[Anonymous]

So I’ve been on this journey for a little over a year and I have passed all sections but FAR. I passed BEC first try with a 77, passed AUD on second try (67 then 86), passed REG on third try (65, 58, then 84), and am now taking FAR here in three weeks for the third time (failed it with a 74 and then 73; #frustrating).

I will be the first to admit, though, that my study habits are still extremely poor. I go out almost every weekend with friends. I will bring audit work home with me from my full-time job and it gets priority over studying, and getting my daily workout in also takes priority over studying (as does sleep). On all the sections I’ve passed, I watched Becker lectures in the background while doing other things. I completed roughly 70% of the required MCQs, have done zero Becker task-based simulations, and done none of the practice tests. I have rationalized this with the notion that I could have passed everything the first go around, but giving up social time in my early twenties just isn’t worth it.

I’m scared that this won’t work for FAR though, and that my last two scores were extremely lucky. Today I purchased the Wiley FAR mobile app to review in bed before I doze off to sleep and got the NINJA audio for my commute to work. My Becker software expires December 31st.

Am I the only one that has skid through these tests feeling like I’ve gotten lucky on all of them and really didn’t deserve it? I am in some serious need of motivation as I sit here in the public library looking over FAR material for the first time in 7 months. I have until May 31st before BEC expires but I want to get this sucker knocked out before christmas. Helllllllpppp meeeeee. Someone please give me the motivation and strength to carry on.

[SKCPA]

@colb425 – I can relate somewhat to passing a section and feeling like I didn't totally deserve it. I studied a good amount for a few sections, and I ended up just barely passing. While I was dedicated to the process, I felt like I could have put in more effort and gotten a better score. I think it was just a matter of knowing that I was capable of more. I'm not sure if that's what you're experiencing or not. Regardless of our personal study plans/study habits, we are all over-achievers in some way, or else we wouldn't voluntarily put ourselves through this craziness! We all need motivation now and then, and this is the forum to come to (although we can be tough on each other!). I need to overcome BEC (which I have failed twice, once with a 71 and another time with a 73) and then I will be done. The final section takes double the motivation, in my opinion, because we are just burnt out at this point. Best of luck! We can all do this!

FAR - PASSED
AUD - PASSED
REG - PASSED
BEC - Re-take NOV '13

[SKCPA]

@colb425 – I can relate somewhat to passing a section and feeling like I didn't totally deserve it. I studied a good amount for a few sections, and I ended up just barely passing. While I was dedicated to the process, I felt like I could have put in more effort and gotten a better score. I think it was just a matter of knowing that I was capable of more. I'm not sure if that's what you're experiencing or not. Regardless of our personal study plans/study habits, we are all over-achievers in some way, or else we wouldn't voluntarily put ourselves through this craziness! We all need motivation now and then, and this is the forum to come to (although we can be tough on each other!). I need to overcome BEC (which I have failed twice, once with a 71 and another time with a 73) and then I will be done. The final section takes double the motivation, in my opinion, because we are just burnt out at this point. Best of luck! We can all do this!

FAR - PASSED
AUD - PASSED
REG - PASSED
BEC - Re-take NOV '13

[TheClincher]

No you're not alone! I still manage to go out when I should be studying and still pass these exams. I went with my family to Vegas for 4 days to visit my aunt a week before my AUD exam (a month up until then I crammed so much information in my brain and needed a break), gone to a couple concerts, played some Battlefield here and there, always found time to be with my girlfriend, etc. I am not trying to rub anyone the wrong way…all I'm saying is that I am still living and I know when to make time to study. I just think it's a little much when people say YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE A LIFE WHILE STUDYING. I'm not working at the moment so I guess I have alot of time on my hands. I just choose not to spend every minute of it studying because it's just too much. Sometimes there's only so much you can study and at some point I just say let's take it already, I'm ready.

But now, FAR is my last section and I take it in just less than a month. I've told my buddy no more concerts till after Dec 5 and I'm going to lean a little more time on studying because I just want to get this done. Just know everything will pay off in the future if you just sacrifice some of your social time these last weeks you have! Best of luck to you.

AUD 85
REG 76
BEC 82
FAR (12/5/13)

*Used Becker

[TheClincher]

No you're not alone! I still manage to go out when I should be studying and still pass these exams. I went with my family to Vegas for 4 days to visit my aunt a week before my AUD exam (a month up until then I crammed so much information in my brain and needed a break), gone to a couple concerts, played some Battlefield here and there, always found time to be with my girlfriend, etc. I am not trying to rub anyone the wrong way…all I'm saying is that I am still living and I know when to make time to study. I just think it's a little much when people say YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE A LIFE WHILE STUDYING. I'm not working at the moment so I guess I have alot of time on my hands. I just choose not to spend every minute of it studying because it's just too much. Sometimes there's only so much you can study and at some point I just say let's take it already, I'm ready.

