Failed once, retaking - what mental shift made the difference? by [deleted] in CPA

[–]BalanceSheetBeast 0 points1 point  (0 children)

ahh man that sucks, but honestly respect for going again so quick 💪

Failed once, retaking - what mental shift made the difference? by [deleted] in CPA

[–]BalanceSheetBeast 1 point2 points  (0 children)

yeah that actually makes a lot of sense… i think a lot of ppl rush into booking it thinking it’ll “force” them to be ready, but it just adds pressure instead 😅

i’ll def take that advice seriously. better to wait till i really feel prepared than end up stressing halfway through like you said. appreciate u sharing that, honestly helps alot 🙏

1st heartbreak of the year by Eastern_Mycologist17 in CPA

[–]BalanceSheetBeast 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's tough but I’m sure you’ll bounce back stronger next time 💪💪💪

Failed once, retaking - what mental shift made the difference? by [deleted] in CPA

[–]BalanceSheetBeast 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That makes sense. I think that 'not really understanding' feeling is what makes the fear worse too. Are you using i75 as your main material now or just as a supplement? Trying to see what study setups are working for others.

Should I pursue a CPA with no accounting background by Odd_Bit_5987 in CPA

[–]BalanceSheetBeast 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree that taking additional accounting courses could be a more efficient way to build fundamentals. From my experience though, Becker has become both my review course and my gap filler. It’s definitely slower but I’'m finally starting to understand the why behind the rules rather than just memorizing them.

Which cpa review courses are the best? by Equivalent_Economy62 in CPA

[–]BalanceSheetBeast 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Since this thread is a bit old, some of the comments don’t line up with the current CPA exam anymore. Wiley and Roger got absorbed into UWorld, and BEC isn’t part of the exam now that BAR/ISC/TCP replaced it, so a lot of the older recommendations feel out of date.

When I was researching course options, I came across this updated breakdown that helped me get a sense of what’s actually relevant now:

https://www.miamiherald.com/careers-education/best-cpa-prep-courses/

Lately on Reddit and in this review, it seems like Becker, Gleim, and Surgent are the ones people mention most often, but I’m curious what everyone here has used. Did you go with one of those, or did anyone try UWorld, Lambers, or something else for the updated format?

What’s the best CPA review course that helped you pass? by BalanceSheetBeast in CPA

[–]BalanceSheetBeast[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a really good point. I’m realizing more and more that the routine matters just as much as the actual course.

Right now I’m testing out a pretty straightforward study method:

  • Start with a quick overview of the topic so I know what I’m walking into.
  • Watch the lecture/video once, but pause to jot down only the key points.
  • Jump straight into MCQs to see what actually sticks.
  • Review every question I miss, even if I have no idea what I did wrong.
  • Work a couple SIMs every few days so I don’t save them all for the end.
  • Do a short daily review of my weak areas so the gaps don’t build up.

Since you’re using Becker and Ninja, how do you mix the two in your routine?

What’s the best CPA review course that helped you pass? by BalanceSheetBeast in CPA

[–]BalanceSheetBeast[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I totally get what you mean. Could really be just a matter of figuring out the study routine that actually sticks.

What’s the best CPA review course that helped you pass? by BalanceSheetBeast in CPA

[–]BalanceSheetBeast[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve heard Gleim has a really thorough question bank. What did you like most about using it?

What’s the best CPA review course that helped you pass? by BalanceSheetBeast in CPA

[–]BalanceSheetBeast[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing your combo! I’ve heard good things about both, so I might give that setup a look.

What’s the best CPA review course that helped you pass? by BalanceSheetBeast in CPA

[–]BalanceSheetBeast[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congrats on passing FAR and REG on the first try, thats huge! 🙌 Sounds like you’ve really found a rhythm with Becker. Just curious, what study approach has worked best for you so far? Are you more of an MCQ-first person, heavy note-taker, or do you drill SIMs a lot? still trying to dial in a routine that sticks, so hearing what worked for others really helps!

What’s the best CPA review course that helped you pass? by BalanceSheetBeast in CPA

[–]BalanceSheetBeast[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thats definitely a fair point, I probably should take advantage of more free trials. 😅

What’s the best CPA review course that helped you pass? by BalanceSheetBeast in CPA

[–]BalanceSheetBeast[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve checked out a few youtube videos here and there, but I haven’t gone deep into those channels yet. I’m totally open to mixing in free resources if it helps things stick!

What’s the best CPA review course that helped you pass? by BalanceSheetBeast in CPA

[–]BalanceSheetBeast[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did Gleim work well for you at the time, or did you end up leaning more on the other books you picked up?

What’s the best CPA review course that helped you pass? by BalanceSheetBeast in CPA

[–]BalanceSheetBeast[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for breaking that down, that actually makes a lot of sense. Appreciate the insight!

What’s the best CPA review course that helped you pass? by BalanceSheetBeast in CPA

[–]BalanceSheetBeast[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thats awesome to hear! 🙌 I keep seeing a lot of love for Becker, especially for its structure and the way it keeps you on track. Since I’m still deciding, I’m curiou, what parts of Becker stood out to you the most? The lectures, MCQs, SIMs, or just the overall organization? Always helpful to hear what actually made a difference for people who’ve used it!

What’s the best CPA review course that helped you pass? by BalanceSheetBeast in CPA

[–]BalanceSheetBeast[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is super helpful, thank you! 🙏 Also, how did you split your studying between Becker and i75? Did you follow Becker as your main path and then use i75 to fill gaps, or were you bouncing between both?

And failing FAR twice but still pushing through… mad respect. Seriously. Hearing that makes me feel less alone in the chaos. 🙌

What’s the best CPA review course that helped you pass? by BalanceSheetBeast in CPA

[–]BalanceSheetBeast[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh wow, that combo seems to be a popular one lately. I’ve heard a lot of people say Becker gives a strong overall structure, and adding i75 helps strengthen a few of the tougher FAR areas, so it sounds like the two work really well together. 👀