Discussion:CPA Exam Review programs
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Discussion Forum Index --> Tax Questions --> CPA Exam Review programs
TAXi driver (talk|edits) said: | 6 June 2008 |
| What is the best option? I'm looking for something that provides a good cost/benefit. Becker is all I heard about at school, but its also so expensive! How would it compare to Gleim? I've seen posts that said Gleim was great for their EA experience. It's also about 1,500 less in cost. Is there another program that might be better and why?
FWIW, I want a self study program, not live classes. Thanks! | |
| 6 June 2008 | |
| I used the Wiley books and CD test modules - pretty inexpensive. I bought mine on Amazon - along with using Gleim online - I didn't buy any of Gleim's written material. I found that both of those covered everything in pretty good detail and were a real complement to each other. I did all my studying by myself and didn't watch any CD's, videos, etc. and got scores in the 90's. So I felt like those materials prepared me very well for the exam. The key is to practice, practice, practice. The material can get quite complex, and parts of it went way beyond the scope of the CPA exam, from my experience, but you never know what kind of crazy questions you are going to get on the exam, and some of them are pretty funky, believe me! But the important thing is to have a working knowledge of the concepts and then practice the problems over and over. Good luck to you - it's a grueling process but well worth it in terms of personal accomplishment and career opportunities. | |
Ksnoopytax (talk|edits) said: | 6 June 2008 |
| I am studying for the CPA exam and have taken and passed regulation so far...wooo go tax!
Anyways, I started studying with Gleim. I got the full boat of products from Gleim, books, audio, cd's and online. Gleim is relatively inexpensive compared to other CPA review programs but I didn't like it. The audio CD's are litterally a guy reading out of the study book. The book was just one big outline of study concepts which was extremely boring to read and I found a few errors in the book which made me paranoid about all the information I was reading. That being said, a guy in my office is using just the books and CD's of Gleim currently and has passed one section of the CPA exam so far. If you are on a budget and are a good at studying then Gleim should be good enough to get you through the CPA exam. As far as Becker goes, I took the in-class full course. I would not recommend taking the in-class course not only because it is expensive but all it is, is an instructor showing you the video CD's. The in-class course really didn't add anything in my experience. The video CD's are done by national instructions and are actually somewhat entertaining and very well thought out. The instructors on the CD's go through the book with you and help you learn important concepts for the exam. The books are well put together and what I really like is the book highlights something called "pass keys" which gives you tips on where exam testers have tested on the concept before. I think it was worth it buying Becker and would suggest it if you have the funds. | |
| 6 June 2008 | |
| If you're trying to balance the exam and a busy workload, I believe CPA Excel is a viable (inexpensive) option. Everything is broken down into small chapters and the layout of the practice exams is dead-on. I already passed the BEC section and am looking to take the FAR next in late July. It's great for the person trying to pass efficiently, probably not the choice for those trying to win the Elijah Watts Award. | |
| 6 June 2008 | |
| I used the Gleim materials and also found mistakes which made my confidence in the material go way down. I also did not pass the exam at my first sitting. I was also stupid about it and took all four parts in a span of two weeks. I, too, am looking to take a different study program and was considering Becker's. However, I've heard that Denver University has a CPA exam review course, though yet I have been unable to verify. Anyone else study in Colorado? | |
| 6 June 2008 | |
| I am currently in the process of studying for the exam. I have purchased the Gleim books and test prep cd, which is fantastic. I have yet to sit, but I am hoping the first week in July for Reg. I also am taking a CPA review class in the Twin Cities. The professors are my old ones from college, so it helps knowing their style. It seems as though they can cut through some of the detail and make you focus on the basics a lot more. "This is all you need for the test, don't worry about every exception and all the details, you can look that up if and when you run into that in the real world." That is a common phrase in class. The class is called CPA Review-Twin Cities. I would recommend it to anybody who is from the Twin Cities' area. Of course I haven't sat and passed yet, so my tune might be sung a little differently in a few months. | |
| 6 June 2008 | |
| I did the in class Becker program for 3 out of 4 sections and the CD version for 1 section. It was great and covered everything I needed. I passed all 4 on the first time . The only thing that sucked was it was 4 hours a night, two nights a week and then all the homework, but you will have to spend a lot of time with any program. It is well worth the high cost, which luckily my employer split with me. | |
| 6 June 2008 | |
| I took the Roger Phillip CPA review and passed all 4 parts the first attempt. I took the live course (offered in Ca and Or) but he also offers an online course, or you can just self-study with his books which are very condensed and easy to read. I highly recommend his course. His live instruction is excellent and he personally teaches every class. Check out his website. | |
| 6 June 2008 | |
| I took the exam when it was 2 1/2 days and mostly essays and problems. I used Gleim and passed right out of school. After I passed the exam, I signed up for Beckers which was ok, but not as good as Gleim. I think that Gleim was better for me since I just needed to brush up on stuff that I had in my junior year which had begun to fade from my memory. | |
| 6 June 2008 | |
| If you had already passed, why did you take Becker? love punishment and torture? | |
| 6 June 2008 | |
| I did not receive my passing grade until about 4 weeks after Becker's classes began, and I basically attended the first few classes in case that I failed. I had faith in my technical knowledge, but not my writing ability. | |
| 7 June 2008 | |
| I was a Becker instructor for fourteen years. It is excellent. This is what you are paying for : structure. Most of us lack discipline. If you are disciplined (will schedule the time to study, will study, will review and follow up), you can pass the exam with any study materials. If you are not disciplined, then the Becker in class course is the way to go. You invest the $, the times are scheduled, and you do it. | |
