[FutureHokieCPA]

Unfortunately, the only time available for me to take my FAR Exam on 8/28 was at 4 PM! How would you all schedule your day in this situation? I want to be sure I don’t burn out by reviewing for too many hours before the exam but I feel like it will be hard to keep my mind off of it. I took the day off of work and this is my plan:

• Wake up around 8 or 9 and eat a quality breakfast
• Review from 10-12
• Go on a run or workout from 12-1
• Shower/eat lunch 1-2
• Final review from 2-3

Is 3 hours of study the day of an exam too much? This is my first exam so any input would be valuable. Thanks in advance 🙂

FAR-72,80
AUD-74,88
BEC-89
REG-72,82

[krokofilen]

I would personally not review on the exam day, not even on the day before the exam day. My recommendation would be to just relax, and make sure you work out and eat properly. What you don't know at that point, you will not know during the exam either.

Big 4 Audit Manager from Europe here to pass the CPA in the U.S. of A in 2014! Niiice!

AUD - 95 / Jul 15 / 130h over 4 weeks
FAR - 86 / Aug 14 / 240h over 4 weeks
(11 week break)

REG - 81 / Nov 14 / 200h over 4 weeks
BEC - 87 / Nov 17 / 30 h over 2.5 days

[hvansaders]

The most I do the day of an exam is read notes and go through a few flashcards. I don't like to practice any questions because if I don't do well on them I would go into the exam with a negative outlook. You want your mind to be fresh going into the exam so don't over do it. I also feel that at that point you aren't going to learn anything new so I just try to take it easy.

[Kimboroni]

I review but don't do any MCQs. My short term memory relies heavily on last minute memorization, so no way would I stop reviewing right before a test.

It looks like what I might do in that situation. It looks light enough to keep it low stress, but still effective.

AUD 84 (1/9/14-Wiley books/TB + free materials)
FAR 83 (5/21/14-the above + NINJA 10 Pt Combo Lite)
REG 84 (7/9/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC/Notes)
BEC 76 (10/5/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC)

Disclaimer: My ninja avatar is not meant to imply that I have any affiliation with this site other than being a forum member. That's a pic of a T-shirt that my daughter gave me for my birthday. 🙂

[FutureHokieCPA]

Thank you all for your feedback. I am going to adhere to your advice and only glaze over my most emphatic points and save all of my problem solving for the exam and maintain a positive attitude going in!

Hopefully I'll have enough energy afterwards for a few celebratory drinks 😉

FAR-72,80
AUD-74,88
BEC-89
REG-72,82

[jpowell31]

mines at 4PM too for the same reason and am wondering the same thing. i need to review something or i'll feel like i'm wasting time but 4PM is about the time of day i would burn out anyway so would definitely not review too much.

i'm going to not set any alarms…i'll either have slept terrible due to anxiety and need the extra sleep or will wake up rested, early. eat breakfast, review notes until 1:30 and grab a late lunch and take a walk/watch some tv (& drink some COFFEE). i'll probably head to the testing center around 3. there's only been one madhouse prometric (of 4 i've been to) that's been behind schedule and usually if i get there early they'll let me sit early (3 times i've gone in 20-40 mins ahead of sceduled time)… otherwise i'll review notes for half hour or so while i wait.

[Ken]

Hi,

Let me tell you my last 2 experiences taking the exam in the afternoon at 5 o'clock. ..(and luckily I received a score above 75 for both). I worked on both of the exam day and I usually get off work at 11am. ( i started at 7:00pm) I then went straight home and eat a tiny bit and took a good nap ( around 1hr -1:30). When I woke up, I feel so fresh and I feel like I am ready. I spent 1 hour just to read ninja notes and review the past AICPA released question just to grab the feeling ( I know you already grind them the last couple days but review them before the exam give you a good feeling.) I then drive to work and make sure to be there 1 hour early with a cup of Starbuck. Drink here. Walk around, go wash your face with cold water and eat a tiny snack. At that time, I am 100% ready and can't wait to get in that room.

