CPA

I am a CPA! 

My license came in the mail today.  I can now use the title and am all official.  It was a long strange trip but it is all finished up now.  This was just a formality, but it still is exciting.

The Final Fee?

I got the email today saying that I've been approved for certification.  I am Texas License number 94,684.  I paid my fee online this evening.  Next week I should get my stuff in the mail and I can officially call myself a CPA.

This Week?

I talked with the people over at the Texas state board last Friday and was told all my paperwork is good and I should be issued a license this week.  This is highly amusing to me since the post office still says the package is undelivered.  That will teach me to spend the extra buck or two on delivery confirmation.

Paperwork

I finished the four hour ethics course this weekend.  It wasn't too bad, although it was pretty dry.  The test at the end was pretty tricky though, but I got enough to get my certificate of completion.  I filled out the exam that I have to submit with the rest of my paperwork.  I then filled out the rest of the paperwork and wrote my $50 application fee.  I got my boss on the accounting side of my job to sign off on my work experience this morning.  All that is left is to head to the post office and hope they deliver it quickly.  I might have a license number in the next 2-3 weeks.

I continue to get emails and such and am answering them as they come in.  Good luck to those that are taking exams in the next month or so. 

Post Exam Thoughts

I've had a couple of days to digest that I'm actually done with this exam.  I've still got paperwork and stuff to do, but the exam itself is done and the worry of grades is behind me.  I'm hoping that the exam will stop consuming my life in the near future.  Overall it was an exhausting thing.  I was tired most of the time.  I was unable to focus on other things in my life like work, house chores, or hobbies (what little time there was for it).  I would never have made it through without the support of my wife and the people I met through the live class, this blog, and the people over at another71.com.  

There are a couple of general points about this exam that are simplistic, yet really true.

1.  Nothing in this test is overly difficult on its own.  Each topic can be confusing at first, but once you dig into it, the topics aren't as bad as they look on the surface.

2.  The quantity of material you have to learn for some of these sections is mind-blowing.  You have to know a good bit about it all to survive.

3.  One Day At A Time!  This is your daily mantra.  Due to the above two items you have to look at this exam one step at a time.  FAR has 9 Becker classes.  REG has 7 Becker classes.  Each class may cover a dozen topics.  You have to break it down into small steps.  If you try to think about what has to get done in a short amount of time you will drive yourself nuts and waste time.  Truly believing this concept in your heart is hard.  If there is one thing I could give to others taking this exam, a true acceptance of the One Day At A Time mantra would be it.  It will help greatly in trying to focus.

4.  No one other than someone else who is going through or has gone through this exam really understands what you are going through.  Statements like "You're smart, you'll do fine" and other like it will drive you nuts.  The speaker means well, but they just don't get it.  Find others going through the exam.  That support is essential for those times when you will be depressed, upset, and unfocused.  Another71.com was the main source of that for me.  The people there were a wealth of information and doublely so for moral support.  

5.  13-15 hour marathon study sessions seem like a good idea but they are not.  I will learn more in two 4 hour sessions than I will in two 10 hour sessions.  Sometimes you have to buckle down and crank out a 10 hour or more day to nail down a topic, but those should be rare and far between.  Doing them regularly will burn you out and not be as productive as shorter study sessions.

6.  You have to take some time for yourself.  I did really well about taking Friday nights off.  On Saturdays and Sundays I typically kept myself to 5 hour sessions.  This left 6-8 hours of the day to spend with my wife and relax.

7.  No one likes to do what makes them feel stupid.  This has a negative impact when you are trying to study.  We tend to drift towards what is familiar and what we know.  For studying you need to do the exact opposite.  Spending 2-3 hours studying stuff you already know does not benefit you.  You have to intentionally seek out your weak areas and focus on them.  This will naturally make you feel bad or stupid.  Learning to recognize this made pushing weak areas bearable.  They are still painful and un-fun, but  if you understand why you are avoiding a topic it will help to push through the feeling. 

This exam sucks.  Not only does the exam itself beat you down but the whole process is an endurance test.  Dealing with three of four different entities to register and take the test (with fees to each person for each step).  The unlisted benefits/trials of the process are lessons in patience and frustration.  The score grading process for all the AICPA's talk of transparency is a mystery more clouded than a government special ops program.  The score release process has all the efficiency of the department of motor vehicles.

Is the exam worth it?  I don't have the experience to say.  For myself, it wasn't about getting another job or a higher paying job.  I'll continue to do what I've been doing.  Doors will be available in the future that wouldn't be available without getting the CPA.  The satisfaction of finishing is amazing.  I did this for me and finished it.

I decided to take this exam in late September 2009.  I started my first classes in mid-October 2009.  I took my last test April 14, 2010.  That is 6-7 months if you don't count the 5 weeks of waiting after the last test to get the score.  It was a hellish 6 months.  I hated the lack of free time that I had grown accustom to.  I hated the lack of time for friends and family.  I hated being tired all the time.  I've now finished something that most people will never even attempt.  I jumped through the hoops that were put out for me to jump through.  I will soon be a CPA.  For me it was something I left undone in my life after college back in 2001 when I took the old paper test.  This was the one thing in my life that I started but never finished.  The conclusion to that part of my life adds to its meaning to me.

Lastly, thank you to those that supported me throughout this process.  Many of you think I helped you with questions and support, but I got much more out of it than you.  The blog and the comments/emails/etc helped motivate me and keep me focused when I was exhausted.  Once I started getting messages regularly I felt that I had to keep going and putting a strong face forward even when I wanted to just find a dark hole to crawl into. 

FAR Score Released! Also 2:30 am & 4 am Is Extremely Early

The Texas site was down at 2:30 am when I checked this morning for maintenance.  I guess this answers the "did they change when they update" question from yesterday.  A bit after 4 am I checked again after having almost no sleep and what sleep I did have was about checking my scores.  This time the site was down completely.  Another 15 minutes go by and the site finally comes up.  Scores are there.  I am so exhausted and my eyes are burning.  However, with my score of 94 on FAR I am finally done with this exam!  I'll add more later today after I've gotten some sleep.

Tomorrow?

The AICPA released almost 4,900 FAR scores to the state boards yesterday.  That means a bunch of folks will start getting their scores tonight.  Texas doesn't update until 2:30-4:30am though, so hopefully I'll know something tomorrow morning.

BEC-5 Additional Info

Someone sent me an instant message yesterday while I was out.  I then lost the window and hence the messenger name as well as the email address I was suppose to respond to.  I remember the question though, so I'll answer it here.

The mnemonics for BEC-5 relates to the direct labor and direct materials variances.  The mnemonics are  PURE, SAD, and DADS.  PURE are the different variances you'll need to calculate and DADS shows you how to get them.  SAD is what order to subtract.

P = Price variance
U = Usage variance
R = Rate variance
E = Efficiency variance

Standard less Actual = Difference (SAD)


For the SAD mnemonic a positive difference is good and a negative difference is bad (ie standard price is greater than actual means you saved money, hence a positive number is a good variance).

DA = Difference times Actual
DS = Difference times Standard


You line up the PURE and DADS/DADS nmemonics together as such:

P=DA
U=DS
R=DA
E=DS

For each one you are going to do the SAD mnemonic for the item you are working on and multiply it by either the Actual or Standard (DA vs DS to figure out which).

Price Variance:  [Standard Price less Actual Price = Difference]   Take that Difference and multiply it by the Actual Usage   (P=D x A)

Usage Variance = [Standard Usage less Actual Usage = Difference]  Take that Difference and multiply it by the Standard Price  (U = D x S)

The P & U are the material variances

Rate Variance = [Standard Rate less Actual Rate = Difference]  Take that Difference and multiply it by the Actual Efficiency  (R = D x A)

Efficiency Variance = [Standard Efficiency less Actual Efficiency = Difference]  Take that Difference and multiply it by the Standard Rate

The R & E are the labor variances.

When you line the above up you get:

P = DA
U = DS
R = DA
E = DS

This is a little complicated and confusing.  Once you work through it a couple of times though it makes the direct labor and direct labor variances very easy.  If you have my two page cheat sheet for BEC (http://www.dalesines.com/cpa-exam/BEC.pdf)  on the bottom left is where I have this part written out.

In the Becker books the above comes from the page just past where they cover the direct variances.  I do not have my books with me, but I believe the above stuff are all in passkeys, so that should help make it easier to find.

Scores

Where for art thou Scores? 

How are Scores Released?

I've been asked how/when scores are released.  I'll attempt to explain it.

Each quarter is a testing window.  Each window you are able to take the test during Month 1 and Month 2.  Scores are released twice per window.  If you take the exam in Month 1 through the 1st week of Month 2 you have a good chance at being in the Wave 1 score release.  Wave 1 score release usually happens between the 16th-25th of Month 2.  Everything after the 1st week of Month 2 (and everything not released in Wave 1) gets released towards the end of Month 3 (again, typically the 16th-25th).  This is not an exact science, but it is what I've seen and what others I've heard of have experienced.

