BEC: 111 hours/(Time to pray)
FAR: 3 hours/??
AUD:0 hours/??
REG: 0 hours/??
I decided to forget about the CPA for an entire week! I think my motivation was really hurting as a result of my experience with BEC. I couldn't motivate myself to open my FAR book at all, especially since FAR is supposed to be the most challenging section of them all. BEC kicked my butt! I spent this week catching up on homework for my online classes, had an exam in both of them and a project due...it's not like I was going to have a ton of time to work on studying anyway. I also spent some time this week reflecting on how I prepared for BEC and realized that I was trying to master everything which resulted in me mastering nothing!
I spent my final week of review by going through the cards, chapters and homework questions all over again. I took notes on areas I was still struggling with, made a formula sheet for pretty much all formulas, studied Jeff's NINJA and did most of the questions over at cpareviewforfree. I felt well prepared heading into the testing center and horrible leaving the center. I think that I was trying to hard to get every detail straight, I really just ended up confusing myself during the exam. COSO questions were somewhat confusing because they were worded oddly, as were several other questions. There were also several questions that were not covered by Becker. These questions made me the most frustrated because I was having to make a blind guess on them.
The written portion of the exam was not too bad actually. I had 1 hour and 8 minutes remaining when I started the WC and decided to use the entire time to ensure my answers were polished...I was hoping to redeem myself from the MCQ. I would suggest that anyone using Becker practice at least a few of the written examples Becker provides in order to nail down the format and time management. Becker suggests 15 minutes per memo and I think that is very realistic. I had all three of mine written and proofread in about 40 minutes...Becker also warned that the WC may cover topics from other sections of the exam and this was true in my experience, but if you have any kind of accounting background, you can certainly formulate a decent answer. Apparently, the AICPA is not grading them based on how technically correct they are, but more on writing ability. I am a decent writer, so I didn't focus much energy on preparing for this part and I am glad I didn't...
Overall, I would suggest any and all of the resources I mentioned above to help you prepare. Although I seriously doubt I passed, I think this first section was a big learning experience for me. Jeff's NINJA suggests watching all the videos before working any of the problems because trying to remember anything from FAR-1 when you finish FAR-9 is unlikely. This was certainly part of my problem with BEC. I would watch the lectures, read and then do the homework for each subsection. I was scoring above 75% on the homework most of the time, so I felt like I was comfortable with the material...but when I went back after finishing everything, I found myself a little lost with the beginning information. It is amazing how much you think you know, but you really don't...
Starting today, I am going to stop worrying about BEC and have decided that FAR is now my main focus. I made a spreadsheet schedule with predetermined study times, dates and hours from today up until my FAR exam on May 26th. I know that I cannot push that date back like I did twice for BEC, so I made a strict schedule I am going to stick to. I have a total of 172 scheduled hours, but my goal is more like 150. I will also take the NINJA's advice and watch all the lectures for FAR before working any homework problems. I am hoping this section goes better for me...
Good luck to anyone else out there going through this wonderful experience...
April 17, 2011
April 16, 2011
BEC was a BEAST!
Quick post to say I took BEC today it is was horrible! For this being my first section, I am really worried about what to expect on the next 3 sections. I will post more details on my experience tomorrow, but only a miracle (like a complete scoring malfunction adding 25 points to my score) will help at this point. I doubt that is the end of BEC for me and my goal of passing all 4 sections before I start my job in October is looking to be a fat chance at this rate. BLAH!
April 6, 2011
Countdown: 10 Days
BEC: 88 hours/??, FAR: 3 hours/??, AUD:0 hours/??, REG: 0 hours/??
