[needseriousHELPtoPASS]

I wanted to open this discussion to have some motivation since I have been failing for the past 3 years. I received my fair share of 74’s….. VERY DEPRESSING I clearly am doing something wrong and need help from anyone who is willing to share some tips. I want to be DONE by the time this test changes April 1. Any tips on what I should do? I have them all scheduled – just need that PASSING GRADE!!!!

[jculbinthisbish]

What are your methods of studying? and what review course are you using?

AUD -
BEC -
FAR -
REG -

[needseriousHELPtoPASS]

Becker.. and I work so I feel I don't have enough time throughout the week.

[jculbinthisbish]

I can't really speak from experience since tomorrow is my first exam…but I would argue you just need to put the time in. Grind and get it done.

AUD -
BEC -
FAR -
REG -

[mjbey1s]

How many hours do you work per week @needseriousHELPtoPASS? I can at least tell you what I did to pass while working full time.

[needseriousHELPtoPASS]

@mjbey1s .. 45-50 hours. I'm at a big 4 so its not a 9-5… only time i have really is on the commute home and the weekends.

[mjbey1s]

Well I work in industry, and work 40-45 hours. I get up at 5 in the morning, study an hour before work, study an hour during lunch, and then 1-2 at night. I usually do 4-5 on weekends. If you can get 3 hours in per day, that really should be enough over an 8 w2eek time period.

[Wanna_B_TXCPA2014]

@needserioushelptopass. Let my story be your guide. Attitude is everything. Don’t be depressed b/c you haven’t gotten the desired result. Notice I didn’t say “fail”. Get fired up to figure out how to meet the challenge of getting over the hump.
1. Start with positive self talk
2. Study with purpose
3. Pass

This is what I did and here are my results (This exam is not an intelligence test, it’s a fist fight)
10/07/13 FAR 60
5/12/14 FAR70
7/5/14 FAR 67
8/31/14 AUD 62
5/31/15 FAR 67
10/4/15 FAR 73
11/15/15 AUD 73
4/3/16 AUD 76
5/27/16 BEC 77
10/18/16 FAR 75

[Anonymous]

Do you feel like you're a good test taker? Since you've been getting some 74's, improving your test taking skills could be what puts you over the edge into a passing grade. Here are a few things that help me:

1. Budget your time. Decide before test day how long you'll spend on each testlet and don't go over that time limit. Each Becker book gives a suggested time budget in the intro, I always just go with what they say, but you could modify it if you think you'll need more time for sims, etc.
2. If you don't immediately know the answer to a question skip it and come back to it, don't waste time on it until you've answered all of the questions you know.
3. When you get to the sims, look through all of them first and then start with the one you're most confident about. You don't want to waste time trying to figure out a sim you're likely going to get wrong anyway and then not have time to do one that should have been easy for you. There have been quite a few posts in this forum along the lines of, “I spent half an hour on the research question and then found out my last two sims were DRS's.” Don't let that happen to you!
4. Always try to make educated guesses on the MCQ's, but for the ones you're completely clueless on, instead of choosing an answer randomly:
– Pick the “odd man out” (ie if 3 answers are similar pick the one that is different)
– On REG, do not pick an answer that says “always, must, only, never”
– Choose the longest answer, it is more likely to be correct
– Choose either the “both/all” or “neither/none” answer on those questions where they ask which of a set of statements are correct
5. Don't take breaks unless you absolutely have to. Stay focused and get it done.

[mtaylo24]

@needserioushelp You are not alone. I am 0-7 this year w/ almost 5 scores in the 70s! Super frustrating.

AUD - 1st - 60 (12/12), 61 (2/13), 61 (8/13), 78! (11/15)
REG - 55 (2/16) 69 (5/16) Retake(8/16)
BEC - 71(5/16) Retake (9/16)
FAR - (8/16)

[Over_It]

Don't tell yourself the lie that there isn't enough time. There is plenty of time. I passed REG while working 60-65hrs a week during busy season. I also have a side business and a wife and kid. You have to really want it and be willing to sacrifice, anything else is a cop-out. Don't sell yourself short, you can do it!

[Substantive Testing]

@needseriousHELPtoPASS Only big 4 peers will understand what it feels like to be at a big 4 and the real struggle with this test. Working 70 hours on busy season, and trying to squeeze 32 hours studying is a real struggle. My 2 cents is cut life, friends and family for a year if you want to succeed on career and the test (Peter Olintos was my only relative back then). I still remember that I couldnt cut GF, and my quality of work went down causing me to get grilled by seniors and managers week after week. And on the back of my head saying “Just let me finish this %!@$#@$% first!”.

[Over_It]

You work an extra 5 hours during busy season. OMG, how could I possibly comprehend?

[Anonymous]

Over_it, you also studied for three months for REG. OP does not have that kind of time based on the first post.

[Substantive Testing]

Well…hours worked is probably not the perfect benchmark. You also have to consider the work that is being done.

[Over_It]

Get over yourself.

[Author]

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