[ScooterJohnson88]

I graduated in March and got an accounting job in June. I had scheduled all four sections before I had my full time job. I have so far taken FAR and AUD. I tanked them, I really only gave myself a month to really study. I didnt know I was going to get a job so quick. I am about to take REG and I am not feeling confident at all. I am freaking out, I feel like I am not really absorbing the material even though I am scoring pretty decent on the practice tests. I am using Becker ( I cant believe I spent all that money, just to fail). I just need some study advice, how many months should I be setting aside for each section, and tax season is approaching is it possible to study over that period and successfully pass. Has anyone every pulled that off?

I am at the end of my rope…

[HumanPiranha]

I don't know if you, or anyone else, has played the board game risk. but in risk, i learned pretty quickly that the guy that puts himself in the best position w/ the most army dudes at one country usually ends up taking over the world. The guy who attacks in every direction with not many army dudes usually struggles mightily.

Anyways, trying to use that rant i just gave, it sounds like you are not putting yourself in the best position given the circumstances. In the parts that i have passed thus far, i have spent about 130, 80, and 150 hours respectively studying for REG, AUD, and FAR. I don't think its humanly possible to study effectively 80 hours in one month while working a full time job. And if anyone can do that and keep sane/alive, more power to them. But for most people, a month studying FAR while working just isn't going to be enough.

If you have to reschedule some of these parts, that is fine. I rescheduled AUD once and FAR twice. But for $35 per rescheduling, its worth it.

You say you are taking REG, make sure you put yourself in the spot to succeed. If you are scheduled to take it in November, reschedule that S.O.B until january and give yourself december to study it, master it, smash the hell out of it. Be the guy playing Risk that has more army dudes than anyone else.

And as far as spending money just to fail goes, well, I bought all 4 parts of the 2007 becker software right out of college and studied for about a month until i more or less quit trying and never even sat for a part. $2,500 out of the pocket of a guy who just graduated college is a killer.

[KasiaS]

I think 6 weeks/section is just about right for someone employed full time. That's how long I've studied for each section, putting in roughly 20-25 hours/week and so far it's worked for me. It all depends on your study methods and ability to force yourself to study when there are way better things to do at any given moment.

My advice is to break the studies up each day. I study before work, during lunch, and in the evenings rather than studying nonstop all night because I have the attention span of a goldfish sometimes.

And I'm right there with you on REG, I'm doing final review now and every time I feel like I'm touching the material for the first time, yet, somehow my practice quizzes aren't as horrid as I'd expect. If you feel completely unprepared, then do what HumanPiranha suggested and concentrate your army guys in one area and DOMINATE 🙂

FAR 88 (07/15/11)
BEC 83 (08/31/11)
AUD 81 (10/15/11)
REG 83 (11/26/11)

Used NIU Correspondence CPA Review

[mymen]

Kasia

Good luck to you..

I am taking my REG on the 26th too. Very nervous regarding Simulations…

[mla1169]

I agree with 6 weeks per section. People freak themselves out about working f/t and studying and I'll be honest its only about how driven you are to succeed. No I don't work in public but I do work 50-60 hours a week all year, and I was taking my Masters classes during the entire time I was studying for the CPA and I've got 2 kids so I feel confident speaking to the issue of time management.

It does involve some sacrifice for a brief period of time, don't get me wrong. If you know who won the football game or who got booted from DWTS, you're not using your time to the fullest. It means some late nights, early mornings and lunch dates with a review book. And it does mean not getting to socialize as much as you otherwise would, but if you make that commitment for 6 weeks x 4 exams you're talking less than 6 months of sacrifice for a lifetime of potential rewards.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[SwanCPA]

I would say if it is not too late to reschedule the ones you have scheduled right now, do it and refocus on one you have taken and failed. If you don't you'll do what I did. I took all 4 from July 2009 – November 2009. Then, due to work and a family, it took me until October 2010 to even sit for another exam. I passed in October and now I have one exam left but I can't help but feeling like I wasted 11 months. Unfortunately, the way the Becker classes were set up when I purchased them, they make you think you really only need about 4-6 weeks to study per test with only about a week to 10 days in between. Maybe it has changed now. I'm not sure.

Whatever you do, don't give up! You'll pass them once you figure out your rhythm!

Good Luck!

FAR- 63, 75
AUD- 61, 78
REG- 63, 74, 80
BEC - 63, 61, 75!!!!! I'm done!!!!

[Author]

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