Hi

It was my 3rd attempt for BEC, I was pretty much sure in 2nd attempt that I will pass but I faild at 73. First attempt I got 71, 2nd 73 and now again 71.

What do you think, where is the problem, is it just a luck factor or something is wrong with myself. Am I missing something in preparing BEC...I am using Becker + Wiley final review. I have spent a lot of time BEC already.

 I am totally frustrated... any words....?

RR:

If you don't mind me asking........where did you do better or worse than other sections?  Do you know?  Have you gotten that breakdown from NASBA?

Can you give me an idea of your study habits........how do you go through the material when you study??

Well, I am using Becker, as per NASBA report my first four sections(Bus Stu, Eco, Fin & IT) are in comparable. My week area was only Planning & Measurement (B5) as per NASBA breakdown. I believe I spent enough time to prepare this section 3rd time.

I work full time 8am to 6pm. I can't spend more then 3 hours in week days with full time job and family with 2 small kids. I study in the morning for 2 hours from 5am to 7am then in the evening from 6pm to 7:30 or 8 max. On weekend I spend around 5-6 hours each day.

I listen lecture only 1 time to highlight the book, then read & understand the material and finally MCQ. I do all MCQs 2 times and after that only wrong ones or marked ones.

But I still believe, there is something that I am missing.

RR:

I think you are using the right approach.  However I really do believe that Becker overcomplicates this exam.  I looked at some of their questions, and they went "overboard" on complexity.  After taking this exam, I realized that these questions could not be asked on this exam given the level of detail and time constraint involved.

I would hate to recommend that you look at another review course, at this time such as Yeager, because I know passing the CPA exam comes with a price and its not cheap.

If your weak area is Planning and Measurement then perhaps focusing on that area closer the next time around. If you haven't come across Gleim CPA review.........I believe for $54.00 you should consider as its loaded with over 1,700 hundred problems in many different subject areas.  They do a good job of explaining the solutions as well.

Good luck and keep at it..........you are almost there and all you need is one little "push" to bring you over to the other side.

I take BEC in 6 days, I will let you know how I do, but for me... I just sort of know where I am on B1, B2, and B4!  Pretty solid at least 70/80% down PAT!  B3 and B5 are WILD CARDS, but I am pounding them over the next 3 days, then review and jump around to all of it again the last 2 days! 

One success I had with my FAR studies was jumping around each section randomly and just being able to fire off answer in the most challenging of orders and with speed.  It is partly practice, but it took me reading the book 2 times, then skimming it 1/2 times more.  I only did the MCQ 1 time for credit, and jumped around with sim tests and the performance reviews which I did a few times. 

It seems to me BEC is ALL memorization, as I can back solve almost any computational question they can ask, I mean they give you the answer it's just how fast I can do this type of backward math I like to call it.  I don't recommend but this is prob not something for everyone, and all I truly mean is that with time every problem can be worked out.   I think for you and myself included, we need to be understanding concepts and pure memorization.   I read the Becker computational questions are overly hard as well.. and honestly, just know NPV and prob a few others from B3 it looks like.  I believe you can really get your score up there with extra work in this area because it's so much material you will get a solid % higher than the avg CPA candidate which if you haven't figured it out = Passing.  I say this because if you know 110% of B4 and say B1.  As in you could re-write the book and give lectures then you will be exceptionally higher scoring then avg candidate on exam day!  This alone will boost you up so high that (hate to say it) but slack in other areas say B5 if you just aren't that strong in it.  You want to I guess for lack of a better expression VERY VERY strong in a few areas of Becker sections, and then avg in others or even below in maybe 1.  You can't be avg and low in one, you won't pass and get another 70-74!  Sorry for the long text, but since you tried this 3 times, and maybe all I am saying is a moot point I feel like I should help anyway I can :) 

Remember you are at the cusp of a 75, and with a few more concepts in the (exceptional) category you will prob blow into the 80's ;)  

Last tip, I would take at least 3 days before exam to do nothing but study and think about BEC or whtevr the exam is.  Worked for me, and I know life doesn't allow that for everyone but it's worth a few days away from family and friends to NEVER have to take the same exam twice!  Best of Luck!  Don't give up man!!