2 in January (retake of November section plus a new section)
1 in April
I wouldn't have wanted them closer because I wanted the time to study to hopefully pass each one the first time. It worked for all except FAR, which I got a 74 on my first attempt.
As for burnout, I could not study more than 4 hours a day (serious studying). I would get on the forum and discuss some topics and maybe do some more MCQ, but 4 hours really focusing a day was my upper bound
@rzrbkfaith (glad to see we both passed btw!) I agree with you completely. I feel like if you give yourself TO much study time it can almost be as bad as to little. I felt like I had a week to long with Auditing this window, but can't complain since I passed. I don't have kids but I work full time and do other things as well and 2 up and 2 down in one window. Same plan for Q4 as well but we shall see.
haha I'm opposite of Darcer. I stayed off the forums completely unless I had a question-stuff gets into your head +anxiety. Don't neglect the small “vices” as that is what will keep you sane, in moderation. Happy hour for a bit, gym, “intimacy” (for lack of a better work)- really anything that has nothing to do with the CPA exam is crucial to clear your head and keep you going so don't take that for granted.
Great job @jbisdamon!!! Are you in the REG study group? I am planning on taking it at the beginning of Oct. I like to have a day or two off between exams, and 1 night off each week, but otherwise, I'm studying. About 3-3.5 hours a night during the week and 6-7 hours a day on the weekend. It stinks, but it's getting the job done.
Two is totally doable. I did three in the past window, working full-time (and beginning my part-time master's program midway through and having to work the last weekend before BEC.)
My social life was considerably diminished, but I still had a pretty unproductive five-day vacation with my family during FAR, played tennis a couple of nights a week and wasn't a total hermit.
It is all a matter of how fresh the material is in your head from learning it the first time–if you ever did. My motto is…..studying long is studying wrong. I have been at this since April. I recognize 5 months isn't a long time compared to some here, but I couldn't imagine stretching it out any longer. I'd rather get it over with and have my full life back–or in my case, not have CPA and schoolwork and workwork all going at the same time.
I did 1 in each of my first two windows (REG and BEC). After that, I decided I really wanted to get the other two over with. So I did 2 in this most recent window. Working full time. I have finished with plenty of time left over in this window. I could have easily managed 3.
Use the month before the window is open to study for the first exam and take that on the first day of the window. Schedule another exam for the last day of the window. And there's room in there in the middle for another exam. Start studying the day after (or day of, if you have energy) taking each exam.
That being said – I feel like I got better and more efficient at studying for these exams. If I was starting out fresh, I'd aim for two per window.
I took 3 in Q4 last year. AUD Oct 1, FAR Nov 1, and BEC two days after Thanksgiving. Before this, I failed AUD twice and wanted to take FAR in August, but couldn't seem to concentrate. I decided to switch gears back to AUD, restudy for FAR then try BEC. I passed AUD, failed FAR and and BEC (73). I restudied and passed BEC right after New Years.
The funny thing is I had a few vacation days left so I took them off after Giants night games so I can stay up and watch them. The team was garbage and I didn't watch any games, but still used the time off to study.
Oh thechapman – it's quite possible. I was pulling 50 hour weeks the whole summer.
I did, however, have to take one week off before the last exam or there was no way I was going to get through the material.
I would've felt much better with even just a couple extra weeks for each exam for the review. Barely squeaked by on REG, and was not confident on any of them.
(Well, except audit…but I do that for a living so…easy)
One per window is good for me. It gives me just enough time to study and feel like I'm studying adequately, while still handling working full time, finishing up school in June, getting barely enough sleep, keeping up on my exercise habits, not neglecting my daughter, having *some* free time, etc. I've been able to pick them off one by one.
Disclaimer: My ninja avatar is not meant to imply that I have any affiliation with this site other than being a forum member. That's a pic of a T-shirt that my daughter gave me for my birthday. 🙂
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