[John Doe 15]

Hey guys,

I just want to confirm again that any one of these CPA review programs covers all the material that you will need to know to pass the exam and that you do not need to go back to school to brush up on anything.

I was going through some posts from 2012 and some people were recommending taking courses at community college to brush up.

I’ve been out of school for three years and away from accounting completely. I’m coming in knowing that debits are on the left and credits on the right. I remember that FIFO means “First in First Out” Anything else is incredibly fuzzy and would be purely guesswork on my part right now. I still have nightmares of cost accounting with variances and the term “peanut butter costing.”

I’ve decided to pick Surgent and I will sign up on Monday. My study habits and discipline are good and I don’t work so I have all the time in the world. Am I going to be good with this course and the time I put into it? Or am I walking into the fire so to speak.

Thanks again!

[Sweet<3 soon to be CPA]

It'll come back to you as you begin studying! Additional to your review course you may want to check out the AICPA website, they have a blueprint for exams as well as released questions (howeverprobably the same Qs in your course).

Good Luck with Surgent – I picked Roger and I am happy with decision. However I do recommend adding Ninja. I felt they were the most “exam like” questions. used it for 2/3 exams so far and felt the most comfortable leaving exam on the MCQ both those times – passed all three exams first try. Honestly think the Ninja MCQ saved me from failing REG since I bombed the SIMS.

Good Luck! <3

BEC - Passed

REG - Passed

AUD - Passed

FAR - Passed

[kay]

I'm a few years out of school with very little accounting experience except the last 3 months. I am also using surgent and like it so far, I did Becker 5 years ago and found it overwhelming. I think it's really a personal preference and budget thing. I didn't want to spend a ton and surgent gives a 50% discount if you've used other test materials in the past. So it was a good deal and so far I'm 1 for 1. With my REG pass in August.

AUD - NINJA in Training
BEC - 91
FAR - 77
REG - 78

You'll never succeed if you never try.

[John Doe 15]

Kay,

Do you feel that the course covers everything you need to know or do you find yourself looking into a textbook or Googling anything?

That's my only concern going forward that every single thing I need to know is in that course and then I'll do the work to memorize it. I just don't want a lecture to assume you already know something.

[kay]

Yes, I felt everything was covered, the only time I looked elsewhere is if I needed a different perspective. I'm studying FAR right now and test in 9 days. I am planning to watch some accounting lectures from a professor named farhart that are free and available online just to review some of the more complex concepts that I know will be covered in some capacity. Statement of cash flows, comprehensive income, and few others I'm not trending so well in on my surgent review stuff. This is not because surgent doesn't cover it but because sometimes for me a different perspective is needed. So far I've watched all the lectures, read the book twice, and done 1300/1700 MCQs. I'm trending at 64%, my goal is about 78% if I can get there by next Monday I think I'll have it. I like the adaptive nature although I think it is somewhat decieving because in order to have a enough data to be statically significant it may be trending based on quizes you did weeks ago. But if you consider that I think it's a good way to measure when your ready. I was trending at 73% when I took REG but just barely did all the offered questions. Surgent trends if I remember correctly are based off of the last 500?s so if you do 500 mcq in the last week before your exam you should have a pretty accurate idea of where your at come exam day. I like this it has helped me decide when to test not based on when I want to but rather on how long it take me to get to the right point.

AUD - NINJA in Training
BEC - 91
FAR - 77
REG - 78

You'll never succeed if you never try.

[John Doe 15]

Hi Kay,

Any thoughts on the text? Is it readable? I can't find any screenshots. Does it put you to sleep?

[Earla Riopel (NYCARE)]

Three years out of school is nothing compared to someone who have been out for 32 yrs since first undergrad, BSCommerce, major in accounting. Fast forward 30yrs of that, the only time someone will have a chance to become a US CPA in a 6-18 months is to have the following:

– Background in accounting – which you already have.
– Good textbook, like Becker, Wiley, Rogers, or others will give you 50-60% of your score.

– If you want the whole 100%, you have to do all what they asked you to. Plus, you have a supplementary materials, like Ninja & Gleim test banks for MCQs/SIMs, AICPA site for sample tests, and you're a good test-taker.

