How to prepare for BEC's written response?

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #180602
    futureCPA12
    Participant

    Is there a proper way to prepare for this section of BEC? I mean, should I be studying the BEC material in a way that I can memorize ideas to structure into a writing response? I’m just not quite sure how to approach.

    AUD - 92
    BEC - 81
    FAR - 76
    REG - 89
    Never give up!
Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 26 total)
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  • #454766
    Meowmix77
    Member

    Honestly, I wouldn't even worry about the writing simulations if you are an adequate/decent writer. If you know the structure of a memo and can type decently fast, then you should barely review the writing portion. The MCQs are the bulk of BEC so continue to hit them hard. Look at a few practice write-ups and you'll be fine.

    Becker
    AUD: 98 (4/13)
    BEC: 84 (5/13)
    FAR: 91 (7/13)
    REG: 91 (8/13)

    #454901
    Meowmix77
    Member

    Honestly, I wouldn't even worry about the writing simulations if you are an adequate/decent writer. If you know the structure of a memo and can type decently fast, then you should barely review the writing portion. The MCQs are the bulk of BEC so continue to hit them hard. Look at a few practice write-ups and you'll be fine.

    Becker
    AUD: 98 (4/13)
    BEC: 84 (5/13)
    FAR: 91 (7/13)
    REG: 91 (8/13)

    #454768
    jw_83
    Member

    I am also worried about the written communications. I am pretty good at writing when I look at references. Do you need to know the topic pretty well to formulate a proper response?

    REG - 64, 72, 81!
    FAR - 77
    AUD - 79
    BEC - 72, 79! And Done!

    #454903
    jw_83
    Member

    I am also worried about the written communications. I am pretty good at writing when I look at references. Do you need to know the topic pretty well to formulate a proper response?

    REG - 64, 72, 81!
    FAR - 77
    AUD - 79
    BEC - 72, 79! And Done!

    #454770

    Listen the written portion is only 15%, if you give yourself and hour you will have more then enough time. Look at the question, look for key requirements; two types, your recomendatiom, ect ect. Include that key requirment in your answer in the first paragraph.

    ie. two types of inventory valuation are fifo and lifo

    ie. I recommend switching from a single to to a multiple cost driver

    Make paragraphs, 2 and 3, detailing that answer. Expand on the benefits and the negatives.

    ex. p2 on fifo, p3 on lifo

    ex. p2 on single, p3 on multiple,

    conclude summarizing your findings.

    ex. i would be delighted to go over which invetory valuation best suits your company

    ex. for these reasons, more accurate portrayal of inveotry costs, i believe our company should go on a multiple cost driver basis.

    then move on to the other wc. after all essays are written, go bacl to your first one, reread the question and proof read.

    EASY points. to get that passing grade. usually questions are very open, name 2 of 5 kinda deals

    ALL 4 parts passed summer 13
    Ethics October 13
    Experience (waiting)

    Becker Only

    #454905

    Listen the written portion is only 15%, if you give yourself and hour you will have more then enough time. Look at the question, look for key requirements; two types, your recomendatiom, ect ect. Include that key requirment in your answer in the first paragraph.

    ie. two types of inventory valuation are fifo and lifo

    ie. I recommend switching from a single to to a multiple cost driver

    Make paragraphs, 2 and 3, detailing that answer. Expand on the benefits and the negatives.

    ex. p2 on fifo, p3 on lifo

    ex. p2 on single, p3 on multiple,

    conclude summarizing your findings.

    ex. i would be delighted to go over which invetory valuation best suits your company

    ex. for these reasons, more accurate portrayal of inveotry costs, i believe our company should go on a multiple cost driver basis.

    then move on to the other wc. after all essays are written, go bacl to your first one, reread the question and proof read.

    EASY points. to get that passing grade. usually questions are very open, name 2 of 5 kinda deals

    ALL 4 parts passed summer 13
    Ethics October 13
    Experience (waiting)

    Becker Only

    #454772
    futureCPA12
    Participant

    Has anyone failed because of the written response? I started looking at some questions today and I'm starting to feel like as long as you know how to format it (introduction, body, conclusion), the points should be easily attainable. How important is the content do you guys think? Am I screwed if the ask something that I have no clue about, like the difference between process costing and job-order costing?