I finally finished the Becker Course (way way way behind schedule...but at least I did finish...). I can't believe it took me 88 hours to complete the review course, but I do feel like I learned a lot! Here is how I spent that 88 hours:
*Lightly skim book before each lecture
*Watch the lecture and take notes
*Go back and CAREFULLY read each section
*Do the MCQ for each section until 100% correct
*Go through Flash Cards at least twice for each section
That means I have been through the material at least 3 times, but that does not mean I KNOW the material!! Also, whenever I missed a question, I would carefully read the correct answer as well as the incorrect answers in order to ensure I understood why they were wrong. I actually tended to do this with most questions because Becker did a lot of explaining and I felt like if the info was there, I should pay attention to it. Now I need to go back and really memorize formulas! There seems to be quite a bit of them to keep straight and the way my luck has been going lately, I will be asked to calculate something I can't remember the formula to use...
One last note, I decided to move the exam again to Saturday April 16th at 1:30. I just didn't feel like I was going to be prepared by Monday and I would rather pay a rescheduling fee than pay for a new NTS because I failed...I want to PASS the first time around...
Goal for the next 9 days: MCQ, MCQ, MCQ
I finally finished the Becker Course (way way way behind schedule...but at least I did finish...). I can't believe it took me 88 hours to complete the review course, but I do feel like I learned a lot! Here is how I spent that 88 hours:
*Lightly skim book before each lecture
*Watch the lecture and take notes
*Go back and CAREFULLY read each section
*Do the MCQ for each section until 100% correct
*Go through Flash Cards at least twice for each section
That means I have been through the material at least 3 times, but that does not mean I KNOW the material!! Also, whenever I missed a question, I would carefully read the correct answer as well as the incorrect answers in order to ensure I understood why they were wrong. I actually tended to do this with most questions because Becker did a lot of explaining and I felt like if the info was there, I should pay attention to it. Now I need to go back and really memorize formulas! There seems to be quite a bit of them to keep straight and the way my luck has been going lately, I will be asked to calculate something I can't remember the formula to use...
One last note, I decided to move the exam again to Saturday April 16th at 1:30. I just didn't feel like I was going to be prepared by Monday and I would rather pay a rescheduling fee than pay for a new NTS because I failed...I want to PASS the first time around...
Goal for the next 9 days: MCQ, MCQ, MCQ
March 29, 2011
Long time, No study...
BEC: 58.5 hours/??, FAR: 3 hours/??, AUD:0 hours/??, REG: 0 hours/??
I haven't posted in well over a week (almost 2) and I have only managed to get in 16 hours of studying in that time...there are many reasons for this, but I am back on track and need to just focus on staying on track...this certainly isn't easy and trying to stay motivated has been a little bit of a challenge...
I did decide to move my test date back a week, so now I will take it at 12:30 Monday April 11th. The fee for changing the test date was $35 and well worth it since I have more time to prepare...
I have mentioned this forum before, but the people over at http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ are really informative and have indicated that Becker does not do a great job with the BEC IT section. That is the section I am finishing right now and don't like the idea that all this time spent on IT won't really be helpful...I now have to research what I may need to know in addition to what Becker has taught...I also think it is a little frustrating that their course is lacking in this key area...(if the rumors are true...)
Ok, back to studying the rest of the afternoon today and all of tomorrow. My goal is to finish the IT section and about half of BEC-5. I hope to get in about 15 hours of studying in that time frame.
I haven't posted in well over a week (almost 2) and I have only managed to get in 16 hours of studying in that time...there are many reasons for this, but I am back on track and need to just focus on staying on track...this certainly isn't easy and trying to stay motivated has been a little bit of a challenge...
I did decide to move my test date back a week, so now I will take it at 12:30 Monday April 11th. The fee for changing the test date was $35 and well worth it since I have more time to prepare...
I have mentioned this forum before, but the people over at http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ are really informative and have indicated that Becker does not do a great job with the BEC IT section. That is the section I am finishing right now and don't like the idea that all this time spent on IT won't really be helpful...I now have to research what I may need to know in addition to what Becker has taught...I also think it is a little frustrating that their course is lacking in this key area...(if the rumors are true...)
