To calm my nerves before the exam, I usually just start reading my Beckerbook. I read areas that I'm not so comfortable with. Read very slowly and just take it in, because by this point, you probably know what you're going to know anyways. The reading not only reinforces material, but it's something “low-stress” that you can do that will still make you feel like you're doing something beneficial.
A lot of people say that they relax before the exam and don't even think about it…but I would just feel too nervous to do that, haha.
I have been studying for my retake of FAR on 2.26 since the 1st of December. We've had a few snow days here in OK so I'm averaging at lease 30 hours a week and 150 or so MCQs a day. I've finished all of the Becker MCQs and lectures, have done almost all of the Wiley MCQs, completed about 50% of the CPAexcel work, written out over 300 flash cards and then typed them up; copied out Jeff's Ninja notes BUT I'm still not sure if I'll be ready. I have to pass both FAR and BEC (5th time for BEC) by May or I lose my AUD credit.
I took a Becker practice final last weekend and averaged about a 72%. I know my weak areas are nonmonetary exchanges, percentage of completion, $ value LIFO and Retail method LIFO. At this point I don't know if I should just brush over those areas and focus on things like bonds, leases, pensions, SHE, and cash flows to make sure my strong points are solid or spend the next couple of weeks just reviewing everything.
If you scored a 72% on Becker's final then you should be VERY confident in your exam ability. I scored a 58% on my FAR Becker final and ended up with a 78 on the exam — on top of that I ran out of time with TWO simulation tabs TOTALLY blank.
Dhuffman for all my exams I used Becker only and I passed the first try Thank God. I give you props for trying hard and not giving up. In my opinion its not a matter of how many books we read, what matter is understanding the concept. I always question Why? For yuor final review I would concentrate on your weak areas…you can do it 🙂
Good Luck JAN 🙂 Think of it as you have already passed the exam.
My advice, read the questions slowly for AUD. This was my mistake. I did not fail the exam my first time because it was hard or Becker didn't prepare me enough..
It was simply that I read the MCQ way toooo quickly. Every word in the MCQ needs to be read carefully. I wish I knew this before the exam!
My results were weak on MCQ, Better than most on Sims, average on WC. I always thought Sims is what did me in.. but this exam it was because I went throug the MCQ too quickly.. I wish I could go back 🙂
Good Luck again. .. I have my AUD retake on 2/23.. I'm sooooooooooooooooo ready and excited 🙂
Thanks! Thanks for posting your feelings of the exam too! I'm looking forward to mine in the next two weeks.. although I've been slacking on the studying. I think if I fail the next one, I'm going to take months away from studying and come back to it! haha.. I need/WANT a break!! 🙂
CPA someday…you will pass this time with the will of God 🙂
I know I haven't received my Audit score yet but I want to take Ethics while waiting….it seems like you Aced Ethic exam..I don't even know where to start..where did you get the materials to study for the exam? how much? do you have to take it online or @ a test center? what is the total fee for exam?
If you could guide me to the right direction that will be great 🙂
The BEST last minute advice I can give is to REST. Do not overdo it right before your exam.
My best scores were when my head was clear and rested. Last Saturday I took BEC. Beforehand, I felt so unprepared. I crammed and did as many practice exams and mcq as I could. BIG MISTAKE! I got very little sleep that week and was exhausted on exam day.
Now I am remembering questions that I should have known, but answered incorrectly because I wasn't thinking clearly.
The day before: study lightly, eat well, sleep at least 8 hours. I'm the old mother hen of this forum. Listen to me!
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