The Business Environment and Concepts (BEC) CPA Exam section tests your knowledge of the business environment and related concepts. BEC is unique for including written communications (WCs) in addition to the multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and task-based simulations (TBSs) that make up the other CPA Exam sections.
What is the BEC exam all about?
The BEC exam covers 5 main areas: corporate governance, economic concepts and analysis, financial management, information technology, and operations management. The BEC CPA exam is 4 hours long. There are 62 multiple-choice questions, 4 task-based simulations, and 3 written communication tasks on the BEC exam.
Is BEC easier than audit?
However, Business Environment and Concepts (BEC) is largely considered to be the easiest CPA exam because it consistently has the highest pass rate. This may be because it is typically taken last, but there are some other reasons too.
How do you pass BEC?
BEC CPA Exam Strategies – Generally, the BEC is known as the easiest part of the CPA exam. That gives you a few options to approach it. You can take it first in order to get it over with quickly, or you can take it last so you end on an easier note. Either way is a valid option, so it’s up to you to decide when you want to take this test.
- The most effective way to prepare for the BEC exam is to take practice exams with a review course from Becker or Surgent,
- Doing so will give you valuable experience with both the content and format.
- Plus, if you include a similar time limit you can work on your time management and answer speed.
- Easily the most important (yet most ignored) strategy is to eat a healthy breakfast before the exam and get a good rest the night before.
If you can do that, then you’ll have much more energy throughout the exam. On top of that, you’ll be able to answer questions faster because your mind will be working at 100%. As stated before, the BEC is the easiest of the 4 tests involved in the CPA exam. Make sure you study the concepts we’ve discussed throughout this article. If you do so, passing the test is all but guaranteed!
Can you pass BEC in 2 weeks?
Can you study for BEC in 2 weeks? – Theoretically, it’s possible for you to prepare for the BEC in a 2 week period— after all, it’s one of the easiest sections to pass and can be prepared for in less than 100 hours. However, you’re going to want to devote as much time as possible toward your study efforts during those two weeks: no distractions!
What is the hardest accounting exam?
BEC Historical Pass Rates –
| 2017 | 52.99% |
| 2018 | 59.35% |
| 2019 | 59.85% |
| 2020 | 65.56% |
| 2021 | 61.94% |
| 2022 | 59.54%* |
Through Q2 Often considered the most difficult exam, Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) has had the lowest passing scores of the four exams. The amount of material CPA Exam candidates have to learn for the exam, coupled with the combination of memorization and application, makes this exam more difficult.
How long do you need to study for BEC?
How Many Hours to Study for BEC CPA Exam Section. BEC has 62 MCQs, four simulations, and it throws a curveball with two written communication tasks. When you use the best test prep, you can expect it to take roughly 130 hours to study for the CPA exam’s BEC section.
What is the hardest accountancy exam?
CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Each level involves a complicated six-hour exam consisting of 240 questions. After clearing all three levels, a candidate also needs to gain 48 months of professional experience to earn the CFA charter by clearing CFA Level 1, CFA Level 2 and CFA Level 3.
What is the lowest position in audit firm?
On your way up you will have to go through 6–7 steps. The first steps are an Assistant Auditor and Auditor; the next position is a Senior/Chief Auditor. Higher positions involving project management and client relationships management are Managers, Senior Managers and Directors.
Can you pass BEC in one month?
Genuine question: is one month prep enough for BEC or REG? No, unless you want to be really miserable. If you want to be really miserable BEC may be doable. But, I hear REG takes longer due to the amount of material. Either way goodluck, but I’d spend at least 6-8 weeks per exam and try to master the material, although some very smart candidates may disagree and finish in less time.
️ I think it’s a mistake to pay for and schedule all the exams at the same time. All it takes is one fail to screw up your whole schedule. You may be in the minority and breeze through these exams, but passing all of them within 4 months is a tall order. “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” Roger & FAR: 75 AUD: 73, 81 BEC: 71, 73, 82 REG: 68, 82 FAR: 75 Roger & Ninja (notes/flashcards/audio/MCQ) AUD: 73, 81 BEC: 71, retake 8/29 REG: Depends.
Are you working or in school or do you have kids? There’s no way I could have passed any of them in one month but my time was much more limited than most people here. Old timer, A71’er since 2010. Finance manager/HR manager Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012 Finance/Admin/HR Manager I did BEC in two weeks and REG in 3 weeks.
However I haven’t been working because of my back surgery so I studied at least 12 hours a day. You also have to consider they just added sims to BEC and both tests are now an hour longer. I am a full time student. From early May – end of August is my summer time. Graduating BTW. I couldn’t schedule exams until January because of Illinois requirements.
