[CPAmePLS]

If you are in a rush please ignore my post because I am venting and seeking help at the same time so this might not be very fun. To cut to the chase, I have a VERY weak foundation in accounting at this point. Upon graduation I made the genius decision of starting a business with my brother which is doing very well. Having said that, I graduated in 2013 and decided to take the CPA late last year, so saying I am “rusty” is being very generous to myself.

03/07/17 – FAR: 69
04/21/17 – AUD: 70
05/30/17 – REG: 78
07/15/17 – BEC : Awaiting Score nervously…

I am retaking FAR 09/07/17 and will register for AUD retake sometime in late October I think…And if I need to take BEC it’ll be early December.

Because my brother is my business partner, I have been able to literally put about 40 hours a week study time, however you see my results are horrible. What am I doing wrong? I am registered with Becker, have done all their questions, simulations etc. I don’t watch the lectures much because I feel like they’re a waste of time and too boring…I have enough time to study, I just think I am studying wrong…

Please any tips for the FAR retake which is in three weeks and the AUD which is in a few months? I truly appreciate all responds, thank you.

[CPAcandidate3]

I assume you read the book then? My way of studying is this. Get through all of the lectures and then start doing MCQs(Custom only new questions). Then after 150 or so if there are any sections where I'm not at least close to 70% I go back watch lectures in those areas. Once those are up in the 70% area I just do MCQs (Custom only new questions) 30 to 60 a day up until the test. If you aren't getting at least in the range of 65% on your quizzes then you shouldn't be doing MCQs and you should go back to reading or watching lectures. Between the lectures and MCQs I end up studying around 60-70 hours and it hasn't failed me yet.

[M123]

MCQ and TBS supplements would help.

You need time in the cockpit doing what is on the test – experiencing a realistic MCQ and TBS environment.

This is where Ninja will help. Becker has a lot of that same functionality but doesn't give you the direct feedback and the variety that Ninja does.

The other thing – I see this frequently – I don't know why people move on to another test when they fail one. Why not go back to that last test and study more while it's fresh?

If you go the MCQ route – be sure to balance the TBS and MCQ and simply postpone the exam if you don't get to the point where you KNOW you're ready. Even then there's a swag but there always is a moment.

[CPA8675309]

I honestly don't think your scores are horrible, especially for FAR considering you're rusty and have been out of school for 4 years. You've passed REG which in my opinion is the worst of the bunch (I'm waiting for my score and am pretty sure I failed – would be my first retake). How are you doing with MCQs? Do you make sure you understand the explanation after getting a questions wrong? Some people find it helpful to take notes after getting questions wrong; although I think that takes up too much time, I do find it helpful when there's specific areas you are struggling with. You said you don't like watching lectures and that's understandable, but are you reading the books? Some people find they can stick with just MCQs and still be successful, but I think that's difficult, because you should expose yourself the material as much as possible and you risk having knowledge gaps (I would think anyway).

As someone else said, it's my opinion also that it's not a good idea to jump from test to test to test. If it were me, I'd stick with FAR since that's what you're currently studying for. I'd plan to review FAR & BEC while waiting for both scores in the September score release since it's only 10 days (plus a few for BEC) after your FAR exam. I'd move onto AUD after you receive your next passing score basically. If you pass one, but not the other, then I'd jump back into the failed test before restudying for AUD. Worst case scenario and you fail both, I'd go back to FAR since it should be the freshest. Again, that's just my opinion.

Good luck!

Sorry if this is all over the place; I'm not drunk, just tired. The score release weeks are rough on me apparently.

[CPAmePLS]

Thank you all, I will take all tips into consideration. I appreciate it.

[Chandler]

Your scores are not horrible. I graduated with an accounting degree in 2015, with a reasonably high GPA. (All to say I probably have a stronger, less “rusty” accounting foundation than yourself.) I got a 71 on FAR the first time after studying really hard. After studying and taking it again, I only scored a 75. Currently I'm struggling to pass AUD.

These tests are hard, but that's why a CPA license is valuable. Don't give up.

[Author]

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