NJSCPA Exam Cram Blog

Re: Question for Bloggers

Hi All,

I hope studying is going well and I hope everyone is gaining confidence heading into this new window.

Per the question posed by Janice, I took all 4 of my Becker courses as part of the fast pass program.  After graduation, I had CPA classes every morning for 4 hours for 4 days each week during June and July.  There really wasn't time to study one section, test and start the next section as classes began immediately.  Also, I underestimated the time it took for an NTS, so I received my NTS well after the classes were over.

For the studying, I personally found that during the courses, I needed one full day to go over the material, take notes (and make my note sheets), and answer enough questions to feel comfortable with the material.  I always felt that if i understood why I was getting questions wrong and it was a single systematic mistake on all the questions, I would be ready for the exam.  I only needed about a full day per section to really feel comfortable for the exam after the initial studying along with a 1/2 day to review mnemonics and other lists.

So long story short, I personally felt well prepared after going over questions and material for about a week after the Becker course.  I always felt it was better to go into the exam while the material was still fresh, and I understood the questions (rather than memorizing the answers from working the questions too much.)

I hope that helps.

Back to score watching.

Regards,

Kunal

One down... well, maybe...

I have just recently been invited to be one of your Exam Cram bloggers and this is my first post so here is a brief introduction.  My name is Sam Hendrix and I work at WithumSmith+Brown in the Princeton office.  I graduated from Georgian Court University in December and began working full time in January as a tax associate.  I got through my very first busy season (and made it out alive) and then began the REAL busy season -- the season of the CPA exam!  

I am currently taking the Becker class in Woodbridge on Mondays and Wednesdays which I drive to after work from Princeton with three other new hires in my office.  I must say, it makes the CPA exam process a lot easier when you know you are not the only one going through the summer without a life. 

Last weekend I sat for my first portion of the exam, Regulation, after having taken the Becker course in June.  I hate to be pessimistic, but I have a feeling that sitting for that exam was just 3 hours of my life I will never get back.  When I arrived at the testing center I didn't quite know what to expect.  I knew I could have studied more, but sometimes life has a tendency to get in the way of that.  So I sat down and began my multiple choice.  I must say I breezed through the multiple choice, but then came my first simulation.  My first simulation I hadn't a clue and I panicked.  After that, it was all down hill.  I second guessed myself, I guessed a lot, and finally just ended the second simulation's testlet before the clock ran out on me.  Now, I signed an online statement saying that I would not disclose any of the questions on the exam, so to avoid any specifics, I just want to say that the topic of my first simulation I had not studied at all.  The second wasn't as bad, but once you lose your momentum and start getting down on yourself, you're a goner. 

The BEC class is in full swing now, however, I haven't yet scheduled my next exam.  I think I will take this one as late as possible again because I could use the extra study time.  I will be sure to keep you posted on my progess, and I hope you take comfort knowing that we are all in the same boat here just trying to stay afloat.    

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

Crunch Time

Hi All,

I hope all is well.

Its two weeks until my Regulation exam, and now its time to really buckle down and focus.  I have taken off next week to study and really focus on passing my exam.  Further, my Becker course expires, so I have decided to use the Wiley Examination questions and books for the final two parts.  While Becker's lectures have helped me better understand the topics, I have used the Wiley book as a portable version of Becker's questions.

On a side note, I am back on a client assignment in New York.  While I'm learning a lot, I have also found some time to study while traveling. Although this was a problem before, I'm studying for a little bit of my travel time.  Any time put in is better than no time.

I hope to update you soon on my status.

Good luck, and Kind Regards,

Kunal

Exam Dates

Hi All,

It's now been two weeks on my new project, and I've gotten a better sense of my schedule and the deadlines.  My original goal was to take the Audit exam next week, but after talking to my Senior Manager, I felt that rushing to study when I won't have time is not the best idea.  Right now, I'm looking to take time off to take both sections on July 6th, and July 11th.

In order to take the exam on those dates and be fully prepared, I will have to go through 12 Becker Lectures (which includes the 1.5 that I have gone through already)  I'm hoping to have gone through and made note sheets (with formulas and important lists), flagged important pages, and used my notes to understand the questions once by my Birthday (June 19th).  After that, its question time.

The work schedule makes studying difficult (not to mention the fact that I want to take the exams so close together.)  The most important skill that will help you during the CPA exam is organization and scheduling.  I'm going to refine my schedule and make sure that I stick to it, so that by the July 4th weekend, I will not be stressed.

