[MrNormalGuy]

Is it possible to slowly study for the CPA exam over time? I heard it emphasizes short term memory, but I’m finding it almost impossible for myself to learn this much new information and I’m finding that my score rises over time even if I don’t do the 4 hours a day every day one month before exam ritual….

So my question is can I pass the exam eventually studying an hour a day or 2-3 hours twice or three times a week? I really don’t have the intensity to study more than that but I can keep doing it for 2-3 years if I need too….

Thank you

God bless.

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[Sandra]

You only have 18 months to pass all 4 sections, so you really don't have 2-3 years like you mentioned. Also I think you will forget some key concepts if you go too slowly. Either way the longest you can really go is 18 months.

[MrNormalGuy]

I understand. I guess what I mean to say is that can I build a cumulative base over a year or so of slow review without aking the exams and then go into full gear for a lower amount of time…will this constant review be forgotten, or can I actually pull it off….the reason I'm asking is because I am really bright and intelligent, straight A student, but when it comes to studying four hours a day for three months….forget it….I'm hoping I can retain fifty percent of the material and then go into high gear…

my score for reg has been 50, 60, 68….and I've been studying for this one exam for years….because all of it is new to me…but now it's somewhat familiar, I'm studying it as if it were actually a review….so it's going like that for me…just wondering what I should do…continue studying, or bail and chose another major but that might not be anything at this point I feel burned out on school.

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[Anonymous]

@MrNormalGuy: I'm sorry you are feeling burned out and haven't seen a passing score. Hang in there, most of us have been through this (I passed REG on 3rd try). If you are feeling burned out, take a week or two off and do something you enjoy. But after the break, come back and attack these exams. You have been improving which means you are capable of passing. You are so close in REG and with intense studying, you will pass it.

Here's what I recommend (after you take 1-2 week break). Start studying for REG again. Read each chapter, watch lecture, and do its MCQs/SIMs. Do that for each chapter while taking progress tests in between. Leave 2-3 weeks for review. In the review phase, read the chapter again and do its MCQs/SIMs again. If you are using Becker, then after you done with all Becker MCQs/SIMs, get a Wiley testbank and do its MCQs. Wiley dose great job with tax while Becker is sufficient for blaw. Don't skip anything and cover each section in the books.

I don't think it's good idea to spread these exams out over three years. Who knows how much material will change and there might be more to learn as the time goes by. Give 2-3months for each exam instead (less, if possible) and just give it all you have.

Just my $.02.

[misanthrope87]

Sorry but that is just too little study time. I'm not an intense studier either since I'm busy with work. But I try to do 15 hours every week, which is not considered to be a lot. You don't have to study four hours everyday to pass these exams…but I would recommend more than 10. I do remember some mom on this site saying she studied an hour everyday. She had a couple of passes and fails under her belt. Wonder how that worked out for her.

B 2/12 87
A 11/11 90
R 8/11 86
F 5/12 88

[Anonymous]

wrong thread 🙂

[Kim4]

I started studying for FAR in January, and I took it at the end of April. I started studying so early because I knew I was going to wait until after busy season to take it, plus I wasn't eligible yet. I figured that starting early would give me a good head start, but I really wish I had done it differently now. I felt like I forgot everything from my studying from Jan – Feb. by the time I took the exam, even with lots of review. FAR especially is just so much information that it's easy to forget what you studied just a month or two earlier. I'd recommend just studying hard and knocking them out in a shorter time frame.

FAR -- 90
AUD -- 95
BEC -- 82
REG -- 92

DONE!

[Anonymous]

@MrNormalGuy, IMO I wouldn't drag these exam out too long. There is SO much information and to try and retain all of that for months and months doesn't seem like the best strategy. I think it's hard for a lot of people to really buckle down and study but as long as you know why you are doing this and what your priorities are then you should be golden. I would say keep researching different study strategies. You may already be aware but just in case you aren't, Jeff, the creator of this forum has a plan called E.L.L. (Early, Lunch, Late) You wake up early and study an hour, study during your lunch break, and find an hour at night to sit down and study. You also try to study as much as you can on the weekend. I'm not sure if this strategy is ideal for you but at least it's an idea. Good luck to you and remember forward motion is better than no motion so keep at studying whatever way you can! 🙂

[MrNormalGuy]

Thank you for you're help everyone….especially the E.L.L. method….I've actually already put in 200+hours for regulation….and I'll keep on chugging along…thank you all.

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[littlenumberrobot]

I myself am not a fan of the intense studying. But you have to do the most possible, for you adn your life. Even if your hours are not as productive all the time you are still in the matieral seeing it again and again. Don't drag out this already painful experience. Also spreading things out only leads to falling out of study mode. I have yet to attempt E.L.L., I do night and weekend studying. I will find out how this works out come my next score.

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[littlenumberrobot]

I myself am not a fan of the intense studying. But you have to do the most possible, for you adn your life. Even if your hours are not as productive all the time you are still in the matieral seeing it again and again. Don't drag out this already painful experience. Also spreading things out only leads to falling out of study mode. I have yet to attempt E.L.L., I do night and weekend studying. I will find out how this works out come my next score.

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[MrNormalGuy]

thanks littlenumber. Let us know how it goes.

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[Author]

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