[sarita]

Hey guys, quick help… so since I’m a CA candidate, I need to pass all parts by November 30th. I just took FAR last week. I’m pretty sure I didn’t pass but I’m moving forward, pretending that I did… until I find out otherwise.

I was planning on taking BEC Aug 13, giving me 5 weeks..

Taking REG on Oct. 14, giving me like 8 weeks (I’ll be in a wedding one of those weeks, though)…

And lastly taking AUD on Nov. 26, giving me 5 weeks.

I started BEC this week and I’m already behind because I’m stuck on B1 of Becker.. I’m horrible at cost accounting! It has never stuck with me for some reason. I thought I understood the notes in Becker, but the MCQ are killing me. So do you think I can move BEC back one week to have some extra time? And then manage REG in like 6.5 weeks? I really wanted more time with REG, but BEC is worrying me so far…

Btw, I work part-time. Unfortunately I have serious ADD and cannot dedicate as much time as I know I’m capable of….

Thanks in advance for any advice!

FAR 7/3/13 - 82
BEC 8/21/13 - 82
AUD 10/2/13 - 92
REG 12/3/13 - 88

DONE!!!! CA Candidate
Beat the 12/31/13 clock!

[Jennifer241]

Is there a reason why you are taking these exams so quickly?

If you read around a bit you will see that most people take and pass 1 part in each window, some who don't work can do 2 in 1 window.

If you have ADD and are working part-time and feel you didn't pass FAR, then you might want to re-think this aggressive schedule.

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

[sarita]

Hi Jennifer241,

I would MUCH prefer not to cram them all in, but in California, they are changing the educational requirements to become a CPA. They're adding 20 units of accounting, and 10 of ethics. So I'm really trying to avoid taking all those extra classes.

Only upside of failing FAR is that is means I won't pass in time and I can then take it easy and give myself some more time with these exams.

FAR 7/3/13 - 82
BEC 8/21/13 - 82
AUD 10/2/13 - 92
REG 12/3/13 - 88

DONE!!!! CA Candidate
Beat the 12/31/13 clock!

[Anonymous]

sarita, I'm sure you can do it. It will take hard work and a lot of gritting teeth, but it's fully possible. I work (almost) full-time and am on the 2-per-window track – just studied about 4 weeks for the one I took (and passed), and am getting ready to take another with about 5-6 weeks for it…and then have my 3rd scheduled about 4-5 weeks after that. Now granted, I've only taken 1 so far, but I think if you study hard, taking more than 1 per window is quite feasible! I actually debated taking my last 3 all in this window, but thought better of that. 😉

My advice would be to go to B2 of Becker and see if you can progress well through the non-Cost Accounting stuff. I know that if you don't reschedule today, you'll have to pay $35 to do so later on, but I'd really try to see how B2 goes before pushing it back…because based on what most people say, it sounds like REG is a bit of a beast, so I'd be hesitant to cut down its time. But, that also depends somewhat on your familiarity with the content of each exam – do you feel comfortable with Business Law and Corporate Taxation? If so, maybe you'd be OK with less time for REG, since Cost Accounting/BEC is a struggle for you.

Disclaimer: I've never used Becker, so have no clue if you're able to skip between sections or if you're never supposed to do B2 before B1. I'm giving that advice from the standpoint of seeing it more as a book, that if Chapter 1 was confusing but Chapters 2-20 didn't build on Chapter 1, then I'd skip 1, see if 2 was OK, and then come back to 1 after I had a good feel for how 2-20 would be.

Also, you might try another resource simultaneously with Becker, and see if that helps you get the grasp of Cost Accounting a bit better. Like…use Jeff's free week of Blitz videos to see if his summary of Cost Accounting combined with Becker's review will help you nail those MCQs.

I know that having ADD makes it a lot harder to study and learn. My boyfriend has it pretty bad, and I've seen extensively the difficulties that it's provided. But I also know that while it may create more challenge, it doesn't make anything impossible. Give this test everything you've got, and it will have to give you something in return. Given that you have more difficulties studying, it's going to mean studying morning, noon, and night, even more so than most people on this forum, but if you're willing to do that, then it won't have a choice.

[sarita]

Thanks Elisabeth! That's really encouraging. You're right, I'll see how B2 goes before I make any rash decisions. Here's hoping it gets better from here!

Thanks, again. I really appreciate the time it took for you to write that to me. Good luck with your studies!

FAR 7/3/13 - 82
BEC 8/21/13 - 82
AUD 10/2/13 - 92
REG 12/3/13 - 88

DONE!!!! CA Candidate
Beat the 12/31/13 clock!

[Jennifer241]

Can you take the live classes for Becker? I think that would be the surest way of making sure you pass before the California requirements come in to play. It may cost you more money, but it will still cost you less than having to take all those classes next year.

Good luck, nose to the grind and you can do it

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

[sarita]

I already bought all the self-study… thanks for the thought, though!

FAR 7/3/13 - 82
BEC 8/21/13 - 82
AUD 10/2/13 - 92
REG 12/3/13 - 88

DONE!!!! CA Candidate
Beat the 12/31/13 clock!

[Author]

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