Good luck with studying,

Regards,

Kunal

5 days to Audit.....

Hello everyone,

Wish me all the luck in the world, I have my Audit exam this friday, I have not even seen the score from the first exam I took; but I am very confident I would be fine on Friday.

I am working on a lot of passmaster quetions on my Becker software, and have been averaging 70's. But I promise to fill you all in on my exam this weekend.

Remember, giving up is not an option...just keep trying.

Happy mothers day to all mums and mums-to-be.

Cheers!!

Ed.

A New Lease on ... Studying

Hi All,

I hope all is well.  Ed, welcome to the blog.  Wendy and Ed, good luck on waiting for the scores.  I'm sure you both did well.

So..., as for the name on this post, I feel like I've gotten a second chance on studying.   When I started this post, I was at the beginning of my first client assignment in New York City.  I had taken two parts, and was ready to finish the final two.  What a difference six months makes!  I've been working busy season hours since October, while working on a daily 4 hour commute, which took precedence over studying hard.  As of Friday, I have been rolled off, and brought onto a new client assignment in New Jersey.  If there is one thing I have learned (and Ed stressed this in his last post) is learn to manage your time.  I did not expect the hours that I received, and really felt as if I mismanaged my free time.  I'm definitely not making that mistake again.

I also just received my second NTS.  I paid for Audit and Regulation back in early April, but had to wait a month for my NTS because I needed to resend my transcript.  Always send away for the NTS as early as possible.  I cannot stress the importance of getting the best possible test time at a location close to you. (I can attribute being relaxed and comfortable with the location as a major reason for being able to pass two parts.)  Hopefully, I do not have to prove that I learned my lesson on this one.

I'm about to re-watch the Audit lecture 1 from Becker.  I have my notebook out and open, and I can honestly say that I'm excited to be able to start a regular study pattern.  Time to start memorizing mnemonics, and try to understand the why's behind an audit.

Good luck!.

Regards,

Kunal

Spring is coming

The days are slowly becoming warmer and sunnier, making it more and more difficult to sit inside on a nice weekend and study.  I only have a couple more weeks and realize there is a LOT to still study for financial.  Looks like I'll have to ignore the nice weather until the exam is over.   I've taken out 3 additional books from the library, thinking and hoping that if I sleep with them under my pillow something will sink in.  Well not really, but the more books you have the more likely you are to absorb something right? 

A friend of mine who's taking the exam recommended the site http://cpareviewforfree.com to me for additional problems. I haven't had a chance to really play with it yet since I'm still reviewing the book and concepts, but plan to try it when I do start really digging into problems. If anyone has used the site before and loves it/hates it let me know, I'm sure other readers would like to know about good resources other than problems given to us through Becker/Wiley/Kaplan/Gleim/whatever other CPA review material is out there.

That's all for me for the moment, back to studying I go!! Good luck everyone!

Busy Season Update

Greetings All,

It's been a while since my last update.  Since the last time I've posted, I've found myself really busy with work. I've also been able to attend to family and personal matters.  It seems as though I picked a really good time to take a break from testing.  The hours have made it difficult to study.  My whole approach has changed.  Where in the past, I could watch an entire lecture in a night, and answer questions the next day, I now find myself going section by section, and spending more time taking notes.  Right now, prior to the end of busy season, I can continue to take it slow and focus on each section.

I'm going to start again by cracking open my Becker book for Regulation, and go through one section before sleeping tonight.

Good luck

THREE DOWN, ONE TO GO!

So, in the midst of an EXTREMELY long week, scores for January tests were released this week. So, I've been finding time in the day to impatiently check for my audit score. This morning, after a particularly long night last night, I opened up the Nasba site and there it was, a PASS for audit!!! whohooooo!!!! This was exactly what I needed to make it through the last leg of busy season. 

Becker hasn't been going so well for me since I've been working so much I haven't had the time to try and do the homeworks, and now I even have to miss class tomorrow to work.  Thankfully, I have all of March to make up for what I'm missing this month. Hope that it's enough time.

Since scores came out, I want to hear how people did!! Hopefully you had the same success I did!! Please let us know so we can all share in the happiness and excitement (and for those of you who didn't pass, we can all commiserate because so many of us have been there before). 

Have a great weekend!