th, 2016
    • BEC - 85 - AUG 23rd, 2016
    • AUD- 80 - OCT 5th, 2016
    • REG- 77 - DEC 2nd, 2016

     

    FAR - 07/07/2016 - 81
    BEC - 08/23/2016
    AUD - 10/05/2016
    REG - 11/23/2016

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