[Anonymous]

Here’s my situation, I passed AUD, then studied and took BEC twice, and failed by 2 points both times…my AUD score has now expired, and the last time I studied for BEC was almost 6 months ago.

Now I’m at square one.

Should I take BEC first, since it’s the last section I studied for?

Take AUD since it’s the only section I passed?

Or start with a clean slate and take another section like FAR or REG first?

I currently don’t have a full time job, so I can devote plenty of time to studying. I want to get this whole thing knocked out within this year, so any advice is welcome.

[Anonymous]

I would try starting with the section you are least confident with. That way, when you pass, you have the hardest one out of the way to start. If you don't pass for some reason, you don't have to worry about other parts expiring while waiting to pass your toughest section. Figure out which section you are least confident in passing (for me it was FAR just due to the amount of material) and take that one.

[fbenjamin11]

My strategy was to take the hardest part first which is FAR then from the easiest to the hardest and for me that was AUD, BEC and finally REG. Keep in mind that the CPA exams are not that hard to pass as many people say. I took Becker and so far they are getting the job done. I just concentrate on what they cover in the lecture only.My strategy is:

A) Listen to the lecture once

B) Read the chapter slowly

C) Do the MCQ once and redo what I got wrong the first time.

D) Leave that chapter alone and go to the next and repeat the process

E) The last 4 day before the test, read the chapter and do the MCQ one more time.

F) Your average from this round is what you will most likely to get on the test.

G) Finally try to take your test around the last two days of the window. Results will be available a week later; if you fail you can study again while the material still fresh in your mind and set for the exam again in 3 weeks.

That was my strategy. Other people may have different ideas. GL

FAR 77

AUD 81

BEC 82

REG 08/30

[JakeO]

I would say hit BEC first, and then AUD in the same window. Hopefully you will pass both and then you only have two to go, albeit the two biggest ones, FAR and REG. I like the strategy of taking two tests per window and keep retaking those two until you pass one, then introduce a new section. You may even be able to take three tests per window if two of them are retakes where the study time is shortened a little bit. (no sense in starting from scratch in areas you are confident about). Also, look for some tips of which sections tend to be tested the most and make sure to spend most of your study time there. Even though the AICPA gives %s of the areas tested, some areas tend to be tested in the upper range, and more in depth, than other areas.

AUD-Failed (Waiting for Score)
BEC-PASSED (First try)
REG-Failed (Retake February 2013)
FAR-Failed (Retake January 2013)

[KassiusKlay]

I did it alphabetical. Only because I couldn't decide. Ha. In your case I would def do Audit or BEC first and then the other one after that. The reason is there is a lot of overlapping stuff between the two. REG I would do last, and my reasoning is it is completely different than the other three. I would do FAR first if you can, just because it is the most information and your window will not start till you pass it. Cheers.

Form is temporary, class is permanent.

Audit 4/19/12 - 77
BEC 5/31/12 - 75
FAR 8/30/12

[JakeO]

I agree with KassiusKlay, FAR is a great one to start with just because its super long to study the first time. So you might think of doing FAR first, and do AUD since you've already passed and know you can do it. If you pass both in one window, it can be a real confidence booster.

AUD-Failed (Waiting for Score)
BEC-PASSED (First try)
REG-Failed (Retake February 2013)
FAR-Failed (Retake January 2013)

[The Singularity]

FAR, REG, AUD, BEC. Hardest to easiest, IMO. Don't want to have the time window closing on you as you are studying for the hardest parts.

[Loaf]

probably should do far, reg, bec, aud. that way you get the hard ones out of the way early.

[Author]

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