[Anonymous]

Hi all! I seriously need some study advice. Just a little background: I’ve passed REG & BEC and have to finish FAR and AUD before my REG/BEC start to expire in January. I have taken the exams more times than I can count due to lack of motivation and not so stellar study habits, but I’m really ready for this to be over and willing to do whatever it takes at this point.

I am taking FAR on July 30th. Since my time is very limited to study for this exam, I’m not sure what is the most efficient and effective way to tackle this information to give myself the best chance to pass. I have the Yaeger home study course, along with Jeff’s NINJA notes. I’ve been trying this past week to watch the lectures, but I am starting to think that this may not be the most practical or efficient option, as there are 51 hours of lecture and I only have 3 weeks left (I also work full time).

I could potentially move the exam to August as a last resort, however I work at a Big 4, and our busy season will begin at the beginning of August, so it’s very hard to predict what my work hours will be.

Any advice on how to tackle FAR in 3 weeks (if even possible!) would be so greatly appreciated! Good luck to you all!

Erin

[hilaryh_88]

I've taken FAR many times. I take it again on July 25th. This time around I have only had 4 weeks to study before my AUD expires and so I got Yaeger CRAM. I think it is excellent. Those homestudy lectures, the whole 51 hours, are quite brutal. It is a total of right around 24 hours of lectures. I don't know what kind of free time you have to study or watch those, but that's my 2 cents worth. If you think you have a good handle already, maybe try problems using cpareviewforfree.com, the AICPA practice exams, and/or the Gleim free trial and see how you do. Maybe you don't need to be watching any more lectures.

AUD - 82 Becker
BEC - 75 Becker
REG - 71, 82 Becker
FAR - 66,61,71,74,70 and #6 80!!!! FINALLY DONE!!! 9/20/12
Yaeger and Yaeger CRAM for the final battle!

[RedRage00]

3 weeks is hardcore! I gave myself 8 weeks to study for FAR, and I have 2 weeks until my exam and it's a lot of material. I don't think I would have been able to do it in 3 weeks, but that is just me.

Texas CPA
Licensed, March 2012

[Anonymous]

I'm in a similar situation, I retake FAR in 4 weeks, and I've been studying for a week. I did take it late last window, and missed it by 7points, so I do have the advantage of familiarty.

My plan: I'm focusing on Beckers MC questoins primarily, text and lectures are only to be skimmed as necessary unless the topic is something I remember being uncomfortable with or have difficulty answering a significant number of questions. Also while it may be unrealistically ambitious my goal isto do every question 2x, so I've split my review time into 2 to do so.

If you haven't taken the exam recently, or need to redo lectures on a majority of the topics I wouldn't reccomend trying to take the express route. Even w/ a recent fail under your belt if you arent familiar enough to be able to jump right into the questions, give it the full time you normally would.

Advice that worked for me personally: I was in the same situation last year, (3 passed, FAR left) and after I had to start over I realized giving each subject the time it needed and getting as much practice as necessary to consistently hit 75% in any subtopic, would have saved me much more time over taking two in a window. I failed to get there with my recent FAR attempt and the results reflected it. Finally the FAR's an “the inch deep, mile wide” is too true to ignore, don't give any area extra time until or to sacrifce a consistent review of all.

Rise above it,

[Anonymous]

I think if you've taken FAR before, Im assuming you've already watched the lectures at least once? I wouldnt waste time watching them again. I would focus hardcore on multiple choice questions in Wiley. I usually skim the chapter text, do half the MCQ in that chapter (all the odd numbered problems), read all the answer explanations on questions I marked or missed, then go back and highlight in the text the key points that I missed and need to remember, then go back and do the second half of the MCQs (all the even numbered problems). Sometimes I check the answer on each question before moving on, that way I get instant feedback.

[john.doe1121]

Hello All,

I just took FAR yesterday. FirstI will say I learned this from the forum a little too late. JOURNAL ENTRIES JOURNAL ENTRIES JOURNAL ENTRIES i cannot stress this enough. know them. A lot of the multiple choice problems can probably be solved with formulas but its not just about getting a correct answer with a formula or mnemonic you really need to understand what statements are being affected by each entry. you need to be able to follow a transaction from recording the initial purchase or acquisition of an item through its depreciation and its subsequent sale recognizing gains and losses (as an example). I am currently using becker and I think it did a really good job of preparing me for the MC but there is no real way to prepare for the sims except to KNOW JOURNAL ENTRIES. It seems pretty basic but it is essential. This is not only from my experience but just hearing from friends who have also taken the exam recently.

I would also recommend referencing the the FAR general discussion forum and

https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/2011-far-how-to-tackle-anybody-who-just-found-out-you-passed-in-2nd-window

hope this helps

[Anonymous]

Thank you all so much for the advice! Cross your fingers for me!

[Soproudofmyself]

don't freak out….if you are retaking FAR then 3 weeks is good enough time to review what you originally studied and study areas that you skipped prior…I took FAR 3 times(passed on the 3rd) with only 3 weeks to review because I wanted to go to Italy =) came back from Italy and got a passing score 84!

[Author]

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