NJSCPA Exam Cram Blog

No-No...

Okay, I know I should be studying, but after working through a week of busy season, I think I can take one night off (or ease off of studying a little bit). 

I figured that Cliff Lee's debut with the Phillies would be a perfect break.  As it stands, the no-hitter is gone in the sixth inning, and my full attention is starting to sway.  I was on the edge of my seat just moments ago, but the break that I decided to give myself tonight will be spent with some time on the CPA.

I've started in Audit once again.  The goal is the last weekend in August (barring no major deadlines).  I've started studying with Wiley CPA.  Right now (1 module in), I can say that I like the outline format and the questions at the end of the section.  It's a lot more convenient to carry this book around with the material and questions than taking the laptop with the Becker.  Although everything is in outline form, the Becker lectures were better at explaining the material (especially with the mnemonics).  I'll give you a better break down of the two after the exam.

The weekend upcoming has been designated as one to take our minds off of work and prepare for the fast approaching deadline.  I've got events planned with my family (whom I can't wait to see).  It also looks like it might rain, so there may be added motivation in the breaks that I do get.

Well, time to head off and check my score before studying a little before sleep.

Take care, and good luck. 

Kunal

All road leads to Clark, NJ ....8/3/09

Hello Everyone,

I don't want to jinx my chances, but I have fully finished my prep for Regulation, and for Regulation I bought the Becker final review coarse which I never used previously. I have a friend who passed all 4 parts without doing the extra questions that becker provides, and never practiced any simulations. His concept was simply "know the material, and you can solve the simulations" some have even gone back to their college text books....But, I still believe every experience is unique, and for you to pass you need to study smartly, not just knowing the answers to wrong questions, but how can you avoid such mistake.

I have completed all the AICPA released questions (the ones not going to be used for testing anymore) The reason behind doing the questions is to maximize my chances, and see the style of questioning. The style would not change, and it helps you prepare in case you see similar questions but changed information on the exam.

Now the Becker final review I am using is saving me from a lot of note writing, it it designed as a review after you finish the main book, and it narrows down "need to know areas" They work real tough simulations. (You cannot use the final review alone, you need to complete the main coarse before using it)

Finally, I gave my two week notice at work, and would be leaving in the middle of August, in anticipation for my start with Deloitte and Touche.

My son was 2 this month, and my daughter would be 1 next month, I really want this CPA thing to be over so I can spend time with them.

Cheers everyone!!!!

Ed. Adiele

Busy Season Studying

Hi All,

I hope studying is going well.  I'm checking in as the first week of our second busy season comes to an end.  A major deadline is approaching next week, so that becomes the first priority.  As such, I have moved my Audit exam until the end of August.  It looks like things are shaping up for a month of tough studying.

In the meanwhile, the anticipation for my score has started.  The score won't be up until August, but a guy can hope, can't he?

The plan for this coming weekend involves work, but I will tackle as many questions as I can.  Any advice on how to study during busy season would be greatly appreciated.

Good luck, and regards,

Kunal

So I've passed the exam...now what?

Well, Its been a GREAT few months since I finished my exam. I never realized how great it would feel and all the extra time I would have. Even enough to train for a half marathon! 

However, the process isn't over, and I've already learned something by trying to jump the gun. So I have all my experience hours and I have my 150 credits, I figured, I passed the test, I can just download the application from the State of NJ website, fill it out, have my employer do their part send it in no problem.. Yea, that was WRONG. A friend of mine clued me in to the fact that I can't send in my application until the state sends me something that they have received my scores, and deemed me eligible to submit an application.  I JUST recieved the 'CONGRATULATIONS' letter from NASBA saying congrats on passing all 4 sections, so I hope that they're sending my scores to the state so I can get my application soon.

In addition, I realized that in order to sit for the exam I only needed 120 credits, however I have since earned the extra 30 but my final 150 credit transcript was never sent to NASBA, so I had to send that too. (Advice to those of you who got your extra 30 credits after you started studying for the exam, send your updated transcript to NASBA anytime to save you the hassle when you're trying to apply for your license)

Here at PwC we have some tools to help with what to submit, what forms to fill out and such, but even with that it's still confusing, finding notaries, getting my passport photo etc etc. I can't wait to be done with all this.

So for the moment all I can do is sit and wait for the state to say I can send in my application.

I hope everyone is doing well studying, passing some exams and still managing to fit in SOME fun summer time in their busy work and study schedules.  Glad we finally are starting to see some summer sunshine!

-Wendy

Regulation Exam Finally scheduled

Hello Everyone,

After missing the passing score closely twice, I had to really get down to some serious planning and studying. I moved my exam date from July 2nd to August 3rd. I also noticed that by practicing a lot of questions you really get to see how the examiners twist the questions. Even after finishing a chapter in the becker course, I still learn more from my mistakes. I keep re-working questions that I have completed.

One great tip I have today is this ---- read each question with the mindset of the whole review coarse. Example- In Regulation, if you get a question on Sales and the UCC which has to do with frauds--think of the statute of frauds as a whole. Most of the questions I see, especially simulations have a lot of concepts tied to it.

I'll be back again after my exam on the 3rd......

Keep the flag flying future  CPA's

Ed. Adiele

Test Day

Hi Everyone,

Today was test day...  After putting in the time the last week, going through material, and answering as many questions as I could, I can finally put the Regulation exam behind me (at least until scores come out)

I don't feel as confident as I want to coming out of the exam.  Once again, I felt that the material that I spent a majority of my time on, didn't appear as much during the exam.  Whats worse, is the feeling that I missed the material that I did know by going back and changing answers.  We'll have to wait to see the results to see if I was right about this feeling, or if I'm just beating myself up for nothing.

Audit is coming up on the 26th.  It's time to dig up the notes that I had.  But after these past couple months, I have to change my approach and my attitude.  Although I felt as if I covered all the material the last two times, I managed to stress myself out in the process (something that you don't need to do prior to test time).  I normally take an all or nothing approach... which usually leads to doing ALL the work at the end.  I'm going to try something new for the next exam... I'm going to open the book, and make it my  goal to understand at a minimum one topic (or one mnemonic)  Right now, the all or nothing approach has worked only when I was first starting work and still had time to unwind.

Well, its time to brush the dust off of my audit notes and figure out where to begin.

As always, good luck, and best wishes.

Regards,

Kunal