[whitepiglet]

I took FAR in 2008 with 50. Then I stop right there…. After three years, I’m back! As I know there are so much changes in the exam. Which paper should I take first? Any recommendation?

[T-rex]

I took them in the order of what I consider to be easiest to most difficult:

AUD

BEC

REG

FAR (this one is up next)

Had I taken FAR first, I would have been very overwhelmed. It has taken me about twice as long to prepare for as any other section.

AUD - 95, BEC - 85
REG - 85, Rawrrrrrr FAR - 88
Used Becker for all sections.
CA candidate not residing in CA

[mla1169]

T Rex I did the opposite LOL! I read somewhere (and I thought it was from Jeff, but I may be mistaken) that its a good idea to take the hardest one first, because if you fail that one, your 18 month window to pass all 4 hasn't started yet. I started with FAR because again, I read somewhere that it was hardest. So now that one doesn't expire until April of 2012 giving me 3 windows to pass what has been said to be the easiest of the 4.

For me personally (and this is not true for everybody) taking 2 exams in the same window was a big mistake. Thats why I failed AUD once already.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Herbieherb]

Ya far for last…in the beginning it was so hard for me to study more than 2 hrs a day…by the time I took far I was so diciplined. It's like training for a marathon, small victories build momentum and confidence. If I studied far first and failed I would've given up and not be a cpa today.

NEW YORK- DONE

[T-rex]

I might have given up too, Herbie, had I begun with FAR. However, I definitely see the wisdom in mla's strategy. I hadn't looked at it that way before. Boy, that window flies by quickly, doesn't it?

What's funny is that when I set out to take them in the order I did, I thought I was taking them in order of hardest to easiest. I had no idea what was in store for me. I'm glad things worked out the way they did though.

AUD - 95, BEC - 85
REG - 85, Rawrrrrrr FAR - 88
Used Becker for all sections.
CA candidate not residing in CA

[Herbieherb]

Yep I'm dramatic and emotional…if failed far due to.poor study strategy or whatever. I would give up. The other strategy kinda sux if you can't pass Aud or bec and your 18 months lapses, taking far or REG again and the amount of hours you need to.put into it to pass again would be devastating. By the time I was down to far I can study after work for 4 straight hrs, had like till Feb 2012 to pass…so I had 4 times to fail it, which wasn't gonna happen. But everyone got different strategies. Me and t-rex got the same idea rawr!

NEW YORK- DONE

[T-rex]

Rawrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, Herbie!!! Rawrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

AUD - 95, BEC - 85
REG - 85, Rawrrrrrr FAR - 88
Used Becker for all sections.
CA candidate not residing in CA

[IwannaBaCPA]

Remember that everyone is different. For me, I took them in whatever order the Becker Online course had already determined for me.

BEC, FAR, AUD and up next is REG.

I would not suggest saving FAR for last…I think the 18 month window issue can really become a problem if you do that. Also, I am on my last exam and am really struggling with motivation and focus. I would be really screwed if FAR was last for me…

I would suggest taking 2 per window. Study for 1 in the off month and take it within the first 2 weeks of the window, then you have about 6 weeks for the other section. That way you can maximize your time during the 18 month window.

I don't think FAR and REG should be taken close together. They are very involved and require a lot of prep time. I think it is easy to become overwhelmed without trying to do both of these in 1 window…

This is my advice based on my own personal experience…good luck to you!

BEC: 79 - April 2011
FAR: 78 - May 2011
AUD: 81 - May 2012
REG: 79 - October 2012
Ethics: Passed - March 2013
I am finally DONE!

[Anonymous]

I am taking them in the order that Yaeger recommends which is FAR, AUD, BEC, REG. They told me to take AUD right after FAR because you are auditing Financial Statements. I am also spending 4 months studying FAR b/c it's so much material. So my 18 month window won't start until after I am done studying for the hardest/longest part. The thing I am worried about though is losing credit for FAR and having to take it again. Although the thought of that would probably be enough motivation to get me through the other 3 parts. Plus I figure if I can get through FAR, I can most likely get through the other 3 parts. So if I can't pass FAR, I won't have wasted money on the other 3 sections.

[whitepiglet]

Thank you all! I'm now searching Becker deal at eBay. Seems like the printed text book is not available but PDF version is more popular and the price really vary…. Anyone has experience getting Becker material at eBay? As for the Becker Final review, do you think it will be helpful or just the regular course Review is good enough?

[Author]

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