CPA Exam Blog - Latest Comments in CPA Exam Rants: Jan/Feb 2009 Window

Re: CPA Exam Rants: Jan/Feb 2009 Window

bec — Wed, 27 May 2009 13:40:33 -0000

I just got my BEC result.I felt I passed it but only 74.I am burned out

Re: CPA Exam Rants: Jan/Feb 2009 Window

Anonymous — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:02:54 -0000

I took AUD(93) and BEC(80) in January. My best advice to examinees is to master your test taking skills. You can study all you want but if you are not test savvy you may not be successful. For BEC, I went through the testlet and answered the easy memorization questions first. Then went through again to tackle the calculation questions. Also, use all the time alloted, even if you finish early, review you answers carefully because you may find obvious mistakes.
I recommend studying by answering questions because knowing what is in the textbook is not enough to answer tricky questions. You have to be familiar with how the answers are listed in the exam and what examiners do to confuse you....More advice to follow. Best of luck to everyone!

Re: CPA Exam Rants: Jan/Feb 2009 Window

Anonymous — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 11:20:52 -0000

took BEC - 84, REG - 81, and FAR - 87 in Jan/Feb window. Studied with becker, did most of the stuff I could do in the Becker material. went easy on the simulations, focus on MC, those i did not get on the first try i did again at least once. i did not do all the supplementary MC, sometimes too many of them

hope this helps

Re: CPA Exam Rants: Jan/Feb 2009 Window

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 09:05:00 -0000

Thanks! Just keep at it. Things will get better.

Re: CPA Exam Rants: Jan/Feb 2009 Window

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 06:14:00 -0000

Reg is out in NY - I came home with a 74 (first time a 71). Guess I'll do it again - this is my last section too!

Re: CPA Exam Rants: Jan/Feb 2009 Window

Anonymous — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:32:00 -0000

I took REG in Feb 13th and still have not heard back. Anyone know when those scores will be posted? I live in Texas and I'm ready to pass one of these damn tests!

Re: CPA Exam Rants: Jan/Feb 2009 Window

Anonymous — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:49:00 -0000

I sat for NY AUD on 2/24 at NYC. Score not up yet.
Very anxious.....

Re: CPA Exam Rants: Jan/Feb 2009 Window

Anonymous — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 21:43:00 -0000

Oops, should have said I'm in MD and scores were posted just before noon today.

Re: CPA Exam Rants: Jan/Feb 2009 Window

Anonymous — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 21:42:00 -0000

I had a terrible time passing BEC (72, 73, 73, 72) and I used Gleim and CPA Excel for BEC. CPA Excel has little lectures for each subject-let and the professors doing the lectures actually answer your questions on the boards. I liked their program a lot. The only weakness on BEC was that they should have had more math questions. I finally passed BEC - I think it was a mental block more than anything.

I passed FAR and REG straight up and failed AUD the first time (didn't put in enough study time.) I re-took AUD on 2/28 and got my score today.

I passed! Finally done!!

Hey, to those having problems, failing one section over and over, as someone whose been there, move on to another section and then go back to the one you failed. In my case, I picked up on the passed section's good study habits. I had just been banging my head against the wall on BEC and it wasn't doing me any good. Once I took and passed REG and re-took BEC, I passed BEC.

Re: CPA Exam Rants: Jan/Feb 2009 Window

Anonymous — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 20:33:00 -0000

Has anyone used CPA Excel review? I took my first exam in Feb. and I failed BEC with a 70. I was wondering if I should try another review or stick to CPAExcel?

Re: CPA Exam Rants: Jan/Feb 2009 Window

mawillar — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:32:00 -0000

AUD posted today in IL and CA for sure. Someone also mentioned it was posted in MD.

Not sure how that affects you (whether or not TX posts the same day as CA and IL or if there is a day or two delay)

Hope that helps. I'll be kicking my roommate (yes, he deserves it)until I get my score for REG.

Re: CPA Exam Rants: Jan/Feb 2009 Window

Anonymous — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:26:00 -0000

I took FAR in February & was POSITIVE that I had passed. I was really expecting to get in the 80s at least, but a big 74 shows up when I check online. uggh! I have been a wreck for the past 2 hours & had to leave work. This latest failure goes along with my 72 on REG. Somedays (especially today) I feel like letting my passing score from Audit expire. These tests are too stressful!

Re: CPA Exam Rants: Jan/Feb 2009 Window

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 12:19:00 -0000

AS - For BEC I took a Live Becker review course and did as much as the homework as I could stand. I found that the test was a little odd (topics I expected to be covered more heavily more ignored, and those that seemed less relevant were emphasized). I wrote down essential formulas and other important notes that I couldn't afford to forget. I used Becker flashcards as a supplement also.

Overall, I really was only able (time was of the essence for me because of work constraints) to put in a solid week of crunch time studying. Hopefully it will pay dividends.

Good luck
J.

