[reallytired]

Ok I know I have posted a TON about BEC and I apologize, but this has been the most difficult exam for me to study. I assume it’s because it relates to all the classes I didn’t care about in college so I am basically seeing a lot of this for the first time (whereas, I took all my accounting classes incredibly seriously so it was more like reviewing for the three exams to me).

I am currently 2 days out from the exam and am working on just doing progress tests of each chapter. My true panic mode has set in because I am going through questions that I know I have seen before but cannot remember how to solve them. I am scared to death that I have basically forgotten everything I learned and of course my dumb a** didn’t take notes on the material. What would your advice be for me for the next two days? Just keep busting out mcq until it clicks? I cannot fail this exam, guys. I need to be done and I was so confident I would be ok until I started reviewing a few days ago.

B- Pass
A- Pass
R- Pass
F- Pass

B 10/29/16
A 10/1/16
R 9/2/16
F 7/26/16

[Tncincy]

Yes, you”re panicking. Just take a breathe, at this point all you can do is mcq's and audio if you have it. I think you'll pass but I also think you just want to be done. Hey keep studying and good luck. Don't for get to let us (ninja's) know how it was.

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

[reallytired]

Thanks @Tncincy, I appreciate it. I know I am panicking and I do it before every exam, but like you said, I am excited to be done and I think that is making the panicking ten times worse than usual. I will just spend the next two days doing mcq nonstop. I have a nice long list of formulas that I think I also will try to write out a few more times.

B- Pass
A- Pass
R- Pass
F- Pass

B 10/29/16
A 10/1/16
R 9/2/16
F 7/26/16

[M123]

It's times like this I would need to have a Zen moment. It could be a trip to starbucks, or whatever but a moment out to reflect. What program are you using?

It's amazing what you can realize just stepping away from the computer and maybe some sunlight can do. What are your top 3 fears/stresses (not all of them – there are too many). What can you do to mitigate each of those 3. Then what are your weak areas in the exam. Reread the Ninja notes or other high level notes on the subject and do an MCQ session just on those.

Are you big into notes? My last couple days before the exam I like to get all my notes into one file (computerized but written works) and highlight. I do a pre-highlight of red for notes that I don't think I'll remember. Then on the last day, I do a final review of JUST the red notes and highlight the really ridiculous ones in yellow/red. Then that is my final review in the hours before the exam. Just reviewing problem notes saves an enormous amount of time.

If you can pass FAR and REG you can pass about anything.

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

[reallytired]

@M123, I was a huge note taker when I studied FAR and REG, but I also had quit my job and had 3 months to study before my new job started, so I had significantly more time than I do now. So for AUD and BEC, I did not take notes. I have a formula sheet and a mnemonic sheet for BEC that has helped a bit but it definitely doesn't compare to having notes. I use Becker and am currently doing progress tests and when I go back to review the right and wrong answers, I click on the book symbol that takes you to the part of the book that refers to the questions and will read the entire section before moving on to the next question.

My husband and I have to run to the bank to deposit some checks soon and I would like to go place a bet on the fight tonight so hopefully that will get me rejuvenated for studying the rest of the day.

My weaknesses are currently sitting at cost accounting and variances, so I think I will do what you said and just focus a few hours on those sections and then continue on with the rest of the information. Thank you for your help and advice!

B- Pass
A- Pass
R- Pass
F- Pass

B 10/29/16
A 10/1/16
R 9/2/16
F 7/26/16

[titoav15]

Ninja notes are awesome for reviewing the material! Highly recommended 🙂

AUD - PASS

FAR - PASS

REG - PASS

BEC - PASS

BEC: 5/21/14 82! PASSED HALF WAY THERE!
FAR: 4/2/15 80! Almost there!
AUD: 69, 74, 4/3/14 81! PASSED
REG: TBD

[Mike J]

OP,

You said you rely on taking notes.

For problems that you feel clueless about, why don't you attempt the MCQ with your notes in front of you?

Then study the guided solutions with your notes and attempt. Update your notes accordingly.

Babystep into it. I feel like you have to know when to take a step back.

Then, go back and do more of that topic, but without the notes.

AUD - 90
BEC - 79
FAR - 77
REG - 77

They don't trust JUST ANYBODY to count beans

[beaudityoucanbe]

Totally on the same page and taking BEC this week. The theoretical problems aren't so bad, but the computational problems in most of the Becker MCQ are a serious struggle, especially since they aren't explained in the text. Some of the formulas are intuitive, while others are very complicated and time-consuming. You've passed the other 3 parts already which is a great accomplishment so you should be set on this one. This late before your test, the most you can do is just keep a positive attitude and try your best. It seems like the types of qs on BEC really depend on luck so hopefully you don't get hit too math-heavy.. good luck!

