[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,

[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

[Anonymous]

I did AUD, REG, BEC, FAR simply because of circumstances. I personally think the order is overblown. The key is to get started, commit, and get it done. The argument that some of the other sections are easier after learning FAR is true, but it's just as true in reverse. Doing the other three first means you've seen a lot of the material before and it's now helping you learn FAR.

Continuing to work hard every day/week is more important than order, in my opinion. Pushing through these exams is usually much harder than the actual material.

[Anonymous]

I did AUD, REG, BEC, FAR simply because of circumstances. I personally think the order is overblown. The key is to get started, commit, and get it done. The argument that some of the other sections are easier after learning FAR is true, but it's just as true in reverse. Doing the other three first means you've seen a lot of the material before and it's now helping you learn FAR.

Continuing to work hard every day/week is more important than order, in my opinion. Pushing through these exams is usually much harder than the actual material.

[KADFC]

The fact that you think you WILL fail and HAVE to retake any of those section is SAD.

Easiest First: Good motivation starter

Hardest First: I got the hardest out the way, I don't need to be concern with that stupid 18 month crap anymore. If I continue as is, the rest should be fine

I go against taking the easiest first. It's quite simple. The number of hours needed for FAR exceeds all else. You pass the easiest one, the 18 month starts. You finish 3 and have FAR left. You take it and can't pass. 3 month gaps between and you have a few more shots. If still can't pass it, the retakes keep piling up to 3.

I like to think of it as like walls and my muscle/strength. If I build myself strong enough to break the hardest/thickest one, and keep at it with my training, all of it will fall or later. However, if I'm only starting to build my muscle, sure I can take it down, but I will have to keep improving over time. This may not be the best example, but o well.

FARB or BRAF or BARF, up to you really. I'm sticking with FARB. I don't want to hit the hardest wall last.

FAR - 62 (10/2/13), 50 (5/30/14)
AUD - 73 (10/30/13), 66 (5/6/14)
REG - 69 (4/8/14)
BEC - 66 (2/27/13), 73 (4/21/14)

[KADFC]

The fact that you think you WILL fail and HAVE to retake any of those section is SAD.

Easiest First: Good motivation starter

Hardest First: I got the hardest out the way, I don't need to be concern with that stupid 18 month crap anymore. If I continue as is, the rest should be fine

I go against taking the easiest first. It's quite simple. The number of hours needed for FAR exceeds all else. You pass the easiest one, the 18 month starts. You finish 3 and have FAR left. You take it and can't pass. 3 month gaps between and you have a few more shots. If still can't pass it, the retakes keep piling up to 3.

I like to think of it as like walls and my muscle/strength. If I build myself strong enough to break the hardest/thickest one, and keep at it with my training, all of it will fall or later. However, if I'm only starting to build my muscle, sure I can take it down, but I will have to keep improving over time. This may not be the best example, but o well.

FARB or BRAF or BARF, up to you really. I'm sticking with FARB. I don't want to hit the hardest wall last.

FAR - 62 (10/2/13), 50 (5/30/14)
AUD - 73 (10/30/13), 66 (5/6/14)
REG - 69 (4/8/14)
BEC - 66 (2/27/13), 73 (4/21/14)

[tough_kitty]

I did F-BRA 😉

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

[tough_kitty]

I did F-BRA 😉

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

[JMOR]

@KADFC I get your point about tackling the hardest first, thanks for the response. Also, I never said that I WILL fail, I simply stated IF I fail one, which as we all know is quite common and possible. I will be going into these exams with all of the confidence in the world, but in the mean time I need to hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

Edit: Dang it! I just Hi Ya'd my own post. Oops!

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

[JMOR]

@KADFC I get your point about tackling the hardest first, thanks for the response. Also, I never said that I WILL fail, I simply stated IF I fail one, which as we all know is quite common and possible. I will be going into these exams with all of the confidence in the world, but in the mean time I need to hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

Edit: Dang it! I just Hi Ya'd my own post. Oops!

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

[GoVPI]

I think I will go for FARB also. I have been reading so much on the board and i have gotten so far for which reviews to use:

FAR+BEC= Yaeger (Cindy)

REG: Mix–need some more input

AUD: Mix–need some more input

I am about a year away from taking my first test but I will be asking for my CPA reviews for my birthday and graduation present.

Can anyone help, I go to a smaller university where it is like the Yaeger set up(white board, problems, explanation), also I used Wiley textbook in intermediate 1&2 accounting. Any info would be greatly helpful, I will be paying for the exams,fees, etc by myself so I hope to accomplish success on the first tries!

BEC 8/14/14 - Passed
Graduated from college 12/13/14
AUD 8/31/15 - 74. Retake - Passed
REG
FAR

[GoVPI]

I think I will go for FARB also. I have been reading so much on the board and i have gotten so far for which reviews to use:

FAR+BEC= Yaeger (Cindy)

REG: Mix–need some more input

AUD: Mix–need some more input

I am about a year away from taking my first test but I will be asking for my CPA reviews for my birthday and graduation present.

Can anyone help, I go to a smaller university where it is like the Yaeger set up(white board, problems, explanation), also I used Wiley textbook in intermediate 1&2 accounting. Any info would be greatly helpful, I will be paying for the exams,fees, etc by myself so I hope to accomplish success on the first tries!

BEC 8/14/14 - Passed
Graduated from college 12/13/14
AUD 8/31/15 - 74. Retake - Passed
REG
FAR

[KADFC]

@ JMOR. My bad. Well, at least you know where I'm coming from. I get where you're getting at though. “If I have to repeat/retake one later, I rather retake the easiest one.” My perspective though, I just don't want the last one to drag and force me back to having nothing. BTW, I spent 6 to 7 months studying for FAR. I don't think that's normal. Yeah, too many distractions.

FAR - 62 (10/2/13), 50 (5/30/14)
AUD - 73 (10/30/13), 66 (5/6/14)
REG - 69 (4/8/14)
BEC - 66 (2/27/13), 73 (4/21/14)

[KADFC]

@ JMOR. My bad. Well, at least you know where I'm coming from. I get where you're getting at though. “If I have to repeat/retake one later, I rather retake the easiest one.” My perspective though, I just don't want the last one to drag and force me back to having nothing. BTW, I spent 6 to 7 months studying for FAR. I don't think that's normal. Yeah, too many distractions.

FAR - 62 (10/2/13), 50 (5/30/14)
AUD - 73 (10/30/13), 66 (5/6/14)
REG - 69 (4/8/14)
BEC - 66 (2/27/13), 73 (4/21/14)

[tough_kitty]

My personal opinion – if you want to pass on your first try, invest in Roger CPA Review (comes with Wiley books & test bank) and follow everything he says, i.e. have a study plan in advance and stick to it! And PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE until you are ready – 80-90% on practice MCQs.

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

[tough_kitty]

My personal opinion – if you want to pass on your first try, invest in Roger CPA Review (comes with Wiley books & test bank) and follow everything he says, i.e. have a study plan in advance and stick to it! And PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE until you are ready – 80-90% on practice MCQs.

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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