[Jsn3004]

This was my first exam I’ve taken and i’m beyond disappointed from scoring a 69. I wasn’t able to see how well I did and what I need to improve on. I’m not surprised I failed because I simply ran out of time. I only had one hour when I started the sims, left one blank, and one other one might as well been blank (So pretty much 5 sims were actually completed). Clearly I need work on my speed.

I don’t know if I should start over, or keep studying and just work on getting faster. I used CPAExcel and used NinjaMCQ to finish, but I’ve seen the MCQ’s for Ninja so I probably remembered alot of answers. Should I just keep doing CPAExcel MCQs, or maybe get a new set of MCQs like the Wiley book or something? I know a 69 isn’t the worst score in the world but it’s very far away from passing.

I’d appreciate any advice.

Thank you.

[Run]

Hey,

I wouldn't worry to much about your score being “very far away from passing”. I don't think the number is a good indicator of your knowledge. No one knows how this thing works and your 69 could just be because the test you got focused more attention on your weaker topics that others were strong on.

Your next exam could focus on your strengths and others might struggle on those topics therefore giving you a “very high score”.

Hard to say, but keep pushing on and don't give up!

FAR 75 (5/19/16)
REG TBD
AUD TBD
BEC TBD

[mksuh06]

What I did for the FAR exam was learn the concepts as best as possible. I paid extra attention to the non-profit and government accounting topics since these two sections MAY account for a large portion of the exam.

When it came to the actual exam…within the first 10 minutes prior to actually starting the exam, I would jot all my notes down onto the provided dry erase forms first.

Then I would start the exam giving 45 minutes on each testlet 1, 2, 3 and the remaining hour and 45 minutes to the sims.

I stuck strictly with the time frame. I would go through testlet 1 and answer all the short easy ones first while skipping over the longer more difficult ones (I would flag these). Then if I would go back to work on the flagged questions. I would watch the clock carefully making sure not to run over my 45 minutes. If need be, guess at the answers and then move on. You want to mark an answer within your 45 minutes. This way at least you have a fighting chance.

Then repeat for testlet 2 and 3.

Then you should have enough time to work on the sims. With the sims also, work on the easier ones first.

The logic is that 60% of your score is weighted towards the multiple choice. So missing several on the multiple choice (in actuality) really won't account for much towards your score. So don't spend TOO MUCH time on a particular question. Just move on. Time is key on the FAR exam.

Hope you gets some ideas from this. Good luck!!

[Jsn3004]

Thanks, I know I need to go faster and also make sure I get the basic concepts down. Just a crappy feeling when you don't even know what you should be spending more time reviewing.

[Jsn3004]

I wasn't sure if anyone has used Ninja Notes for FAR and would recommend them?

[Missy]

Start from scratch as if you never took it before. Your next test will be completely different.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[.]

If you've memorized the questions in CPAExcel and Ninja, you might want to try another review course for FAR. What was your study method with CPAExcel and Ninja?

I ran out of time on FAR too. I wanted to leave 1 hour and 30 minutes but had to go to the bathroom, so ended up with 1 hour and 20 minutes because of all the sign in/sign out nonsense. Ended up leaving 1 SIM completely blank and was in the middle of fixing another SIM that I could have possibly fixed had I had more time. Somehow I passed though.

I'd say you need at least 1 hour and 45 minutes for the SIMs if you are not a fast test taker. The first testlet is medium, so plan on that one taking less time than the 2nd and 3rd ones.

FAR - June 2016 - 88
REG - July 2016 - 89
AUD - Aug 2016 - review phase currently
BEC - Sep 2016 -

Wiley CPA Excel & Ninja MCQ

[Jsn3004]

Well I think I memorized more Ninja MCQs not Ninja. I didn't use Ninja until after I was done with CPA Excel. But my study methods weren't so great with CPAExcel, once I finished a section, I never went back to review it, I didn't take advantage of any of the diagnostic tests or do the review MCQ after I finished, I only did Ninja.

[Author]

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