    AUD - 92
    BEC - 81
    FAR - 76
    REG - 89
    Never give up!
    #454907
    futureCPA12
    Participant

    Has anyone failed because of the written response? I started looking at some questions today and I'm starting to feel like as long as you know how to format it (introduction, body, conclusion), the points should be easily attainable. How important is the content do you guys think? Am I screwed if the ask something that I have no clue about, like the difference between process costing and job-order costing?

    AUD - 92
    BEC - 81
    FAR - 76
    REG - 89
    Never give up!
    #454774
    smyoung0521
    Participant

    I can say that when I took it before I didn't study for the WC at all. I knew very little about the topics I was given. I answered as best as I could and I received a ‘comparable.' I did fail though so take that for what it is worth 🙂

    AUD - NINJA in Training
    BEC - 64
    FAR - NINJA in Training
    REG - NINJA in Training
    Every journey begins with a step.
    Starting over again after an extended time.
    Using Roger's and Ninja 10 pt combo

    Restarting my journey!
    Using Rogers and supplementing with Ninja

    #454909
    smyoung0521
    Participant

    I can say that when I took it before I didn't study for the WC at all. I knew very little about the topics I was given. I answered as best as I could and I received a ‘comparable.' I did fail though so take that for what it is worth 🙂

    AUD - NINJA in Training
    BEC - 64
    FAR - NINJA in Training
    REG - NINJA in Training
    Every journey begins with a step.
    Starting over again after an extended time.
    Using Roger's and Ninja 10 pt combo

    Restarting my journey!
    Using Rogers and supplementing with Ninja

    #454776
    tough_kitty
    Member

    As I just replied to smyoung in his thread about CRAM courses, the content isn't as important.

    Roger says: “it doesn't have to be right, it has to be on topic!”

    So, if they ask you, for example, about pros & cons of X and you don't really know what they are, just say whatever you think they are – as much as you remember. The key is to make sure you are describing PROS & CONS – exactly what they asked you for! And if they also ask you to make a recommendation, make sure you do that as well!

    There is no way to prepare for the topics which can be tested on WC because there are plenty of them!

    I was able to answer properly for 1 out of 3 WC. The other 2 I had to BS and got “stronger”! So it works! Also, 1 WC is a pre-test.

    FAR: 81 (May 2013)
    BEC: 81 (July 2013)
    REG: 83 (August 2013)
    AUD: 82 (November 2013)
    California CPA since 1/30/14

    #454911
    tough_kitty
    Member

    As I just replied to smyoung in his thread about CRAM courses, the content isn't as important.

    Roger says: “it doesn't have to be right, it has to be on topic!”

    So, if they ask you, for example, about pros & cons of X and you don't really know what they are, just say whatever you think they are – as much as you remember. The key is to make sure you are describing PROS & CONS – exactly what they asked you for! And if they also ask you to make a recommendation, make sure you do that as well!

    There is no way to prepare for the topics which can be tested on WC because there are plenty of them!

    I was able to answer properly for 1 out of 3 WC. The other 2 I had to BS and got “stronger”! So it works! Also, 1 WC is a pre-test.

    FAR: 81 (May 2013)
    BEC: 81 (July 2013)
    REG: 83 (August 2013)
    AUD: 82 (November 2013)
    California CPA since 1/30/14

    #454778
    futureCPA12
    Participant

    @smyoung What gave you the most trouble do you think? I feel pretty good about Becker's MCQ, although the cost accounting calculations get tricky.

    AUD - 92
    BEC - 81
    FAR - 76
    REG - 89
    Never give up!
    #454913
    futureCPA12
    Participant

    @smyoung What gave you the most trouble do you think? I feel pretty good about Becker's MCQ, although the cost accounting calculations get tricky.

    AUD - 92
    BEC - 81
    FAR - 76
    REG - 89
    Never give up!
    #454780
    LT-P
    Member

    give examples. don't worry about knowing the topic, just know how to write. there's no way to prepare.

    if you do know something, or maybe heard about it before, throw in some keywords/accountant jargon. that's pretty much it.

    - passed all 4 exams on my first try using Becker!

    Ethics: TBD

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 26 total)
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