Saturday, June 2, 2012

CPAR vs ReSA: A Review on two of the toughest CPA review centers in the Philippines

It's been two weeks since I passed the May 2012 CPA board examination. After three attempts of taking the board examination, finally I made it. To God be the glory.

This review is based on my experience in both review centers. Yes, I have tried these two and now I will try to give a brief and unbiased overview of them both.

Firstly, The Review School of Accountancy (otherwise known as ReSA)
I enrolled in ReSA after graduation from college to take the October 2008 board exam. I enrolled here because this was really my first choice even if my boyfriend (who's already a CPA then) kept on convincing me to enroll at CPAR. I chose ReSA over CPAR because of the public perception about the fast-paced teaching in CPAR, I feared that I could not be able to cope up with the lesson. 

So to start,
ReSA is located at the 5th floor of CMFFI Bldg. in Sampaloc, Manila (near UE and PSBA). If I remember it right, there are four or five rooms used as classrooms, all fully air-conditioned and one small library.

Weaknesses:
  • located in the 5th floor - if you're late, there's no elevator to use
  • only one restroom for ladies with few cubicles - long line starts to build during break time and dismissal (separate restroom for gents)
Strengths:
  • during combined classes, they use video camera and projectors so that reviewees from other rooms could see the reviewer
  • weekly quiz in order for the reviewees to assess how much do they understand the topics
  • materials are really comprehensive and contains lecture notes about the topics to be discussed 
The Reviewers (only those who became my reviewers):
  • Aljon Lee - became my reviewer in MAS and TOA. Yes, he's really good. He explains every topic not too fast but not too slow. For me, he's a very effective reviewer that, what he teaches really retains in my head. 
  • Antonio Dayag Sr. - became my reviewer in Practical Accounting 2. Many say he's good but I really cannot appreciate the way he teaches. He speaks kind of fast and unclear that I cannot understand what he's saying. Handwrtiting is small that it almost cannot be seen when you are seated at back of the room. What I like about him is his book, no doubt about that.
  • Asser Tamayo - became my reviewer in Taxation. The hand-outs have it all, just a little input and explanation from him could be enough.
  • Marcelino Bonafe - became my reviewer in Business Law. No comment. ;-)
  • George James - became my reviewer in Aud. Theory. He makes the discussion light and easy to understand. I didn't experience boredom in his class.
  • Conrado Uberita - became my reviewer in Practical Accounting 1. The classroom becomes lively whenever he cracks silly jokes. He teaches formulas that are easy to remember. (e.g. PAPA BEEB, DADA BEEB)
  • Chris Espenilla - became my reviewer in Practical Accounting 1 and Auditing Problems. He's cute. But he's really fast during discussions. I wasn't able to cope up with his style of teaching.
  • Shirley Ireneo - became my reviewer in Auditing Problems. The classroom is lively during her class. She's good in explaining the solutions to the problems, she often cracks jokes to maintain the liveliness of the class and to lessen the stress brought by the subject.
On my first attempt of the board exam, I did not succeed. I decided for the second attempt for May 2010 examination and enrolled again in ReSA but I did not take the board for some personal reasons. Then, as I reflect on myself about what I really want in life, I have finally decided to take the board again on October 2011. For a change, I followed my boyfriend's recommendation and tried the --

CPA Review School of the Philippines (otherwise known as CPAR)
CPAR is located at Cayco St. Sampaloc Manila (across UST). It has its own building (I'm not sure if it's rented though) with seven class rooms, two rooms in each floor for 2nd to 4th floor, one room and the so-called library in the 5th floor which is the penthouse. All rooms are fully air-conditioned except the "library" because it's open air.

