[Hmmmmm]

Any recommendations in relation to the new exam format? I remember cramming for 2 days back in 2015 and getting a 73 with the old format. I am using Roger and just started yesterday w/ an exam scheduled for October 7th which gives me a little less than 3 weeks.

I tried to cram FAR in a week (listened to lectures passively at work and attempted 200 MCQ, no SIM practice) just recently and bombed with a 51 (not surprising) so now I am nervous! I was able to do the same with AUD and passed with a 76, but I also had 4 years of audit/comp & review experience and again with the old format.

I wonder if I should push back and give myself AT LEAST 4 weeks.

Thanks in advance!

[reallytired]

I took 5 weeks to study for BEC with the new format and passed with an 80! I think 4 weeks is doable as long as you get through all the information and do as many mcq as you can. I think I had about 1,000 mcq done when I took the test (that doesn't include redoing questions when I did review quizzes) and had practiced sims a bit (not much). I also memorized the WC layout that is floating around this website somewhere.

B 10/29/16
A 10/1/16
R 9/2/16
F 7/26/16

[shawn in VA]

Do not underestimate BEC. People say its “easy” I got 2-74's and finally got and 81 finally. It is a bunch of unrelated information that is tested (IT, econ, cost acct, operations mgmt, COSO). The IT Questions are out of left field on the exam and no review course covers it thoroughly.

In total I put in about 200 hours for all three tries. Keep in mind I am 10 years out of school though.

[Hmmmmm]

Thank you both for sharing your experiences. I am trying not to underestimate them for sure (the 51 is still stuck in my head). FAR was a kick in the butt that I can't just sleep through these exams.

[Anonymous]

I put in nearly 200 hours and scored an 87 on the Old exam. BEC was one of my stronger areas because I did really well in my undergrad 101 classes. I'd say put in a minimum of 120 hours – especially with the changes. Of course, there are smarty pants out there who could pass with less than 100 hours but that's really pushing it. Rather than focusing on hours, focus on how well you are learning the material while studying.

Goodluck.

[CPAcandidate3]

If you're willing to buckle down you absolutely can do BEC in 3 or 4 weeks. I think the whole you need to study 100+ hours for each test is BS. My average time studying was around 60 hours and I didn't fail any exams. It had way more to do with being efficient than being smart. Improve your weak areas, don't perfect your strong areas and only do new MCQ questions.

[Hmmmmm]

Thank you both.

[shawn in VA]

I could not pass under the old version of the exam. Oddly I passed with the new version which had SIMS. The SIMS were not bad, but one was super long.

Also note it depends which exam version you get and how that version plays into your strengths and weaknesses. Sometime it is a game of luck.

[Matt]

I was the same as @reallytired, BEC the shorest part took five week.

You need to get a handle on the material and follow up with many mcq's, passive listening isn't going to cut it.

FAR 74

[Author]

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