But now, FAR is my last section and I take it in just less than a month. I've told my buddy no more concerts till after Dec 5 and I'm going to lean a little more time on studying because I just want to get this done. Just know everything will pay off in the future if you just sacrifice some of your social time these last weeks you have! Best of luck to you.

AUD 85
REG 76
BEC 82
FAR (12/5/13)

*Used Becker

[Anonymous]

@TheClincher

I don't think it's “a little much” when people say they won't have a life while studying – because I would bet a good deal of those people are those that ARE working, have children/families, etc which puts a lot more draw on their time vs a relatively unattached non-working young person.

For me, I work till 6PM M-F and then have an hour commute home – so yes, I have no life while studying because my only free time starts when I get home at 7PM already burned out or on the weekends.

For people who are loaded with commitments – family, job, etc this can be a BIG BURDEN and a real balancing act. That is why people get edgy when others make it seem like “what is everyone complaining about – this ain't so bad”

[Anonymous]

@TheClincher

I don't think it's “a little much” when people say they won't have a life while studying – because I would bet a good deal of those people are those that ARE working, have children/families, etc which puts a lot more draw on their time vs a relatively unattached non-working young person.

For me, I work till 6PM M-F and then have an hour commute home – so yes, I have no life while studying because my only free time starts when I get home at 7PM already burned out or on the weekends.

For people who are loaded with commitments – family, job, etc this can be a BIG BURDEN and a real balancing act. That is why people get edgy when others make it seem like “what is everyone complaining about – this ain't so bad”

[Anonymous]

Honestly it's not like you've gotten away with murder if you failed some. I passed my part with a 93 which was overboard but I don't regret studying way more than I had to because I'm on a tight budget and every 200 dollars I pay for a test is a week worth of my 30 hours a week job down the drain. Also your using Becker and prolly spent a decent portion amount of money on that.

I also did a lot of listening to lectures while doing other things it works great only disadvantage is I can't blast Black Sabbath or Deep Purple in the background like I'd normally do.

[Anonymous]

Honestly it's not like you've gotten away with murder if you failed some. I passed my part with a 93 which was overboard but I don't regret studying way more than I had to because I'm on a tight budget and every 200 dollars I pay for a test is a week worth of my 30 hours a week job down the drain. Also your using Becker and prolly spent a decent portion amount of money on that.

I also did a lot of listening to lectures while doing other things it works great only disadvantage is I can't blast Black Sabbath or Deep Purple in the background like I'd normally do.

[Anonymous]

I agree with Candlemassisawesome. The money is motivation enough for me to study hard to try to pass the first time.

[Anonymous]

I agree with Candlemassisawesome. The money is motivation enough for me to study hard to try to pass the first time.

[Ace24]

Colb425…. I am also in the same situation as you… having a hard time to motivate myself to study for my FAR.. I guess its really dificult to study and work at the public accounting firm at the same time…

For Audit I studied really hard and was really motivated probably because it was my first one. but for BEC and REG I only completed 60% of the becker material and put in 30 hours for each exam… I somehow miraculously passed it on my first try….

I have my FAR exam on the nov 20 and I just can't concentrate to study…. I guess the only thing that I am saying to myself is that this the last exam I probably have to write. So doing whatever needs to be done to complete it.

AUD - 78
BEC - 83
REG - 82
FAR - 82 (11/22/2013)I am done!!!!!

[Ace24]

Colb425…. I am also in the same situation as you… having a hard time to motivate myself to study for my FAR.. I guess its really dificult to study and work at the public accounting firm at the same time…

For Audit I studied really hard and was really motivated probably because it was my first one. but for BEC and REG I only completed 60% of the becker material and put in 30 hours for each exam… I somehow miraculously passed it on my first try….

I have my FAR exam on the nov 20 and I just can't concentrate to study…. I guess the only thing that I am saying to myself is that this the last exam I probably have to write. So doing whatever needs to be done to complete it.

AUD - 78
BEC - 83
REG - 82
FAR - 82 (11/22/2013)I am done!!!!!

[stancesc5]

I passed far with minimal studying. The rest I have failed with 40+ hours of studying put in

[stancesc5]

I passed far with minimal studying. The rest I have failed with 40+ hours of studying put in

[Anonymous]

@stancesc5

what was your strategy on far?

[Author]

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