Even if you take the exam in the time frame that would be in Wave 1 it is possible to be in Wave 2.  If you get any of the non-graded pre-test simulations I understand you are automatically moved to Wave 2.  There is no way to know if you get these pre-test simulations though.

On the actual score releases each wave:  There is a two-step release process.  The AICPA releases the scores to NASBA & the State Boards.  The next day usually NASBA releases the scores to the students.  A few states do not use NASBA to release scores to the students.  For those states the State Board releases them.  Those states do it however they want.  In my case, Texas does not use NASBA but rather releases scores on their own website.  This usually happens a day or two after the NASBA release.  Other states come out as fast as NASBA while others only send scores by mail.  Basically, pray you are in a NASBA state or a state that has their stuff together.  Each section of the exam is released separately.  The goal is typically for them to release a section per day for 4 days.  That doesn't always happen, but it is the general idea.  The end result is the AICPA starts the release process and everyone is glued to their computers for 4-7 days checking to see if their scores have been updated on a website.

Jeff over at another71.com has put together a good video explaining the above and has more information.  Check it out:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhniViOfPr4

Waiting

I'm getting fidgety now waiting on scores.  I've still got 3-4 weeks to go assuming I don't end up having to wait until June.  I am enjoying my free time again though.  I'm still checking the forums over at another71.com daily as well as responding and checking my blog a couple of times a day.  The test is over but the obsession has remained.

Post Exam Thoughts

I had a pretty relaxing weekend.  I got caught up on a ton of house stuff I've been neglecting for months as well as saw friends and relaxed.

Thinking back on the exam is getting fuzzy already.  It was brutal overall.  I think I did alright on the MC portions of it.  I am hopefully at least 50% on the simulations.  The more I think on my written the responses the worse I feel.  I doubt there is any good way to be comfortable with this section of the exam.  Overall I still think I passed.  Assuming I did decent on the MC portion that should be enough to carry me through.  There is always the possibility that I'll have to retake this one, but I'll leave that stress for the week results get released.

FAR was the worst section of the four by a wide margin.  The amount of material and complexity of it is astronomical.  You could prepared for this section for a year and still end up with stuff you have no idea about.  I really am glad I saved this one for last.  If I didn't already have 3 sections behind me I would have been completely flustered during the test itself which would have been detrimental given the time constraints.  For those looking for reassurance on this section I don't know what I can offer.  Expect to go in nervous and come out feeling like crap.  The trick is to understand that ahead of time and not let it trip you up during the test itself.  Focus for the 4 hours and then feel free to stress after the exam.  You have to remain calm and focused during it though.

Good luck to those I've spoken to in the past week that are testing this week.  I'll be thinking of you on your respective test days.

FAR Exam Taken

It was brutal.  The simulations were a complete killer.  The written were not on topics I was strong in.  I couldn't tell a difference in difficulty in the MC testlets.  The only saving grace I have on the MC testlets are that the 2nd and 3rd testlets took longer to get through, so I'm hoping they were actually harder.  I couldn't tell a difference like I was able to in REG or AUD though.  I'm pooped and a bit cranky at the moment so I'll try a more detailed good post after I relax and settle down.  It may be tomorrow.  For now I can rest at least.

The End is Nigh!

1 days remaining (adjusted to final test date - saved 9 days over October 2009 estimate)
Mood - Getting Nervous
Study Time – 0.5 hours (403.0 total - FAR: 122.5 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-93

I looked at the ratios tonight.  None of them are particularly hard.  I know the main ones from previous classes.  If I get one of the really odd ones I'll just go with what I think and not worry too much about it.  I'm as ready as I'm going to be.  Hopefully I don't keep myself up all night or keep waking up dreaming about the test like I've done on other sections.  

My test is scheduled for noon tomorrow.  Like in previous sections, I plan on showing up around 10 (why won't they just let you schedule to start at 10 already) and should be allowed to start then.  If for some reason they can't I'll have some time to review my notes and the book and such.  I should be done around 3pm tomorrow.  

I'm sure I'll feel horrid after the exam and be somewhat negative (same as other sections).  I'll unwind in a day or two and can hopefully have my life back.  It is hard to believe that it has been less than 6 months since this whole thing started.  It feels like two years.  I've put in the effort and should be just fine.  If I can convince my stomach of that so it settles down though it would be better.

The Final Push

2 days remaining (adjusted to final test date - saved 9 days over October 2009 estimate)
Mood - Good
Study Time – 1.0 hours (402.5 total - FAR: 122.0 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-93

It is really easy to study when you don't have much to do.  I didn't put much into tonight.  I reviewed a minor point on pensions, reviewed the foreign currency stuff, and reviewed the reconciliation of government-wide financials.  Tomorrow I'll hit up the ratios. 

Thanks for the emails of encouragement over the past two days.  My inbox started to explode Sunday and I've enjoyed emailing with many of you.

Ending on the Wrong Note

3 days remaining (adjusted to final test date - saved 9 days over October 2009 estimate)
Mood - Annoyed
Study Time – 3.5 hours (401.5 total - FAR: 121.0 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-93

My (hopefully) last practice final exam is my weakest performance yet.  I did outstanding on the simulations and very poorly on the MC.  They really twisted the questions in the MC for this exam to the point of insanity.  Wording on many of the questions was beyond poor.  I hate knowing the topic and being unable to figure out what the heck the question is saying or asking.  I do have two topics to go review tomorrow though.  All in I think my score would have been a 69 (again giving myself 5 points for the written).  This is only 2 points worse than yesterdays, but seems worse since I dropped under that 70% mark.  I'm still good overall once you figure in my actual performance over practice exam performance.  I am a bit scared about this section though.  Sadly I think it could come down to the luck of which types of questions I get.  Luck is not a strategy though.

Hmmmmm

4 days remaining (adjusted to final test date - saved 9 days over October 2009 estimate)
Mood - Unsure
Study Time – 4.0 hours (397.5 total - FAR: 117.5 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-93

I just scored the lowest I've scored on any practice final exam of any section.  By my calculation I 66 before any consideration of the written.  While I am nervous about the written in general, I've done average to better than average on the actual exams.  If you add 5 points for the written that puts me at a practice final exam #1 score of 71.  This is a couple of points lower than what I did on the second BEC one where I got a 73.  All in it isn't too horrible.  I've done at least 12 points and as much as 20 points better on the actual exam, which would put me at 83-91.  I expect this exam to actually be my lowest, but I should be ok based on this practice final exam.  Obviously I'd like to be higher, but it should be good enough.

Onto the practice exam itself.  I had 3 RTCDQ issues (2 in MC, 1 in a simulation).  These are pretty silly mistakes that I should know better.  I had 5 misses that I consider stupid.  These are basic things that I know that I just plain missed (net of tax, mis-added/math error).  While I'm sure I'll miss some on the actual exam, between these two areas I lost 5-7 points on the exam.  If I could get half of those back I'd have gotten a 74 or 75.  Three of the questions I knew the topic being asked but due to piss-poor wording in the questions and answers missed them.  I'll see a couple like this in the exam and they are frustrating there too.  I just have to remember there is nothing to be done about them and do what I can without wasting time.  

On the timing I am ok.  I am not getting through the MC as fast as I would like, but my goal on the MC question timing is a bit unrealistic.  I want to have an hour for each simulation so that I can spend extra time on the written.  This means I have to do the MC in 2 hours which is like 1.5 minutes per question.  This just isn't practical or reasonable.  If I can get 45 minutes on each simulation I should still be in good shape.  On the practice final exam #1 I had a bit over 30 minutes to work on each written.  It is less than I'd like and less than I've actually used on the other exams, but I'll have to make due.

Simulations

5 days remaining (adjusted to final test date - saved 9 days over October 2009 estimate)
Mood - Unfocused
Study Time – 3.0 hours (393.5 total - FAR: 113.5 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-93

It took me 5 hours of work to get in 3 hours of real study time.  I just had a bad case of the "I don't wanna".  I did get through the simulations though.  I did decent on them, better than I though actually.  Overall I think I'm in good shape.  I'm looking forward to relaxing for the rest of the day.  Tomorrow I'll try the practice final exam #1.

The Good News Is.....The Bad News Is....

6 days remaining (adjusted to final test date - saved 9 days over October 2009 estimate)
Mood - Good and Frustrated
Study Time – 2.5 hours (390.5 total - FAR: 110.5 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-93

The good news is I did a progress test tonight.  The other good news is I am just fine on my overall timing.  The even better news is I got 89 out of the 100 correct.  Two of my misses were RTCDQ issues (calculated year 1 when asked for year 2 type of crap).  One of my misses was me second guessing myself.  I had the right answer, knew it was the right answer, and then went with the other answer anyways.  Several of the others I missed weren't too bad and I'll be ok on those topics in the future.  I've got a sheet of notes going with quick one line statements to remind me of things I've missed (ie. Gov't-wide F/S = operational accountability and Stock dividends effective as of beginning of period for WACSO calculation just like stock splits).  I'll review the one line notes for items I've missed just before walking into the testing center as a last minute reminder.