Weaknesses:
  • no video camera during combined classes (am/pm sessions), so the room where the reviewer is, gets crowded. Reviewers in the other rooms just listen to the voice of the reviewers
  • materials may or may not be enough, depending on the reviewee of course. As for me, I needed ReSA's Taxation and MAS hand-outs. There are no lecture notes in the hand-outs except for Auditing Theory and MAS
Strengths:
  • the building is spacious during regular classes, making it more comfortable and relaxed to study
  • comfort rooms with cubicles are provided in each floor
  • the fast-paced perception of the public is not true :)
The Reviewers (only those who became my reviewers):
  • Atty. Conrado Valix - didn't actually became my reviewer during regular class but during pre-week lectures. He explains in simplest terms. He's a hands-on review director. 
  • Christian M. Valix - became my reviewer in Practical Accounting 1 and TOA. He discusses the theory/concept about the problems first before answering the materials. I like his approach. Just like Aljon Lee, he explains slowly but surely
  • Chris German - a factor why I decided to try CPAR, too bad he didn't became my reviewer in Prac. Acctg. 2 again. He was my reviewer in IPRSD in P2 and I could say the best I had in P2 so far.
  • Brian Lim - became my reviewer in Practical Accounting 2. May 2007 CPA Board Topnotcher. At first, I really didn't bother to listen and understand his lectures, but as I progress during review, I have learned to cope up with his style of teaching. He's kind of fast.
  • Gerry Roque - became my reviewer in Auditing Theory and Auditing Problems. He's kind of good during lectures but seldom writes on the board.
  • Rodel Roque - became my reviewer in MAS. He discusses the lecture well and really encourages the reviewees to study ahead so that we wouldn't be left during the discussions
  • Atty. Dante dela Cruz - became my reviewer in Business Law. Idol. The best. He discusses the lecture very brief and concise. Explains the law in its simplest terms. His life story is really inspiring that if I would ever take up Bachelor of Laws, it's because of him.
  • Atty. Jack de Vera - became my reviewer in Taxation. He explains the theory really well but not so well in computations. I like the way he delivers his lectures, and I really see him as an intelligent man.
My second attempt wasn't successful like the first one, but I've seen an improvement on my ratings that's why I decided to try it for the last time. I took a refresher course in CPAR again. Incidentally, my reviewers during my first time with CPAR became my reviewers again during my second time, so I couldn't speak for the other reviewers. 

I do not know if this blog could help you decide on which review school to enroll. I wouldn't recommend one either because they have their own strengths and weaknesses, facilities-wise and reviewers-wise. In the end, it isn't the review school that will get you the CPA license but YOU. I would just like to quote what the May 2012 CPA board topnotcher said during his talk in the pre-week in CPAR:
"WORK as if everything depends on YOU and PRAY as if everything depends on GOD."
And another one from the movie 3 Idiots:
"Pursue EXCELLENCE and SUCCESS will chase you, pants down."
God bless future CPAs. :D

105 comments:

  1. "Passing the board exams is based on luck, but the more you read, the luckier you get"- as frequently spoken of by Mr George James.

    I enrolled in both review schools for the Oct 2006 boards. I reviewed in ReSA during weekdays (batch 12), and CPAR (batch 60) during weekends. Each review school has their strong points and subjects which they excel in, and both differ in approach.

    On my opinion, CPAR assumes that the reviewee is already knowledgable of the topics on hand and the lesson would just be a "mere review", that's why the discussion is already problem based. That's why many problems can be discussed, and their problems are quite difficult to solve in comparison to the CPA board exams.

    On the other hand, ReSA assumes a 50%-base knowledge of the reviewees, therefore making the subject lighter and easier to understand, which is good particularly if the reviewee didn't have a good grasp of the subject during their undergrad. Sometimes, the problem is for subjects with overwhelming topics like P2 and AT, there is a tendency that the reviewers needed to catch up on the topics and would have combined make-up classes for it.

    Both schools are good. Choosing therefore the review school should be dependent on your style, on how you cope up with the subjects and on how dead serious are you in passing the CPA boards.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree sir. Depende talaga sa style ng reviewee kung pano sila mag-aral. :)

      Delete
  2. Thanks for this info and review. I will show it to my gf who is presently studying at CPAR, as her plans as of now are to attend review school at least twice before taking the exam

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow! Thanks! I just enrolled in CPAR this week and i am so hopeful that I'll be a CPA this year. :D I never knew that CPAR has a library/penthouse. :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. God bless sa review. :)
      Yung penthouse usually open yun kapag pre-week. may mga tables and benches naman sa 2nd - 4th floor as study area. :)

      Delete
  4. Hi. Actually po wala akong balita how much yung tuition fee ngayon sa resa. That was 2009 pa nung nagreview ako dun. Pero alam ko po as early as now pwede na magpareserve ng slot, para makapili ka ng magandang sched and seat. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi,

    I just want to ask if you took a refresher course and where did you took it?