– Also, if you don't want to look around, Ninja Assault Package will take care of all your needs. With the understanding that you have to follow all what Ninja wants you to do. Basically used all their products. I wish I had this product right from the start. I have been a US CPA candidate since 1998. Currently using Ninja Sniper packages for FAR/REG/BEC Q4 exams.

– Based on my 2017 Q3 (new format) and Q1 (last of all format), you have to be fast with number calculations in FAR, 66 MCQs for 1.5hr and 3 TBS for 2.5hrs. Now FAR MCQs became like 80%+ calculations in the new format. The SIMs are a little harder, trickier, and will put you on a panic mode if you aren't prepared and you are crunched of time. FAR is the beast. AUD is conceptual and theories, and the MCQs/SIMs can really tripped you if you don't understand the concept well.

– Last but not the least, know yourself, what are your strength and weaknesses, what you need. Sometimes, you need to improvise to have that almost perfect CPA exam review preparation and that perfect ‘time management' during actual exams.

Check this link, if you're trying to find more info on study materials, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWu1tVBhdmMeAI-pkJeaGjQ/playlists.

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

[John Doe 15]

You're scaring me earlathebean

I am an average student. I have my spurts here and there. I take BEC at the end of January. I was hoping putting in at least 200 hours would get me a passing score.

I guess I'll just have to start this and find out what it's all about.

I do have a lot of experience with standardized exams but only science stuff not business.

[kay]

The Surgent books are good, I read REG once and FAR twice. They are complete but don't have a lot of extra, which is good for me. I have the attention span of a 5 year old so I really need to just get to the point. I will also say I never studied a day in my life till this exam, not to say I'm super smart…I'm not… but rather I had literally 0 study skills prior to taking these exams. Here's what I've learned so far. 1. If you are consistent you will eventually get there. 2. If you want to get there sooner, follow the method and plan of whichever study materials you choose. It was developed by people who have more data and have analyzed what works best. Any product is going to get you where you need to be if you follow the plan. 3. I'm impatient and have no desire to spend the better part of my life trying to tackle this test, like the above poster. so I've set a study plan that is reasonable for my life, and stick to it as much as possible making adjustments as necessary. While maintaining consistency because I really do believe that's the most important part of being successful. That and making sure your scheduling your tests when you are actually ready, which may be after 60 hours of studying or 200 hours that depends on how long it takes you personally to internalize the information.. keeping in mind the recommended study time is about 120 hours per section. Good luck on your journey!!

AUD - NINJA in Training
BEC - 91
FAR - 77
REG - 78

You'll never succeed if you never try.

[Earla Riopel (NYCARE)]

Dear @b694515, my apology I came in too strong, not my intention. Didn't meant to scare you. Just being realistic. Not to worry, just find the CPA review materials that suit your studying style, and needs, likely you'll be fine.

Dear @kay, glad you're already figured out what to do. That's a nice thing of being an American resident, you have that privilege to take each section anytime. I am a Canadian resident, educated from 3 countries, so I have no choice, but to take my exams in a bunch.

Good luck you guys.

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

[John Doe 15]

Thank you everybody. Very helpful advice. I actually feel good starting this.

Completing the exam will certainly be a huge accomplishment.

[M123]

The books that rhyme with “urgent” are extremely dry but seem very comprehensive.

There are additional resources that can help with a second perspective or simply explaining things. Optional but nice to have.

The free or almost free resources that I could include for the exams are:

REG – a year or two old copy of a “U.S. Tax Master Guide” by CCH. Takes the complex tax code written by aliens and converts it to 9th grade English. Wonderful to cross check. They're expensive in current year but a couple years old and they're dirt.

FAR – FASB SFAC 8 and a series of audited financials from 1) your favorite public company 2) your favorite charity 3) your favorite government entity.

AUD – Same audited statements as FAR – bonus points – try to find a public company with a material weakness or other deficiency.

BEC – I'm at a loss here. I wish there was a good IT source for BEC. Maybe bone up on a few CIO.com articles.

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

[Author]

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