Everyone is different so I just let you know my story so that you can take something out of it. Taking the exam late in the afternoon is not totally bad. I like it especially it is on Friday because the room is really quiet, I can pick whatever seat that I want and when I finish the exam, I just went straight home and enjoy my weekend. Good luck my friend. I think you will be ok.

REG : 62, 67, 81. Tick- Expire 01/02/2016
BEC : 72, 67,71,76. Tick Expire 10/25/2015
AUD : 60, 62, 62, 74(8/30) - 10/1/2015 - oh geez
FAR : 68, 64, 72(7/24) - 10/20/2015- oh geez

I am WHINING...

" Just take it without worrying about the 75. Man, that is not easy!"

[jternida1]

Just because you are scheduled to take the exam at 4 doesn't mean you have to take it then; you can always take it earlier. From my experience, everytime I get there early they have a seat ready for me within 15 minutes of checking in. So if I were you just show up at the time you prefer, and ask if you can take the test early.

AUD: 74, 67, 76!
BEC: 70, 75!
FAR: 76!
REG: 67, 73, 79!

Using Roger Review Course, Ninja Flashcards, WTB & book

[lvr21]

I had a test schedule for 4 or 5 and I was able to take it early. I got in around 12ish and was able to finish before I was suppose to even go in! Just call your CPA site and see if they would be able to squeeze you in earlier!

{R: PASSED!! (I passed one!)}
{B: PASSED!! (Halfway there!)}
{F: PASSED!! (1 left!!!)}
{A: PASSED(I am done!!)}

[h0wdyus]

You can study till late at night. Get up at about 12 pm .. Don't do any review.. just relax, drink lots of water early on and not just before exam, ( so you don't need breaks during the test), have a good hearty breakfast, eat your vitamins, do some stretches, get to center by 2 or 3 pm. They will take you in for the test early, like other pointed out.

FAR - 81 29th Aug 2013
AUD - 84
REG - 82
BEC - 89 29th Aug 2014
Using Yager

FROM NJ

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't review the day of the exam. I have heard of that throwing off your game. Go Hokies! Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I always reviewed the day of. I even brought my text along in the car and skimmed it for 20-30 minutes in the parking lot before walking in, since I made it a point to get there early. Not that I ever learned anything new at that point since I read the book cover-to-cover, but at the very least, recognizing the material and being able to associate it with facts from memory served as a psychological boost before walking in. I don't see how thumbing through the material one last time could possibly hurt.

[thechapman]

I took FAR at 4pm as well. Even though people say not to do too much before your exam, it's really hard not to when it is that late in the day. I did MCQs from the time I woke up until the time I left my house, and then even brought some notes with me to look over while I waited in the parking lot.

On one hand, it might be good to try to let yourself relax the day of the test. For me, it was impossible to relax so I just went ahead and kept reviewing. If you're not the type to get freaked out easily, I think it could be good because it keeps your mind “in the zone”. That was my experience anyway.

Passed - 2014

[FutureHokieCPA]

@jpowell and @krokofilen–Good luck on your exams today! Let us know how it goes.

FAR-72,80
AUD-74,88
BEC-89
REG-72,82

[univegabw]

I had a 3:30 test and was off that day so I slept to a reasonable time of 730 or 8. After that I had breakfast and was listening to ninja audio at the same time. I then took a quick hour long bike ride and came back and drilled ninja flash cards till test time just quickly reading through them.

I think it worked out well for BEC as I left feeling very good and I wasn't burnt out during the test.

A- 53, 55
B- Passed!
F- Not Yet Taken
R- 1/17/2015

[Pumpkins]

If I was in your situation, I'd do this exactly (I have 1 PM exams):

Wake up and go to Yoga or your workout of choice (I did this before AUD and it had me so relaxed)

Take one pass through of key notes, formulas just to have it in your short term memory right before

Eat a good meal to give you energy right before

You'll be fine, especially if you are not a morning person, a 4pm exam will be a blessing!

AUD- 93
BEC- 81
FAR- 1/26/2015
REG- TBD

CIA Exams Passed in March, 2014

[Author]

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