[reallytired]

@mike030882, thank you for suggesting that! I struggle with variances so I just took my notes and went through all the variance questions with my notes and it all started making sense! I appreciate your help 🙂

@beaudityoucanbe, Ah we get to suffer together this week! Good luck to you!! Yeah I am frustrated with thinking I passed the “hard ones” because I feel like it puts more pressure on me to pass this one, ya know? But my mom gave me a nice pep talk about being positive and it actually made me feel better, so I think you are right with just focusing on a positive attitude and kicking butt Monday!

B- Pass
A- Pass
R- Pass
F- Pass

B 10/29/16
A 10/1/16
R 9/2/16
F 7/26/16

[Mike J]

No problem @reallytired.

The best advice I give people for these exams is to thine own self be true.

Sometimes, you just gotta take a step back.

Glad to hear you're feeling better about the exam.

Go kick its ass

AUD - 90
BEC - 79
FAR - 77
REG - 77

They don't trust JUST ANYBODY to count beans

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't break my brain at this point. Since I took BEC 2 weeks ago, I'd suggest knowing variance analysis like the back of your hand, and also all the formulas for every other topic on the exam. I had tons of questions with ratios. Looks like this is your final hurdle so good luck!

[Anonymous]

You have to work on mcqs until you can solve every single mcqs your prep course offers w/o getting stomped. I would focus and repeat ones you struggle with.

[Radez]

I don't think I ever performed consistently well on the cost accounting computation questions. I'm super irrational about it. They suck, I hate them, and I refuse to believe this is the cleanest way to perform multivariable variance analysis. If a system requires a sentence to identify a variable then it's a bad system. Full stop, and I'll remain grumpy about it forever.

That said, I think perspective can help. It sounds like you're freaking out about this one piece of the exam. According to the blue print for BEC, operations management is only 15-25% of the total exam, and cost accounting is only one part of that. It might be a significant part, but it's still only a part. Then within cost accounting, you have theory and computation. Even if you're not nailing the computation and don't feel completely comfortable with it, that's not dispositive, by itself, as to whether you'll pass the exam.

Good luck. I wish you the best. I don't think anyone gets close to the finish line without suffering from a case of severe doubt. Regardless of how it goes, you'll have bought yourself a 3 week reprieve until scores are released. Take that time to rest up.

AUD - 98
BEC - 93
REG - 84
FAR - 91

[reallytired]

@crazyleon, thank you for the advice! I will spend a bit of time today rewriting my formulas and pray that they stick. I had read a few other places that variance is tested heavily, which I think is what started my total meltdown yesterday. I am pretty good with COSO so lets pray for a COSO heavy test!

@NinjaSlayer Yeah I agree with you on this and I am currently kicking myself for not finishing the material sooner so I could go back and do more mcq. I am about to take the mcq part of a mock exam, as that usually boosts my confidence. If I score in the 60s, I feel like I will pass, as that's how it has worked the last three exams!

@Radez, I am glad to hear someone (who scored so high) else struggles with variances. I agree with you, it is an incredibly awful way to analyze something but I guess we do both get to be bitter about it.
And I agree, I woke up this morning realizing I was panicking about one section of the exam without realizing that I have been doing decent on the rest of the exam.
Yeah I assume the majority of the reason I had my meltdown was just the overwhelming stress of this being the end all be all. Thank you for your advice and kind words, I truly appreciate it!

B- Pass
A- Pass
R- Pass
F- Pass

B 10/29/16
A 10/1/16
R 9/2/16
F 7/26/16

[BBHYX]

@reallytired what has your review schedule been like? How many days for review? I am also getting closer and closer to test date and starting to panic. I have found BEC to be harder/more aggravating than I expected for sure. REG and AUD all come together at the end since it is kind of one big topic, but BEC has so many discrete topics going on that I am a little lost. Also, there are some really tricky topics in BEC! I'm guessing it is considered the easiest because it used to be WC and used to be all multiple choice. Usually, MCQ require less understanding than a full on sim which can get deep into the weeds. Hope we both power through!

Becker for all

AUD - 87 (Q2 2017)
FAR - 97 (Q3 2017)
REG - 95 (Q3 2017)
BEC - 98 (Q3 2017)

[reallytired]

@BBHYX I would suggest not following my review schedule as I only left 5 days for review (I made the mistake of assuming it would be easy to review as I did decent on a lot of chapters). If I fail this time around, I would leave AT LEAST a week for review. I would prefer maybe a week and a half if I can actually get that much.

I agree, someone compared it to a “mini” FAR because there is sooo much information but they will only test you on the basics of each topic. And I think I always suffer with sims so I am really incredibly nervous for tomorrow. I keep reminding myself that if I fail, it isn't the end of the world and I can give it one more good shot. But it would sure be nice to just pass and be done! Good luck to you!!

B- Pass
A- Pass
R- Pass
F- Pass

B 10/29/16
A 10/1/16
R 9/2/16
F 7/26/16

[Author]

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