How do you study with Wiley?

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    Topic
  • #1705546
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I’ve been using Wiley for studying BEC, and reading the notes is taking up too much time. I have to take it in 4 weeks, and haven’t finished reading all the materials. (finished only COSO, Econ, half of cost concepts) out of 5 topics, and, of course, finished doesn’t mean that I actually finished studying. I’m still getting low scores on problems for those “finished” areas.

    Would watching the short lectures be enough other than reading the whole notes? The problem is that I have a baby boy who needs my full attention, and studying time is very limited for me.

    Please share any of your story of studying with Wiley.
    Currently, I gave up on reading the notes and started focusing on solving MCQs on test bank, and read the notes partially while solving the MCQs.

    Plus, I noticed Wiley doesn’t give much of WC problems. Are those enough? I feel like I need to memorize the whole lectures in order to write something… How do you study for the WC?

    Thank you.

     
    “wiley-cpaexcel-cpa-review”/
     

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 15 total)
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  • #1705548
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    CPAexcel CPA Review

    #1705552
    Bourne
    Participant

    I have not taken BEC yet, but my process is this:

    Watch the video of the lecture, take notes during the video, take the MCQ's at the end of the lesson, repeat.
    On my way to and from work I listen to Ninja Audio and read the Ninja notes a couple times in free time.
    Set your test date in Wiley 7-14 days before the actual test date and use those final 7-14 days for strictly Ninja MCQ's and some sims from Wiley.

    2/2 so far with the above technique so let's hope it continues.

    AUD- 82
    REG- 86
    FAR- 86
    BEC- 88
    #1705560
    PDiddy2000
    Participant

    @bourne

    Did you go back and review old chapters while reviewing a current chapter? I started studying for FAR with Wiley CPAexcel platinum earlier this month and I’m afraid I may forget some of the old stuff as I progress through the chapters.

    FAR-Mar 9,2020 (failed 71), retest May 21
    BEC-Passed(I had a few stops and starts because I was studying during my busy season. Lost track of my study stats.)
    AUD-Passed(8 weeks,1877 MCQs, and 38 TBSs)-Wiley
    REG-Passed(10 weeks, 2000 MC)-Wiley
    #1705569
    Bourne
    Participant

    I didn't go back and review but if you have the time it can only help. I went through all of the lessons (yes you definitely forget things). For FAR I gave myself I think 10-14 days of final review and that's where I really began remembering things and basically relearning things. If it wasn't for the final week or two of final review MCQ's before the test I would have failed.

    Everyone studies different and retains info different and a lot of people recommend reviewing previous chapters so that you don't forget. However for me, I kind of rushed it and hoped the final 2 weeks of review would work.

    AUD- 82
    REG- 86
    FAR- 86
    BEC- 88
    #1705632
    PDiddy2000
    Participant

    @bourne

    Your study methods seem to be working. I’m hoping to be able to pass with only using Wiley since I went with the platinum package.

    @cjoh1006

    I’ve heard of some candidates ditching the Wiley videos for each chapter and just reading the material and doing MCQs. It is a time saver. I’ve never of anyone not reading the chapters.

    FAR-Mar 9,2020 (failed 71), retest May 21
    BEC-Passed(I had a few stops and starts because I was studying during my busy season. Lost track of my study stats.)
    AUD-Passed(8 weeks,1877 MCQs, and 38 TBSs)-Wiley
    REG-Passed(10 weeks, 2000 MC)-Wiley
    #1705696
    Bourne
    Participant

    I haven't read a page from the book. At the beginning of FAR I read the study guide thing on each lesson but reading accounting books about puts me to sleep so I just focused on the videos. I also went with the platinum package (overdoing it in my opinion) but still bought Ninja for the different change of pace and different explanations for questions you get right/wrong. Everyone learns different though.

    AUD- 82
    REG- 86
    FAR- 86
    BEC- 88
    #1705770
    kdawg22
    Participant

    Mine was pretty much the same as Bourne's- I would watch the videos first and take notes while watching the video and then complete the multiple choice questions(didn't read the textbook at all). For the most part, Wiley has pretty good videos except for BEC. I found the instructor for the COSO & IT stuff was just plain terrible. IMO-The two best for the videos were Pam Smith(FAR) and the tax guy. Once you complete going through all the lessons then start doing the test bank questions. In terms of the WC, the new Wiley questions are just plain horrible (im not sure if they have fixed this since I was studying), but I used to type out a whole response and then once I submitted it my whole response was cleared out and no grade was given. I also found the software's answers to the WC to be very generic and not helpful.