Plus Fall semester was hectic so I started studying in February while I’m still in school To me, FAR is probably most challenging since I am preping for school and FAR at the same time. BTW, i’m provisional status. I only have one NTS until the provisional is cleared.
AUD-77REG-75BEC-82I’m done done!
A month is more than enough time for either. It just depends on how dedicated you are. Don’t listen to the naysayers. I’m not the brightest bulb but I study smart and try to make connections with the material. I have to read stuff more than once at times.But I put four intense days into BEC and I passed.
Spent 2 months studying for FAR due to the myth of FAR being omg so hard.It isn’t true at all. Had I known what I know now, I would have spent a month and done it.Probably would have gotten a higher score. ^^^ I’m going to begin studying for FAR this weekend. Could you share what you know now that would’ve helped you? Do NOT quit! There’s more in you and if you quit you’ll never see it.
Show you that you can do it. AUD Passed 78 BEC Passed 79 FAR Passed 77 REG Passed 76 I’m tired of operating in fear and mediocrity. It’s time to try. It’s time to do. It’s time to go.1 month is plenty for BEC. For REG it’s doable, but you’ll have to be a naturally good student and work a bit harder than most of us (most of us take about 8 weeks for REG).
Doable for sure. If you are choosing between the two, definitely choose BEC and try to allow yourself closer to 8 weeks for REG. Robert Jason FAR (9/16)-Pass! 86 (11 weeks,180 hrs) * Book/MCQ, MCQ BEC (10/16)-Pass! 89 (4 weeks, 100 hrs) * Becker Book/Vid/MCQ, Rogers Book, Ninja MCQ REG (1/17)-Pass! 87 (9 weeks, 120 hrs) * Becker Book/Vid, Ninja MQC/ AUD (3/17)-Pass! 75 (2 weeks, 50 hrs) * Ninja MCQ If you aren’t working, 1 month is more than sufficient for any exam.
I did BEC in a month while working full time, it’s definitely possible. Reg is a little more challenging for a lot of people, there’s more material too so I would give it slightly more than a month unless you’re studying full time. AUD – 89BEC – 81FAR – 80 REG – 78 Honestly it depends on the type of learner you are and how you study.
I studied and passed BEC in less than 1 week while working, however there was very little sleep and I got in around 70 hours of studying for the exam. FAR the beast I just took and got a 94 after about 3.5 weeks of studying (With a break in between to attend the superbowl here in Houston). A lot of night with little sleep and took a day or two off from work, but was able to put in somewhere between 130 – 140 hours of studying for the exam.
Everyone is different so while one month can be an okay amount of prep time for some it might not work at all for others. Also I will see the amount of quality hours you put in is really what the measure needs to be. If you determine you need 90 good quality hours to pass BEC then look at your schedule and see are there 90 hours that you can commit to having effective studying in the next month and can you hold yourself accountable and keep yourself on track.
- AUD – 98BEC – 84FAR – 94 REG – 86 No more procrastinating! AUD – 98 – 3.9.17 BEC – 84 – 6.8.16 FAR – 94 – 2.22.17 REG – 86 – 5.23.17 August 2017 – Official CPA?!!!!! Bec, 6/8/2016 – 84! Far, 7/12/2016 Reg, Aud, Did BEC in 5 weeks working full time with some days off sprinkled in and got a 84.
- Just make sure you are doing enough MCQs and learing from them.
AUD – 90BEC – 84FAR – 84 REG – 86 : Genuine question: is one month prep enough for BEC or REG?
How long does BEC last?
You will have four hours of total testing time for BEC, so to make the most of it, you should use a CPA Exam time management system and allot 75 minutes to the WC testlet. That 75 minutes gives you 25 minutes to spend on your responses to each of the three scenarios in the testlet.
What are the hardest BEC chapters?
Hardest BEC Becker Chapter(s)?
I’m just getting into my BEC studies, and really like to hear opinions on hardest chapters so I have an idea of what to expect. I’m happy to see that there are only 6 chapters compared to FARs 10. Any opinions that anyone has would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.
For me it was chapter one because it was so fracking boring. For me it was chapter one because it was so fracking boring. I didn’t use, but Cost Accounting was the most painful for me just because I find it so effing boring. BEC – ✔ REG – ✔ AUD – ✔ FAR – 11/29/14
CPAExcel, Ninja MCQs, and a sh*t ton of coffee I didn’t use, but Cost Accounting was the most painful for me just because I find it so effing boring.
