[Anonymous]

Hello all,

Well I received the disappointing news today that I failed REG again with a 74…I couldn’t believe it. This would have been my last exam. Anyways, I am prepping my schedule for my next attempt and was wondering if you have any tips on how to restudy? I HAVE to pass this next one or I will lose my AUD credit and probably my sanity…

I have 2013 Becker and the new 2014 Wiley Testbank. My Becker book is out of date now unfortunately, so I think i’ll just use the eBook to take notes. I’m definitely going to re-write my notes as part of my final review (I haven’t done this before but feel this may be the trick to passing this section?). REG has succeeded in pushing me into angry study mode for the next month but if anyone has any recommendations I would greatly appreciate it.

Hopefully third time is a charm…

[GSU-CPA]

Ouch that has to be heartbreaking man. You are strong study hard give it all you got so that you can pass it next time. I m just starting to study for REG.

I wish you the best of luck.

REG-77
BEC -Waiting on score May 5th
AUD - May 30
FAR - Q3 depending on if i pass above two in Q2

[GSU-CPA]

Ouch that has to be heartbreaking man. You are strong study hard give it all you got so that you can pass it next time. I m just starting to study for REG.

I wish you the best of luck.

REG-77
BEC -Waiting on score May 5th
AUD - May 30
FAR - Q3 depending on if i pass above two in Q2

[longnguyen87]

@CPASeeker,

Sorry to hear that. You just missed it by a point. Don't be discouraged about it.

I think the best advice is trying to see what topics are your weak points and focus your energy on it. Think about the MCQs and SIMs you saw in the exam, it may give you some idea how to approach and study for the exam.

You will pass it next time. Good luck

BEC 91 (01/06/13)
REG 91 (01/24/13)
FAR 86 (02/10/13)
AUD 93

Feel so close 😀

[longnguyen87]

@CPASeeker,

Sorry to hear that. You just missed it by a point. Don't be discouraged about it.

I think the best advice is trying to see what topics are your weak points and focus your energy on it. Think about the MCQs and SIMs you saw in the exam, it may give you some idea how to approach and study for the exam.

You will pass it next time. Good luck

BEC 91 (01/06/13)
REG 91 (01/24/13)
FAR 86 (02/10/13)
AUD 93

Feel so close 😀

[10keyLeah]

@CPAseeker – so close! I was in the same position in the last window and failed REG with a 74.

Like longnguy said, study your weak points. For me, my weak spot was several areas in tax. A good understanding tax is critical to passing REG. Don't slack on knowing professional responsibilities topics either.

Also, take advantage of AICPA released questions and SIMS. Good luck!

Ninja Combo, Yaeger, Wiley -- Licensed CPA, May 2015

[10keyLeah]

@CPAseeker – so close! I was in the same position in the last window and failed REG with a 74.

Like longnguy said, study your weak points. For me, my weak spot was several areas in tax. A good understanding tax is critical to passing REG. Don't slack on knowing professional responsibilities topics either.

Also, take advantage of AICPA released questions and SIMS. Good luck!

Ninja Combo, Yaeger, Wiley -- Licensed CPA, May 2015

[Anonymous]

I failed FAR with a 74 as well on Monday so I understand how you feel as you cope with the result. My suggestion as I am going through it myself is take a few days for it to sink in, understand that you have all the control to improve your score and find the areas of weakness both from a knowledge perspective in the REG materials in your case as well as mental component. I feel the CPA exam is more of a mental challenge than is the actual core materials. You have to have that mentality that through hell or high water I will pass this thing and stick with that approach.

After a few days and you have time to study get back to it. I would suggest studying for the exam as if you are learning it the first time. This may require re-reading the book, re-taking notes and re-doing MCQs. Nonetheless, this will help you identify your strong topics and your weak topics. If you don't already, buy the Becker final review it brings it all together a few days before the exam and gives you a crash course of all the main topics.

I hope this suggestion helps. You will pass REG this next time around I know you will. Stick with it and don't lose sight of your goal. Best wishes.

[Anonymous]

I failed FAR with a 74 as well on Monday so I understand how you feel as you cope with the result. My suggestion as I am going through it myself is take a few days for it to sink in, understand that you have all the control to improve your score and find the areas of weakness both from a knowledge perspective in the REG materials in your case as well as mental component. I feel the CPA exam is more of a mental challenge than is the actual core materials. You have to have that mentality that through hell or high water I will pass this thing and stick with that approach.

After a few days and you have time to study get back to it. I would suggest studying for the exam as if you are learning it the first time. This may require re-reading the book, re-taking notes and re-doing MCQs. Nonetheless, this will help you identify your strong topics and your weak topics. If you don't already, buy the Becker final review it brings it all together a few days before the exam and gives you a crash course of all the main topics.

I hope this suggestion helps. You will pass REG this next time around I know you will. Stick with it and don't lose sight of your goal. Best wishes.

[Tasia]

I just found out yesterday I failed REG (my first time around) with a 73. I know how you feel. I was planning on having passed 3 exams before July (I have a wedding July 19), and now I have to take two exams in the April/May testing window.