The bad news is I felt like I was struggling through the questions.  After three of these tests I really shouldn't let the questions get to me while doing a section, but they did tonight.  The other bad news is I still missed that damned $12,000 truck with FV of $20,000 non-commercial substance exchange question.  That is the third time I've missed that freaking question.  It is getting annoying.  I think I am going to watch that section of the lecture and work through those examples tomorrow until I can do them in my sleep.

On a "Dale is insane" note, I did try to reschedule my test today.  I was going to schedule it for this Saturday if possible, Monday otherwise (moving the day up).  There were no days available in the Austin testing center though before the 14th, which is when I'm scheduled for anyhow.  The Monday test day wouldn't have changed my studying.  The Saturday test would have meant I would not have done one of the practice finals.  I just want the whole thing to be over that much sooner at this point and would have been willing to pay the $35 to make it happen.

My current plans for the next week:
Friday - took vacation from work, will work the simulations in Becker's software (yard work & rest/relaxation)
Saturday - practice final #1
Sunday - practice final $2
Monday - (work) and  read notes, spend little bit of time with the ratios
Tuesday - (work) and rest & relaxation
Wednesday - TEST.........
Thursday - not study, not study, do happy dance, not study some more

Bad Study Night

7 days remaining (adjusted to final test date - saved 9 days over October 2009 estimate)
Mood - Annoyed
Study Time – 2.5 hours (388.0 total - FAR: 108.0 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-93

It took me 4 hours to get in 2.5 of actual study time.  I could not get focused at the start or even throughout my review portion.  Ultimately I did not have time to do a full progress test (that would have taken 2 hours or so to get through).  Instead I did the supplemental questions for FAR-7 since that is the section I reviewed tonight and I had not done them before.  I scored 75% on the 52 supplemental questions.  I gave away 5% to very minor things that I would not miss again.  I gave away another 5% on ratio questions that I missed.  I did not even look at the ratios in the book yet (planning on doing that Monday or maybe even Tuesday).  Overall I think I am in the low-80s on the actual material.  While it isn't as good as I'd like, it isn't bad and is consistent with what I've done on the harder materials.  

Just as a reference, I got 79% on the main FAR-7 questions my first time through, which was one of my lowest scores for FAR questions.  I've been doing about 2-7% less on the supplemental questions than the main questions, so that fits in with my normal performance as well.

I almost checked today to see if I could move my test up to Friday.  I really just need to review the simulations in the Becker software and review ratios and I could be ready.  The other days are really for the 2 practice final exams.  While they would be helpful I think I could get by without them.  The thought of not having to study this weekend at all was very appealing.  It was a nice day dream today.  In the end, there is no point in taking a short-cut this close to the end.  I will miss some some really stupid things in the practice final exams that I'll learn from and I will see at least some of those stupid mistakes on the actual exam.  But still, a weekend without studying.........

Impatience Strikes

8 days remaining (adjusted to final test date - saved 9 days over October 2009 estimate)
Mood - Annoyed
Study Time – 3.0 hours (385.5 total - FAR: 105.5 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-93

I must have lost focus or something tonight.  My impatience cost me about 5% on my score easily.  I lost another 5% to very minor or RTCDQ issues.  I skimmed the FAR-6 materials (Pensions).  I then took a quick quiz of 10 questions and got 80%.  I then did a progress test that included every section except FAR-7 (that is tomorrow night's reading/review).  I got 70 out of the 87 questions (80%).  While that isn't horrible, I've done much better the last couple of nights and expected better from myself.  In reviewing the progress test, most of what I missed were very stupid things that I should have caught.  I could tell my overall focus was off tonight, so I'm hoping for a rebound tomorrow night.  Not horrible, but not what I wanted to get tonight.

On a side note, I really haven't looked at any of the ratios in the book yet.  I know I've had 2-3 questions on ratios from my other exams, but nothing too difficult.  I'm debating on how much time, if any, to put into it.  They aren't really difficult and I'll have the spare time to do it, I just really don't want to.  I'll look at it next week closer to the exam.

Passing the 100 Hour Mark

9 days remaining (adjusted to final test date - saved 9 days over October 2009 estimate)
Mood - Good
Study Time – 3.5 hours (382.5 total - FAR: 102.5 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-93

I made it through my review of FAR-5.  Reading through this one worried me a bit as there are lots of complex details in it.  It took me longer to read through that section and follow the examples than the previous sections did.  I took a short 10 question 'quiz' out of the Becker software and was a tad worried that I got 7 out of the 10 correct.  Looking at it though 2 of my 3 misses were something simple.  I then did my planned progress test covering sections FAR-1 through FAR-5 & FAR-8 through FAR-9.  This gave me 76 questions, so getting close to the magic 90 I'll actually see on the exam.  It took me about an hour and 20 minutes to get through them.  This is well within my time goals.  I really want to finish the MC section in under 2 hours so I can have a full hour for each simulation.  I got 88% correct on this progress test.  Out of my 9 misses, only 2 were just plain 'wow you blew that one badly' misses.  Most were minor RTCDQ or other minor detailed misses that will be easily avoidable (ie missing the mid-year purchase and giving credit for a full year's income).  It feels good to be scoring in the mid-80s.  That is where I was close to my other exam reviews at this point.  I was worried due to my 70s scoring last week, but it is coming together finally.

 Tomorrow's review will cover pensions.  This was a topic I was slightly below 80% during the normal homework for it.  I've since gone back and written out a couple of notes that I'll review during my reading.  I am hopeful (especially after the last couple of days) that I'll do well on it.  I plan on yet another progress test.  I should be up close to 90 questions tomorrow since I'll have all but one lecture included. 

I can probably get through the rest of my preparation without taking any more time off of work.  I am even debating moving my review of all the simulation problems up one day.  This would have me finishing all my planned review on Sunday (test that next Wednesday).  I might take the day off work anyhow and get some studying done early that day and take the afternoon to relax so I don't burn myself out right before the test.

Getting There

10 days remaining (adjusted to final test date - saved 9 days over October 2009 estimate)
Mood - good
Study Time – 4.5 hours (379.0 total - FAR: 99.0 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-93

I skimmed through FAR-3 & FAR-4 today.  After reading FAR-3 I did a progress test including FAR-1 through FAR-3.  I got 94% on that one.  After reading FAR-4 I did a progress test including FAR-1 through FAR-4 & FAR-8 through FAR-9.  I got 90% overall on the second progress test.  If you just look at the FAR-1 through FAR-4 portion though I only got 84%.  Basically I'm doing decent on the materials overall and strong on the governmental and not-for-profit stuff.  Many of the questions I missed were the ones I knew I was going to have issues with, but even still I had it down to two answer choices.  All in I'm feeling better about the materials.  

The plan is to do FAR-5/6/7 over the next three days with progress tests each day.  Thursday/Friday overall progress tests (100 questions, which will simulate the 90 I'll actually get).  Saturday I'll review the simulations (and maybe another progress test).  Sunday & Monday I'll do the two practice final exams.  Tuesday I'll try and do little to nothing as it is the day before the exam.

It is finally beginning to come together.

10 Study Days to Go!

11 days remaining (adjusted to final test date - saved 9 days over October 2009 estimate)
Mood - slightly annoyed
Study Time – 4.0 hours (374.5 total - FAR: 94.5 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-93

I've changed gears yet again.  The note taking was going to take me a week at the rate I was going.  I am now just going to re-read the materials and work MC questions as much as possible.  Sadly, I only managed 77% on the questions from FAR-1 & FAR-2 that I worked today.  It is enough to get me by, but not enough to make myself feel comfortable. Only 10 more study days to go

Back at the Beginning of FAR

12 days remaining (adjusted to final test date - saved 9 days over October 2009 estimate)
Mood - Ok
Study Time – 2.0 hours (370.5 total - FAR: 90.5 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-93

I thought I'd go back through the book and take notes.  My plan was to do FAR-1 tonight, FAR-2 through FAR-4 tomorrow, and FAR-5 through FAR-7 on Sunday.  It took me a bit over 2 hours to get through FAR-1 and do my notes.  That means I have two 8 hour days ahead.  I may need to modify my plan as I'm not sure I'll be able to focus for that long.   The good news is if I can get through all these I'll have a great set of notes.

Look at that day count down.....it is going to be here before I know it.