    Trust the Process

    FAR - 83 Wiley
    BEC - 68 Wiley, 74 (Wiley & NINJA), 79 (Wiley, NINJA, & Becker SIMS)
    AUD - 72 Wiley, 77 (Wiley & NINJA)
    REG - 88 Wiley & NINJA

     

    #1705837
    Defo
    Participant

    Good to see some people enjoy these videos. I found them terrible for FAR and have avoided them for all sections since. I focus on just reading the text and answering all the MCQ.

    AUD - 83
    BEC - 84
    FAR - 78
    REG - 92
    #1706101
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @kdawg22

    Since it’s my first exam out of all 4, I’m still debating on whether I should purchase Ninja or not. It seems like Ninja MCQs and audio notes are good. And Yes, Wiley’s system still sucks. Keeps giving me error signs, and I wasn’t able to use their app until last month.
    So, how did you study for the WC then?

    #1706103
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @Bourne
    I’m taking BEC on 3/9/18. Good luck to you. After reading your response, I decided to focus on videos on some topics that I just can’t focus on reading it. It’s my first exam for the CPA, and I’m very nervous about it. Thanks for your response, and again hope you for the best for REG and BEC!

    #1706106
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @PDiddy2000

    After reading your responses, I feel like reading the notes are necessary for the exam. So, I will just keep up with what I’ve been doing plus try to use my spare time well. Thanks



    @Defo

    That’s what I’ve been reading so far, Wiley videos are not very helpful for some people who’ve already taken the BEC. Reading text is very time consuming and hard. But I guess it will pay off. Thanks for the response!

    #1706143
    PDiddy2000
    Participant

    @cjoh1006

    My problem with just watching the videos is that I'm finding that some of the assessment questions after every chapter tend to either not cover items specifically discussed in the video but are in the readings or I've seen questions in one chapter that are related to the next chapter which I haven't even read yet. It's a little frustrating, ok it's a MAJOR frustration for me because I would like to not feel like an idiot when I just spent 20 minutes watching a video then reading the chapter plus going through flash cards on a subject and I get more wrong on the assessment than I get right. There have been a lot of “WTFs!!!” and “face in hands” since I started studying. No tears yet though. hahahaha…..

    I've been hesitant to purchase additional CPA review materials since I'm $3k in for the entire CPA candidate process. However, I want to pass the FAR on my first try so I may add the middle Ninja plan to get me across the finish line. good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

    FAR-Mar 9,2020 (failed 71), retest May 21
    BEC-Passed(I had a few stops and starts because I was studying during my busy season. Lost track of my study stats.)
    AUD-Passed(8 weeks,1877 MCQs, and 38 TBSs)-Wiley
    REG-Passed(10 weeks, 2000 MC)-Wiley
    #1706148
    Bourne
    Participant

    My advice is to go for the additional materials. It can only help. Spend an extra $100 for a Ninja section to get more comfortable with your knowledge/learn more, or spend another $100 or however much it is to retake the exam and restudy everything. Of course purchasing the additional Ninja materials doesn't guarantee a pass, but I feel that it drastically helps.

    I guess it really just matters how much you value your time. If Ninja helps you as much as it has me, the $100 is well worth it (I'm also about $3k in btw so I was in the same boat as you)

    AUD- 82
    REG- 86
    FAR- 86
    BEC- 88
    #1706149
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I used Becker which is good, but still felt like I couldn't have passed without Ninja. The reason I failed FAR was that i didn't give Ninja as much time as I have with other sections.

    #1706179
    kdawg22
    Participant

    @cjoh1006

    I would definitely get the NINJA MCQ so either the Scout package or the Sniper. As for the WC, see the response from MrsEarlaRiopel in the below link. She posts some pretty helpful info

    BEC written communication

    Trust the Process

    FAR - 83 Wiley
    BEC - 68 Wiley, 74 (Wiley & NINJA), 79 (Wiley, NINJA, & Becker SIMS)
    AUD - 72 Wiley, 77 (Wiley & NINJA)
    REG - 88 Wiley & NINJA

     

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