My CPA Journey (14 Exams later)

In total, I took 14 exams... Yes, 14. I took 3 tries for BEC, 5 tries for Audit, 2 tries for Reg, and 4 tries for FAR.

Here are some of my experiences:

  • For BEC: There was a curve, and I didn't do any simulations. I just watched YouTube videos on how to write a memo. This was during the time when BEC was about to migrate to a new discipline, and everyone was trying to take it. I only used Becker and Farhat, which got me over the hump.
  • For Audit: I did a total of 9,000 practice MCQs between Becker and Ninja. However, I could never get over the hump and was always stuck in the 70s. What changed and helped me get over the hump was purchasing Universal CPA (Joey) through Groupon and watching Sim's Skillbuilders. This was key in helping me pass. My mock scores were 67 and 72, with a trending score of 72 over the 9,000 MCQs. During my passing review phase, my trending score was an 84. I really recommend maybe YouTube-ing Universal CPA (I'm a visual learner), and these short and animated clips work great.
  • For REG: I tried to cram Reg in three weeks, which didn't turn out too well. I received a 60. I started hammering MCQs and watching Universal. I also added Skill Builders, especially for heavy topics like TB partnership/S-corp sims. Guess what I got on the exam? You bet it was the same sims I was watching. I recommend going on Reddit and typing in "r/cpa heavily tested topics" and filtering for the newest posts.
  • For FAR: I also tried to cram in four weeks, which didn't turn out too well. I drove three hours to find out I would fail. I did over 11,000 MCQs and watched a ton of Skill Builders. I recommend Ninja for this one, as it helped me a lot, as well as supplementing any material you don't understand with Universal CPA. What got me over the hump was Ninja, and hammering Becker's major areas: Bonds, Leases, Troubled Debt Restructuring, ARO, Contingent, Subsequent, accrued liabilities, and a ton of stockholder equity.

TLDR: I passed in the order BEC > AUD > REG > FAR with scores of 77, 76, 83, and 79. My mock scores for each were BEC - 70, AUD: 67, 72, REG: 63 and 64, FAR: 56 (Retook entering for partial) 62. I recommend the following supplements:

  • Paid: Universal CPA and Ninja
  • Free: YouTube Farhat (I have made a playlist; if anyone wants it, comment, and I'll edit with links)

Hammer MCQs, and while I didn't do any sims, I did watch the Skill Builders.

Thank you all for the support during my CPA journey! I will always be here. be here.

I didn’t read only when I need to I watch all my video on 1.75 or 1.5x

Reg: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsTAgxfZEbT73ZRhHk6ohDmVIZ8TDiXft&si=xUSi0z4m1jzcgGgY

Audit: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsTAgxfZEbT7H5YD9DkeTW5eyweKW1VlX&si=SdAAeivzV5Fhu4YU

Far: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsTAgxfZEbT7_u7hS1DUvjw3V32MsM42K&si=zjTKADU0usJ_Hk76