Usual Performance But Expected Better

13 days remaining (adjusted to final test date - saved 9 days over October 2009 estimate)
Mood - slightly annoyed
Study Time – 2.5 hours (368.5 total - FAR: 88.5 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-93

I am somewhat annoyed with my performance tonight.  I got 79%, which is consistent with what I've gotten in other sections.  I am disappointed in the number of minor errors I made.  The good news is that many of the problems I got wrong I had it down to two choices.  I did really well on the not-for-profit questions (84%) and less well on the governmental questions (71%).  The good news is I would do much better on the governmental questions if I sat through them again.  Overall I don't think I'll have too terribly much to worry about on the governmental and not-for-profit topics.  I have some studying to do on it, but it shouldn't be problematic.  

I am annoyed with some of the questions.  In one question "soliciting prospective members" is not classified as fund raising (yet maintaining a donor list is) while in another question soliciting new memberships is a fund raising activity.  These were both AICPA released questions, so hopefully they were released due to poor wording.  In another question you have $8k in interest that is for certain salaries (ie. temporarily restricted amounts).  The fact pattern never tells you they spend the salaries.  One answer has the ending balance as $8k temp restricted and XXX unrestricted and another answer has just the XXX unrestricted.  Since they didn't say they spent it I chose the first one.  The answer solution says it is the second one and assumes the $8k was spent.  Again, hopefully this was released due to being poorly worded.  These are good questions that make me focus on the topics, but are frustrating and annoying since the nuances are really picky and not well written.

I haven't decided if I'll take tomorrow (Friday) as my usual study night off or not.  I could use the break on one hand, but I'm getting down to the last bit on the other.  It has also been a tedious week at work.  We'll see how tomorrow at work goes before I decide.


Slight humor adaption I saw elsewhere:
DR:  CPA Exam Prep (Expense)
CR:                    Life (Asset)

Becker Classes Completed

14 days remaining (adjusted to final test date - saved 9 days over October 2009 estimate)
Mood - Tired
Study Time – 4.0 hours (366.0 total - FAR: 86.0 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-93

 I have now completed all the Becker classes for all sections.  Tomorrow I'll do the homework questions.  Friday I may still take off per the normal schedule, but may go on and start my overall review.  It feels good to be so close to finishing up finally.  It is depressing to think of all the crap I've got to get done in the next two weeks though.

Not a Bad Showing

15 days remaining (adjusted to final test date - saved 9 days over October 2009 estimate)
Mood - Tired
Study Time – 4.0 hours (362.0 total - FAR: 82.0 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-93

Well, I made it through the FAR-8 questions.  I felt great about the material and did ok on the questions.  I scored 81% on the questions and 80% on the supplementals (yes, I got through all 123 of the darn things).  The supplemental questions were very painful and annoying.  They were very calculation-intensive and I don't expect I'd see many questions like that on the actual exam (thankfully).  Overall I am happy with the results.  If it had been any other section I would have expected 7-10% more.  I think I gave away about 4-5% in stupid RTCDQ issues.  

I feel guilty about this "good enough to pass" mentality I seem to be developing.  On one hand it is an excuse for why I'm not doing as well as I have in other sections.  On the other hand, this section is painfully long and has a ton of material.  I would tend towards the excuse explanation, but I've actually managed to stay pretty dedicated to this hellish test over the past 5.5 months so far (gah, I hate the word far).  If I had to take the test tomorrow I think I'd be in the mid-60's.  That isn't a horrible place to be with two weeks to go.  I've probably got another 40-50 hours of study time to go for this section.  After Thursday's pass through the FAR-9 questions I'll be on my own to pull the whole thing together.  All the "I'll nail that part down later" items are getting ready to hit me with the "its time to actually learn this part" side of the coin.  Can I just leave my body for the next two weeks and come back when it is all over?

Committed

I am committed now.  The good news is that I even get to shave 9 days off my schedule.  The bad news is I only have 15 days including today to prepare.  I will be taking my hopefully last section of FAR on April 14th.  I am scheduled for noon, but I'll show up and hopefully get started around 10 am like I have on my other sections.  I wanted April 15th, but they only had an 8 am time slot and I hate mornings, let alone trying to fight traffic from north Austin to south Austin.  The next available non-8am time slot wasn't until the 21st.  My time is locked in and I've got a ton to do between now and then.

FAR-8 Fun with Fund Accounting

24 days remaining
Mood - Tired
Study Time – 4.0 hours (358.0 total - FAR: 78.0 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-93

I made it through the first chunk of the governmental accounting section.  There is still the consolidation part to go over in the last FAR class on Wednesday.  Overall it wasn't bad at all.  Hopefully I can pick us some easy points on the exam for this topic.  Undoubtedly  I'll be humbled in my questions tomorrow, but for tonight I've got it down!

I think I am going to try and schedule my test for April 15th as I planned.  I've been putting it off, but I think having the set date will help me focus.

Phantom > Study Time

25 days remaining
Mood - Relaxing Weekend
Study Time – 2.0 hours (354.0 total - FAR: 74.0 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-93

I read through the FAR-9 materials today.  I didn't get a good study day in.  My wife bought tickets to see a live version of Phantom of the Opera.  It was much better than studying....although I've still got to get the study time in more sooner than later.  Tomorrow is the last week of the FAR classes.  After that a couple of focused weeks and I'll hopefully be done.

It Looks Like English....but its not...

26 days remaining
Mood - Let Down
Study Time – 2.0 hours (352.0 total - FAR: 72.0 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-93

I was lost today.  I got up and read through the FAR-8 material.  It didn't seem as bad as I thought.  I then got distracted by friends and went off to see a movie.  I came back and read about a third of FAR-9 when I realized I really didn't have a clue what any of it said.  I tried to start over but was beat on it for the day.

Was Going Good Until the End

27 days remaining
Mood - Let Down
Study Time – 3.0 hours (352.0 total - FAR: 70.0 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-93

I almost had it.  I was doing good (85%-ish) until I got to the cash flows where I only got 71%, dragging my overall for FAR-7 down to 79%.  Outside the cash flow section, most of my misses were minor RTCDQ issues or minor misses that I'll be good on next time.  Overall I don't feel bad, but I am a bit disappointed that I was doing well and then had to end on the downer.

Now that I'm done studying I can get started on the refinance paperwork I need to get done.  It is just a 'tiny' stack of stuff.  That can then be followed by digging through a ton of folders looking for our W-2s for the last two years (I'm not as organized with that stuff as I should be).

Becker BEC Class Review

I took the live class of Becker BEC in February 2010.  I sat for that section of the exam at the end of February and passed with a 93.  I put in a total of 75 hours of study time into the section.  This post will be my review and experiences with the Becker program for this section of the CPA exam. 
Just as a reminder for those that haven’t followed any of my other posts, I have been out of college since 2001 and haven’t seen any of the materials covered on the exam in 10 years.  I worked a normal 40-45 hour week while taking the live classes and studying.  I took off one day of work to study during this class (and one day to actually take the test).

Overall the Becker materials were a good representation of what I saw on my actual exam.  This section was a bit odd compared to the AUD and REG sections that I have already taken.  My initial thoughts on this section were that it would be easier than AUD or REG as well as being short.  Once I got into the material I found that I struggled with it more than I had with the other sections.  Going into the test I was nervous (vs feeling good going in for AUD and REG) and felt great coming out of the exam (vs very nervous coming out of AUD and REG).  I can explain the good feeling coming out of the exam as BEC is not adaptive; hence it did not get more difficult the better I was doing.  My nervousness going in was due to my letting the exam mentally beat me before even taking it.

BEC is different from the other sections of the CPA exam in many ways.  The exam itself is different in that it does not get harder or easier depending on how well you are doing on it.  Through the end of 2010 it also is the only section comprised solely of multiple choice questions.   There are a variety of topics covered in the five classes that do not really relate to each other or build on each other.  It is like a completely different course each week.

BEC-1:  The first class covers entities (sole proprietorships, corps, s corp, partnerships, LP, LLP, and LLC).  This section was pretty easy.  I had never known the differences between the L** entities, so that was all new to me.  Much of the other stuff was still fresh in my mind from the materials in REG.  This section helped fuel my “this section is going to be cake” mentality.  I scored 95% on the multiple choice questions my first pass through them.  Listening to the lecture once was plenty to grasp everything I needed to know for this section.  I listened to the lecture, did the multiple choice questions once, and reviewed the great summary table for 3 minutes.  If you are planning out your study time for BEC, this section shouldn’t require nearly the time commitment the other sections will require.

BEC-2:  The second class covers basic economics.  I try and read the materials before class.  Reading this section put me to sleep (literally…..I had to stop reading the book on the couch and move to the kitchen table).  The wording also didn’t click with me for some reason.  The good news is the lecturer really brings it together so that it made a ton of sense easily.  I would go as far to say to not read this section until after listening to the lecture.  The lecturer for this section was not one of the two usual guys.  He was not as humorous as Tim or Peter, but he got the job done, which is really the important part.  This lecture covers material only worth 10% of the BEC section and several people I know ignored it more or less.  It is worth the time to go through it in detail though since the homework and supplemental questions manage to find a way to twist simple concepts into questions that make baby Jesus weep.  Once you feel comfortable with the questions though the material isn’t overly difficult to grasp or get.

