[KADFC]

I need some advice with how I should approach this. I said I was going to do it, but I failed and the results were quite interesting. No, I’m not happy whatsoever. Failed not only once, but 4 exams in a spam of 2 months. I said I wasn’t going to look at my scores until June 10th and that is today.

4/04 – REG – 69 (Newly section)

4/21 – BEC – 73 (Improved, last was 66)

5/06 – AUD – 66 (Did worse, last was 72)

5/30 – FAR – 50 (Totally did worse, last was 62)

I’m trying to grasp what went wrong.

REG. New section for me. Stronger Business Law, Comparable Tax on Individual, Weaker everything else. I can’t believe my sim was weaker. 6 Points for pass. So Sim is the factor, I’m guessing. I hardly even took a look at any of the sims in both CpaExcel nor the ones in the TestBank. I can score high on the MCQs in all areas though, so why? I thought the MCQs are the building blocks for the sims?

BEC. This one surprised me the most. Previously, I got Stronger Info Systems, but now I’m Weaker? Last time was Comparable Economic Concepts, Stronger Info Systems, and Weaker everything else. This time Comparable Economic Concepts, Strategic Planning, Operations Management, Written Communication, Weaker everything else. I spent the same amount of time on all sections. It’s closer to the score, but I didn’t study for the WC whatsoever; I winged it, again. I really don’t know what to make of this because it doesn’t make any sense to me.

AUD. The MCQs was better, the Sim was worse, got a lower score. I never expected to be true, but it is. Last time it was Comparable Understandig the Entity, Evaluation and Reporting, and Sims; Weaker everything else. This time it was Stronger Understanding the Engagement, Understanding the Entity, Comparable Accounting and Review Services, Weaker everything else; including sims. I thought I did well on the sims; I didn’t have any issues understanding the question.

FAR. This one will be a big question mark. I got 62 last time and you tell me I got 50 this time? You already told me I was Weaker in ALL areas BEFORE, the report isn’t here yet, so you’ll still indicate I’m still weaker in all areas right? This one killed me the most because I spent way more time on this than restudying for the BEC and AUD retakes.

So, at this point in time, what should I do? I have all the time in the world, but with these results, I have no game plan. I’m getting quite tired of looking at the cpaexcel vids, that’s for sure. Even though the sims that are given in cpaexcel/WTB are really not similiar to the ones on the exam, does this really help?

FAR - 62 (10/2/13), 50 (5/30/14)
AUD - 73 (10/30/13), 66 (5/6/14)
REG - 69 (4/8/14)
BEC - 66 (2/27/13), 73 (4/21/14)

[Sandro]

How are you preparing for the exams KADFC? What review material are you currently using?

[KADFC]

CpaExcel, WTB, Ninja Notes, and Ninja Blitz. My WTB expires on early July, but I'm thinking of renewing it.

FAR - 62 (10/2/13), 50 (5/30/14)
AUD - 73 (10/30/13), 66 (5/6/14)
REG - 69 (4/8/14)
BEC - 66 (2/27/13), 73 (4/21/14)

[Sandro]

I passed BEC (75) and FAR (77) by using only Yaeger and WTB and then I failed AUD (67) so I figured I had to change something. I added the Ninja notes, Ninja audio, and the Ninja MC and sims. I increased my AUD score by 18 points and passed REG by more then just a few points. I think whatever material you are using, getting the Ninja audio and listening to it all the time when you are in your car is very beneficial. Also the new Ninja MC and sims are very beneficial because they are some what different then WTB. Although the sims on WTB and Ninja are not as long as the ones on the exam it helps you learn the concepts, which will help you significantly on the exam.

[KADFC]

Yet as of right now, seeing these results. Which section do you think I should tackle first?

FAR - 62 (10/2/13), 50 (5/30/14)
AUD - 73 (10/30/13), 66 (5/6/14)
REG - 69 (4/8/14)
BEC - 66 (2/27/13), 73 (4/21/14)

[Sandro]

I would recommend taking FAR first because that exam took me the longest to prepare for. I might be wrong but looking at your scores and the dates you have taken FAR and AUD, I think that you are taking too long between retaking the exam. I believe Jeff posted something about if you are withing 10 points of passing that you are very close of passing, and that you need to retake the exam as soon as possible and not move on to another test while the information is still fresh in your mind. Also, for REG, FAR, AUD are you leaving the exam with any time on the clock left or are you using every second of the time that you have?

[005]

4 exams in 2 months? God bless you

BEC - ✔
REG - ✔
AUD - ✔
FAR - 11/29/14

CPAExcel, Ninja MCQs, and a sh*t ton of coffee

[Anonymous]

My advice would be more time between sittings. This is an endurance race not a sprint. Try to pass your hardest test first, then you have 18 months to finish the others. Don't wait 18 months but certainly take more than 13 days.

[Sandro]

I agree with bbrandenburg10 taking 4 different exams in 2 months is way too much there is no way you are getting prepared properly for each exam. It took me 45-60 days just to get ready for one exam.

[Anonymous]

What bbrandenburg10 said. I only have two exams to base this off of, and this is only my personal opinion, but you need A LOT more time to review. I spent about 3.5 or 4 months on FAR, and I think it really paid off. Spent about a month on AUD, came up short. It's nice to get it out of the way, but don't force the issue.

You only need to start thinking about timing once you pass your first exam, so take the time to learn (my suggestion is FAR) and you can pick up the pace after your first pass, if you so desire.

[KADFC]

@ Sandro: “I believe Jeff posted something about if you are withing 10 points of passing that you are very close of passing, and that you need to retake the exam as soon as possible and not move on to another test while the information is still fresh in your mind.” So in my situation, I'm totally screwed right? Because I moved onto many sections. Alas, I ran out of time on ALL my exams. Especially BEC and their WC.

FAR - 62 (10/2/13), 50 (5/30/14)
AUD - 73 (10/30/13), 66 (5/6/14)
REG - 69 (4/8/14)
BEC - 66 (2/27/13), 73 (4/21/14)

[KADFC]

*sighs* I don't have a job and I'm worried that if I did find one, I'll lose time and motivation to study. I'm studying like 9 hours a day, everyday. How much I can absorb, I guess that's questionable.

So regardless, go with FAR, but with a longer review, right? Okay, I get it, more time between reviews.

FAR - 62 (10/2/13), 50 (5/30/14)
AUD - 73 (10/30/13), 66 (5/6/14)
REG - 69 (4/8/14)
BEC - 66 (2/27/13), 73 (4/21/14)

[Sandro]

I wouldn't say that you are screwed but you are just taking on way too much at once. If you just start taking one step at a time I believe the results will follow. How many hours did you study for each of the exam that you took them the first time?

[Anonymous]

The good news is that your scores show that you have a good foundation for all four exams. Everything you have done to this point is a sunk cost so don't worry about that, look at how close your scores are. You are actually in a pretty good position to pass.

[Anonymous]

Also, the more time you allow yourself to study for the next exam, the more time you'll find what works for you. Maybe you just didn't have a good method.

Also, you “study” 9 hours, but how much are you REALLY studying? Having a full time job almost helped me, because I KNEW my time studying must be used wisely. I work in public and I'm planning my wedding with my fiancee (she's been such a trooper), so when it comes time to hit the books, I am very focused.

[Sandro]

When you study as much as you do per day, having other review material becomes that much more important. Even though Ninja notes and audio had a lot similarity with the Yaeger review material it was presented just a little different that makes you understand the concepts better.

[Author]

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