[Iggy1985]

Sorry in advance for wordy post 🙂

Greetings all, I am new to this forum and embarking on my CPA exam journey. I am a student at a small private university, expecting to graduate this December with a 4.0.. only 4 classes left so I hope I don’t lose it at the finish line! The accounting professors at my school notoriously structure all of their exams to be as hard as the CPA exam (such as allowing 1 minute for each multiple choice on the final), and then scale to a C based on the average. Because of this, students have had very high success rates when taking the CPA exam. I think the main reason for my success is that I have a knack for studying/taking tests.

Most students spend their last year at my school taking Audit & Gvt.&NFP in the fall, followed by the CPA review course offered on campus in the spring (they use Wiley books and have a test every week). Then they typically buy Exam Matrix or Gleim and start with Audit at the beginning of spring since it is covered first in the course and they just took it in the fall so it’s fresh. Accounting being my second degree, I condensed the 4 year program into 3 and started in a Spring semester. Therefore, I won’t be able to follow this structure laid out by my professors. I took Audit last fall, and did an internship at a top 100 accounting firm (I wanted to stay local and this place is 0.8 miles from my house) in tax this spring which ended April 15. None of the interns were offered full time but I was given a great review, so that was somewhat of a bummer (this may be because the branch I was located at was more audit focused). I will be graduating in December and plan to do another internship next spring unless I receive a full time offer. I would really like to pass 2 parts of the exam this summer before interviewing again in the fall, to give me that extra boost of confidence and desirability. I have some money set aside, but let’s face it, I’m a college student, who is now unemployed. My advisor (teaching at this University and preparing students for the exam for over 35 years) insists that I do not need the school’s CPA review course given my past performance, and told me I should just purchase a cheap review course, put the time in, and I’ll do fine (I also think he is crazy).

All that being said, my plan is to take AUD and FAR this summer (early July & late August). As far as my studying style I have discovered over the years, I do best with practice problems/MCQs first, note cards second, lectures third, and reading material fourth, as far as what I feel helps me the most when taking an exam. I also do best if I have some kind of competition fueling me; the goal of getting the highest score rather than just passing, will provide me much greater motivation (something I struggle with) even if it’s an unattainable goal. I would like to have some kind of lectures/videos, especially in the governmental/nonprofit areas since I won’t be taking that class till fall. I have taken Principles, Intermediate, Advanced, Tax, Audit & Cost (all 2 semesters except Audit & Cost.) I have purchased the Wiley 2014 AUD and FAR study guide books. Right now I am considering spending $200 on the Wiley test bank, and $475 on the Ninja ten point combo (AUD & FAR only for both).. which is really the very tippy top of my budget if I also plan on eating this summer. I see myself having more study time for whatever test I take in August, so I was thinking AUD first, then FAR. I think I will be able to spend 125 hours on the first test and 150 hours on the second (working around weddings and holidays). This is something I will be starting tomorrow, so today is really the first day where I am laying out my plan. I also still need to send in my application.. I have 1 reference letter and both my transcripts ready to be sent so I just need to scrounge up those last 2 letters and submit my application. I have heard my state usually takes about 2 weeks to process the information.

Phew!

So here are my questions:

a.) Does this study program I have ‘Frankensteined’ together sound reasonable considering my study habits and budget? I just discovered this website today, are there other options I may not have considered?

b.) Does it sound logical to take AUD in July and FAR in August, given the time I have and the material? Should I cut it down to only 1 part and wait to take the last 3 when I work at a firm that will reimburse me, or get it out of the way during these 3.5 months in which I have no obligations? Should I take a different part all-together?

c.) Does my timeline sound do-able? Applying this week to take one section in July and one section in August, and starting my studies tomorrow? Pretty much making it my full time job since I have none!

Sorry again for the long post and if some of this information was irrelevant or redundant. I’m just trying to be thorough, and I very much appreciate your time and your advice!

Thank you in advance!

FAR - 89 (8/19/14) Wiley TB, Wiley Book, Books from School, Ninja Audio/Notes
AUD - 92 (10/14/14) Wiley TB, Wiley Book, Ninja Audio
BEC - 82 (5/8/15) Mostly Ninja MCQ, sprinkles of Becker lectures and Ninja Audio
REG - (8/14/15)

[CPAfit]

@iggy ur timeline seems reasonable since you will be studying full time.

I will advice to take FAR first and the AUD second, as FAR being the lengthiest of all the four parts once out of the way will give you a huge relief.

Also try to pass as many parts as you can before starting your job, as life tends to get in the way more often than not once you start your CPA journey. Hope this helps and good luck.

P.S this website will be your biggest resource on how to tackle this exam. Most of us come across this website after failing one or two sections but as you've joined here even before starting, I think you've a heads up on most candidates.

[CPAfit]

@iggy ur timeline seems reasonable since you will be studying full time.

