[F5 to Refresh]

OK..I know this question has been posted before, and I did search, but did not find a whole lot of information. I failed FAR with a 72, I used Becker and tried to cram everything into 4.5 weeks (really wish I knew about that extension) and took my exam on 2/28. I have not touched my material since. At this point what would be the best strategy for re-studying? Should I go through the entire program again, or should I simply order the “Final Review”? I have already purchased Jeff’s Ninja Guide and plan on going through that material as well…

I am confident the Sims killed me since I left four of them pretty much blank. I was able to complete the Becker Sims within an hour without much difficulty, so that is how much time I allocated to the Sims during the exam, I ended up running out of time.

Any/All thoughts are appreciated.

AUD 79 Q4 2010 - NY
BEC 84 Q4 2010
REG 79 Q1 2011
FAR 86 Q2 2011 - Done

[SamCPAwannabe]

I took FAR in January 2011 and I passed it. In my opinion, the actual MCQs are not difficult, but the simulations are challenging. None of the simulations in my exam is similar to Becker's practice simulation, except Research Tab… However, I saved plenty of time for simulation testlet so I was able to finish it on time.

Regrading for my study plan, I used only Becker course material. In my opinion, I would suggest you to practice MCQ everyday and simulation for restudying. Focus on the simulations that you left blanked during the exam and other weak parts as well. Also, restudy all the core concepts for each chapter which have high chance to be tested as simulation. For other minor stuffs, just go though your own notes and practice MCQ should be okay.

[F5 to Refresh]

Thanks Sam and Congratulations on passing FAR.

Anyone know where to find additional practice simulations?

AUD 79 Q4 2010 - NY
BEC 84 Q4 2010
REG 79 Q1 2011
FAR 86 Q2 2011 - Done

[Anonymous]

@ F5 to Refresh – As I was reading your post, I thought “did I post this”? I had the EXACT experience (used becker and got through SIMS in no time but ran out of time on the exam, left about 4 blank, took on 2/28, and got a 72). Unfortunately, because I am in the same position, I am not really able to give you advice. 🙂 But, for what its worth, I have been utilizing the “Quiz” portion of Becker on each chapter which gives me an idea of which areas I am weak in. I have found this helps more than doing the MCQ's in the homework section because I am getting a true gauge of what I don't know (by not being able to look at my mistakes after I answer every question and it tells you the sections of that chapter you are weak in).

It does give me comfort to know that even though I failed, it was mostly because I did not manage my time during the exam. I think this time, if we leave at least 1.5 hours for SIMS we should be able to pass with flying colors.

Good luck this time around!

[F5 to Refresh]

@ Count. Thanks for sharing your experience. I think I may order the final review to get me back into studying.

AUD 79 Q4 2010 - NY
BEC 84 Q4 2010
REG 79 Q1 2011
FAR 86 Q2 2011 - Done

[Anonymous]

Hey Count_712. I see your retaking FAR on 4/11/11. I am kinda in the same boat as you. I retook FAR for a second time and failed with a 71 even tho i did stronger in all categories exept “presentation” which is worth a third and did weaker on the sims. My FAR expires on 4/5/11 but i sent my payment to register like 10 days ago. What is your strategy for studying in such a short time, do you think it possible with a fulltime job too? I am using Becker and wiley supplement and just purchase Gleim MC.

[Anonymous]

Ok, so first of all – how did you get info about how well you did in each category? I am in MO – not sure if we have access to that or not.

As far as studying, I was so confident that I failed that I started re-studying the day after I took the test on 2/28. So, I have been going through each Becker Chapter again and attacking the material that I know I didn't focus well enough on the first time around (non-profit/government). It sounds like you might want to follow F5's strategy and get the Final Review from Becker with such short time. I am trying to get away with not spending any more $ on review materials so let's hope that doesn't bite me in the rear.

With a full time job I try to do 1 hour in the morning, 30 minutes at lunch, 2 hours at night. I log in about 6 hours/day on the weekends. SUCKS!