    Thanks

    Eunice

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! Yeah i took refresher course in CPAR. :)

      Delete
  6. Hello,

    Is there an online review or online refresher course of those two (ReSA & CPAR)? I'm actually planning to try taking the CPA board exam. I graduated 11 years ago. My work experiences (in pinas & abroad) are on accounting (5 yrs) & auditing (6 years) respectively. I'm confused whether to take the refresher course first or I'll go for the review straight away? I really appreciate if you could give me some advice. Btw, I'm currently (working) in abroad, so online class is my only option.

    Thanks & Regards,

    Luz

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi ma'am. I am sorry but I am not sure of both review centers offer online refresher/review course.

      As for your second question, i am also not sure if refresher course is required for those who graduated long time ago. What I know is, refresher course is required to those who failed the board exam twice. Basically, there is really no big difference between refresher course and review proper. In refresher course, you just have to satisfy the attendance requirement of 20% in National Review Center and 80% in CPAR and pass the preboard examinations. That is just the difference between the two. But I do not know if you will be required to take refreshers or not.

      Hope I had enlightened you somehow. :)

      Delete
    2. Hello Johanna,

      Thanks a lot for your reply.

      Cheers!

      Luz

      Delete
  7. Hi kapag ba holy week may pasok sa CPAR? :D

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi,

    I took the board exam last Oct 2013 and didn't make it. I am about to enroll again and take the exam on Oct 2014. I was working before so I think it's one of the factors why I did not pass. And I'm currently working and is not about to resign. One of my friends told me to review in ReSA if that's the case so that I can catch up better. Actually I am quite afraid to take the exam again coz I don't wanna fail for the second time. And if there's other way to achieve my goals in life, do I have to become a CPA? But why think I'd fail? And I've read some articles which encouraged me to take the board exam again. Really. I hope I make it this time around. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! God bless your plan on taking the board exam. :)
      I took the board exam twice while working too. The first try was october 2011 but i failed and thw second was may 2012. I managed to make arrangements in my work schedule with my boss before and used up all my leave credits that I have incurred leave without pay. I took weekend classes, and a month before the board exam, I was on a half-day work week so I could study after a half-day's work.
      Maybe you could avail a study leave if your company offers such, so you can focus a little bit more on the board exam.
      It hurts to fail even if I experienced it twice, but it kept me motivated and determined to pass on the third take.

      God bless. :)

      Delete
  9. What about PRTC? Any comment about it?

    thank you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi sir leonard, I can't make any comment/review about prtc because I didn't try reviewing there. Sorry.

      Delete
  10. Passing your accounting courses is the best way you can plan and prepare for..learn more from http://www.acca-apc.com/acca-registration

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sa resa po ako. As of now. Masaya naman. Haha tama ung pos about ky sir dayag kaya ngiisip ako pano ko magrereview para s p2 haha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. same here pero try mo din magrecord ng mga discussion niya tapos ulitin mo pakinggan kung may hindi ka naintindihan habang dinidiscuss niya...ganun gawain ko kasi ngayon hehehe ^_^

      Delete
    2. Yung libro nya din sa p2 makakatulong. :)

      Delete
    3. sana ganyan din ako hehe nwwlan nrn aq ng pag asa minsan eh hehe

      Delete
  12. nagstart na ba ung review? balak ko sana weekend clas

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi po, Ask ko lang po if alam niyo po kung kelan ang reservation para exam October 2015. Salamat

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi. Siguro try mo early next yr. magpareserve. Di ko kase sure kung nagrereserve sila ng ganito kaaga for october 2015.

      Delete
  14. I first took the CPA Board Exams in 2005 and failed. I was so disheartened that I never imagined having the desire to take it again... Until now. I graduated almost a decade ago and I would probably need not just refresh my knowledge but to relearn some lessons. :( Any suggestion on which review school I should enroll myself to?