I am in the same boat as you in that I am in an angry vengeance mode to take on this exam again. I read in one of these threads that some people get up early, drink some coffee, and work some MCQs before going into work in the mornings. I think I will try that. Even if it's for an extra half hour each morning, it will add up to a few extra hours of studying each week.

My plan is to make sure I have at least 15 to 20 hours of studying in each week. I slacked on this my first time around and studied more like 5 to 10 hours each week until the last two before the exam when I crammed. This time, I am giving myself about 4.5 weeks to study (starting tonight), only giving myself Sundays off, and making myself up a detailed schedule that I will follow each day until my exam on April 1.

As far as studying technique goes, I plan to rewrite my notes and practice more simulations. And, like always, tons and tons of MCQs until I get through every single question in my Becker review software. I didn't go through every question last time – only answered questions until I felt comfortable with the material, but I am going to get through every one this time around, even after I feel comfortable with the material.

Use your angry study mode to your advantage. I'm not happy I failed, but I have to admit, I am definitely more determined now than ever to study! Hope this helped!

BEC - 78 (8/30/13)
REG - 73 (1/31/14) - 76 (4/7/14)
***GETTING MARRIED 7/19/14***
FAR - after the wedding
AUD - also after the wedding

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

[Tasia]

I just found out yesterday I failed REG (my first time around) with a 73. I know how you feel. I was planning on having passed 3 exams before July (I have a wedding July 19), and now I have to take two exams in the April/May testing window.

I am in the same boat as you in that I am in an angry vengeance mode to take on this exam again. I read in one of these threads that some people get up early, drink some coffee, and work some MCQs before going into work in the mornings. I think I will try that. Even if it's for an extra half hour each morning, it will add up to a few extra hours of studying each week.

My plan is to make sure I have at least 15 to 20 hours of studying in each week. I slacked on this my first time around and studied more like 5 to 10 hours each week until the last two before the exam when I crammed. This time, I am giving myself about 4.5 weeks to study (starting tonight), only giving myself Sundays off, and making myself up a detailed schedule that I will follow each day until my exam on April 1.

As far as studying technique goes, I plan to rewrite my notes and practice more simulations. And, like always, tons and tons of MCQs until I get through every single question in my Becker review software. I didn't go through every question last time – only answered questions until I felt comfortable with the material, but I am going to get through every one this time around, even after I feel comfortable with the material.

Use your angry study mode to your advantage. I'm not happy I failed, but I have to admit, I am definitely more determined now than ever to study! Hope this helped!

BEC - 78 (8/30/13)
REG - 73 (1/31/14) - 76 (4/7/14)
***GETTING MARRIED 7/19/14***
FAR - after the wedding
AUD - also after the wedding

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

[lsutigers03]

You can get an updated book from Becker for $15 if you want to do that. For your retake I would make sure you hit Tax harder than Blaw. Obviously you need to know both but the sims are usually always tax related so I would make sure you devote any extra time you have to tax topics.

REG - 78
BEC - 74, 67, 69, 69, 70, 79
FAR - 76
AUD - 69, 69, 69, 74, 85

Licensed Louisiana CPA

“You never fail until you stop trying.”
― Albert Einstein

[lsutigers03]

You can get an updated book from Becker for $15 if you want to do that. For your retake I would make sure you hit Tax harder than Blaw. Obviously you need to know both but the sims are usually always tax related so I would make sure you devote any extra time you have to tax topics.

REG - 78
BEC - 74, 67, 69, 69, 70, 79
FAR - 76
AUD - 69, 69, 69, 74, 85

Licensed Louisiana CPA

“You never fail until you stop trying.”
― Albert Einstein

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the posts of encouragement everyone. I got up early today to schedule out a study plan but have one question. Can I still listen to the Ninja Audio from 2013 for REG (July Update) or will that be outdated now? I was planning on listening to it at work.

Some things I am definitely going to do differently this time around are:

Re-writing my notes

Going through every MCQ in Becker and Wiley

Completing every SIM in both programs (I've slacked at this before)

I dont think I am going to re-watch any lectures this time around as they are too time consuming.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the posts of encouragement everyone. I got up early today to schedule out a study plan but have one question. Can I still listen to the Ninja Audio from 2013 for REG (July Update) or will that be outdated now? I was planning on listening to it at work.

Some things I am definitely going to do differently this time around are:

Re-writing my notes

Going through every MCQ in Becker and Wiley

Completing every SIM in both programs (I've slacked at this before)

I dont think I am going to re-watch any lectures this time around as they are too time consuming.

[Tasia]

Totally in agreement with not re-watching any lectures. That takes up most of my time with any exam, and it's my least favorite to do. That's one good thing about failing an exam that you've already studied for; you've watched all the lectures so you have all the notes, you just need to study them (which is the best part I think). I'd much rather drill the material into my brain through studying than sit through dry lectures.

How do you get an updated Becker book for $15?

BEC - 78 (8/30/13)
REG - 73 (1/31/14) - 76 (4/7/14)
***GETTING MARRIED 7/19/14***
FAR - after the wedding
AUD - also after the wedding

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

[Author]

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