Preparing for CPA exam, will the books alone do it?

[IHAVEAQUESTION]

Well, I just received the review back from the board of accountancy, I still need 8 accounting units to sit for the exam. I plan to fullfill the requirement by the end of the year. Anyway, I was thinking about taking the cpa review course like becker, but it doesn't fit my current class schedule, so I plan to buy the material and study on my own. My main concern is that I don't want to learn the material in pieces, meaning I don't want the book just to teach me on problem-solving. I ask because that seems to be the case for GMAT when I was preparing it. Just don't want the same thing to happen again.

If anyone can speak from experience that would be great too. Thanks much

 

[SVT Cobra]

PM CPA.

 

[viperbri]

When I studied for the exam I took one of the classes and it did help. They give you all the study and practice materials too. I did end up passing the exam (not all on the first sitting though)....and that was 12 years ago!

 

[IHAVEAQUESTION]

Well, my preferred method of study is to learn the material first and then practice. Does that happen in the course? Or they just bombard you with practice and tricks to solve the questions?

 

[dquan97]

Take a course
<- also studying for CPA test. Taking last 8 units now to sit next year.

 

[Hannover]

My wife just got her CPA this past summer. She did the self-study courses and passed each portion on the first attempt. If you go the self-study route, it takes dedication. She came home from work and studied 5 nights a week. As a spouse, it was just like she was back in school again... I cooked diner, did the laundry, shopping, etc...

She's currently looking for a new job but is also working at home for Kaplan , reviewing their new courses. If you need recomendations on study materials, just PM me and I'll pass the questions on to her.

 

[IHAVEAQUESTION]

Bump See if I can get more responses this time

 

[Dacalo]

Originally posted by: Hannover
My wife just got her CPA this past summer. She did the self-study courses and passed each portion on the first attempt. If you go the self-study route, it takes dedication. She came home from work and studied 5 nights a week. As a spouse, it was just like she was back in school again... I cooked diner, did the laundry, shopping, etc...

She's currently looking for a new job but is also working at home for Kaplan , reviewing their new courses. If you need recomendations on study materials, just PM me and I'll pass the questions on to her.

How long did she study like that? A few months?

I don't think classes are that helpful IMO. There are few books you can work with, each with its own strength. But like Hannover said, it does require dedication. I guess if you are not as self-motivated, classes are the way to go.

 

[amish]

its all up to you. do you have time to sit though a class? do you have the money to pay for a class? do you have the dedication to actually read the books, do the practice exams, memorize an engagement letter and not surf the internet on your computer if you study by yourself?

 

[bobdelt]

Most becker courses is just a video tape of an instructor, so if the class doesnt fit your schedule, just get the at home thing of the dvd, it is the same exact thing as the course, so it fits any schedule you have, you just have to be dedicated.

Better yet, get hired for a company that will pay for the exam for you.

 

[CPA]

All review courses are nothing more than an exercise on how to pass the test. Nothing more. You don't take the classes to learn anything other than what is MOST LIKELY to be on the test. That's why Becker's, Bisk and all the others give you (or at least they used to) the statistics on which questions have been on the test the most and why they gear their study material towards those questions. You should do the test questions over and over. I guarantee you will see many of them (slightly reworded or the numbers changed slightly) on the exam when you take it.

 

[Orsorum]

Originally posted by: CPA
All review courses are nothing more than an exercise on how to pass the test. Nothing more. You don't take the classes to learn anything other than what is MOST LIKELY to be on the test. That's why Becker's, Bisk and all the others give you (or at least they used to) the statistics on which questions have been on the test the most and why they gear their study material towards those questions. You should do the test questions over and over. I guarantee you will see many of them (slightly reworded or the numbers changed slightly) on the exam when you take it.

Agree completely.

Took all four parts in the last six months; had to retake the audit portion once (failed the first time with a 73%), but passed the other three on the first try. I did Becker self-study, BUT I've taken professional exams before (Series 63 and 65) and done self-study and passed, so I knew from experience that I could concentrate and force myself through such a regimen.

If you're not sure, you may want to try the self-study portion for one section and see how you do. If you don't do well and can't hold yourself to a schedule, then rearrange your schedule so that you can attend one of the in-class options.

 

[dfi]

Drill questions to death. I found that the Becker books, combined with the self study video, is very effective at pointing out areas of focus. I only did self study, and I highly recommend Becker's video course on cd-rom.

I used a few hours per day, starting 2-3 months in advance. That was enough to cover and pass all sections for me.

 

[Orsorum]

Originally posted by: dfi
Drill questions to death. I found that the Becker books, combined with the self study video, is very effective at pointing out areas of focus. I only did self study, and I highly recommend Becker's video course on cd-rom.

I used a few hours per day, starting 2-3 months in advance. That was enough to cover and pass all sections for me.

Also agree. The Becker folks take the most challenging questions from the last fifteen years or so of CPA exams; if you can score a consistent 65% on the practice questions, you'll most likely pass the exams with flying colors.

 

[dbk]

I want to buy some cpa review books (most likely from ebay). Does it matter if I buy previous versions (2003? 2001?) I don't plan on taking the exam until I finish up my grad work.

 

[Orsorum]

Originally posted by: ornament
I want to buy some cpa review books (most likely from ebay). Does it matter if I buy previous versions (2003? 2001?) I don't plan on taking the exam until I finish up my grad work.

Yes. Buy the most recent version, after you graduate from grad school.

Are you going to work for an accounting firm?

 

[Fingolfin269]

I imagine people used to take this exam before their were courses profiting off of your fears. Up to you.

 

[PoPPeR]

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
I imagine people used to take this exam before their were courses profiting off of your fears. Up to you.

it's the 17% passing rate (or something around there, measured as a % of those who pass all four parts on their first try) that make it much easier to pay the $ for these review courses.

By the way, as someone entering the accounting world next fall, are simulations really being added to the BEC section or are people just blowing smoke?

 

[Orsorum]

Originally posted by: PoPPeR

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
I imagine people used to take this exam before their were courses profiting off of your fears. Up to you.

it's the 17% passing rate (or something around there, measured as a % of those who pass all four parts on their first try) that make it much easier to pay the $ for these review courses.

By the way, as someone entering the accounting world next fall, are simulations really being added to the BEC section or are people just blowing smoke?

I haven't heard that they are, but it would surprise me.