BEC-3:  The middle class covers financial management.  I was really hoping for an easy pass on this section since it is close to what I do in my day job.  The material covered here comes mostly from the basic finance class with a few items from later finance classes thrown in to keep you on your toes.  I felt great coming out of the lectures.  Then the brick wall that was the multiple choice questions humbled me greatly.  I felt like the village idiot after I got through the questions on this section.  Ultimately, I re-watched this lecture one topic at a time stopping after each lecture topic and re-worked the multiple choice questions.  This topic by topic approach took me 10-11 hours to get through (on a Friday I took off from work expecting to relax on).  This was probably the best 10-11 hours of study time I had in BEC.  The topic by topic approach really helped me understand the material and piece together my shattered ego.  Even after the day of hell I spent on this topic, much of my study time was spent reviewing this class.  There are various ratios and such between this section (and some in BEC-5?).  They are worth knowing.  Don’t kill yourself trying to know them, but they are worth a couple of points on the exam, so don’t blow them off.

BEC-4:  The fourth section is the dreaded IT section.  I’m a computer geek.  I love computers and am a techy.  I was expecting this section to be a joke.  I was going to go to the lecture and listen and then blow through the questions once.  I was humbled a little, but it wasn’t as bad as people thought.  The main thing to focus on this section is the separation of duties between the various computer job titles.  This is less techy in nature and more old fashion memorization.  Being a computer person definitely gave me an edge in this section, but everything in this section can be memorized by a non-techy without too much effort.  If you can memorize the terminology of BEC-1 you can get through this one the same way.  This section is known for having really random and detailed questions being thrown at you in the actual exam.  I saw two really random, out of left field types of questions on my actual exam.  There is no way that any material is going to be able to prepare you for those things without completely overwhelming you.  Learn what is presented in the chapter and it will be enough to get you through this section.  I did read the 40-ish page addendum provided.  I found a few tidbits interesting as a computer nerd, but by and large it was boring and more detailed than anyone would ever want/need to know.  I am a fan of Linux but I really could care less what programming language was used to program and compile it.  Know the basics of what a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, & 4th generation programming language features are but keep it simple overall.  All but two of my IT related questions were basic concepts covered in the Becker material.  Of the two questions that were not, one was logically deductible; the other was just so random to even worry about it.

BEC-5:  The last class covers cost accounting.  This section floored me as well.  I spent a great deal of time on my own in this section.  Like BEC-3 I ended up re-watching these lectures topic by topic.  The overhead variance stuff I watched more times that I would care to admit to.  There is a ton of material covered and it can be calculation intensive.  The homework for this section is brutal.  I thought the wall that hit me in BEC-3 was bad…..nooooooo.  The BEC-5 homework made BEC-3 look like reciting your ABCs.  I was especially amused by the answer explanation that looked like the chalk-board drawings of a football play.  Do not fear though.  The homework questions were much, much harder than what I ultimately saw on the exam.  This section had me in a panic prior to my test.  The actual was not as insane.  A slightly side note, the video lecture sortof skips over their S-A-D and PURE mnemonic.  I didn’t fully get what they were doing with it until I drew it on the whiteboard.  Nailing this bit down saved me tons of time on the actual exam.  My regret is that I didn’t nail this down until almost the end of my studying.  I could have saved lots of study time getting this down earlier.

Overall this section spun me around and I ended up using it differently than I had on the previous classes.  After BEC-2 I did not read the book materials prior to going to the live class to watch the lectures.  This explains my lower overall study time for this section compared to AUD. 

Again let me say that the Becker class prepared me well for this section.  The homework questions in the Becker software were much harder than what I ultimately saw on the exam.  If you can survive (and it is a fight at times) the homework questions the actual exam should be no problem.  That does not mean you shouldn’t work hard at getting through the homework with good percentages though.  Struggling through the homework questions will pound into your brain how to do the problems.

This section was the first section that I was worried about the time limit.  This exam has a 2.5 hour time limit in which to get through 90 questions (1.67 minutes per problem).  In the homework I was averaging a bit over 2 minutes the day before my exam.  This really worried me and I was committed to spending no more than 50 minutes on any one testlet.  When I got going on the actual exam I was churning through it at a pace that was not going to leave me any time problems at all.  I was able to go back and really think through the couple of questions I wasn’t sure on.  I moved onto my last testlet with about an hour to go and finished it in under 25 minutes.  I felt almost guilty how easy that last testlet was to me so I reviewed every question and still finished up with time to spare.  Again, the homework was a ton harder for calculation type of problems compared to what I saw on the actual exam.

The keys to this section is know where to put your study time.  You need to spend time going through all of the material, but don’t waste time in areas that are simpler.  Don’t skimp on study time for BEC-3 and BEC-5.  They are complicated in places and you just have to spend the time working through it over and over until you just get it.

DO NOT SKIP THE HOMEWORK READINGS in the Becker materials.  Just about every homework reading was worth at least one question on the exam.  They may not have time to cover it in the video lecture, but don’t skip it.  Read it through once and have a basic understanding of it.  If you pass with a 90+ it may not make a difference.  It could make a difference between a 72-73 and a 75+.

I did not even look at the flashcards for this section so I have no basis to comment on them.  As per my usual, I prefer a blue pen for taking notes in the book as it stands out better against the black type.  I still love the Becker highlighters, I just wish their comfy pens were blue as my finger cramps up after a couple of hours of writing with my cheap 15 cent pen.

This section is different from the others.  Don’t get over-confident and try to blow it off.  Don’t become the puddle of mush that my nerves were over BEC-3 & BEC-5.  They take a chunk of time and patience to get through, but if you do it will give you the ability you need to pass this section.  I spent over half of my total study time on those two sections (and most of that was just on BEC-5).  Get a white board and work through the variance problems until you understand it.  Note I didn’t say until you get the right answer…..do it repeatedly until you UNDERSTAND it.

FAR-7 Class

28 days remaining
Mood - Decent but Tired
Study Time – 4.0 hours (349.0 total - FAR: 67.0 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-93,

I'm sorry for the slow responses to emails and comments the last couple of days.  I usually have access to my email and such during the day but I haven't this week.  I feel naked when I don't have access to my email now days.  Email sure can pile up on you if you aren't watching it.

Tonight's class went better than my initial reading.  Some of the cash flows stuff is still a bit odd, but I recall it being that way even back in college.  I've had too many experiences now to say I expect to do well on the questions tomorrow.  Instead I'll just leave it with "we'll see how I do on them tomorrow."  

It is hard to believe, but I am down to only two more classes to go.  I've got a week of classes and then a couple of weeks of self-study/review and I could be done with this.  I might be able to go back to my nice, quiet, boring life soon.

I realized today I haven't done my Review Post on the Becker BEC course.  I'll try and get that done tomorrow, although I don't plan on it being as full as my AUD or REG (skipping the basic stuff that I put in both of the others).  

I answered several comments that have been left over the past couple of days.  If you left a comment, I responded in the comments under yours.  I also answered a couple of nice emails from various folks.  I got a bit long-winded on some of the answers, but the questions relating to "how much do I need to study" has many parts to it.  I don't know if I got the question answered, but hopefully I got it far enough.

Ugh

29 days remaining
Mood - Frustrated
Study Time – 5.0 hours (345.0 total - FAR: 63.0 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-93

The good news is that I got through all the FAR-6 questions, including supplementals.  I ended up with 83% overall and surprisingly that broke out as 83% on the regular questions and 83% on the supplementals.  I feel a ton better about pensions than I did at first.  I feel much worse on deferred taxes though.  Sadly, the supplemental questions did not have any deferred tax questions.

The bad news is I took the day off work expecting to knock out FAR-5 this morning and then get to do some overall review this afternoon.  I ended up not getting much done this morning due to 'Real Life' kicking in and it was a frustrating 5 hours this afternoon getting through FAR-5.  I suppose the good part of that means at least I'm not falling further behind.

Pensions & Deferred Taxes

30 days remaining
Mood - Sleepy
Study Time – 4.0 hours (340.0 total - FAR: 58.0 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-93

The class went better than my reading of the material on Sunday went.  I still think I am going to struggle on the questions, but we'll find out soon in any event.  I did well on the in-class questions at least.  Three classes left to go then a couple of weeks of study time and I can hopefully lay this insane test to rest.

The people in my Becker live class had a better ratio of passed to not passed compared to what they were for REG.  I feel bad for those that didn't pass since they are going to be redoing all the painful studying again.

I've taken the day off work tomorrow.  I need to spend a good chunk of the day studying.  Hopefully I won't sleep half the morning away.

It Looks Like English....Is It?