Good luck!!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice, Im in CA and we get a “score report” when we access our account, which breaks down our performance. I think the Becker Final review would be good. Im planning to cram all i can this weekend as if im taking it 4/5/11 and see how fast i can get through everything and see if everything is still fresh. What are you doing for SIMS caused i scored weak there?

[Mmilito]

How long did you guys study for, because I am at the same thing as the person above (1 hour in the morning and 2-3 hours at night, 6-9 on my days off) but I've been doing it for 12 weeks, did you guys study for that long?

FAR 92
AUD 91
BEC 11/06/2011
REG 02/01/2012

[Anonymous]

Mmilito, yeah this will be my third time taking it so i have been doing it for a while, im really close, it looks like the SIMS are the only problem so Im thinking about hitting those hard, maybe leave more than the hour i left. How fast are u getting through the material and what type of studying are you doing (i.e mostly MS or Sims, Becker/Wiley)? I am glad im not the only one in this.

[Anonymous]

I'm trying to figure out my study plan too… just found out I failed FAR (took it on 2/24)… I am taking AUD 4/2 and then don't start taking the Becker class for REG until 4/18. I was thinking of trying to sit again for FAR around 4/23 – do you think that would be do-able? I have the final review material to study from Becker, but I'm just not sure that three-ish weeks would be enough time to get ready for FAR again. I'd only be one class into REG and then I have BEC starting right after REG so this would really be the only time I could try to take it before July. Thoughts?

[Mmilito]

I'm getting through very fast I used Wiley with Yagear and I am doing 1-2 modules per day and then on the weekend 3-4 modules. I have been doing all the multiple choice and SIMS from the wiley book and getting about 80-90% right

I spent all of January doing the videos and then the last two months with the MCQ and SIMS

FAR 92
AUD 91
BEC 11/06/2011
REG 02/01/2012

[Anonymous]

I think I need to spend more time on the SIMS – my fear is that I already “know” the answers to the Becker ones so don't know how useful they will be. I'll look at Wiley tonight…

[Anonymous]

Thanks Mmilito,

To Elle, I think you could do it if you really cram, the problem that I have is that I lose credit after 4/5 so i dont want to take another exam if i feel i can pass. I have Becker too, is there anyway you could move REG to a later date. Maybe take AUD, then go back to FAR and then REG. I believe they let you switch dates. I would try to take FAR this next window while its fresh in your mind. I would def. get Wiley as a supplement, most people have atleast 2 sets of different materials they stufy for. Wiley has a lot of SIMS too.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Drod57 – I agree.. I really want to take FAR again in this next window because even between 2/24 and now I feel like I don't remember quite a bit… thanks for the advice on Wiley.

[2010Please]

Hey folks, I'll give my two cents worth. I failed FAR in November 2010, and I felt I had a pretty good grasp on everything except NFP. However, my grasp wasn't tight enough to give me the speed to get through the FAR exam. Plus there were some way out questions on that exam, plus I was completely exhausted from non-stop studying, working, and family obligations for the previous five months – to the point of being sick the entire week before the exam.

So, this time, I took a little break in December to regain my health, then started going back over all my Becker stuff again with my 2011 updates (I found that Becker had improved their explanations in some areas, which helped me a lot, compared to the 2010 books). I also used Yaeger for areas where I felt I needed a little extra tender loving care to make it stick and to move through the exam quickly (bonds, leases, cash flows). For the most part, I'm a Becker student and prefer the quick review of the basics, but I did not like their cash flows statement section. I'll have to give a shout out to Cindy at Yaeger, especially on cash flows – I love, love, love her quick and dirty “fake cash” method for cash flows. She also helped it stick for me on bonds and leases. Getting all the FAR material down well enough that I could move QUICKLY through every topic allowed me to improve my time management, which saved my butt on my February 24th retake – Thanks Cindy!!!

However, I still didn't get to complete my research tabs…just ran out of time, and opted to leave them blank and tackle some of the longer TBSs. Netted an 85, so I'm happy. FAR, for me, was in a league of its own – toughest dang exam I've ever encountered.

AUD 92, REG 85, BEC 90, FAR 85
Ethics 100
Obtained License 7/11/11 🙂

[Author]

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