I will advice to take FAR first and the AUD second, as FAR being the lengthiest of all the four parts once out of the way will give you a huge relief.

Also try to pass as many parts as you can before starting your job, as life tends to get in the way more often than not once you start your CPA journey. Hope this helps and good luck.

P.S this website will be your biggest resource on how to tackle this exam. Most of us come across this website after failing one or two sections but as you've joined here even before starting, I think you've a heads up on most candidates.

[Iggy1985]

@zubairs

I can already tell this website is going to be a great help after reading through just a few threads!

I'm only nervous about 125 hours not being enough time commitment for FAR, but if need be I can try to set a higher goal.

Thanks for the reply!

FAR - 89 (8/19/14) Wiley TB, Wiley Book, Books from School, Ninja Audio/Notes
AUD - 92 (10/14/14) Wiley TB, Wiley Book, Ninja Audio
BEC - 82 (5/8/15) Mostly Ninja MCQ, sprinkles of Becker lectures and Ninja Audio
REG - (8/14/15)

[Iggy1985]

@zubairs

I can already tell this website is going to be a great help after reading through just a few threads!

I'm only nervous about 125 hours not being enough time commitment for FAR, but if need be I can try to set a higher goal.

Thanks for the reply!

FAR - 89 (8/19/14) Wiley TB, Wiley Book, Books from School, Ninja Audio/Notes
AUD - 92 (10/14/14) Wiley TB, Wiley Book, Ninja Audio
BEC - 82 (5/8/15) Mostly Ninja MCQ, sprinkles of Becker lectures and Ninja Audio
REG - (8/14/15)

[Anonymous]

I agree with Zubair. If you can, take FAR first. I wish I had. Its a lot of material and you never know how much you might end up needing. Once you hv the beast conquered, rest shld be doable.

[Anonymous]

I agree with Zubair. If you can, take FAR first. I wish I had. Its a lot of material and you never know how much you might end up needing. Once you hv the beast conquered, rest shld be doable.

[Lindrobe]

I totally agree with the others about taking FAR first. You may not even need to order the Wiley test bank. I have both the Ninja test bank and the Wiley test bank and there is quit a bit of overlap in the MCQs. I also use the Ninja flashcards and find them very helpful.

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[Lindrobe]

I totally agree with the others about taking FAR first. You may not even need to order the Wiley test bank. I have both the Ninja test bank and the Wiley test bank and there is quit a bit of overlap in the MCQs. I also use the Ninja flashcards and find them very helpful.

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[zieba]

Echo sentiments. Make it easy on yourself and do it right, FAR first followed by AUD.

AUD - 75*, 88 done 5/14! (*exp)
BEC - 74 , 77
REG - 65 , 76 (10 point combooo!!)
FAR - 69 , 75

Dr: perseverance
Dr: intelligence
Dr: luck
. Cr: . advisory score

[zieba]

Echo sentiments. Make it easy on yourself and do it right, FAR first followed by AUD.

AUD - 75*, 88 done 5/14! (*exp)
BEC - 74 , 77
REG - 65 , 76 (10 point combooo!!)
FAR - 69 , 75

Dr: perseverance
Dr: intelligence
Dr: luck
. Cr: . advisory score

[Anonymous]

another reason why it makes sense to do FAR first is, audit sims are very much FAR related. So it will def help to hv that material refreshed before you take Audit

[Anonymous]

another reason why it makes sense to do FAR first is, audit sims are very much FAR related. So it will def help to hv that material refreshed before you take Audit

[Iggy1985]

Thanks everyone, sounds like I will definitely be going FAR first. @Lindrobe thanks for the info on Ninja vs Wiley test bank; I may get Wiley and do Ten Point Combo Lite or just TPC then.

FAR - 89 (8/19/14) Wiley TB, Wiley Book, Books from School, Ninja Audio/Notes
AUD - 92 (10/14/14) Wiley TB, Wiley Book, Ninja Audio
BEC - 82 (5/8/15) Mostly Ninja MCQ, sprinkles of Becker lectures and Ninja Audio
REG - (8/14/15)

[Iggy1985]

Thanks everyone, sounds like I will definitely be going FAR first. @Lindrobe thanks for the info on Ninja vs Wiley test bank; I may get Wiley and do Ten Point Combo Lite or just TPC then.

FAR - 89 (8/19/14) Wiley TB, Wiley Book, Books from School, Ninja Audio/Notes
AUD - 92 (10/14/14) Wiley TB, Wiley Book, Ninja Audio
BEC - 82 (5/8/15) Mostly Ninja MCQ, sprinkles of Becker lectures and Ninja Audio
REG - (8/14/15)

[Lindrobe]

I like Ninja better than Wiley, so I would do the TPC. Just my opinion. 🙂

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[Author]

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