    ReplyDelete
  15. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  16. hi johanna,
    can you recommend a tutor who can prepare test material ( with answers) that i can practice on? or reviewer books containing test items (with answers)

    thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi. When I reviewed, I just used the materials provided by the review school. Plus p1 of valix, aud theory of jeckel and p2 of dayag.

      Delete
  17. Ate, may case bang hindi nabibigyan ng certificate for refresher?

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi there! I graduated from PUP 5 years ago. Anyone who can give me advice whether on CPAR or RESA?

    Thanks for this blog!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi, ask ko lang magkano tuition fee sa RESA. I searched everywhere, but I only found info on CPAR's tuition fee which is 11,500- installment and 10,500 cash, but i read it in a blog that was made 2 years ago, so di ko alam if tumaas ba.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi Ms. Johanna, May I ask. If RESA accept last day enrollees? Meaning, will just enroll on the same day on first day of review. OR Any reservation? In addition, what are the basic requirements? Thanks in advance

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hello po. Nag-take po ako ng CPA board exam nung October 2014 and condi status po ang naging resulta. P1,P2 & BLT po ang kailangan kong i-retake. San po ba magandang mag-enroll between the two mentioned review centers or any suggestions of other review centers? Thanks po! Your answers would help me a lot because I'm so confused.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Where would be the best school to take this course? I'll appreciate if you can list down the top women school in the Philippines offering this course. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  23. i reviewed in CPAR last 2012. i am from bohol and i risked everything just to review in Manila to attempt a sure-ball passing in the board exam. i loooooove atty. D. he is the reason why i cried bucket of tear one time because of his very very inspiring story. i told myself i wanted to be like him. :) he told us to dedicate all our efforts to our parents alone, and so i did and im so blessed because i did passed the board exam in just one try.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Ask lang po. Diba po ngayon iba na yung curriculum. K12 na po. Uhm i am junior high as of now which known before as a 4th year high school. Nagreready na po for next year para sa senior high. Tatanong ko lang po sana kung need po yung high grades sa high school specially po sa math pag dating ng college? Ibabased pa ba yun sa kukuning accountancy course? And need po ba matalino sa ganung course? Pano po ba kung average lng? Hope po sana mahingi opinion niyo. Thankyou.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Ask lang po. Diba po ngayon iba na yung curriculum. K12 na po. Uhm i am junior high as of now which known before as a 4th year high school. Nagreready na po for next year para sa senior high. Tatanong ko lang po sana kung need po yung high grades sa high school specially po sa math pag dating ng college? Ibabased pa ba yun sa kukuning accountancy course? And need po ba matalino sa ganung course? Pano po ba kung average lng? Hope po sana mahingi opinion niyo. Thankyou.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi. Hindi ko lang alam sa ngayon kung ano ang reqs kapag K-12 yung curriculum. Pero as a background sa accountancy, hindi sya all about math. Hindi rin naman need ng matalino sa course, as long as marunong ka mag-analyze, masipag ka mag-aral and strong yung will and desire mo to become a CPA, pray at ibibigay din sayo yan. Basta ngayon pa lang, if you want to pursue the course, paghandaan mo na. :)

      Delete
  26. Hi. Gusto ko lang magtanong kung paano pag refresher na? May exams ba na kailangan ipasa bago ka makapagtake ulit? Like exam from PRC or parang midterms/finals? Paano po ang set up? Thanks a lot! GODbless.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You just need to enroll in a refresher course in any review school. I took refresher course in CPAR na naka-tie up sa national review center na naka-tie up sa MLQU. May attendance required sa NRC and sa CPAR and kailangan maipasa yung preboard ng NRC. Ang nag-issue ng parang certificate of completion is MLQU during that time.

      Delete
    2. Meron din bang hindi pumapasa o lahat naman naiisuehan ng certificate?

      Delete
    3. I don't have an idea. Pero for the sake of prudence, gawin na lang ang best para makapasa sa refresher.

