[Anonymous]

Hello,

I passed FAR in February and my expiration date of the credit is September 7, 2018 (need to sit for last test before this date I believe). I was supposed to take REG but I had to delay it until July 1, and I am hoping I can take AUD around August 1 and BEC around the first week of September. My concern is the long amount of time I have been taking on REG. I think I have very inefficient study patterns which makes me question if I can spend a month a piece on AUD and BEC. Is it feasible to spend just over 2 months for AUD/BEC and pass both? I would like to pass both before the September blackout as I do not want to spend too long and risk losing FAR credit.

[Missy]

It is feasible but not necessary, if you feel like three in one window is too much for you (and it is for most but not all) I'd knock two out between July-Sept (reg which you're already studying for then AUD) and save BEC for Oct-Nov. You've still got five testing windows (15 months) to knock out three exams so its pretty early to worry about an expiring score.

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

[Anonymous]

Your FAR Credit doesn't expire for another year, I would take time to study for the sections and maybe plan to take AUD in October or early September (testing window ends on September 10th) and BEC toward the end of the year? This way you will still have several testing window in 2018 in case you don't pass. Unless you are studying full time, then I can see how the process can be sped up… This is a marathon, rushing through studying isn't going to do yourself any good, in my opinion.

[Anonymous]

I guess I am just overly paranoid of losing FAR since it was such a struggle to study for it and the fact that I have been spending way too much time on REG. I am pretty sure that I can take REG it on July 1 feeling decently confident (at least as confident as I was going into FAR). I would have preferred to take it in June which is not possible. So if I take REG on July 1, AUD during August, and BEC during October, I should be in pretty decent shape as far as timing goes?

[Trele6]

FAR and REG are the two sections that demand the most time. Just wait until you get to BEC and AUD and you will see how much smaller the books are. Was less material to go through. I did 4-5 weeks for BEC and about the same for AUD my first try, whereas REG was 9 weeks and FAR was about 12 weeks.

First go at the CPA! Only using Becker
Reg / Nov 2015 - 87
Far / Apr 2016 - 79
Bec / May 2016 - 80
Aud / Aug 2016

[Missy]

My hat is off to anybody who can pass all four in 6-7 months, its something to be proud of.

However most people don't. For me personally I was taking two per window and every window passed 1 and failed 1, until the 4th window when I only had AUD left and passed it. Took me exactly 12 mos.

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

[Anonymous]

@cpastudyguy Your schedule sounds great. Stick to it. Wouldn't it be great to get all passed the first time around? Even if not, your schedule still allows for 1 retake in November–you can still pass all 4 by year-end.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I think it is definitely doable but you have to stay focused and given that anything could come up within a month’s time (getting sick, busy work week, etc) a month could possibly be a stretch if you can’t fully commit each day to studying. Since you have plenty of time before your FAR score expires maybe you can consider giving yourself an extra week or two to study for AUD and BEC. As far as REG goes, luckily you have plenty of time so I would crank hard, drill those questions, practice sims, write out notecards, and spend the next upcoming weeks mastering the topics you’ve learned. You can definitely do it.

[Author]

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