NJSCPA Exam Cram Blog

Review Time

Hi all!

Hope everyone had a good holiday!  I know mine was quite relaxing, and it was much needed after an interesting/busy month at work.  Now it's back to business.  I have to focus on getting as much reviewing of Financial done for during these next two weeks before my test on the 9th.  It's always crazy to me how fast these test days creep up.  

I will say that getting through the material was much easier this time around.  My original plan was to take Financial first, so I had already gone through the lectures and homework during the summer and I was completely overwhelmed. Now, with this review time, which will be a third time for me reworking the homework and getting more familiar with the material, I'm hoping for a passing score.  But you never know.

Before I go, I do have a quick question for everyone that has had to re-take an exam.  About how long does the reapplication process take? 

I hope everyone has a happy and safe New Years!

And happy studying!

-Jen :)

Some sad news...

Well I have some sad news to report.  Its seems that I did not pass auditing.  Also, I just took REG last weekend and do not feel confident that I did well.  It's very discouraging seeing that I feel like I have spent nearly all of my free time studying.  I guess that it is just a matter of finding a routine that works for me.  I am now trying to tackle FAR.  I am crazy nervous about getting through the material.  I already started going through it during the summer and planned on taking it first, but found it difficult to retain all of the information.  So, if anyone has some study tips, I would greatly appreciate it!

Bye All!

Jen :)

I Passed!

Hi everyone,

I got my score back for FAR, which I took on October 9th, yesterday--I passed!  I got an 81.

No time to celebrate, though.  I still am going through REG which I will take in about a week and a half (November 30th).  Receiving a passing score was good to keep me motivated, though.  At least I now know that my study strategy is working.  Again, I read all the lectures and complete the multiple choice and simulations as I go.  Then I go through the multiple choice again while I skim the chapters.  Finally, I take the practice Final Exams.

I'll let you know how REG goes.  Keep working hard and good luck to all.  Have a happy Thanksgiving! :-)

Best wishes,
Ryan

Quick Update....(BEC- rescheduled, Deloitte start date)

Hello Everyone,

I rescheduled BEC at the last minute, I did not feel too comfortable from the practice questions I took. I really want to maximize this window, and do my best. I could have done it with the attitude of "well I can always retake the exam" but I looked at "cost and time" it would cost me $59+ to reschedule and more to re-take the exam. I would loose out on this window, and have to wait for next year, and all who are in public accounting know that the beginning of the year is hectic.

For those who have used Becker to take BEC, I need your advice my weak areas are chapters 3 and 5, I average 60-65% when I take them, it has a lot of cramming involved so I need your advice???

Yea....Work officially starts on Monday, I would be an official employee of Deloitte....some would say "what's wrong with this guy, he does not know what he is getting into???" well, for one I am excited to have a job in this tough times, and two, I am going in there with a great attitude that I would succeed. Nothing in life comes easy, you just have to work hard and sacrifice. The CPA exams is one great example. My philosophy is simple, "some people have worked in public accounting and are successful" how did they do it?????? and all I get is sacrifice and endurance and hard work which is fair game....

I took two exams this month (REG & AUDIT) and have scheduled BEC for November 17th at 7pm. FARE is my last part, and I would do it in early January before things start getting hot at work.

Okayyyyy, I wish everyone the best, and please practice questions as much as you can it pays off.

cheers!!!

Ed. Adiele (CPA-Unearned yet)

Took FAR....now it's on to REG

Hi everyone!

Last week was a busy, exciting, and tiring week for me.  I had a lot to do at work and I was finishing up my review for FAR, which I took on Friday.  The exam was certainly challenging and long, but overall I think it is do able if you prepare well enough.  That is, review the lectures, go over the multiple choice questions as many times as possible, go over the simulations, and take the practice exams (flash cards, too, if you have time).  If you stay focused and put in the effort, the exam shouldn't be impossible.  Actually, I thought the exam was easier than the practice exams/questions that I did.

I finished the multiple choice questions with 1 hour and 45 minutes left for the simulations.  I thought this was good for me because with multiple choice I always feel that you either know it or you don't.  So, I don't like to spend too much time on those.  I finished the exam with a whopping 5 seconds left on the clock.  Time management is important!

