[10keyLeah]

I’d like some feedback about how you get yourself to commit to a date for the first exam. I just received my first payment coupon for FARE. I know I have to pay it and then I get my NTS, and then I schedule a date and time for the exam. I’m finding it a little difficult to commit to an exam date about 6 weeks away even though I’ve been doing my part and studying. Anyone care to share your thoughts or suggestions?

Ninja Combo, Yaeger, Wiley -- Licensed CPA, May 2015

[Anonymous]

Once they take my money, I'm locked in.

[Anonymous]

I schedule as soon as I receive my NTS. Gives me no excuses.

[MCLKT]

I map out my study schedule using the Ninja Study Planner. Give time to cover all the material plus 2 weeks to review. Then I add a week for anxiety and a bit of a cushion for life's happenings.

Viola! TEST DAY.

I pay up and get to business.

A:[73]97 F:[74]85 R:86 B:[74]82
*NINJA 10 Pt. COMBO & Yaeger*

[SammyJ]

Well it really depends if you have a full time job or not. Personally I didn't while I have been studying. So I invest around 45 days for each exam. I think its more than adequate time. If you work however, you probably should consider allocating 2 full months per exam. Its going to be a lot tougher.

So if you do work, for your first exam, start studying right now if you haven't yet. And don't schedule the first exam until maybe 4 weeks before it. And the date of the first exam should be at the start of a test window. So April 1st would be ideal for you I think. Then your second exam should be near the end of the testing window–late May. June is a holiday. And try to take the 3rd exam in the middle of July. And the last one at the very end of August. And April-August is pretty nice because it avoids the family holidays.

Good Luck!

FAR-81!!
AUD-69, Retake: 84!!
REG-86!!
BEC-81!!
Education- Done
Ethics- August 2013
Experience- 7 Months of CPA Experience and counting!

[Anonymous]

For your first exam its easy. If you are near the end of a testing window, take it whether you are ready or not. The worst that could happen is you fail but get some valuable practice. Also keep reminding yourself that the 18 month clock is not yet ticking, so there is no pressure. Just jump right in!

[Anonymous]

Dart board

[10keyLeah]

That's why I love these boards. Thanks for the suggestions. Taking the test at the end of this window won't work out. I'm not ready and I'll be out of town for one full week. I want to take it in April. If I take it in about the third week, then I should have about six weeks to study. I guess I'm trying to avoid scheduling an exam date and then not being ready for it. So, I'll go pay for my coupon and schedule anyway.

Ninja Combo, Yaeger, Wiley -- Licensed CPA, May 2015

[Rukus]

I agree with the advice to wait until four weeks out to schedule. Your NTS is good for a while so you don't have to schedule as soon as you get it unless you know your date is set in stone and want to make sure you get that day. I try to map-out/estimate my study schedule as well. Each exam takes different times to prepare for so that is a consideration as well.

For instance, I was trying to fit BEC in the 4th Qtr of 2012, so I as soon as I got my NTS I knew I had to get a date as late in the 4Q as possible. However, for REG I gave myself 4 weeks to get through videos/notes, 2 weeks MCQs, and 2 weeks to review, but I still waited until about 4 weeks before I scheduled just to make sure everything was still on track. I did check the availability a few times before I finally scheduled just to make sure the day I was eyeing didn't fill up. Good luck!

FAR - 81 (8/31/12)
AUD - 93 (10/19/12)
BEC - 79 (11/27/12)
REG - 92 (2/8/13) DONE! All 1st attempt!

[Author]

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