[FutureCPA8]

Hey everyone! I’m new to this forum and I’m currently studying for the CPA exam! I work full time during tax season at a public accounting firm but I’m determined and know if I work hard and study and stay diligent I will pass!

I am using Wiley CPAExcel, some hand-me-down Becker materials, Ninja notes, and the Ninja adaptive software. Honestly, the software has put me a lot more ease for FAR than the hours I spent trying to cram everything in the Wiley modules in my head.

Any advice? I put my exam dates below! (as a newbie who has never sat and just graduated college, I made the mistake of applying to take all four and don’t want them to expire….so I gotta take them! I know better next time lol)

Any tips? So far the Ninja adaptive software has put me at ease and I’m hoping it’s helped a lot of others too because HAH I am broke as a joke. 🙁

For those wondering; I made AUD last because I just got out of audit season and my manager advised me to do that since I’ll have a wealth of knowledge in the subject. I’m not so much worried about anything other than the tax section of REG and FAR as a whole…failure scares me and I don’t want to get discouraged!

Any study advice, even if it’s “take breaks every ten minutes” or “drink tea” is more than welcome because I get test anxiety and I am SCARED!

Thanks 🙂 and this forum seems rad!

FAR - 01/30/2016 - 57,
REG - 02/27/2016 - ?
BEC - 04/30/2016 - ?
AUD - 05/28/2016 - ?

[ohiostategirlcpa]

One month per section seems quite stressful, even if studying full time, which you are not.
Unless you know the material already and are just reviewing your school work, but even then, you kinda have to master the subject to do well on the tests.
As the test date approaches, take practice exams. If you do poorly consider rescheduling.
It is better to be sure to pass than live in anxiety of failure, retakes, etc.

F91 A95 R90 B94
CMA since 2015
(Gleim books/PDFs, MCQs, SIMS)

[y_u_no_pass]

I did something like that. It is possible but it is a ton of work. I would say that it is likely harder doing during busy season at your work.

Florida CPA!
Took final exam 2/25/15.
Sent in Application 3/12/15.
Issued License 3/20/15.
Used CPA Excel solely for all exams.

[Skynet]

So another Candidate comes over to the Dark Side.

Welcome to A71.

[Jdn9201]

Welcome to the board FutureCPA. That's an ambitious schedule, but doable. Did you schedule BEC for late April because of busy season? The reason I ask is I know March is a blackout month but I knocked out BEC in 4 weeks, My advice is in order to pull this off, you need to excel at time management. If you have a long commute, listen to audio notes. I use my kindle to listen to lectures and explanations to questions while I'm at the gym. If you take a traditional lunch break, study at lunch. Granted you're not going to absorb every word if you're multi tasking, but it makes better use of your dead time. I'd also say don't get too hyped up or anxious about the exam. Yes, it's very important but it's just a test. You're no better nor less of a person if you pass/fail it. Also, if you fail a part, use it as a learning experience. Short story, but I took BEC last year not studying (I had signed up for it before I got a new job with extensive traveling and crazy schedule), only got 1 hour of sleep (missed my flight, had to catch a red-eye) and was 15 minutes late to the exam because of a dead battery in my car. I made a 74. I was so upset for not passing, but going through an actual run through of the exam was very valuable.

BEC - 88 8/29/15
REG - 82 11/14/15
AUD - 83 1/8/16
FAR - 80 2/29/16

[mitchmatch]

You might be able to pull off REG because of your background, but a month for the rest seems suicidal especially working full time at a firm. Might want to revise those dates.

FAR-76 First attempt.
AUD-79 First attempt.
REG-79 First attempt.
BEC-79 First attempt.

Done!

BECKERS

[FutureCPA8]

Hey everyone! Thanks for the warm welcome! 🙂 Everyone seems super friendly and eager to help!

To answer some questions…

@ohiostategirlcpa

It is stressful! I think I forgot to mention however that I JUST graduated college…even FAR seems like review to me…don't get me wrong, this is ALL difficult, but I think I have a leg up for just graduating. Overall I actually feel pretty good about the exam….(weird, right? maybe it means I'm ill-prepared LOL)

@jdn9201

Thank you! I scheduled BEC for late April just to give me the most time to study for it, and AUD end of May because of the same reason and I'm an auditor by nature so (not to sound cocky) but I feel as though those two won't be *as* terrible for me. Also, thank you for all of the helpful advice! That's awesome you got a 74 pulling that off though…that's so close!

Overall, thanks everyone! Some added facts: I have 0 kids (my time at home is spent studying), I'm in my 20s, and my firm is SUPER FLEXIBLE (they have given me off in advance all test dates, paid for materials, and let me study AT WORK when info is pending on returns, etc hehe). I study a LOT more than it probably sounds…LOL. The adaptive learning software has helped TREMENDOUSLY with my confidence, too, and my colleague who is in the same boat passed AUD, REG, and BEC first try with very little prep time and baby twins at home so I'm confident if others can do it, so can I! 🙂

How is everyone else's journey to the CPA going? Good I hope! 🙂

FAR - 01/30/2016 - 57,
REG - 02/27/2016 - ?
BEC - 04/30/2016 - ?
AUD - 05/28/2016 - ?

[Missy]

Just want to point out that while you think you're in good shape because you've just finished school its like saying “I'm sure I'm ready to run a marathon because I ran 13 miles each day for the last two days so its the same thing just squeezed into one day.” You may still be in good shape but this is nothing like your college work, think trying to complete 4 classes simultaneously in a 4 week period with finals for all 4 on the same day. Not trying to shoot you down but the more realistic youir expectations are the more likely you are to pass all 4 on your schedule.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Kel Kel Kel]

@FutureCPA8
Good luck on your CPA journey! I tried to sneak in as much study time as I could- listening to lessons on the way to work, in between my work load, just before bed, when I woke up, etc. Make sure you practice the problems and do the multiple choice- it reinforces the concepts and made the application of the theory much more understandable. I took my time with the exams (2-3 months for each exam) but it sounds like you got a good education. May I ask where you went to school? My cousin is considering an accounting degree, but I would not recommend my CA state school, as I felt it was sub par.

F- 84
A- 81
R- 86
B- 74, 71, 83
Licensed in CA

[FutureCPA8]

@mla11692 Eek! I do know it's going to be 20 times harder…I just know I'm at least in a *little* better shape because I just graduated and my lead told me she regrets not taking it right after graduation the most! Thank you for your advice! 🙂

@Kel Kel Kel Hi! Thank you so much! I'm determined to get those three letters…I actually went to a CA state school but I'm not the biggest fan of the school itself for many other reasons so I'm not sure I would be the best to ask! I went to CSU Northridge, and while the program gave me everything I needed for the CPA, I had a few tax teachers that didn't prepare me all too well for REG if even at all…but the price was right and the school of business/accounting is highly prestigious here! No matter where your cousin ends up, they picked the RIGHT major! LOL 🙂

FAR - 01/30/2016 - 57,
REG - 02/27/2016 - ?
BEC - 04/30/2016 - ?
AUD - 05/28/2016 - ?

[Author]

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