      Delete
  27. Hi, I am planning to take the board exam on May 2016. I took the board exam twice and planning to face the battlefield for the 3rd time. I would greatly appreciate if you could share your techniques and advise on how to review Auditing Problems, MAS, TOA and AuT. I am having a hard time to retain the topics in my head. Thank you in advance. God bless.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi. Im glad you're still pushing through. :)
      I just focused on the materials provided by the review school, brought a notebook and a recorder with me during class and try to answer the materials by myself at home. Do not try materials/reviewers until you finished the materials provided by your review school. Just typical. What I can effectively share to you is you must aim to be included in the top 100 list of passers during preboard exams as it gives you greater chance of passing the board exam. God bless. :)

      Delete
  28. conditional ako ngayong oct 2015 na board. p1, p2 saka blt. di ko lam kung sa cpar ako magrereview o resa ulit. any advice? saka sino yung prof na klngang attendan para talagang effective ung review. thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pareho po tayong condi ngayong 2015. :-)
      May balita po ba kung anong mangyayari sa conditional examinees. Kasi po mababago syllabus sa May 2016 diba?

      Delete
    2. Hi po. Ang alam ko po available pa din yung subjs kahit babaguhin sa 2017 yung subjects. I mean, you will retake as if walang nagbago sa no of subjs. You have a chance to retake it within two years. Kindly recheck boa site to be sure :)

      Delete
    3. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    4. magkano po sa resa cash basis? salamat 😄

      Delete
    5. magkano po sa resa cash basis? salamat 😄

      Delete
  29. How much tuition fee ng RESA?open pa kaya slot?

    ReplyDelete
  30. may slot p kaya sa RESA for May2016?

    ReplyDelete
  31. Salamat po sa info. Nakatulong po ito sa pagdedecide ko, kung saan papasok na review center.

    ReplyDelete
  32. hello po ms.
    i once applied for cpa board exam, unfortunately didnt able to appear on the examination.. sinumpong n kasi ako ng lagnat.. d ko npasokan ang 1st at 2nd day kaya di ko nlng tinuloy ng pagexam. Considered absent n po ako, tanong ko lng kung considered attempt yung exam ko kahit absent po ako? nkafile n po kc ako nuon for exam.

    ReplyDelete
  33. hi,
    I'm Joan..balak q mag review this year San b mas maganda magreview and kelan po and deadline ng enroll sa review center? salamat po.. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi. If you think you have good accounting foundation, go for cpar. If otherwise, go for resa. as far as i know, the review for may board exam has already started

      Delete
  34. hi po ask ko lang what if may absent sa review ng refresher course.. di na po ba makakakuha ng Certificate? thanks po

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi. May maximum allowed absences po sa refresher course. I-eexplain naman po ng review school yun. Pero po it's better na wag po mag-absent. :)

      Delete
  35. Hi Johanna. As of now kasi nalilito kami ng friend ko of which Review School to attend para sa Board Exam this coming October 2016. Wala kasi kaming gaano kagandang foundation sa mga subjects for board kasi 1 year din kami napahinga from school. Ngayun lang kami nag attempt to take the board, so others are suggesting na mag ReSA kami, kaso sabi di daw natatapos ng ReSa lahat ng topics kasi nga spoonfed nag style. Pag CPAR daw magnda, kaso fast paced nga. Natatakot kami na baka di kami agad makacope up sa topics. Any opinion please regarding this? Thanks a lot!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi. It's up to you naman po wherever you want to review. Basta po tanggalin nyo yung fear nyo. what I did when I was in CPAR, nirecord ko yung lecture at the same time, I took down notes. I got a notebook talaga, hindi ako sa review materials nagsusulat dahil kulang yung space.
      Pero kanya kanyang study techniques talaga yan eh. What's effective to me may not necessarily be effective to you, vice versa. Basta kung anong study style ka comfortable, yun ang gawin mo. Remove your fear. It will just hold you back. :)