Ok, back to studying the rest of the afternoon today and all of tomorrow. My goal is to finish the IT section and about half of BEC-5. I hope to get in about 15 hours of studying in that time frame.
March 17, 2011
Seriously?!
BEC: 42.5 hours/??, FAR: 3 hours/??, AUD:0 hours/??, REG: 0 hours/??
OMG I just can't win! I feel like I should have a started a blog about my problems rather than my CPA experience...I think the world is against me actually passing this thing...
To explain, my husband was just laidoff. The economy is supposed to be getting better right? He has been out of college for 8 years and had a decent job and now he has to start the job search all over again...meanwhile I am supposed to focus on studying?! Seriously?!
Well, anyway...that April 4th deadline is not going to be reasoned with, so I still have to try and be prepared...I studied the first section of BEC-3 carefully and felt like I knew it well and then the stinkin homework questions kicked my butt! I scored 73%, but was expecting 90% based on my review of the chapter...goes to show how tricky some of these questions can be...
My goal for the rest of today is to get through as much of the BEC-3 homework as possbile. I have a lot of homework for my online classes this weekend as well as midterms for both, so I am going to lose a lot of time to that...oh and Happy St. Patrick's Day! Send some luck my way please!
OMG I just can't win! I feel like I should have a started a blog about my problems rather than my CPA experience...I think the world is against me actually passing this thing...
To explain, my husband was just laidoff. The economy is supposed to be getting better right? He has been out of college for 8 years and had a decent job and now he has to start the job search all over again...meanwhile I am supposed to focus on studying?! Seriously?!
Well, anyway...that April 4th deadline is not going to be reasoned with, so I still have to try and be prepared...I studied the first section of BEC-3 carefully and felt like I knew it well and then the stinkin homework questions kicked my butt! I scored 73%, but was expecting 90% based on my review of the chapter...goes to show how tricky some of these questions can be...
My goal for the rest of today is to get through as much of the BEC-3 homework as possbile. I have a lot of homework for my online classes this weekend as well as midterms for both, so I am going to lose a lot of time to that...oh and Happy St. Patrick's Day! Send some luck my way please!
March 13, 2011
More Blah...
BEC: 39 hours/??, FAR: 3 hours/??, AUD:0 hours/??, REG: 0 hours/??
WOW...how do people actually do this more than once? I mean, I am loathing this entire process and everything about it that I am incredibly motivated to PASS on my first try! Having said that, I don't doubt many people have felt that way and then didn't pass...I feel for ya because that would suck suck suck!
Ok, as for my weekend...again I lost Saturday because of work and online classes and I lost an hour because of stinkin daylight saving time...I still managed 7.5 hours today:
I finished the Supplemental questions that I gave up on for BEC-2 and felt much much better about them. I was thinking more clearly and was able to work through them, only missing 5 of 36. I am happy with that! A few I missed because I didn't TiT (Think it Through) or RTCDQ (Read the Cocka-Doody Question). I love these acronyms btw!! Many fellow CPAs and Candidates over at http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ mention these all the time. (I am totally a stalker of this great great forum!)
Then I watched the lectures for BEC-3. BLAH is all I can say! The information was overwhelming and I am hoping I am able to sort through it all and get through the questions earlier this week so I can get through BEC-4 lectures and questions by Sunday. I do like Becker lectures with Peter better than Mike. I think he does a much better job going through the material and keeping my interest...
I am also really feeling the pressure of the deadline rapidly approaching! I have 3 weeks from tomorrow to get fully prepared. I am scared that just isn't enough time, but I may never feel like I've had enough time to prepare...at some point I just have to face this thing (April 4th to be exact!).
WOW...how do people actually do this more than once? I mean, I am loathing this entire process and everything about it that I am incredibly motivated to PASS on my first try! Having said that, I don't doubt many people have felt that way and then didn't pass...I feel for ya because that would suck suck suck!
