[Anonymous]

I just found out Thursday that I passed REG. Woohoo! Now, I have to retake FAR after missing it by one point. Going up to the exam, I ran out of time and didn’t get to finish chapter 10 of 10 in the Becker review course, and didn’t have time to review chapters 1-9. So that’s why I failed FAR. Anyway…

Going back through the material, I realized that I have been glossing over insignificant portions that require intense memorization with little point value. My strategy seems to be successful to pass (most of the time), but would never get me a 90%. I wonder how many people really know the Authoritative Literature included in the Codification? I would never memorize that list, because it is doubtful that a question would come up, and I would have to spend too much time which would prevent me from spending time on the important questions. My point is, if you want to pass the exam, don’t spend too much time trying to get everything.

Anybody have a difference of opinion?

[Anonymous]

I use Becker and I skip the lectures and text.

[Anonymous]

I use Becker and I skip the lectures and text.

[scarletknight91]

CPAin3months, then what do you do to prepare? lol

FAR: PASSED
REG: PASSED
AUD: PASSED
BEC: PASSED

DONE

[scarletknight91]

CPAin3months, then what do you do to prepare? lol

FAR: PASSED
REG: PASSED
AUD: PASSED
BEC: PASSED

DONE

[Mamabear]

I skipped the lectures and only read half of the Wiley book for FAR. I used the Ninja Audio, the Ninja Notes and the WTB. I converted the Ninja Notes to Word and added a lot of notes from the questions I got wrong on the WTB into the Ninja Notes. I studied those notes like crazy and I studied the Becker Outline Notes as well as doing the AICPA release questions for 2006-2013.

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[Mamabear]

I skipped the lectures and only read half of the Wiley book for FAR. I used the Ninja Audio, the Ninja Notes and the WTB. I converted the Ninja Notes to Word and added a lot of notes from the questions I got wrong on the WTB into the Ninja Notes. I studied those notes like crazy and I studied the Becker Outline Notes as well as doing the AICPA release questions for 2006-2013.

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[Anonymous]

@db7555 I totally agree.

my first time taking FAR 2 years ago, when I was fresh out of college – I overstudied. i tried to read the book, take notes, watch the lecture, take notes, jot down the mnemonics, remember all the formulas – it was so tiring and time consuming that i got burnt out after completing the first 7 chapters of becker. i, too, didn't even do any review and just took the exam to see what it was like – i got a 57. trying to overstudy every little detail and nuance was actually counter-effective. like i said, i got so burnt out trying to learn everything that i ended up taking a break a week up to my exam and ended up forgetting everything. i couldn't even remember if DDB depreciation took salvage value into depreciation (it doesn't). i just stared at my exam with a blank stare and took many piss breaks.

afterwards, i took the lazy approach – watch the videos once and do the MCQs. no notes, no writing – just MCQs and a few days of review consisting of progress tests and going over the 2 final exam answers (i don't waste 4 hours doing these – i simply click through and read the answers – much better use of your time if you ask me). i managed to pass the next 3 exams on the first try with this new method.

i've been implementing the same strategy with my retake of FAR coming up next week. however, i'm behind on my studies. just finished F9 videos, still need to complete the MCQs and also F10. i'll probably be done by Sunday, which will give me 4 days to review.

i've made another thread if anyone's been in my situation – that is, not even complete the first round of review yet of all 10 chapters and have less than 2 weeks for the exam. everyone told me to reschedule, but i thought that would be a waste of a window. i've only had 6 weeks to prep for this retake.

after reading your thread, how you obtained a 74 after skipping the last chapter with no review, i feel much more confident that i can pass. it seems like our other tests scores are rather close, so i'm going to assume i have about the same level of intelligence as you. so if you can obtain a 74 without review, i can definitely pass this round if i get it a good 4 days of review prior to my exam.

care to share your enhanced study strategy though?

