[Tcohle]

I’m fairly new to the CPA world, so bear with me…

Okay so here’s the situation:

-I got a NTS for FAR and AUD, on March 13th that expires September 13th

-I took FAR May 11th and will find out my score May 27th

If I fail: I want to take FAR again July 1st, then AUD late August

If I pass: Currently I will start studying for AUD, and I’d like to take it early July.

If I passed FAR, then pass AUD on the first try, it would be a great opportunity to get REG in. If I don’t get REG in the 2nd Q test window, I’d have almost all of July, August, and September to study which is way too long! And a waste of time if my clock is ticking.

If I pass FAR and schedule AUD for July 1st or something, would I have enough time to apply for another NTS for REG and BEC in order to take REG in August? I suck at figuring out the timing for this!

TL;DR Scenarios in order of possible outcomes

1. Fail 1st attempt at FAR

—>Take FAR again July 1st

—>Pass 2nd attempt at FAR: Take AUD end of August, schedule rest for Q3

2. Pass 1st attempt at FAR

—>Take AUD beginning of July

—>Pass AUD: Do scenario above, applying for NTS and taking REG end of August to fit in Q2

—>Fail AUD: Take 2nd attempt at AUD October 1st

FAR- 5/11/15 76!!
AUD-10/31/15 63, 84!
REG-7/12/16 72
BEC-8/31/15 75!! Perfect Score!

Wiley CPAExcel Platinum
Ninja 10 pt combo for FAR/AUD/BEC

[kyle.brown]

Im in the same boat as you, i took FAR April 25th and wont find my score out until May 27th. I decided to go ahead and study for AUD since i didnt want to waste a month, I am taking AUD first of July then FAR if needed end of August.

FAR - Passed 4/2016
AUD - Passed 11/2015
REG - ?
BEC - 05/28/2016

[Anonymous]

I would wait. If you passed FAR, go ahead and get the NTS for REG. It depends on your state, but it only takes me a few days from the time I pay for the test to actually receive the NTS. Fails happen and life happens. No need to get the NTS too early only to lose money.

[Tcohle]

@Kyle yep doing the same thing. Wanted to take a few days off but I'm anxious to start studying.

@Beach Definitely waiting until I get my FAR score to do anything. Just trying to stay organized and prepared 🙂

FAR- 5/11/15 76!!
AUD-10/31/15 63, 84!
REG-7/12/16 72
BEC-8/31/15 75!! Perfect Score!

Wiley CPAExcel Platinum
Ninja 10 pt combo for FAR/AUD/BEC

[Anonymous]

In my opinion, other than the first one, never get an NTS until you're ready to schedule an exam. The first one takes the longest since they need to verify information but after the first one, the rest you receive within a day or two of applying.

Also, don't fall into the trap of “I'll save money by applying for multiple NTSs.” Just page through these forums and you'll see tons of threads of people applying for multiple NTSs and have it backfire on them when things don't go to plan. Sometimes it takes longer to study for a section than you thought it would. Or you fail an exam. Or life gets in the way. It's all the same and it usually ends with a person facing an expiring NTS and not being as prepared as they should be.

Finally, I never took any time off between exams (other than a weekend right after taking the exam). I would finish an exam and a couple of days later start studying my next section. I felt that I built up really good study habits and I didn't want to lose that focus by waiting on a Score.

Just my opinions.

[Tcohle]

I appreciate your opinions! Like I said I'm a little new at this so I want to get it right. I'm not worried about the whole saving money thing. This is all an investment. I have an irrational fear that if I don't get these out of the way my 18 months window will creep up on me!

FAR- 5/11/15 76!!
AUD-10/31/15 63, 84!
REG-7/12/16 72
BEC-8/31/15 75!! Perfect Score!

Wiley CPAExcel Platinum
Ninja 10 pt combo for FAR/AUD/BEC

[Zuly]

@Tcohle that is a good feeling to have…a sense of urgency. I know because I started studying mid June-2014 and here I am and only have one exam completely out of the way and waiting on AUD score so yes the year flies by. Thankfully, I passed FAR in February so the clock started ticking as of then but not for my materials which are expiring already at the end of 2015. I'm studying like a crazy person right now for BEC and hoping I can squeeze it in by the end of this month…we'll see. 🙂 Anyway, point being don't waste time and start studying. Also, wait until you get your FAR score until you decide what you're going to do about your NTS for the next couple of exams. I got ahead of myself and almost lost AUD. So it's true what Angelwatch says, life gets in the way, you fail a test, etc. etc.

FAR - (11/01/14) 71 (02/07/15) 79
AUD - (04/30/15) 86
BEC - (07/21/15) 73 (10/01/15) 75
REG - (11/30/15) 55 (05/19/16) 74

[Tscape16]

I'd do it in two section blocks. By that I mean rotate between two sections until you pass one. Once you pass one, add another into the mix so you're not wasting your 18 months when you do pass. The only reason I went all four is because I wanted to be a CPA before Christmas. I knew the pressure would make me pass. So far, so good. 🙂

FAR - 90 ✔
BEC - 86 ✔
REG - 82 ✔
AUD - 92 ✔
ETHICS - Passed

*Licensed CPA

[Author]

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