31 days remaining (aka 25 days)
Mood - Head Swimming
Study Time – 4.0 hours (336.0 total - FAR: 54.0 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-93

The FAR-6 & FAR-7 reading was much more like FAR-2 & FAR-3.  At points I couldn't tell what I was reading, even after a 2nd or 3rd time through it.  These sections will probably require a ton of post-classes review.  My two weeks after classes end are going to be more intense than the in-class time I think.

FAR-5 Questions

32 days remaining (aka 26 days)
Mood - Bleh
Study Time – 4.0 hours (332.0 total - FAR: 50.0 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-93

I finally got through all the FAR-5 questions today.  I ended up at 79%.  However, I lost almost 10% to some very basic RTCDQ issues.  I got excited that I knew what I was doing and then miss something stupid at the end.  Most of these were not calculating for half a year.  In other instances it was calculating on 6 months instead of 7.  I'm not as high as I'd like to be, but if I as I feel more confident in knowing how to solve the problems, the tiny missed details that caused me problems will be reduced further.

BEC Score Released

33 days remaining (aka 27 days)
Mood - Woot!
Study Time – 0.0 hours (328.0 total - FAR: 46.0 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-93

I passed BEC with a 93.  It was my lowest score so far and I am still happy as a pig in mud. This means I've got 3 of the 4 sections behind me now.  I've still got a lot of work ahead of me, but it is almost over now.

Just Can't Do It Tonight

I am going to be bad for the first time in my CPA exam studying schedule.  After spending half an hour at my computer tonight trying to get started I just can't bring myself to do it tonight.  I am pooped from work and studying.  I'm excited about the BEC score release (hopefully tomorrow morning).  I also plan on taking a day (or two) off work to study in the near future.  I need a couple of days to just recharge. 

FAR-5 Class and the Vigil for BEC Scores

35 days remaining (aka 29 days)
Mood - Good
Study Time – 4.0 hours (328.0 total - FAR: 46.0 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-??

FAR-5 lecture was tonight.  It went better than my reading on my own went for it.  I bet the questions challenge me tomorrow though.  I am not expecting to do as well as I did on the FAR-4 questions, but should do better than I did on last week's class' questions.  The lecture tonight was long and they skipped most of the examples in the material they covered in the last half hour.  

I have not made the time to go and do a progress test yet for FAR.  I can only imagine how much of FAR-1 I've forgotten.  FAR-2 & FAR-3 I was already scoring bad on and will have to re-watch those lectures probably, so they don't worry me as much.  I may just have to get through all the lectures and then do a more in-depth review than I've had to do for the other sections.

BEC scores were released to NASBA and the state boards late this afternoon.  Hopefully Texas will process them tomorrow and I'll have a score bright and early Friday morning.  Of course that won't stop me from obsessively checking 3 times tomorrow even though I know they only update the one time around 3am in Texas.

Good luck to all those going crazy waiting for score releases over the next several days through next week.  May your sleep be restful and your scores 75 or higher!

I was actually a bit surprised.  I hadn't gotten an email or question in comments in a week.  I typically answer any questions left in the comments in the comments section (ie yesterday's comment question).  I can usually give better answers in email (link on right navigation area of blog) depending on the question.

FAR-4 Questions

36 days remaining (aka 30 days)
Mood - Good
Study Time – 2.5 hours (324.0 total - FAR: 42.0 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-??

I did good on the questions tonight (87%).  Many of my misses were RTCDQ issues where I just missed a minor fact in the question or answer.  I understood the concepts being asked.  Even the longer calculations like perpetual LIFO didn't take long.  The questions didn't hit on the retail costing items from the book, so I'll need to look at those as I thought those would give me trouble.  The only topic I didn't really get was the Dollar-Value LIFO.  I read that material on Sunday, but was fairly confused.  If I had read it prior to doing the homework tonight I would have done better.  Having worked through the 5 questions or so on it, I feel a lot better about it now.  The important thing here is that I feel like I'm back in the groove and not falling further behind.  I'll still need to go back and hit FAR-2 & FAR-3, but I feel good on FAR-4 at least.

BEC scores are expected to be released to NASBA and the state boards tomorrow, so I'm hopeful for a Friday score release (maybe Thursday if they release early tomorrow and I'm lucky).

Test Confirmation

It finally showed up on the Texas State Board website:

On 3/15/2010 the Board received notification that you tested on 2/26/2010 in Austin.

Now for scores this week I hope.

FAR-4 Lecture

37 days remaining
Mood - Better than this weekend at least
Study Time – 4.0 hours (321.5 total - FAR: 39.5 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-??

Class went well tonight.  I did fine on all the in-class questions except for the one where I apparently did not RTCDQ.  I'm hopeful that tomorrow's studying will not be as painful as last week's.  This would be good news as it would be one more class I don't have to stress over.

Still no word on the test confirmation.  Also, scores should be released sometime this week and BEC is typically the first section released.  There was alot of hope that it would be today, but that time has come and passed.  Maybe tomorrow the scores will get released to the state with a Thursday posting by Texas.

I need to look at my day count down.  If I take the test on April the 15th that is only 31 more days, not the 37 from my count down.  For consistency I'm keeping the count down as it stands now, especially since I might bump my test out a bit further.

On a side note, Wow!  56 votes on the poll?  I didn't think that many people stumbled across my blog, let alone bothered to look at it.  Not surprising is the heavy Becker votes.  I imagine most stumble across my blog via a search involving Becker. 

If I Were a Test Confirmation Where Would I Be?

If I were a test confirmation where would I be?  I'm not sure where they are, but I know where they are not.  Actually, the Texas State Board did tell me there was an issue with Prometric and NASBA, but that they did get a bunch of test confirmations in that should post around mid-week.  Hopefully this won't have any impact on score releases, which could start as early as Thursday or Friday (well, NASBA could release to the states starting Wednesday, with scores flowing through as early as Thursday). 

Reading

38 days remaining
Mood - OK
Study Time – 4.0 hours (317.5 total - FAR: 35.5 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-??

I read through FAR-4 and FAR-5 for this coming week's lectures.  Monday's class doesn't seem like it will be too bad.  Wednesday seems like it might.   I feel cheated this weekend with my lost hour.

Still nadda on my BEC confirmation.  I'll have to call again tomorrow to see what in the world is going on.

Not Good

39 days remaining
Mood - Frustrated and Annoyed
Study Time – 2.5 hours (313.5 total - FAR: 31.5 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-??

I tried the supplemental questions for FAR-2 and FAR-3.  I managed a 72% and 65% on them.  That wouldn't be as bad if I could say I got most of it and just missed a small something that threw me off.  Instead I have to look at it as I didn't understand a good chunk of the questions or what they were asking.  In addition, the answer explanations didn't make much sense to me as well.  I am extremely frustrated and decided to just end the day rather than continue frustrated and make myself more upset.

FAR-3 Questions Bleh!

41 days remaining
Mood - Frustrated
Study Time – 3.0 hours (311.0 total - FAR: 29.0 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-??

I pulled off a poor 77% on the questions tonight.  I shouldn't be surprised.  I felt a little less confident with FAR-3 than I did with FAR-2 and got 80% on FAR-2.  All in it isn't horrible horrible, but worth the time to look at a bit closer.  The good news is that I know the concepts and rules.  Most of my problems tonight were applying those rules to the questions.  That will come with practice.

Still nadda on the BEC confirmation with Texas.  I haven't taken any action as I'm waiting for Monday.

FAR-2 Lecture

42 days remaining
Mood - Pooped
Study Time – 4.0 hours (308.0 total - FAR: 26.0 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-??

I spent my birthday the way any normal person would like to.....I sat through a 4 hour accounting lecture.  I hate my life right now.  Anyhow, the lecture came and went.  We'll see how I do on the questions tomorrow.  Some of this material started to get a bit confusing.

Still no word on the test confirmation issue.

This Could Have Gone Better

43 days remaining
Mood - Still Tired
Study Time – 3.5 hours (304.0 total - FAR: 22.0 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-??

Based on last nights in-class questions and my understanding of the material I was expecting to blow through tonight's questions without issues.  I ended up at 80%.  The missed questions were a mixture of  RTCDQ and just plain missed a minor point issues.  There were very few that I just plain didn't know.  I found a couple of questions that even when linking to the part in the Becker book the software points you to I couldn't find the answer.  All in I don't feel bad about this part, but I'm not as far along as I thought I was.  The questions for FAR also take a long time to work.  It took me almost 4 hours (took out half an hour for a phone call and briefly talking to my wife) to get through the 143 questions.  That still works out to about 1.5 minutes per question, but with that many questions it just wears you out.  I now see the tricks the questions use to trip you up.  Hopefully I could get 85-90% if I were to work through the questions again.

Tomorrow will be an interesting day.  I get to sit through a four hour lecture on Goodwill and other items to celebrate my birthday instead of doing what normal people get to do like going out to eat and spending time with friends and family.  Isn't the CPA exam fun?  I told my wife we could do my birthday late next month.