[Anonymous]

@db7555 I totally agree.

my first time taking FAR 2 years ago, when I was fresh out of college – I overstudied. i tried to read the book, take notes, watch the lecture, take notes, jot down the mnemonics, remember all the formulas – it was so tiring and time consuming that i got burnt out after completing the first 7 chapters of becker. i, too, didn't even do any review and just took the exam to see what it was like – i got a 57. trying to overstudy every little detail and nuance was actually counter-effective. like i said, i got so burnt out trying to learn everything that i ended up taking a break a week up to my exam and ended up forgetting everything. i couldn't even remember if DDB depreciation took salvage value into depreciation (it doesn't). i just stared at my exam with a blank stare and took many piss breaks.

afterwards, i took the lazy approach – watch the videos once and do the MCQs. no notes, no writing – just MCQs and a few days of review consisting of progress tests and going over the 2 final exam answers (i don't waste 4 hours doing these – i simply click through and read the answers – much better use of your time if you ask me). i managed to pass the next 3 exams on the first try with this new method.

i've been implementing the same strategy with my retake of FAR coming up next week. however, i'm behind on my studies. just finished F9 videos, still need to complete the MCQs and also F10. i'll probably be done by Sunday, which will give me 4 days to review.

i've made another thread if anyone's been in my situation – that is, not even complete the first round of review yet of all 10 chapters and have less than 2 weeks for the exam. everyone told me to reschedule, but i thought that would be a waste of a window. i've only had 6 weeks to prep for this retake.

after reading your thread, how you obtained a 74 after skipping the last chapter with no review, i feel much more confident that i can pass. it seems like our other tests scores are rather close, so i'm going to assume i have about the same level of intelligence as you. so if you can obtain a 74 without review, i can definitely pass this round if i get it a good 4 days of review prior to my exam.

care to share your enhanced study strategy though?

[Anonymous]

From looking at your scores, I don't think you need my enhanced strategy! When is your last exam?

I use Becker self-study. I listen to the lectures, highlight everything they tell me to, and usually don't read any of the other material. After every lecture, I re-read the highlighted portions of the book, do the MCQs and try to get at least an 80%. During final review, I read over the highlighted portions of the book for comprehension and understanding, do a ton of MCQs and the two final exams. That's about it. I think overstudy of the minutia kills comprehension, but you have to understand the important concepts. I have memorized few acronyms, but I am familiar enough with them to know what is missing on a question.

[Anonymous]

From looking at your scores, I don't think you need my enhanced strategy! When is your last exam?

I use Becker self-study. I listen to the lectures, highlight everything they tell me to, and usually don't read any of the other material. After every lecture, I re-read the highlighted portions of the book, do the MCQs and try to get at least an 80%. During final review, I read over the highlighted portions of the book for comprehension and understanding, do a ton of MCQs and the two final exams. That's about it. I think overstudy of the minutia kills comprehension, but you have to understand the important concepts. I have memorized few acronyms, but I am familiar enough with them to know what is missing on a question.

[Anonymous]

our approach is very similar then. i call it the “lazy” approach — but it works! it's smart not to get lost in all the details

[Anonymous]

our approach is very similar then. i call it the “lazy” approach — but it works! it's smart not to get lost in all the details

[Anonymous]

I use becker as well. The strategy i use is watching all the videos, take notes on all the important acronyms (especially for FAR). after i watch the videos i run through the HW one time, then repeat for every chapter. After all the lectures i go back and read the chapters (mostly focus on highlights and notes tim or pete gave you) read some of the little things. Then do the HW problems i got wrong. I think different ways of learning (hearing, seeing, reading, writing) i try to use all of those so if i dont get a concept from hearing it, then maybe i will from reading it, or writing it, or seeing it.

[Anonymous]

I use becker as well. The strategy i use is watching all the videos, take notes on all the important acronyms (especially for FAR). after i watch the videos i run through the HW one time, then repeat for every chapter. After all the lectures i go back and read the chapters (mostly focus on highlights and notes tim or pete gave you) read some of the little things. Then do the HW problems i got wrong. I think different ways of learning (hearing, seeing, reading, writing) i try to use all of those so if i dont get a concept from hearing it, then maybe i will from reading it, or writing it, or seeing it.

[zombiecpa]

You should definitely review Gov and NFP Accounting. I spent last 10 days b4 FAR exam studying those two chapters.

I skipped Pensions and I had a very brief review of IFRS (mostly tried to spot the differences bw IFRS and GAAP). And also I couldnt figure out Direct and Indirect Methods for Cash Flows. I didnt memorize any complicated formulas.

I would suggest to practice JEs as many as you can!!!!

FAR 85
AUD 83
BEC 76
REG 90

[Author]

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