[lightning]

Hey guys. For those of you who are using CPA Excel, how long did it take for you to complete the FAR section (reading the notes and taking notes). I know Jeff said to study at most 6-8 weeks per section but I’m not sure I can do it with CPA Excel. The bite-sized lessons are nice but it’s taking forever to get through this section, maybe I’m doing something wrong. I’m working full-time and have the concentration to get at most 2-3 hours per day which translates to about 2 lessons completed. Any tips for getting through this more quicker?

[Tncincy]

I started my exam experience with CPAexcel, I was drawn by the bite size lessons, but it became too tedious. I use it as a back up since I can keep until I pass, but I switched to yeager for far……I have not passed a part yet so I know it's me. I'm using the wiley books for now. I just do better reading and doing questions instead of going through the lectures. I use the wiley books and the cpaexcel books with the wiley test bank. If I get stuck on a problem I will find the section in the yeager lesson and go over the problem.

I guess my point is this is a trial and error situation, especially if you don't want to spend a lot of money on review materials. What ever you do make your money and time count.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Shan]

Hey there–I was using CPA excel to pass the exams. For FAR, I spent about 10 weeks and had tried twice.

I “cheat” a little since I didn't go through all the sections' videos or reading materials. After the first time try, I noticed that I should focus more on government, NFP and special accounting activities. So I finished these sections videos only. For other parts, I went though all the slides though. Then I passed.

I also used Wiley bank questions, Ninja notes and CPA review for free.

Ninja Notes were very helpful to remember some simple points for the test. So you can use it to speed up your study a little.

Wiley's questions were harder than the actual ones, I felt. So it is good for you to practice and remember some complicated topics.

CPA review for free questions were pretty simple, I thought. But some questions were from old CPA tests (pretty old). It is kind of helpful.

AUD-73, 73, 73, 79!!
BEC-77!
FAR-60, 83!
REG-66, 72, 75!

MA CPA license

[Anonymous]

im using cpaexcel and i feel it is more for advanced students. for example, im having a trouble understanding the leases chapter in cpaexcel in the text but im reading the old becker 2011 text for leases and it goes into much more basics like explaining what pv and annuity is

[Jennifer241]

I am concerned about this too, I have 5 weeks to study, 3 for getting through everything (no MCQ) and then 2 weeks of a review. I am very concerned with the amount of material and am contemplating skimming some sections, just not sure which ones I should skim over.

AUD - Jan 9,13 Pass
REG - Aug 30,13 Pass
BEC - Oct 26,13 Pass
FAR - Dec 4,13 Pass

Licensed CPA in the state of Oregon

[Anonymous]

I just took REG after using CPAEXCEL. I was getting 86's on the practice exam. I went in and took the exam this weekend and feel that I may have had a very good score since I knew most of the multiple choice and more than half of the sims.

I'm not going to start for FAR. I'm a little scared because of all the reading material but I've built my study habits up so I think I can finish the review course by January 8th with reading and everything included.

[lightning]

Thanks for all your input. I'm comtemplating how I should go about going through the material. The sheer amount

of information is just overwhelming. I just think it's best to stick with your learning style. The way I see it I think that you should find a way to try to understand and absorb the information in the most efficient way possible, all the while doing it in a relatively compact time period because I could see that you might drag your study schedule out too long which may danger your chances of sticking with the studying.

[Fil-Am]

Hi Lightning,

I am also using CPAExcel. I just started my review and plan to take the exam between the 8th-10th of January 2014 if I can finish my review course quicker. I may have to adjust my exam date if I feel I needed more prep time. I work full-time, have a family and a 5-year old son. I have been out of school for 8 years.

Still trying to figure out the best way to attack FAR while pushing my study habits little by little . I just started this week and tried to watch videos then read text BUT is time consuming. ATM, I just read study text and take notes – takes longer than the average estimated study time in CPAExcel. I hope I can Sometimes, I go through directly the exam questions to test my knowledge – testing my stock knowledge if I had some, otherwise I don't want to be stuck to nothing, LOL.

I will purchase the 10-point combo as soon as I am halfway with FAR, lol.

I know each one of us has our own unique learning styles.

Let's DO THIS! STACK up more concepts daily, check STOCK knowledge and don't get STUCK!

Anything worth doing is probably not easy, but the rewards are worth it. (unknown)
Please feel free to add me on LinkedIn just to say hello or stay in touch.

CPA Exam - PASSED 2014
CALCPA Ethics - Passed 2014
CA CPA License - Pending

To God be the Highest Glory. Little Miracle happens every second!