I still have no word on my test not showing up as confirmed on the state board.  I spoke with a different person today and he said they had gotten several calls about it and they were looking into it.  The good news is it isn't just me.  The bad news is I still am no closer to an answer.  The Texas board person was nice and said to check over the next couple of days.  If it isn't up there by next week I'll call back again.

In theory Wave 2 BEC scores could be released late next week (17th-19th).  I'm not holding out for that since the testing window was extended into March due to the crazy weather we had in February across the country.  Still, I should hopefully have a score for BEC in 2-3 more weeks.

 On a blog note, I played around with some of the settings and was able to move my theme to a newer version.  There is some funky thing that can show the number of people following the blog that use some account thingy (not really sure, but its there).  I can also do polls.  I put up a poll to see who is using what study materials.  I might do another poll in a week or so asking what was the first section you took.  If you have other poll question suggestions you can leave them in the comments or email me.

FAR-2 Lecture

43 days remaining
Mood - Tired
Study Time – 4.0 hours (300.5 total - FAR: 18.5 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-??

The class made more sense than my reading gave me.  I did pretty good on the in-class questions.  I'm hoping to get through several classes doing as good as the first class has.  I guess I'm just hoping I don't hit a wall like I did with BEC where I have to break my flow.  Plus, no one likes to feel stupid and BEC hit me like that in parts.  Granted, once I got it down I had it down, but there was always that nagging in the back of mind.  Anyhow, FAR is so far so good.  

I was being obsessive today with the Texas State Board website and checking the status of my BEC exam.  They do not show the confirmation that I took the BEC exam a week and a half ago.  This is unusual as my other two section showed up within two days.  Apparently others have had this slow response from the Texas board before.  I called them and they are looking into it.

After Post Edit:   I also passed the 300 hour mark in total study time tonight.  What a milestone.  300 hours is the equivalent of 7.5 40-hour work weeks or 12.5 24-hour days.  Can you imagine studying every minute of every day for 2 weeks?  Ugh.

FAR-1 Locked Down

44 days remaining
Mood - Good
Study Time – 3.5 hours (296.5 total - FAR: 15.5 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-??

I decided to review all the FAR-1 questions and do the simulation.  I did great on the main MC questions (over 96%).  I got 83% on the supplemental MC questions (they were rough).  This gives me a fully combined score of 90% for FAR-1.  I felt really good about almost all of the material.  I did pretty good on the simulations.  I missed 3 minor items, 2 of which I am confident I won't miss again.  I did decent on my written part and only missed one minor point from the sample answer.  The research tab was a lost cause.  Even using their suggested key words the correct choice was down at the bottom of the search list.  Reading the section they gave as the correct answer didn't really answer the question in my mind either.

Good Habits

45 days remaining
Mood - Bit Confused
Study Time – 5.0 hours (293.0 total - FAR: 12.0 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-??

 I reworked some of the FAR-1 sections that I did poorly in on Wednesday.  I did much, much better this time around.  It is amazing what actually reading the material not covered in class does for you.  I also read the FAR-2 and FAR-3 materials.  I grasped a good chunk out of FAR-2 and am somewhat confused with FAR-3.  I've seen this before and hopefully the actual lectures next week will resolve my confusion.  I'm not sure if I know enough to try the questions tomorrow for FAR-2 and FAR-3 or not.  I may take a crack at it but if it proves to be pointless I'll find something else to study.

Questions for FAR-1

47 days remaining
Mood - Tired
Study Time – 3.0 hours (288.0 total - FAR: 7.0 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-??

Sadly I don't recall what my start time was today.  I am pretty sure I put in 3.5 hours, but it might have only been 3 (went with the lower one).  I got about 80% on the questions before reading the homework reading.  I did really well in all but two areas.  I re-read those sections and should be in much better shape for those questions on my next attempt.  I already hate FAR and I'm barely into it.

FAR Class 1, The Beginning of the Hopeful End

47 days remaining
Mood - Tired
Study Time – 4.0 hours (285.0 total - FAR: 4.0 - BEC: 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-??

I think the FAR classes and test are going to be as bad as I feared.  This is going to be a long month and a half.  The good news is I've finished the first of nine classes for this section.  I need to think out how I want to study for this section and find a way to keep to a good schedule.  Since I didn't read the material before class I feel like I am already behind.

I also got to speak with others that got their REG scores.  Someone else got a 97 like I did and others varied from passing to barely passing to not passing. 

Becker REG Class Review

I took the live class of Becker Regulation in January 2010.  I sat for the exam on the first of February and passed with a 97.  I put in a total of 118 hours of study time for this section.  40-ish of that was me reading the book in December and doing the multiple choice questions once before the classes started in January.  Without that I would have been about 75-80 hours in January which is similar to what I put into AUD and BEC each.  I do not work in tax and haven’t had any college classes in tax in about a decade.  This post will be my review and experiences with the Becker program as it relates to the Regulation section of the CPA Exam.

Overall the Becker materials were a good representation of what I saw on my actual exam.  Going into the test I felt really comfortable with the material.  There were a couple of questions that were not covered in my Becker materials, but those might have been pre-test questions.  The book presented the materials in a logical progression of topics and it flowed well.  The lecture style for REG was very similar to AUD.  In my AUD review I mentioned that I felt the lectures reading the book to us and having us make notes and highlights seemed odd.  I am use to it now and it does work and I didn’t question it this class.  I reviewed the book materials the weekend before my test and the notes and highlights were useful.  If you are using Becker for REG make sure you read all of each chapter and the homework reading.  I had questions on my exam covered in Becker’s material that was not in the lecture.  Be sure you’ve actually read the odd industry-specific exceptions on things.  Even reading it once should be enough to tickle your brain during the exam when they bring up the random oddities.  It got me a point on my actual exam.

I took my study style from AUD and actually increased it a bit.  Towards the end of AUD I was reading the materials before class once and trying the multiple choice questions before going to the live class.  For REG I did this for all classes.  It was extremely beneficial to me for REG.  I had a basic understanding of the materials and how the material would be presented in questions.  Listening to the lectures knowing that allowed it to sink in really well.  Any area I had trouble in was typically clarified by an example in the lecture not given in the book.  All in this means I went through all the material twice during the course of the month-long classes.  I think many underestimate the power of seeing the material in its entirety twice.  I did not go through all the multiple choice questions 4-5 times like I did with AUD, but I felt more comfortable with the material sooner in REG than I did in AUD. 

Throughout REG I also continued to take progress tests.  Progress tests in the Becker software allow you to select which classes you want questions to come from.  It then gives you up to 100 questions (if all classes are selected) weighted by the same weights the actual exam uses (ie. more tax than law questions).  This helped keep what I had already done fresh in my mind.  This was an important part of keeping the tax stuff in my head during the two weeks of business law lectures.  If I had not done those I would not have been in good shape to take the test so quickly after the last class (I took the exam a week after the last class).

I have the Becker flashcards for REG (and other sections).  I figured there was no point in going cheap on the $200 after dropping almost $3,000 for the classes.  Like AUD, I did not use the REG flashcards after looking at them early in my course.  They would probably be beneficial for those that learn well in short sessions.  I was always doing multi-hour study sessions so I got more benefit out of working multiple choice questions.  I probably would not buy the flashcards knowing what I know now, but they would be great for someone that has used flashcards before.  If you are going to make your own consider buying the pre-made ones.  I am just not a big flashcard person in general.

I do have a couple of criticisms towards the Becker REG program though.  The quality control for this section was noticeably bad in several places.  In many questions there were inconsistencies in the question answers and explanations.  Most of these were due to deduction, phase-outs, and other changed values not reflecting the current amounts.  Most of these were fairly trivial and most occurred solely in the answer explanations.  There were a couple of questions where the problem’s answer choices did not have the correct answer as an option though.  All in Becker dropped the ball on their quality control for the 2010 REG materials.  It was still very useful, but the number of simple issues was a bit distracting and embarrassing given the price point of their classes.  Most of these issues were published in a correcting document on the Becker site after being brought to their attention, so they get good points on making correcting information available to those that check regularly for the updates.

Another item I’d like to note is the same thing I mentioned with the AUD review.  I really wish there were more simulations to work through in the software.  They did have several additional simulations in the REG software than they did in AUD, but I still wanted more.  I would have loved to have 15-20 or more.  With the written parts I would have loved to have a whole addendum with example questions and suggested answers just to read through.  The written part is a bit pointless to mention since starting next year there will not be any written parts to REG though.  Basically though I wish there were a ton more simulations available to work through.  The topics that can be covered in the exam and how they are tested are so random it is hard to say that working just a few is good enough to make you feel comfortable with them.

