I’ve been benefiting from this site during my study, now I passed all four sections. I think it’s time to share my experience with those of you who are still working on the CPA exam.

Since BEC only took two and half hours, without doing any research, I started to study BEC with Wiley’s book on my own and thought I would take care of this little one first. By the time I walked into the test center, I still had a few concepts that I did not quite understand, but I thought I would be OK. My score came out as 67. I was shocked.

I was studying FAR on my own at the time I found out about BEC’s score, I thought if I could not pass BEC, there was no way I could pass FAR. Then I found out about this site and learned about Yaeger’s product. I decided to purchase Yaeger’s DVD home study program because it was relatively cheap, and there was no live classes near where I lived. At the time, I did not believe that Yaeger actually answer questions for students. Since I needed a product to work on, I went ahead purchased FAR section.

When I received Yaeger’s FAR section, immediately I saw the difference and I knew this product will help me passing. I specifically want to mention Cindy’s method, she easily and systematically explained some rather complicated concepts, which I knew I would not have been able to work well on my own. Her method made me stayed calm during the exam. Several days before the exam, I had a couple of questions, I really wish someone could talk to me about them. So I tried to call Yaeger’s instructor hotline without expecting a quick response. To my surprise, Phil Yaeger (the owner and professor) answered the phone himself. He patiently walked me through my questions, I was very grateful. Interesting enough, one of the concepts that he explained to me had been tested in the exam for at least twice. I knew I got them right. My FAR scored as 83 which really gave me the confidence to pass the CPA exam.

Needless to say, I used the Yaeger for the rest of the sections. Cindy had helped me a few times via e-mails for FAR and BEC, she not only answered the questions I had, but also pointed out the areas that I might have missed, which were really critical to understand the concepts.

When I prepared the BEC the second time, I treated as if I had never studied it before. I studied hard and still did not feel comfortable, mainly because that I failed the first time, and this section was the most unpredictable section. I’d like to point out that Yaeger’s teachers sometimes tell you some concepts are more important than others. I ignored that advice, I did all the problems. If you have gone through the exams, you would know that all concepts are important, this is especially true for BEC.

One other thing that helped me tremendously was that I wrote down the problems or concepts in a notebook, and go through them the next morning before I went to work. This is a good way to memorize the concept so I did not forget everything in Module 1 when I studied Module 3.

I also used free website: http://www.cpareviewforfree.com/. It’s really a user-friendly site. Once a while I went there to check my understanding for a concept, I really liked the professor Joe’s thorough explanation and periodic encouraging newsletter. Wiley’s answers were very vague in contrast.

When I studied a new section, the first time around is slow and frustrating, it could take forever since I had to write the notes. But as time goes by, I could really speed up. It makes sense that “practice makes perfect”.

I postponed my exams a few times due to the different reasons, but one thing I’d like to point out is that DO NOT go to the test center unless you are ready. The best way to discourage yourself is to receive a failing grade, and it’s also very costly as you know.

CPA exam requires hard work, if you can handle the loneliness and commit self-discipline for a few months/year, you will pass. It took me a year and a half. If you do enough research, plan well and stay with your plan, you don’t need to take that long.

By the way, English is not my native language. Throughout the study, I constantly looked up the dictionary.com. During the exam, I guessed a few key words. My point is really simple: if you practice enough problems, you will pass. Good luck.

BEC  67, 83

FAR  83

REG  88

AUD  84

npass:

Nice story............congrats to you.

I too am a Yeager student and have passed two sections with them, FAR and BEC.   I am now studying REG and will do AUD in the spring. 

Any advice of how to approach REG?  I have just started and am in the first part.......individual taxation.

Thanks and GOOD LUCK!!!

OZZMAN:

Thank you. Good for you, you have only two sections left.

Speaking of REG, I was nervous because I did not know much about American tax. So I watched Yeager's DVD a few times in certain topics. It's also very helpful to visit CAPnet under the REG questions. Some candidates are really creative of explaining some difficult concepts, such as partnership taxation, much better explanation than any other books. I printed them off and studied them a few times, and reviewed them right before the exam. This effort was paid off.

Also, make sure you understand the relationships in business law.

One last thing is that REG has the most limited time to allocate to each problem. Please do not spend too much time on one question. I run out of time because I spent too much time on the first simulation's writing, I wanted to be perfect. Then I almost had a heart attack when I saw that I did not have time for the 2nd simulation. I moved on immediately. I felt awful and thought I failed when I came out of the test center. Now I believe my 2nd simulation saved me, I should be all (or almost all) correct on that one. So you never know which one you know, don’t miss any questions.

Good luck to your REG! You will be fine :).