[Anonymous]

So far, for the first week, I've read 100 pages and done the multiple choice once up to cash flow statements. I'm not watching the video's as I learn best from doing the questions. When I'm done I will probably do the questions 3-5 more times including the sims. I will not watch the videos because they take too much time.

Reporting over!

CPAexamTrekker – Welcome!

[wizards8507]

How far out of school are you? If your financial accounting courses are still fairly fresh in your mind, you can skip a lot of what's in the review materials. FAR is the only section I used anything besides WTB on, and it was CPAExcel. I found that there was a TON of material that I could just skip over because I was a good accounting student and didn't need to do much reviewing on lease amortization tables, the debits and credits of bond retirements, etc. What I really needed to focus on was the Governmental and Not-for-Profit. I drilled those areas hard and that was my key to success on FAR.

NY CPA

[Anonymous]

tbh, even if i had started studying for FAR right after my financial acct courses, i dont think i would be able to just know any of the material without reading the text first lol

[solodolo]

I used CPA Excel and passed FAR on my first attempt. It took about 7 weeks.

I was not working full-time so I had a decent amount of time.

The key is really reading and understanding the material. I would read, work through the MCQ's and SIMS.

In the final 2 weeks I did a full review by quickly going over each major section (try to get the main ideas in the section then move on to the next one) and working problems through the EQ Tutor and going through 30 mixed questions per section; to reinforce what I had went through the first time around.

Don't bother with the PPT Slides + Proficiency questions + Videos.

It's a lot of material and does require time but understanding the material will help you come to the best possible answer in uncertain situations.

Most importantly, FOLLOW THE STUDY SCHEDULE. Don't freak yourself out by falling behind. Stay consistent.

If you have any other questions, i'll try to do my best and answer them.

FAR - 08/27/13 CPAExcel 90 + Becker Final Review Notes
AUD - 10/11/13 CPAExcel 82
BEC - 12/05/13 CPAExcel 80
REG - 08/04/14 CPAExcel 84 + Becker Final Review Notes

[Anonymous]

Obviously this will depend heavily on whether or not you're working and/or have a family. I skipped the videos altogether for FAR, as well as all the Proficiency Questions. CPAexcel's FAR course is ungodly long, but it does prepare you very well if you put in the time. If you have Wiley TB you're golden, it really allows you to stay on top of old lessons without having to literally reread chapters.

I would advise taking handwritten notes as you go along so you don't get stuck rereading the book, as well as taking periodic practice quizzes on old chapters to keep them fresh in your memory. Also, I always took the Past Exam Questions in practice mode so you get the answer explanation after each question, it's way too tempting to just skip reading the explanations if you take them in exam mode. Lastly, try not to get overwhelmed, this exam can be a true battle to study for but as long as you put in the time the actual exam probably won't feel any harder than the other sections

[Fil-Am]

Thank you everyone. I do appreciate all your inputs.

I'm sorry to repeat myself here – I have been out of school for 8 years and earned my degree from the Philippines. I was also working 6 days a week (to support my studies – self-supporting) and studying at the same time when I was in college, LOL. Now, I am questioning myself if I was deserving of the color I got when I graduated and or how did I do it.

My clock for my FAR goal starts ticking now. I'll keep you posted. :-). I can do this! WE can do this!.

Anything worth doing is probably not easy, but the rewards are worth it. (unknown)
Please feel free to add me on LinkedIn just to say hello or stay in touch.

CPA Exam - PASSED 2014
CALCPA Ethics - Passed 2014
CA CPA License - Pending

To God be the Highest Glory. Little Miracle happens every second!

[Anonymous]

Hey everyone. I just finished going over the operating cashflows indirect method practice questions in study mode. It took me 6 hours to finish all 38 and I got a 48 percent. I go through the questions before reading and take meticulous notes. I can't believe how hard this section is. Am I alone in this or did you all find it hard? There were some very easy questions but there were some very hard ones as well. It really tests your ability to think outside the box.

I'm hoping this pays off. I did them all in one sitting. God bless everyone and thanks for any help ahead of time. I think I did good as I feel I learned a lot. I'm moving on now but will come back to this later.

I think someone mentioned cash would be hard and to do it in baby steps through the entire review.

[Anonymous]

To me the hardest parts of FAR were Cash Flow statement, pensions, consolidated F/S, and Gov't accounting. Not sure why CPAexcel had so many questions on certain topics like the CF statement, but those lessons were indeed very hard

[Author]

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