While I doubt anyone associated with Becker will actually be reading this, the following could be helpful for those doing the self-study versions of the program.  I really wish they would cover the law/ethics/professional responsibility part of the course first and then move on to the tax topics rather than doing the tax stuff first.  The tax parts account for a larger portion of the exam and it would be beneficial to have those topics fresher in your mind.  I worked around this shortcoming by doing progress tests constantly to keep it fresh.

One last general recommendation for Becker.  At the start of the live classes they give you these really high quality highlighters (for highlighting along with the lecturer) and ink pens.  I prefer blue ink for stuff like this as it stands out against the black print better.  This is a really minor suggestion, but might be logical.

Overall Becker is great for REG.  If you follow their material and put in the time it takes you will have the knowledge needed to pass this section of the exam.  I have no basis to compare Becker to other programs as I only used Becker.  However, if you use Becker you will be able to get through it just fine.

Email Response That I Couldn't Email

I've been really good about replying to every email I get.  I received an email today that I have tried to respond to twice.  Each time it has bounced back as undeliverable address.  The email ended with @fsa.com.  So in the interest of responding, if that was you that sent the email, here is the response:

-------------
Thanks.  The blog has been my stress relief outlet.  That anyone else reads it amazes me, let alone anyone finds it useful.

Join Jeff’s Club 75 on his Another71.com website for at least a month.  It costs $20 per month.  You get his handwritten notes he used for REG which are awesome.  The only thing is you need to change the $100 to $500 for the casualty loss amount on them.  Those notes looked great and I wish I had them when I was working on REG.

Don’t bother trying to memorize threshold amounts.  In the exam the amount you are working with will either be grossly above or below the threshold if you see any questions testing that at all.  There are two exceptions.  Know the current amounts and phase outs for section 179 deductions.  Also know the $25000 allowed expensing (and related phase outs) for passive activity losses for mom & pop allowance.

Don’t skimp on the law stuff.  The MC questions seemed split about 50/50 between tax and law/ethics.  The sims were tax (it is possible, although unlikely, to get a law/ethics sim). 

Nothing in REG was hard or difficult.  There are just so many different topics to cover.  If you hit all topics once and are familiar with them you should be in good shape.  Nothing seemed to go very deep into any one topic, just the basics on a variety of things.

I have been a big fan of Becker so far.  It is ungodly expensive, especially if you don’t do all 4 courses.  It has been awesome though for format and presentation.  Yaegar is suppose to be amazing as well at a third of the price.  There are even bigger discounts if you are part of Jeff’s Club 75 thing.  There are others like you that have used the CPAexcel to good results as well.
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REG Score Released Finally

49 days remaining
Mood - Fantastic
Study Time – 0 hours (281.0 total - BEC - 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-97, BEC-??

 Holy Cow!  How in the world did I pull off a 97?  I performed like crap on the two simulations.  I am in shock right now over this one.  That means I've passed two of the four sections, have taken the third, and am down to only one section to go. 

The Waiting Continues

52 days remaining
Mood - Good
Study Time – 0 hours (281.0 total - BEC - 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-??, BEC-??

I am just back from taking the BEC exam.  It was easier than the Becker Final Exams by far.  Overall I was doing so-so until I hit the third testlet.  I flew through the third testlet and felt awesome about it.  There were a few things in the exam that I know I should have known but either blanked or didn't know them.  The good news is I checked my Becker book after the exam and on the two I could remember I now know I got them right.  There were two questions that I noticed in the exam that were not covered in my materials.  One was relating to IT and the other to costing.  I'll have to look them up later, although the specifics of the questions escape me now.  Overall I think I passed.  Others have felt like they nailed this section only to fail and those that swore they failed have passed.  I guess I'll find out in several weeks.  I am just glad it is over.  I've got the rest of the afternoon to clean the house for company tomorrow and get down to the DMV to wait in horrid lines to register my car.  In my studying I forgot to get it done and now it is the last day.

Test Day

52 days remaining
Mood - Ok
Study Time – 1.0 hours (281.0 total - BEC - 74.5 - REG: 118.0 - AUD: 89.5)
Scores:  AUD-94, REG-??

The REG scores got released yesterday to the State Boards.  I am not in a NASBA state, so I didn't get scores this morning.  If I am very lucky I'll get them tomorrow but more likely Tuesday.  I did very little last night in the way of studying per my normal night before the test routine.  I am up earlier than normal this morning so I hope I don't get anxious between now and the time I leave for my test.  I'll probably post something later today after the test.

Full Time Job & Studying

I was asked in a comment from last night's post about my study schedule and a full time job.  The comment box was a little tiny for what I wanted to say, so here comes the response to that inquiry.

First off, studying for this exam on the schedule I am while working full time sucks.  It requires a ton of self-discipline.  At the onset of this torturous journey I knew it would be painful.  In college I worked full time and took a full course load (5-6 classes 15-18 hours for undergrad 4 classes @ 12 hours for graduate work) each semester.  I pretty much hated life back then as well.  However, I knew if I could do that for 6 years before that I should be able to tolerate it for 6 months now.  

While the CPA exam studying has be very similar to college it is much more intense.  Every part of my studying for the CPA exam has been like my hardest college classes.  Most of my college classes were pretty simple.  They were time consuming, but not overly difficult.  Only in my hardest classes did I have to have any intensity to my studying.  I was tired enough that I would fall asleep from time to time in some of my college classes.  I could listen to music or do other things while studying typically.  With the CPA exam I pretty much have to have complete silence in order to focus enough to get through my studying.  My wife watching something on her computer with headphones being extremely quiet in the same room is enough to destroy my concentration.  Some days our dog wants to play more than sleep (not often thankfully).  When she gets like that it breaks my concentration and I have to stop and play with her until I wear her out and she goes back to sleep.  The level of focus this exam has required is intense.

As to my actual schedule:  I hate mornings.  I have always hated mornings.  I roll out of bed with just enough time to clean up, dress, pee of the dog, and run out the door to work.  Thankfully I work in a relaxed atmosphere and 8:20 is the same as 8:00.  I usually get out of the office by 5:15-5:30.  Pre-exam I would usually work until 6-6:30.  I am home around 6:00.  It takes me 30 minutes or so to change, take care of the dog, read email, go through the mail, etc.  I am usually in the care studying by 6:30-6:45.  I don't usually get up aside from to let the dog in/out once and maybe to take a bathroom break and refill my water cup.  In the course of 3-4 hours I really do not have more than 5 minutes of non-study time.  I do not study on Fridays during the weeks of class.  My wife is going through college (finishing community college level in a few more classes) and we both come Friday and pretty much collapse from exhaustion.  We make the attempt to watch a movie typically, but we both fall asleep during it every week.  I do study on Fridays after classes are over and I'm into my final reviews.  Saturday & Sunday mornings I try and get up around 8-8:30 and be studying by 9-9:30.  I try to do no more than 5 hours on Saturday & Sunday (only one weekend has blown that limit).  This typically leaves me 6-8 hours on Saturday and 4-6 hours on Sunday to do other things like take care of the house, grocery shop, and have personal time.  I'd love to say I get to spend time with my wife, but she typically studies both the AM and PM hours on the weekends (she has classes most every night so she doesn't get study time in during the week).  

Those weekend hours to myself are the hours that I live each week for.  Others say they study 10-12 hours on each weekend day.  Good luck to those people and I think they are insane.  My mind goes to mush after 5-6 hours.  Typically any studying I've done beyond that is not very productive (exception of last Friday's 11 hour marathon which was actually productive).  I would also go crazy with absolutely no time to myself.  It is not enough time to myself, but it is enough to keep me going another week. 

I have also taken a couple of days off in addition to test days.  I took one extra day off in January during REG that I got a quick 5 hours of study in and then had the rest of the day to myself (an extra Saturday schedule basically).  I also did the same thing last Friday for BEC, but that turned into the nightmare study day.  I am most definitely in burn-out mode at this point.  This is why you can see my study time during the weekday nights drop to 3-3.5 from the 4-4.5 they were during AUD.  I've tried to make up some of that time on the weekends, but even my weekend study time per day has come down.  This stares me in the face each day in my hour totals.  AUD had the same number of classes as BEC yet I'm almost 20 hours less than I did for AUD.  I felt good for AUD and I feel like crap on BEC.  I think those 20 hours are a good chunk of my problem.  

For those that are looking at doing this exam while working.  Know that it is a life changer.  This exam is the whole of my life right now.  I think about how I'm going to study that night during the day and dream about the exam many nights.  This exam is an obsession at this point.  I hate having to get up feeling exhausted knowing that I have a full day of work and a night of study.  On class days knowing that I'm only halfway done with my day at 3pm is depressing.  Those negatives are actually what drives me to study like I do though.  I would rather go through this pain and suffering once.  If I don't study and fail an exam that is another 3-5 weeks that I will have to live like this again.  I am about 2/3rds of the way through this process by content (almost 3/4ths by test sections).  I just have to stay focused for another 2 months and I can have my life back.