So I have a funny story, but also an important lesson to tell:  When I originally registered for FAR, the Prometric Test Center address was "48 Westport Avenue, Norwalk, CT."  However, the email I received (but didn't look at) just days before my exam as a reminder had the Prometric Test Center address as "444 Westport Avenue, Norwalk, CT."  Let's just say the original address was an empty office building, haha. Thankfully, I had my iPhone to save the day and everything worked out fine.  The moral of the story, though, is to make sure you always read emails concerning your CPA Exam (and check out the test center before the exam day, if you can...which I could have!).

I took Friday night off and began studying for REG on Saturday.  I will take REG on November 30th.  I'll keep you updated on how this section progresses.

Good luck to everyone taking a part during this window.  Keep working hard!

Best wishes,

Ryan

The Final Review

Hi everyone,

I am one week out from taking my first part of the CPA Exam (FAR).  This week I will spend my time reviewing the lectures, going through the simulations again, and taking the practice exam.  Unfortunately, I have a busy week at work (Board Meetings) and also some school work to finish up.  I think I will be okay, though.

I will drop back in after my exam next Friday to let you know how things went.  Until then, good luck and study hard!

Best wishes,

Ryan

Coming down the home stretch!

Hi everyone,

I finished my never ending review...finally!  Now I am on to the last two lectures which is governmental accounting and not-for-profit.  I feel comfortable with the governmental part--I actually took a governmental accounting and auditing masters course.  I guess it also helps that I work at the GASB, haha.  My plan is to basically skim the governmental sections, but making sure I understand it thoroughly when I go through the multiple choice.  I am hoping to make it through the last two lectures by next Friday (including the questions and simulations) so that I'll have exactly one week for a final review and mental preparation.

Ed, I can't imagine what it is like for you trying to study with little ones running around, but keep up the good work.  You can do it!

Kunal, I hope you passed AUD, good luck with your studies, and maybe I'll see you around one of the RU football games.

I wish everyone all the best.  Keep working hard and never give up!

Ryan McDonough

The never ending review

Hi everyone,

After completing F7, I began reviewing all the prior lectures.  So, I have been studying endless multiple choice questions.  I am hoping to be finished by Sunday so that I can move on to the governmental sections (F8 and F9), but I don't know how many more questions I can look at before my eyes roll to the back of my head, haha.

I think Kunal brings up a good point.  When doing the multiple choice questions, I don't actually care too much about the answer; rather, my focus is on the method to getting the answer correct (actually, I learn more when I get the question wrong and hate guessing correctly).  Remember, it is important to be able to apply the concepts to different situations; as such, I have spent a great deal of time studying the explanations to the multiple choice answers.

Keep working hard.  I imagine there are quite a few people preparing to take a part at the beginning of the window.  If so, maintain your focus; you're almost there!!

Best wishes,

Ryan

Almost there!

Hi everyone,

My test date for FAR is closing in; October 9th to be exact.  Currently, I am finishing up with F7.  Before I move on to F8 and F9 (mostly governmental-related issues), I will spend the next week reviewing F1 to F7 as well as going over the simulations again.

I think this will prove to be beneficial, but I suppose there is only one way to find out.  Has anyone else attempted to periodically review the previous lectures as you move along?

I'll let you know how it goes.  Keep working hard!

Best wishes,

Ryan

Summer is ending....

Hi everyone,

I hope everything is going well.  I've certainly been feeling less and less motivated as my studies progress; however, I am starting to get anxious about taking this exam and getting FAR out of the way.  Since my productivity after I get home from work is far from impressive and just slightly above embarrassing, I have altered my study habits a bit.  Now, I wake up early and study before work.  I've actually found it to be really successful.

This weekend should prove to be a challenge with respect to getting work done.  With the school year underway, the summer quickly ending, and the days getting shorter, I am hoping that my studying will advance nicely going forward, though.  The only downside now is that my last Master's course has begun.  It's an on-line course, but nonetheless it should prove to be an obstacle.

I hope you all have a great weekend.  Try to get some studying in, but enjoy the holiday as well.

Best wishes,

Ryan