Ok, as for my weekend...again I lost Saturday because of work and online classes and I lost an hour because of stinkin daylight saving time...I still managed 7.5 hours today:
I finished the Supplemental questions that I gave up on for BEC-2 and felt much much better about them. I was thinking more clearly and was able to work through them, only missing 5 of 36. I am happy with that! A few I missed because I didn't TiT (Think it Through) or RTCDQ (Read the Cocka-Doody Question). I love these acronyms btw!! Many fellow CPAs and Candidates over at http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ mention these all the time. (I am totally a stalker of this great great forum!)
Then I watched the lectures for BEC-3. BLAH is all I can say! The information was overwhelming and I am hoping I am able to sort through it all and get through the questions earlier this week so I can get through BEC-4 lectures and questions by Sunday. I do like Becker lectures with Peter better than Mike. I think he does a much better job going through the material and keeping my interest...
I am also really feeling the pressure of the deadline rapidly approaching! I have 3 weeks from tomorrow to get fully prepared. I am scared that just isn't enough time, but I may never feel like I've had enough time to prepare...at some point I just have to face this thing (April 4th to be exact!).
March 11, 2011
Blah...
BEC: 31.5 hours/??, FAR: 3 hours/??, AUD:0 hours/??, REG: 0 hours/??
I was trying so so hard to finish up BEC-2 today and the last part about hedging was making me want to stab my eyes out! More than 2/3rds of the chapter was marked "Independent Study", yet most of the questions were about those topics. I really think the lecture should have covered a little more of this section and Mr. Mike Potenza said we didn't need to focus on the material he didn't go over...HUH?!
I had been doing well on the multiple choice for BEC-2 before today and then I missed 8 out of 20 of this last group of questions! That is horrible and my confidence has gone way way down...I started the supplemental questions and was instantly overwhelmed and had to stop because I was missing ones that I knew and was just confusing myself. I am going to walk away for tonight and work on my homework for Fund Accounting and hope that tomorrow will be a better day. This weekend will be devoted to lectures and homework for BEC-3.
I was trying so so hard to finish up BEC-2 today and the last part about hedging was making me want to stab my eyes out! More than 2/3rds of the chapter was marked "Independent Study", yet most of the questions were about those topics. I really think the lecture should have covered a little more of this section and Mr. Mike Potenza said we didn't need to focus on the material he didn't go over...HUH?!
I had been doing well on the multiple choice for BEC-2 before today and then I missed 8 out of 20 of this last group of questions! That is horrible and my confidence has gone way way down...I started the supplemental questions and was instantly overwhelmed and had to stop because I was missing ones that I knew and was just confusing myself. I am going to walk away for tonight and work on my homework for Fund Accounting and hope that tomorrow will be a better day. This weekend will be devoted to lectures and homework for BEC-3.
March 7, 2011
Can I really Survive 6 MONTHS of this?!
BEC: 21 hours/??, FAR: 3 hours/??, AUD: 0 hours/??, REG: 0 hours/??
Ok, So I got home from work with a bad headache...my stinkin brain was not wanting to cooperate with my study plans, so I napped with my dogs for a few hours. It was kind of nice :) I thought I'd share a picture of one of my Boston Terriers Lilo doing what she does best...
March 6, 2011
Study Study Study
BEC: 18 hours/??, FAR: 3 hours/??, AUD: 0 hours/??, REG: 0 hours/??
WOW! I spent my entire Sunday studying! Of course there was the occasional distraction like the phone ringing, my animals fighting and Tap Zoo on my iPhone, but all in all I am impressed with myself! My weekend went like this:
Friday:
3 hours working on homework problems for BEC-1 and not doing so hot on them. My pass rates were about 70% (or worse!)
Saturday:
I wasn't able to study after work because I had homework for my online classes due...Fund accounting is frustrating!!
Sunday:
9 hours working on the rest of the homework for BEC-1 and going over all problems I had gotten wrong. My pass rates were much improved, expecially with the cost accounting problems. I like cost accounting!
