[tomq04]

Hi gang,

I put too much on my plate and self destructed on FAR (64) and AUD (70)after a successful REG outing all the way back in July.

Here is what I’m up against, my wife is due June 30th, and my REG exam will expire in December of 2014. Last baby, I literally cannot remember the 3 months after birth, people tell me I didn’t sleep, and that the baby screamed for 16 hours/day. Basically if i’m not done by June, i’m starting from scratch+what I finish in this run. I’m also employed full time, but not in the tax world…so no long nights, and in general I can actually study ~1 hour/day at work.

I just took AUD Novemeber 30, so it is fresh in my mind, FAR was Oct 2.

Here are my thoughts:

AUD- January 31, lets me have 4-6 weeks to review and redo videos with a new plan of attack

FAR- April 1, gives ~8 weeks to study and completely revamp my attack on FAR.

BEC- May 31, 8 weeks for BEC.

This strategy would “guarentee” in my mind, a pass of AUD, but leave a lot of risk with FAR/BEC.

Alternate:

FAR- January 31,

AUD- April 1,

BEC- May 31

Thinking that I could have more time on FAR, but risk losing what I just finished studying on AUD…seems like a gamble no matter which way we look at it.

Is there a “best” plan, or is it just a matter of chinning up and kicking this crap out of this thing based on necessity?

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[mla1169]

Just pull out all the stops for studying between now and the end of May. Even if it means hiring a sitter so your wife can rest while you study and even if it means skipping or cutting short some holiday parties. It will certainly be more difficult with 2 children.

Make sure you're handwriting and copying your notes. Made all the difference in my 3rd go at Audit.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[tomq04]

I'm inclined to hit AUD first here in January, then take 8 weeks on FAR again the 1st of April, and hammer out on BEC leading into May 31st.

I'm going to do the Library twice/week (a new change from before), waking up at 5:30, up from 4:30 and ensuring a quality hour in the mornings. 1 hour at work (breaks/lunchs), and a set of 20-40 questions at night, no videos/notes etc that requires mental absorption (I tend to fall asleep). I will focus more on taking notes, rather than watching videos.

Ideally I would like to get through Audio/Blitz once /week.

Seems like a “simple” plan for success, but I never wrote down goals before other than “get through the videos” and “rewrite ninja notes”, other than that, my studying was somewhat disorganized.

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[tomq04]

I'm inclined to hit AUD first here in January, then take 8 weeks on FAR again the 1st of April, and hammer out on BEC leading into May 31st.

I'm going to do the Library twice/week (a new change from before), waking up at 5:30, up from 4:30 and ensuring a quality hour in the mornings. 1 hour at work (breaks/lunchs), and a set of 20-40 questions at night, no videos/notes etc that requires mental absorption (I tend to fall asleep). I will focus more on taking notes, rather than watching videos.

Ideally I would like to get through Audio/Blitz once /week.

Seems like a “simple” plan for success, but I never wrote down goals before other than “get through the videos” and “rewrite ninja notes”, other than that, my studying was somewhat disorganized.

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[Anonymous]

If I were you this is what my plan would be:

Aud – beginning of January

Bec – end of February

Far – beginning of May

Leave end of May open for any mishaps/retakes. You always have the remaining 6 months, although fingers crossed you won't be forced to go there!

I scheduled my last part for January 6th. Hopefully you will get time off from work at the end of this month so you can spend more time studying? I know I am taking the entire week off of the 31st. I think another 4 weeks is enough time for you to knock out AUD in the beginning of January, especially if you've already taken it. And you were close last time so I think if you push yourself a little harder you can get there!!

Good luck and congrats on the baby! 🙂

[Anonymous]

If I were you this is what my plan would be:

Aud – beginning of January

Bec – end of February

Far – beginning of May

Leave end of May open for any mishaps/retakes. You always have the remaining 6 months, although fingers crossed you won't be forced to go there!

I scheduled my last part for January 6th. Hopefully you will get time off from work at the end of this month so you can spend more time studying? I know I am taking the entire week off of the 31st. I think another 4 weeks is enough time for you to knock out AUD in the beginning of January, especially if you've already taken it. And you were close last time so I think if you push yourself a little harder you can get there!!

Good luck and congrats on the baby! 🙂

[tomq04]

I'm up this morning, considering starting to study, listening to Blitz and trying to find a pen…. obviously not the most hard core study session :).

I suppose I could move AUD up 2 weeks, and give myself a full 6-7 weeks for BEC (or FAR retake) and take at the end of Feb.

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[tomq04]

I'm up this morning, considering starting to study, listening to Blitz and trying to find a pen…. obviously not the most hard core study session :).

I suppose I could move AUD up 2 weeks, and give myself a full 6-7 weeks for BEC (or FAR retake) and take at the end of Feb.

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[Author]

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