[yvettewalker]

Got laid off with 120 others. I had been there 14 years, so got a pretty decent severance. I had been expecting it, that’s why I had already started this CPA journey (can’t move laterally at my position without a cpa even with a masters and 25 years work experience). . . Which leads to my question:

I’ve got 6 months to pass all 4 parts and find another job. I’m taking FAR, my 1st section, in 2 weeks. How much would you allocate to studying each week? 8 hours a day? How much is too much? After FAR, I was going to start studying for AUD. How quick do you think I can get thru it without losing my mind? Lol

[Me]

Which study program do you use? I know in Becker if you put in how many hours a day you can study it shows you how much time is needed. Also, I believe the NINJA study items has an accelerated schedule. Sorry to hear about losing your job. Good luck in finding a new one and passing the exam.

[yvettewalker]

I'm using Wiley, but while i was working was only doing 16 hours a week (2 Monday thru Thursday, Friday off, 4 on Saturday and Sunday). I figured I could increase that substantially, but not sure how much is too much? Maybe 8 a day Monday thru Friday, and 4 on Saturday and Sunday. Or take off the weekends?

I guess that's my point? Is it possible to do TOO MUCH?

[Cobalt60]

Studying full time I do up to 10 hours a day, but most days significantly less. I do take one day a week completely off. I also try not to sit for more than an hour at a time. Take the dog for a walk, mow the lawn, go for a bike ride…

The brain is like a sponge. It doesn't absorb as much under pressure.

One section every four weeks with a little extra for FAR is reasonable full time. At least that's what I hope.

[say]

I studied full time for FAR. I was putting in anywhere from 6 hours to 12 hours a day. It took me almost 5 weeks in total to prepare. I passed with an 86. It took me a while to get through certain concepts. I am using wiley. they did an ok job at explaining some things but often I would go on to youtube. I used professor farhat lectures for some of the concepts. My advice to people taking far is to hit every single topic in that book. If you run out of time, you run out of time, but the more you cover of course you increase your chances. I got through the conceptual framework, and financial statement line items thoroughly. in hindsight I spent more time than necessary in those areas. I tested stronger in those areas. I started to run out of time as I approached the exam date so I went through governmental in a weekend. the topics are not too complex. you have to know the vocabulary, and the structure of the cafr. these are not things you can wing, guess, use deductive reasoning – you have to know it. the topics aren't complex. after that I went to financial statement transactions last. I really took a gamble on this one. I got through as many topics as possible but I made sure to understand pensions, leases, rev recognition, I ran out of time in completing the study work for this piece of it. I was so afraid that I was going to fail b/c I didn't cover a lot of that area. some of the topics within that area are complex. I tested comparable in that area and in governmental. I think being thorough on the financial statement line items study I did helped me with the transactional piece. I also think there may have been some luck involved in that. I wish you all of the best. there is no tricks or tips but to just get into it!

[AGI]

I don't think anyone can tell you how much time you will need to study. To be realistic, your study shouldn't be evaluate on the time but on the progress. I would say studied a minimum of 4 hours per day, and then +/- based on your progress. You should set up a target goal each day to finish 1-2 chapters + 1-2 sets of test banks + prepare for the next chapter? Remember, you need to let your brain rest to remember all the materials. There is no point sitting in from of the book going blind for 16 hours if it's not getting into your brain.

6 months is more than enough if you do efficient studying. I did 2-4 hours a day for 1 year while working 40 hours a week and finished it (newly into the field and just graduated).

New York - NYC
Passed CPA Exam (11/2014)
In search for a position in NYC that will fulfills the license requirement.

[Author]

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