1 hour (so far) watching lectures for BEC-2. I WILL finish the lectures tonight and tomorrow while studying the flashcards for BEC-1.
Forgot to mention that I scheduled this section of the exam! I thought it would force me to stay on track, so I am officially taking BEC on April 4th! I have to be fully prepared 4 weeks from tomorrow!!!!!! That seems like plenty of time, but there is a lot of little things to know...
Ok back to Becker and Mr. Mike Potenza!
WOW! I spent my entire Sunday studying! Of course there was the occasional distraction like the phone ringing, my animals fighting and Tap Zoo on my iPhone, but all in all I am impressed with myself! My weekend went like this:
Friday:
3 hours working on homework problems for BEC-1 and not doing so hot on them. My pass rates were about 70% (or worse!)
Saturday:
I wasn't able to study after work because I had homework for my online classes due...Fund accounting is frustrating!!
Sunday:
9 hours working on the rest of the homework for BEC-1 and going over all problems I had gotten wrong. My pass rates were much improved, expecially with the cost accounting problems. I like cost accounting!
1 hour (so far) watching lectures for BEC-2. I WILL finish the lectures tonight and tomorrow while studying the flashcards for BEC-1.
Forgot to mention that I scheduled this section of the exam! I thought it would force me to stay on track, so I am officially taking BEC on April 4th! I have to be fully prepared 4 weeks from tomorrow!!!!!! That seems like plenty of time, but there is a lot of little things to know...
Ok back to Becker and Mr. Mike Potenza!
March 4, 2011
Life happens...
BEC: 5 hours/??, FAR: 3 hours/??, AUD:0 hours/??, REG: 0 hours/??
WOW! I think that I said it best in my last post and quite possibly had fortune telling skills when I said this was the "first of many bumps in the road..." I have not blogged nor studied in more than a month. This was not my plan by any means, but life has this funny way of changing your plans without even bothering to notify you in advance.
The weekend before I was to start my Becker Online courses for the BEC section, I had a very serious personal family emergency happen. What was going on not only consumed my time and energy, but I was in no state to even think about studying. At the time I am writing this, things are slowly getting back to normal...it will certainly take some time, but I finally felt like getting back to studying yesterday.
I am WAY behind now with my online course and am afraid to login to see what the consequences may be for this. I did contact the teacher, but I am not sure that did me too much good as he wasn't really able to help me very much. I didn't feel like following through with calling the 1-800 number, so I am studying with the CDs and will then upload my progress once I catch up. Yesterday I watched all the lectures for Becker BEC-1, which took about 5 hours. Today I am going to go back through the book and start working on the homework questions. There are 207 for this first section of the BEC book. My goal is to get through all of those at least once and the lectures for BEC-2 before the weekend is over. I am going to try my best to stay on task, but that doesn't seem to be in my control at the moment...
WOW! I think that I said it best in my last post and quite possibly had fortune telling skills when I said this was the "first of many bumps in the road..." I have not blogged nor studied in more than a month. This was not my plan by any means, but life has this funny way of changing your plans without even bothering to notify you in advance.
The weekend before I was to start my Becker Online courses for the BEC section, I had a very serious personal family emergency happen. What was going on not only consumed my time and energy, but I was in no state to even think about studying. At the time I am writing this, things are slowly getting back to normal...it will certainly take some time, but I finally felt like getting back to studying yesterday.
I am WAY behind now with my online course and am afraid to login to see what the consequences may be for this. I did contact the teacher, but I am not sure that did me too much good as he wasn't really able to help me very much. I didn't feel like following through with calling the 1-800 number, so I am studying with the CDs and will then upload my progress once I catch up. Yesterday I watched all the lectures for Becker BEC-1, which took about 5 hours. Today I am going to go back through the book and start working on the homework questions. There are 207 for this first section of the BEC book. My goal is to get through all of those at least once and the lectures for BEC-2 before the weekend is over. I am going to try my best to stay on task, but that doesn't seem to be in my control at the moment...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)