- BEC – ✔ REG – ✔ AUD – ✔
- FAR – 11/29/14
- CPAExcel, Ninja MCQs, and a sh*t ton of coffee
Chapter 2 and 3 are generally seen as the hardest chapters just because there are so many equations to memorize and MCQ’s to work through. They take forever to get through and understand, but you will be in great shape on exam day if you practice those problems.
I agree with 005, cost accounting and especially VARIANCE ANALYSIS bores me to DEATH, so Chapter 2 was definitely the worst in my opinion. Good luck! Chapter 2 and 3 are generally seen as the hardest chapters just because there are so many equations to memorize and MCQ’s to work through. They take forever to get through and understand, but you will be in great shape on exam day if you practice those problems.
I agree with 005, cost accounting and especially VARIANCE ANALYSIS bores me to DEATH, so Chapter 2 was definitely the worst in my opinion. Good luck! Appreciate the insight. Thanks a lot! Appreciate the insight. Thanks a lot! I failed BEC like 6 years ago, but I don’t recall any chapters being hard outside cost accounting.
- I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam.
- A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for.
- So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil: “Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section” I failed BEC like 6 years ago, but I don’t recall any chapters being hard outside cost accounting.
I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for.
- BEC: 88 (8/27/13) FAR: 93 (12/3/13) REG: 92 (2/27/14)
- AUD: 95 (4/22/14)
- Roger CPA, Wiley Test Banks, NINJA Notes & Audio
I don’t use, but when I was studying for BEC, I felt that the hardest chapter was the one on IT. The chapter isn’t necessarily difficult to understand, it’s just insanely boring and too much to remember.
- BEC: 88 (8/27/13) FAR: 93 (12/3/13) REG: 92 (2/27/14)
- AUD: 95 (4/22/14)
- Roger CPA, Wiley Test Banks, NINJA Notes & Audio
Chapter 2 & 3 were the worst for me. Chapter 2 & 3 were the worst for me. I’m slowwwwlllyyyy getting thru chapter 1 and finding it so boring and miserable. A – 75 B – 78 God is good. F – 77 Answered prayers. R – 84! Done!! Paperwork sent – waiting for license!! Still on a cloud and in shock. Through God, all things will happen.
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: Hardest BEC Becker Chapter(s)?
How much writing is on BEC?
How long will I have? – The BEC section is 4 hours long. However, the Written Communications portion is only 75 minutes. So, you will have 75 minutes to answer all 3 communications, or about 25 minutes each. Therefore, be sure to budget your time accordingly.
How to prepare for BEC exam?
1. Practice hard, and don’t underestimate it! – Unfortunately, a majority of CPA Exam candidates often underestimate the BEC section and end up failing. Hence, try to put in as much hard work and commitment to it as you do for other sections. Practice as many mock tests, sample papers, and quizzes as possible.
Go through tutorial videos and know how the exam software works. Also, learn how to write a clear, coherent, and easy-to-understand official document. AICPA has allocated 50%-60% weightage to application skills in this section. Thus, try to compliment a theoretical concept with its practical application in real-life work scenario.
Full Guide: 2024 CPA Exam Changes and What it Means for You
It will help you to understand the process much easily and quickly.
How is the BEC exam set up?
There are 5 testlets on the BEC exam. Testlets 1 and 2 have 31 multiple choice questions each. Testlets 3 and 4 contains 2 simulations each (total of 4). Testlet 5 contains 3 written communication tasks.
What topics are heavily tested on the BEC?
Passing the BEC Frequently Asked Questions –
CPA Exam Guy 2020-07-08T15:31:34-07:00 Page load link Go to Top
What is heavily tested on BEC exam?
BEC focuses heavily on Application and Analysis. BEC doesn’t test at the Evaluation level of higher-order skills, but it is the only CPA Exam section to include Written Communications (WCs). WCs are tested at the Application level.
How long should I study for BEC exam?
How Many Hours to Study for BEC CPA Exam Section. BEC has 62 MCQs, four simulations, and it throws a curveball with two written communication tasks. When you use the best test prep, you can expect it to take roughly 130 hours to study for the CPA exam’s BEC section.
How to prepare for BEC exam?
1. Practice hard, and don’t underestimate it! – Unfortunately, a majority of CPA Exam candidates often underestimate the BEC section and end up failing. Hence, try to put in as much hard work and commitment to it as you do for other sections. Practice as many mock tests, sample papers, and quizzes as possible.
- Go through tutorial videos and know how the exam software works.
- Also, learn how to write a clear, coherent, and easy-to-understand official document.
- AICPA has allocated 50%-60% weightage to application skills in this section.
- Thus, try to compliment a theoretical concept with its practical application in real-life work scenario.
It will help you to understand the process much easily and quickly.