[JMOR]

I’m graduating in December of this year and I am in the beginning stages of planning for the exams. I see a lot of people on here taking the hardest (for them) exams first, but I was thinking of taking the “easiest” first. My logic behind this is that if I have to re-take an exam I want it to be an “easier” one that I feel better about my chances passing. I was thinking this order; BEC, REG, AUD, FAR. Has anyone gone with this way of thinking? Is it beneficial or will my mind be so trashed after three exams that I should take an “easier” one last?

REG - 86
FAR - 74,
BEC - 72,
AUD -73,

[JTS254]

I'm going FAR, BEC, AUD, REG. Benefit is you are really focused and motivated in the beginning which helps with FAR. The downside is you don't know what to expect and your study methods aren't as efficient as they will become. Don't make the mistake of assuming BEC is a walk in the park. BEC was a much worse “testing experience” than FAR despite getting a higher grade. I have AUD tomorrow and I can assure you it's not going to be easy either. I do feel a little burned out and have to begin studying for REG on Monday.

FAR - 84
BEC - 89
AUD - 93
REG - 87

[JTS254]

I'm going FAR, BEC, AUD, REG. Benefit is you are really focused and motivated in the beginning which helps with FAR. The downside is you don't know what to expect and your study methods aren't as efficient as they will become. Don't make the mistake of assuming BEC is a walk in the park. BEC was a much worse “testing experience” than FAR despite getting a higher grade. I have AUD tomorrow and I can assure you it's not going to be easy either. I do feel a little burned out and have to begin studying for REG on Monday.

FAR - 84
BEC - 89
AUD - 93
REG - 87

[mla1169]

Yes, plenty of people start with one they think will be easier to get the confidence.

The logic of starting with the hardest is that you have 18 months from passing your first test until you lose credit for it. So if you start with one you think will be harder, and you fail the first time, at least the clock isn't ticking on another one to expire.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

Yes, plenty of people start with one they think will be easier to get the confidence.

The logic of starting with the hardest is that you have 18 months from passing your first test until you lose credit for it. So if you start with one you think will be harder, and you fail the first time, at least the clock isn't ticking on another one to expire.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[JMOR]

Thanks for the insights. I still have plenty of time to figure this out. Does anyone have an estimate on when the Wiley books for 2014 will be released?

REG - 86
FAR - 74,
BEC - 72,
AUD -73,

[JMOR]

Thanks for the insights. I still have plenty of time to figure this out. Does anyone have an estimate on when the Wiley books for 2014 will be released?

REG - 86
FAR - 74,
BEC - 72,
AUD -73,

[calicpa]

ya but that goes the other way as well. If you pass FAR first then that is your first one to expire and you really don't want to have to retake FAR.

BEC - 84, 4/6/13
AUD - 77, 5/28/13
REG - 83, 4/12/14
FAR - 83, 10/3/13

Ethics - 90% 4/24/13

150 unit education requirement met!
Work experience met!

[calicpa]

ya but that goes the other way as well. If you pass FAR first then that is your first one to expire and you really don't want to have to retake FAR.

BEC - 84, 4/6/13
AUD - 77, 5/28/13
REG - 83, 4/12/14
FAR - 83, 10/3/13

Ethics - 90% 4/24/13

150 unit education requirement met!
Work experience met!

[Gatorbates]

For what it's worth, I would take FAR before AUD. A lot of the stuff learned in FAR pops up in AUD …

Licensed Florida CPA:
B: 71, 73, 79
A: 83
R: 78 (expired), 77
F: 74, 74, 80

It's finally freaking over.

[Gatorbates]

For what it's worth, I would take FAR before AUD. A lot of the stuff learned in FAR pops up in AUD …

Licensed Florida CPA:
B: 71, 73, 79
A: 83
R: 78 (expired), 77
F: 74, 74, 80

It's finally freaking over.

[JMOR]

@calicpa That's what I was thinking, I do not want to retake FAR. @gatorbates, Thanks for the heads up.

REG - 86
FAR - 74,
BEC - 72,
AUD -73,

[JMOR]

@calicpa That's what I was thinking, I do not want to retake FAR. @gatorbates, Thanks for the heads up.

REG - 86
FAR - 74,
BEC - 72,
AUD -73,

[Anonymous]

I second taking FAR before AUD, really glad I did it that way. There were a few topics (not many, but some nonetheless) where my AUD course pretty much assumed you had the underlying knowledge of the accounting principles. Other than that, it's really a matter of preference

[Anonymous]

I second taking FAR before AUD, really glad I did it that way. There were a few topics (not many, but some nonetheless) where my AUD course pretty much assumed you had the underlying knowledge of the accounting principles. Other than that, it's really a matter of preference

[tough_kitty]

I agree with mla1169's logic.

And thinking that you might fail is a wrong attitude! You should plan it out that way so you pass them all on your first try! But plan to take all 4 within 12 months or less. That way you have 6 extra months to retake a part if you have to.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[Author]

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