Re: CPA Exam Rants: Jan/Feb 2009 Window

Anonymous — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 18:51:00 -0000

Hi J

I had jotted down notes and mnemonics for FARE. If you done the homework, (for me it was the Wiley book) the exam was very close to it. It basically touches on every topic, but nothing was very in-depth. I too was waiting for my BEC result when studying for FARE. But the time I rec'd my 70, it was like a week I was due to take FARE. I was bum but just went in and did my best anyways. Happy with my 81 :)

DT

Re: CPA Exam Rants: Jan/Feb 2009 Window

Anonymous — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 17:39:00 -0000

Hello J.,
Since you have just taken BEC, what was your study strategy on it, it seems like a weird test? But anyways, any tips.
I am sorry i am due to still take FAR so i cannot help you there.

AS>

Re: CPA Exam Rants: Jan/Feb 2009 Window

Anonymous — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:50:00 -0000

I'm currently waiting on the results of my BEC exam taken in late feburary. I've started my studies for the FARE section and it seems to be REALLY comprehensive and detailed. Any study tips for FARE?

I'm taking notes in a notebook of the key topics and specific info about each of them. Basically I condensed (in Becker) the section 1 material (about 50 pages) into 8 pages of hand written notes. Is this a good strategy? I know it differs for each person, but I want to get a general idea of what others do.

I appreciate any advice or comments.

J.

Re: CPA Exam Rants: Jan/Feb 2009 Window

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 20:08:00 -0000

Thanks MAWIller, advice will well taken into consideration. I appreciate your feedback.

AS.

Re: CPA Exam Rants: Jan/Feb 2009 Window

mawillar — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 19:16:00 -0000

AS

If I were you I would be wayyy more concerned with Chapters 4 & 5 (in becker) than I would be with the econ portion.

I took BEC in November (got an 87 -- woohoo!!) and true to the Exam Content Specifications, Econ was hardly covered (I think in the spec it was 8-10%).

If I were you I would be more concerned about learning all the "buzzwords" they test you on for the "Information Technology" section (22-28% of the exam) and the Planning and Measurement (again, 22-28% of the exam).

I think one of the keys to doing well on the CPA exam is spending your time studying the "right" material. Basically dont spend an entire week right before the exam cramming in all the econ you can learn when it isn't tested as heavily as some of the other subjects.

Best of luck!!!

Re: CPA Exam Rants: Jan/Feb 2009 Window

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 19:05:00 -0000

Hey DT,
You know what, some of the sections on the exam could be very tough because some people have strong Accounting Background but are weak in business concepts and have trouble with BEC. Come on now, how often do we look at Aggregate Demand curves in our everyday lifes? I know i dont. I am sitting for BEC in the near future so i got to work hard at this. But keep up the hope, thats what keeps up all going.
I am waiting for my REG result, i put in so many hours into that since it was my first exam, but who know what will happen but still got to keep on humming along.
AS.

Re: CPA Exam Rants: Jan/Feb 2009 Window

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:55:00 -0000

btw - I wish I found this website sooner! Love all the rants and complaints!!

DT

Re: CPA Exam Rants: Jan/Feb 2009 Window

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:54:00 -0000

Hi AS,

sorry I'm very new at this blog, just joined yesterday and I found the release prediction date page. 3/18 for Wave 2 is way too long! omy! Orig I thot it was becuz of state budget too, but I guess I just fell into the Wave 2 bucket...darn it! because of that I resubmit my app today cuz I really wanted to retake BEC in April. I thot I was ready for that exam, but my weaknesses were in business struture & IT. Altho I usually tell ppl it's becuz it's my 1st exam 11 yrs outta college! haha

DT

Re: CPA Exam Rants: Jan/Feb 2009 Window

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:13:00 -0000

Hello MAWiller,
Cheers, i hope it is really cheers, i hope we all pass.
AS

Re: CPA Exam Rants: Jan/Feb 2009 Window

mawillar — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:58:00 -0000

Yes...every exam but BEC.

If you refer to my post from yesterday one of the articles (I believe the first one I linked) talks about this very fact.

Cheers! 13 more days til REG scores...

Re: CPA Exam Rants: Jan/Feb 2009 Window

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:55:00 -0000

Most of you know that the degree of difficulty of the 2nd testlet is determined by how you did on the 1st testlet. I have heard this is true for all the Exams EXCEPT for BEC. Can anyone confirm this?

Re: CPA Exam Rants: Jan/Feb 2009 Window

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 11:52:00 -0000

Hello MAWILLER and DT,
Isnt it usually true that Wave II release is third week for the third month in the quarter. I am thinking our REG scores will be released by that time. But here is the other scenario, CA board is closed the 3rd Friday of each month because of budget shortages and all. So oh well, add that to the frustration and waiting.
Hey DT,
You did not pass BEC, sorry to hear that, but what do you think was your weakness, the reason i am asking is because i am sitting for it in the near future.
AS