[Landon]

Hello everyone,

I’ve been lurking/reading this forum for awhile and am about to sit for my first section, BEC, on Feb. 23. For my first NTS application, I applied for BEC and REG. I would like to take two sections during the second window. Which would be better to take with REG (AUD or FAR) and how much time do I need (approximate hours, not weeks) to devote to REG and whichever other one I take?

I ordered Yaeger 2011 around Christmas and have been studying BEC since then (for a total of approximately 80-90 hours so far, though not entirely effective and efficient hours), with the exception of a few missed days. I just received the CRAMs today. By taking BEC on Feb. 23, that will leave 97 days until the close of the second testing window. Is that enough time to study and test REG and either AUD or FAR? If not, should I consider applying for another NTS for the other two sections and take AUD and FAR during the second window and REG the third window?

What, in your opinion, is my best move? I really want to be finished before August, assuming I pass on the first attempt. If I don’t, I plan to use the fourth window for any necessary retakes.

Thank you.

Landon

BEC 2/28/11 NTS 447####

[Anonymous]

FAR, AUD then REG. I took REG, BEC , FAR then AUD.

AUD needs to be taken after FAR – just trust me on that.

FAR should be taken closer to AUD.

REG and FAR should not be taken close together, so you can try to keep the book/tax rules seperate.

So I recommend FAR, AUD then REG 🙂 Good Luck.

[whitesoxfancpa]

I don't think it matters at all, but if I HAD to choose, I'd do FAR, AUD, REG.

But don't sweat over it. I did AUD, FAR, REG, BEC and I really felt it didn't make much of a difference. There's overlap in all the sections and no matter what order you take them in, you'll see something in a later section that you learned something about in an earlier section.

AUD 96 FAR 95 REG 94 BEC 88

[Herbieherb]

I did it in the order of my familiararity. I work in private industry as a staff accountant.

my order

Audit 0 exp 1 class in college 10 years ago

Reg 0 exp except for doing my own 1040… 3 class in Blaw/indiv college 10 years ago

BEC same classes I took long time ago

FAR 10 years exp doing various related things.

I also heard.FAR was also the hardest…saved it for last. My strategy here is to keep building momentum. If I failed aud, I wouldn't have been motivated to pass reg. I have 5 Windows to conquer FAR. I believe if I started with FAR and failed…Id have 0 confidence, less motivation and 0 passed credits. Honestly I didn't study very hard for audit…I studied reg and BEC with much more passion and intensity.

NEW YORK- DONE

[Anonymous]

The order I took the exams FAR, REG, BEC, AUD. My rational for this order was to take the more difficult exam first because of the 18 month rule. The 18 month rule doesn't kick in until you passed the first section. I didn't want to pass the easier sections first and then some how struggle with FAR and start to loose sections. So after I passed FAR i took REG because I felt I could pass that one with minimum studying required. Once I understood the financial criteria for BEC it turnout to be pretty easy to pass.

[Landon]

Thanks for the input, everyone. I signed up for BEC and REG because I was about to enroll in Becker on campus and that is the order that the class was studying. When it came down to it, I was drawn to Yaeger, but had already applied to test.

According to the test scores for 2010, BEC seems to be the hardest (lowest pass rate) so I'm ok with that. I plan to take all four tests within 6 months, so that will give me a year to retake anything I mess up (longer if I fail the first one since the clock won't start.) Not that anyone plans to fail, but I really don't plan on failing. I am dedicated to putting in the study time.

Is is possible/probable to study for and successfully test for REG and either AUD/FAR in the 97 day period. I do work full-time, but it's a relatively stress-free, brainless job that allows me to study an hour or two at work each day. I don't mind putting in the hours and effort, I just don't want to stack the deck against myself.

Thanks.

BEC 2/28/11 NTS 447####

[Author]

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