      Delete
  36. Hi..pareho po tau ng situation..hehe gustong gusto q n din magreview..pero confident aq na feeling ko tlaga lahat naman tayo may ''K'' kc talaga pag tututukan natin mamakakaya natin yun..naniniwala nga aq na hindi nyu kelangan maging matalino basta masipag at matyaga magbasa..makakaya yun!
    whehehe...hmmm gusto ko pa ng ibang HUMUHUGOT para may lakas ng loob..lahat ng kukuha..hehehe
    tulong nemen peh..sana tama ung pinili q na sa RESA na talga..tingin nyu po? :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Passing the board exam does not entirely lie in which review school you chose, but with your study habits. And try to aim for top 100 during pre-boards, it will enhance the probability of passing the boards. :)

      Delete
  37. Hi,

    I'm sorry to bother you. Gusto ko Lang po kasi malaman base on you experience If anu po yung marerecommend among books with author sa mga subject for CPA board. Actually Hindi talaga ako lover sa accounting sa math na pang mga civil ganun. Pero nag bsA ako at dahil dun Hindi ko masyado natutukan yung bsA course ko which is nung bata pa ako 4th year hyskul akala ko same as civil din ang bsA. All math as about s math etc... Pero nakagraduate naman ako as bsA Kasu shot term memory Lang ako then Hindi talaga ako nagfocus s college study.. That is true. I hope na OK na explanation ko po para my reason ako kahit papaano Kaya ko Ito natanung sayo kun anun buks with author na magagaling na marecommend mo po.

    Sa ngayon kasi as fresh grad last year naiibigan ko n ding mag take ng cpa board. :)

    Regards,
    Joanna

    ReplyDelete
  38. HI,
    I've never tried review school or even take the exam, I graduated 1997 and now im planning to take the board exam, which i can see na un un magiging way ko to become a senior level at work. I'm practicing accounting and im planning to review, any suggestion on the review center.
    Kinda a hessitant kasi its almost 19 years.. :)
    but i know its not too late

    Thanks
    vicky

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Ms. Vicky, baka you want to try CRC-ACE. Zero-Base approach sila dun, I enrolled there after graduating, zero-base nga talaga sila.

      Delete
    2. Hi, Ms Mavic, nakakarelate ako. Ganyan din ang nsa puso ko ngaun... Gusto ko maging CPA tlga kc for a job promotion.

      Delete
  39. Nagstart ako magreview last November 2015, kaso nitong February nawala na ako sa focus dahil sa issues sa office. Hindi pa ako pinayagan ng boss ko mag-leave. Di ko kc sinabi na magttake ako ng board exam, mejo may attitude kc ang boss ko, power tripping. Please help, should I proceed to take the risk to take the CPA board this May 2016? I badly need your opinions

    ReplyDelete
  40. Hi Ms.Johanna,
    I am planning to take the refresher course this year. I failed 2006 and may 2007 board exam. After a decade gusto ko ulit subukan. Ask ko lang, during your refresher, may mga may edad na rin bang ngrefresh? Thanks😊

    ReplyDelete
  41. Hi Ms.Johanna,
    I am planning to take the refresher course this year. I failed 2006 and may 2007 board exam. After a decade gusto ko ulit subukan. Ask ko lang, during your refresher, may mga may edad na rin bang ngrefresh? Thanks😊

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi ms thess, sorry for the late reply. Pero hindi ko na po matandaan kung merong mga may edad na nagrefresher kase mga mukha naman silang bata. Pero anyway po, if you want to try again, don't let your age be a hindrance for you to earn your CPA license. :)

      Delete
    2. Hi Johanna! Tama ka wala naman sa edad yan nasa will and determination. 1999 pa ako graduate. I took the exam after graduation then failed. Nagreview nung 2010 failed again. Took the board exam this October 2016 na conditional na ko. Dalawa na lang AFAR/P2 and Law. konting push na lang CPA na. Kaya tyagaan lang at syempre yung kapit kay Lord. God bless sa lahat ng nangangarap[ na maging CPA. Laban lang.

      Delete
    3. Hi! Just like you, I also graduated a long time ago, year 1998 and never took the CPA Board. Now, after so many years, I am determined to take the refresher course. My question is, what is the suggested study habit or study method for someone like me who have long graduated. I'm not sure if I should read all of the undergrad textbooks again or if I should just start fresh with the refresher course materials. I honestly don't know where to start. I plan to join the May 2017 refresher and I may take it for a year depending on how I cope up. Any suggestion would be very much appreciated. Thank you in advance!

