[Erica H]

….. but you can’t make them drink.

A recent just-out-of-college hire at our firm confidently explained to me today that she plans to take two sections of the exam in November, and has started studying now for the first one.

I pointed out that ordinarily it’s not a super great idea to try to study for more than one of the exams at the same time, nor to stretch out your studying for any section longer than necessary, as the volume of material is too much and you then have to go back and re-study. I also suggested that if she wants to take two sections in one window, it would be better not to take them both in the same month.

I got a bunch of arguments, such as, “If that doesn’t work, then how do the people who sign up for all 4 sections at the same time do it?” I looked at her, realized that my advice was being blown off (not sure how I am lacking credibility seeing how I just passed the thing, but whatever).

If you want to spend 3x as long studying for each section as you need to, you go right ahead!

Ugh, my favorite type of person to work with is someone who has zero experience with something but is confident they know much more about it than I do.

AUD - 92
FAR - 73, 82
REG - 72, 82
BEC - 84 DONE!!!!!! 🙂

[Peanut]

Hmm she sounds a little stubborn. At my old job I worked under several CPA's, I took every piece of advice they gave me!

AUD 81 (X4) Previous scores 59, 72, 72
REG 80 (X3) Previous scores 59, 60
FAR 75 (X2) Previous score 67
BEC 79 (X2) Previous score 58

[IwannaBaCPA]

I hear ya! Honestly, she has to learn how to manage this exam for herself…I think we ALL started out with certain expectations and once we got going, we realized maybe our original plans needed to be adjusted…she will likely realize this too. I know someone that tried the same thing with confidence she would pass, but failed all 3 parts she took in one window…she studied for all 3 for about 5 months, then did a 2 week review, took the exam, 2 week review, took the exam, 2 week review, took the exam. She ended up losing the only part she passed as a result!

Some people insist upon learning the hard way!!

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

[kevin_bacon]

well it sounds like she wasn't really looking for any advice. it sounds like she was more looking to find a way to connect with people at her new job and now you came off looking like the negative, argumentative person at work.

[fizzle406]

I took both REG and AUD in November last year and passed them both. I found it easiest to spend no more than 3 weeks studying so everything was fresh in my mind. People learn in different ways. This new person at your firm knows what is best for her

[kb24]

I realize that you probably don't plan on talking to this person about the exam again. However, if you do, you are welcome to use my story as a support for your comments. As you see from my signature, I took and passed all my exams in 6 weeks.

First of all, the only reason I could do this is that studying was my life for about 3 1/2 months. Prior to FAR, I took an occasional day off and usually maxed out at about 9 hours/day. For the others, I didn't take a day off and studied 12-14 hours/day most days. I was able to manage this schedule because I don't work or have young children and do have a super supportive husband.

Secondly, my study plan changed early on, i planned to study for FAR, AUD, and at least part of REG and then spend the last week in March reviewing FAR. I intended to continue this thru the other exams i.e. spend the first few days studying for a future exam and the last week reviewing for the current one. I ended up omly studying for one test at a time, though. FAR took longer than expected so I wasn't ready to start on AUD until less than 2 weeks before FAR. Even if I had had more time, though, I don't think it would have been good to prepare for two exams at once. I felt like a full glass of water that would overflow if I added one more drop.

I got my masters in 12/05 so I might have required more time than a recent graduate would. However, I was an excellent student, and I doubt anyone would remember material from their earlier courses in sufficient detail for the exam.

FAR 4/1/11 - 89
AUD 4/15/11 - 85
REG 4/29/11 - 80
BEC 5/13/11 - 85

[Author]

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