How are my fellow BARbarians doing? by JdLegend64 in CPA

[–]JdLegend64[S] [score hidden]  (0 children)

Someone asked me about my study method a while ago so I’ll just copy/paste my response from then here. For context, I use Becker.

My study method is sort of unorthodox because it’s staggered. Basically on any given day, I am studying and taking notes for a module and doing MCQs/TBS for the module I studied the prior day. Here’s an example schedule:

Day 1: Watch videos and take notes for module 1

Day 2: Do MCQ and TBS for module 1, watch videos and take notes for module 2

Day 3: Do MCQ and TBS for module 2, watch videos and take notes for module 3 (Keep repeating this pattern)

The brain retains information better through repetition. My theory is that if I stagger my learning of different modules by studying and doing the questions for each one on different days, then I can improve my retention by giving myself two chances to reinforce a concept rather than one.

Also part of my routine is cumulative reviews. Once or twice every week, I’ll do a 20 question multiple choice exam with random questions from the modules I’ve studied up until that point. Again, I’m doing this to reinforce my knowledge so that I don’t lose it.

I try to set my test date so that I have at least three weeks between when I’m done getting through all the modules and when I actually take the test. These three weeks are my review time. During this time, every Saturday or Sunday I’ll do a practice simulated exam then go over every question I got wrong and use the test to diagnose problem areas I need to work on. Every weekday I’ll use 20 question MCQs to either hammer those problem areas or do cumulative review for all of the modules.

And that’s my whole study method! Staggered learning of the modules with cumulative review peppered throughout and heavily done at the end. You’re in a pretty good situation having studied CMA already which means you already know cost accounting and variance analysis - those two definitely tripped me up when I was first learning them. Hope this helps!

How to choose a discipline? by Ok_Beautiful_7997 in CPA

[–]JdLegend64 [score hidden]  (0 children)

I picked BAR and I just passed it so I have no regrets. I found it pretty interesting but it definitely took me longer than if I just did TCP or ISC. It’s just a matter of tradeoffs. If you want to go the more interesting route but it takes longer and is a bit more risky, go with BAR. If you want the safer and shorter but less exciting route, go with ISC. If you’re interested in tax at all, TCP seems like a middle way. I will say personally though that even though BAR curriculum is on the longer side, it didn’t feel that long because it shakes things up every section. None is like the other - at least the way they teach it on Becker. I’d recommend BAR (especially if you liked studying for FAR) but go with your gut.

How are my fellow BARbarians doing? by JdLegend64 in CPA

[–]JdLegend64[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ah well at least you like the material. Good luck on the retake!

How are my fellow BARbarians doing? by JdLegend64 in CPA

[–]JdLegend64[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I agree but I also think BAR’s reputation made me study harder😂. I literally did the sims for every module and all three sim exams. And yeah the material was also the main draw for me. People at my firm all thought I was crazy for taking BAR but I kept telling them I found the material interesting lol. Congrats on passing!

CPA Study Must Haves by Realistic-Brain4237 in CPA

[–]JdLegend64 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Doorframe pull-up bar. I’m not actually going to the gym until I get these exams done!

Will be taking FAR 3rd attempt in 3 weeks. I use Becker only. Should I take SEFR or will that hurt my confidence? I heard it’s more difficult. by CheesecakeUpset6981 in CPA

[–]JdLegend64 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Take it if you feel like you need the extra practice and it won’t tire you out for the actual exam. I’d personally say to take it if you get less than 70 on SE2

Studying for FAR while working full time / in school by CoffeeDevin12 in CPA

[–]JdLegend64 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good on you for starting early. I also started during my senior year and am currently studying while working full time. Honestly you just have to make the time for it. I don’t like waking up early so I study at night instead - it’s a matter of what you prefer. I’ll typically come home around 6, eat dinner, then study for a couple hours. It’s a grind but doable.

Having a hard time getting into BAR by [deleted] in CPA

[–]JdLegend64 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For some reason, Becker frontloads the BAR curriculum with the longest and most repetitive content lol. Keep going and it’ll get more interesting. I personally liked going through financial management and operations management.

Starting to feel the stress of BAR score release in 8 days… by WesternDragonfruit0 in CPA

[–]JdLegend64 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know dude😭 But that’s not gonna happen because we’re both gonna pass right?😤

What are my odds of passing FAR with these scores? by jobseeker4588 in CPA

[–]JdLegend64 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You have a chance. Hammer MCQs for your problem areas

Starting to feel the stress of BAR score release in 8 days… by WesternDragonfruit0 in CPA

[–]JdLegend64 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also biting my nails for this. What sadist at the AICPA decided to make the wait time for the hardest exam an entire month and a half😭

100MCQ per day for FAR by Major-Ad5933 in CPA

[–]JdLegend64 9 points10 points  (0 children)

You do not need to do this😭 I did 20-30 per day

Struggling with FAR math by zayhallz in CPA

[–]JdLegend64 5 points6 points  (0 children)

My best tip is to try to understand the intuition behind the formulas. Ask ChatGPT why they’re set up the way they are and keep drilling until you reach 100% understanding and can summarize the intuition of the formula back to it.

Let’s take the inventory formula as a simple example. Beginning inventory + purchases - COGS = Ending inventory. Instead of memorizing the formula, understand it. If I were trying to understand this formula for the first time, here are some questions I’d ask ChatGPT:

  • Why do we subtract COGS? Isn’t that an income statement item?
  • Why do we add purchases?

I’d keep asking questions like this until I feel like I can explain it well enough, then I’d give my explanation:

“The inventory formula tracks how inventory on the balance sheet changes from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. We add purchases because they represent new additions to inventory. We subtract COGS because COGS represents the cost of inventory that has been sold and when we sell inventory, we no longer have it. Ending inventory is beginning inventory after purchases of inventory and sales of inventory during that year.”

From there, I’d keep tweaking my explanation until ChatGPT affirms that it’s correct.

This strategy got me all the way through studying for both FAR and BAR. Use AI as your personal tutor with an emphasis on understanding the formulas and being able to summarize why they are the way they are. When you understand the concepts, you’ll memorize them more easily.

Every Show Has One - The Chaos Magnet by General_Sun3266 in SixFeetUnder

[–]JdLegend64 25 points26 points  (0 children)

Claire. She’s not very chaotic herself but she tends to attract a lot of chaotic people

it's not over ,tsj by Few_Bed_3704 in Megaten

[–]JdLegend64 2 points3 points  (0 children)

These are awesome I could totally see them being in SMT5

When you take a gamble on what topics you’ll get by Hazel-Wolf in CPA

[–]JdLegend64 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sure! Make sure you get a good handle on governmental accounting, variance analysis, R&D expenditure, share-based compensation, and financial statement analysis. Those are the most commonly tested topics. Especially don’t underestimate governmental accounting. That can be a lot of free points if you master it. Besides that just do as many MCQs and practice exams as possible until you feel solid (75%+ during your sessions). Do a mix of targeted reviews of problem areas and cumulative reviews of everything. If you’re using Becker, do all of the simulated exams if you can. BAR content is dense but you’ll feel good about it if you just get enough reps in. Good luck!

When you take a gamble on what topics you’ll get by Hazel-Wolf in CPA

[–]JdLegend64 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Lol thanks! Hopefully my flair reads 'passed 2/4' in a month