Note Taking

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #200051
    Mercenary
    Participant

    NINJA Question –

    Hi,

    I am currently studying the Ninja Book. I find when I try to take notes that my study time is incredibly slow and inefficient. I knew this already though which is why I also got the Ninja Notes. My question is whether just reading through those notes and rewriting them as recommended in the product is sufficient without taking my own additional notes. So I would read through the rest of the book without taking any notes and then I read through and rewrite out the Ninja Notes exclusively and then proceed to cram out the MCQs after that.

    AUD - 85
    BEC - 86
    FAR - 91
    REG - 84
    CMA Part 1 - 420

    CMA Part 2 - June 2020

     

Viewing 10 replies - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)
  • Author
    Replies
  • #757927

    Find out how you learn the best and then use your most effective study method. Just because someone told you they got a 98 studying a certain way does not mean that it is magic and will work for you. Trust me on this I made the same mistake early on in my CPA testing career. Once I learned how I best retained information the tests were a breeze.

    For me, rewriting notes was a terrible use of my time. Reading the books and hammering out MCQs was my key. Others have had the opposite experience though. There isn't a great one size fits all other than if you properly study, you will pass.

    FAR - Passed (82)
    BEC - Passed (76)
    AUD - Passed (89)
    REG - Passed! (81)
    AICPA Ethics

    Licensed CPA

    #757928
    EuroAddict
    Participant

    @FIFO – I am totally different. I find I retain it more if I write it down, even just once. Re reading the book doesn't do much for me if I'm not putting pen to paper.

    -----------------------------
    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.

    #757929
    jm962011
    Participant

    I am with euroaddict, I have to physically write (cannot type) things down to remember them. Before you starting investing time and money into the CPA exam process, please figure out what type of learner you are. Funny how we've just spent 15 years of our life (not counting the first 5 years of our life) going to school and we are finally trying to figure out how we learn best to benefit us. It's kind of how some of us dislike one professor but our best friend may love him or her.

    Think about your college days.. if you skipped class were you screwed because you weren't there to listen to the lecture and take your own notes? Or were you one of those people that could read the book on your own time and show up for the final exam and get a passing score?

    I was typically the person that other people asked to borrow notes from. And I failed AUD and FAR two each before getting a pass on my 3rd try because it took me that long to realize I wasn't studying the way I learned.

    #757930
    MaLoTu
    Participant

    I also have to actually write (pen to paper) notes for them to be effective. Like Euroaddict, sometimes I can usually write it once and remember. It almost creates a visual representation in my mind, like I can see where on the page I wrote it in my memory.
    However, some people can learn by reading alone … even for this exam. FIFO is definitely right in that you have to figure out what works for you and your learning style.

    Taking notes does take a super long time though! If it works then it is worth it.

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

    All 4 passed - 2016

    CA CPA

    #757931
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I started off with reading the book and writing the notes – it proved to be inefficient and I retained nothing. So I changed my strategy and it seems to be working. I am still taking notes – typing them using excel and not writing them. It has saved me a lot of time. I can organize my notes pretty easily; move stuff around, add more lines/extra notes, etc. I even got a wireless keyboard and mouse combo for my laptop to make this process easier. I also have a dry erase board for the formulas and big tax calculations – writing on that thing is absolutely wonderful.

    Currently I am working on MCQs and taking notes in excel. I'm planning on rewriting my notes i.e. actually writing them in a notebook, during the last week.

    If typing/writing helps you understand better then do it without worrying about how long it would take to get through the material. Better safe than sorry.

    #757932

    Oh, the whiteboards are a Godsend. I also post formulas and info on 8.5x11s and 3x5s all over the house – bathroom mirror, the window over the sink in the kitchen, on the walls in the staircase, the refrigerator, the backsplash on the counter where I make my coffee, etc. etc. Hugely helpful.

    BEC: Fall 2016
    AUD: Spring 2016
    REG: Summer 2016
    FAR: RETAKE

    #757933
    Jdn9201
    Participant

    I took alot of notes in college but I've yet to take any notes while studying for the CPA exam. I do make sure though that I read through the book at least once, and do all of the questions in the book as well. I also make my own flashcards for all of Roger's acronyms and summary cards for difficult concepts. Writing it down and physically reading the book forces me to slow down. If I just look at everything online, I have the tendency to skim over things and not absorb as much material. Others have already made this point, but you have to figure out what works for you and stick to it. People learn differently and what works for other people may not work for you, and vise versa.

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

    #757934
    Vanessachy
    Participant

    I normally read it first, then do tons of questions and then take notes

    Far, 64 82
    Reg, 60 86
    Aud, 74 82
    Bec, 70 81
    Done done done! I did it!!!
    Licensed CPA in MA, issued October 2016

    Far 10/26/2015, 64, 1/4/2016, 82
    Reg 7/10/2015, 60, 2/27/2016, 86
    Aud, 5/9/2016, 74 (ouch), 7/26/2016, I cannot wait to take this test again
    Bec, 6/10/2016, 70,9/8 retake

    #757935
    golfball7773
    Participant

    Sounds like you learn like I do – rewriting and practicing. Lectures are almost worthless for me.

    AUD - NINJA in Training
    BEC - 86
    FAR - NINJA in Training
    REG - NINJA in Training
    AUD - 71, 73

    BEC - 74, 86

    REG - 77*

    FAR - 57

    *expired

    (I have been trying to become a CPA since 2013). only one test down.......

    FAR: 63, 55, 62
    REG: 65, 77*
    AUD: Fail, 64, 71
    BEC: 72, 74, 81

    *expired

    #757936
    Mercenary
    Participant

    Thanks for the responses.

    Yeah it took time but I figured out in college what kind of learner I am. I learn best by reading and applying. So I would guess reading the books and drilling MCQs is the best use of my time. I definitely agree about how different people can have a different response to a teacher. I am not an audio learner at all so lectures tend to be a waste of time for me.

    I started without note taking and was enjoying just reading through the text and I grasped it fine, although I dont know how long I would tend to remember it. After I got about 20% through the FAR texts I decided to try go back over and write notes and have since then found the process slow and dull. So I dont think I will continue this method. I dont think even writing the notes makes a huge difference to me but I dont mind it. It is more the figuring out what I should write down. I think I tend to overdo it and essentially end up writing like 50% of the book.

    Anyone who has used Ninja Notes and not taking their own notes? Read text without taking notes, review with ninja notes and then do MCQs?

    AUD - 85
    BEC - 86
    FAR - 91
    REG - 84
    CMA Part 1 - 420

    CMA Part 2 - June 2020

     

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