      Delete
  42. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  43. hello po! i'm planning to take the board exam in october 2017. mga kelan po dapat magpareserve para di mawalan ng slot.?

    ReplyDelete
  44. hello po! i'm planning to take the board exam in october 2017. mga kelan po dapat magpareserve para di mawalan ng slot.?

    ReplyDelete
  45. Hi, may tanong lang po ako.

    Nagtrabaho ka po ba habang nagre-review ka?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi. Yes. Nagwowork na ako nung nagboard ako ng 2nd and 3rd take ko.

      Delete
  46. Hi! Ask ko lang po, dba po kapag second taker na, pwede pa ring magtop sa actual boards. Pwede rin po ba kahit na refresher na or disqualified na pag ganun?

    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Hi can i ask, i graduated 1998 pa. And presently working sa Local Govt in accounting department. Gusto ko sanang mag board exam...what is the very first step that you could advise me to do. Thanks Godbless

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Go for CRC ACE zero based po sila perfect for us na long time grad. na

      Delete
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    ReplyDelete
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  51. Hi pwde ko po bang malaman during your refresher course nakapasok ka ba sa top 100 ng cpar?

    Thanks!

    At paano yung exam ng nrc? Mahirap ba?

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    1. Hi! Yes. I was included in the top 100 in the final preboard. Pero nasa lower rank na. 😅

      Yung exam ng NRC that time, ok lang naman. May mahirap, may hindi. Yung difficulty kase, subjective sya sa nagtatake ng test. 😊

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  52. Hello, Ms. Johanna! Hi everyone!

    My brother took the BLECPA this May and October 2016. Unfortunately, he did not pass both examinations. But we are still encouraging him to take the licensure exam this May 2017.

    Thank you for your very comprehensive review on these 2 tough review centers. I will definitely share this with him, for I am sure this will reignite his motivation, especially that he will also be on his 3rd try now. I am hoping and praying that like you, he will be blessed with a CPA license this time. I will tell him about your advice to take the refresher course more seriously (keeping complete notes, recording the lectures, practicing the problem sets, aiming to get into the top 100 in the preboard).

    I hope you could help us pray for him.

    Once again, my sincerest thanks, Ms. Johanna. God bless you and I wish you more success in life and in your profession.

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    1. Hi. Sure. Will pray for him and hope for the best. I hope that he would heed to your encouragement and have the heart and the will to take and pass the CPA board exam. Thank you. 😊

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  53. Hi Ms. Johanna, been reading some of the threads here and like others I graduated a long time ago. My first attempt to be a CPA is not successful and after allowing many years to pass by, I am planning now to push through my dream of getting my CPA license. And as a start I want to refresh myself first by reading and answering reviewer books before actually getting a refresher course and review proper. I am just a little bit torn between choosing the best review books I will be using. If you can share the reviewer books you used or books you can recommend, it will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for having this blog. :)

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    1. Hi I graduated 2001 and took the board exams again after 7 long years wayback in 2009. I reviewed in CRC-ACE they are zero based so it is as if you are starting all-over again. Try. I am a CPA now, I reviewed once took the actual board exam to peak on the actual thing failed, took again and was conditional took again and failed. When I gave it a shot one last that's when I hit the mark. CRC-ACE is where I reviewed.

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    2. I passed last 2012 and is now working in COA. You don't need books (suggestion ko lang) you need a handouts and a strong grasp of concepts for all the lessons and CRC is expert at that

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    3. Hi. Sorry for the super late reply, I only used the materials from the review school when I was reviewing. Some books that I used were Practical Accounting 1 and TOA by Atty. Valix and Practical Accounting 2 by Dayag

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  54. Graduate po ako ng Bachelor degree as Accounting Technology pwede po ba kumuha ng refresher course either sa CPAR O RESA? PLease help me po...

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  55. Hi, tanong lang po, pag refresher course ba, pwede saturday and sunday lng sched? What if bumagsak sa preboard hindi na ba makakakuha ng certificate?

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