[MelK813]

Looking for some advice on my study plan. I’ve been out of school for 10 years and after many procrastination, finally heading down the path to CPA. I should have all y materials and be ready to go around the beginning of June. The time frame I’m struggling with, since o don’t know how I may adjust to getting into the study groove, should I aim for taking it the end of August(which is a quarter close at work) so not too much would be accomplished the beginning of the month, or aim for the end of July. My hesitation going earlier, is because with not having studied in a while, I’m not sure if it will take my brain a little longer to absorb thing and get used to studying. : -) looking forward to the encouragement on this site!

[10keyLeah]

MelK,

Which section are you going to start with? How much time can you realistically spend each week for studying?

It may take you a little time to get used to studying CPA materials and questions. It took me a little time to adjust at first. The good news is the clock has not started for you yet since you haven't passed your first exam. This gives you some breathing room.

As mentioned by others, it is important to develop a plan and stick to it (check out Jeff's ELL plan). If you started with FAR and studied 20-25 hours per week (quality study), you may be ready for it in the 3 month period. Again, it all depends on you – your study habits, your pace of learning, etc.

Ninja Combo, Yaeger, Wiley -- Licensed CPA, May 2015

[jaredo155]

@MelK

I have been out of school for roughly 7 years, work full time, am married, and have a 5 month old daughter, and so I aim to put in 20 good study hours a week and anything over that is a bonus. I just started taking the exams in February and have only gone through 2, so my advice may not have the most insight. The amount of time you should set aside for studying really depends on how you learn and which exam you are looking at tackling. For AUD it took me 6 weeks and BEC I used 8, but I plan on spending 13 weeks for FAR and probably about the same for REG. One thing I found from not having studied in a while is I had trouble retaining information from the beginning once I got several weeks into the study process, so giving yourself extra time to review those sections is something to consider. Also with AUD and BEC I read the book first and then went back and watched the videos, but with FAR I am finding it more useful to do this in the opposite order. My point being if you haven't studied in a while, you may want to leave yourself a week cushion at the beginning to allow yourself to find the best study method for each section based on your study materials/how confident you feel about those topics. Ultimately there is no secret formula or time length to master each section, it is something that you just have to find what speed your are comfortable with.

AUD - 2/2013 - Passed!
BEC - 5/2013 - Passed!
FAR - 8/2013 - Passed!
REG - 11/2013 - Passed!
"Do or do not, there is no try." - Yoda

[jaredo155]

@MelK

I have been out of school for roughly 7 years, work full time, am married, and have a 5 month old daughter, and so I aim to put in 20 good study hours a week and anything over that is a bonus. I just started taking the exams in February and have only gone through 2, so my advice may not have the most insight. The amount of time you should set aside for studying really depends on how you learn and which exam you are looking at tackling. For AUD it took me 6 weeks and BEC I used 8, but I plan on spending 13 weeks for FAR and probably about the same for REG. One thing I found from not having studied in a while is I had trouble retaining information from the beginning once I got several weeks into the study process, so giving yourself extra time to review those sections is something to consider. Also with AUD and BEC I read the book first and then went back and watched the videos, but with FAR I am finding it more useful to do this in the opposite order. My point being if you haven't studied in a while, you may want to leave yourself a week cushion at the beginning to allow yourself to find the best study method for each section based on your study materials/how confident you feel about those topics. Ultimately there is no secret formula or time length to master each section, it is something that you just have to find what speed your are comfortable with.

AUD - 2/2013 - Passed!
BEC - 5/2013 - Passed!
FAR - 8/2013 - Passed!
REG - 11/2013 - Passed!
"Do or do not, there is no try." - Yoda

[Anonymous]

First, the plan may be different depending on the review materials….CPAExcel FAR is bit-size but an elephant of material. I tried to take notes and blew my schedule with the CPAExcel plan. I started printing out the power points and flashcard sections and after 400 pages–1/3 of FAR textbook–I had printed 1,000 pages…! I had to adjust to an extended schedule with FAR which meant changing my FAR test date..originally set for May 28th now pushed back till the end of July. I can beat myself up or reset. I am also modifying the CPAExcel plan, focusing on reading and flashcards and tagging of difficult subjects and then going back to MCQs except more difficult subjects….Can't hurt to hit them 2- times!

I am also daily using Lumonsity…it gives me a daily mental exercise and I feel like it is a fun break from studying. I notice small improvement in my sustainability in studying.

The CPA exams is all about discipline and sustained studying…If you study and then take 2 weeks off and study and then take 4 days off..you lose the momentum.

Yaeger Blog Radio interviewed a guy that provides hypnosis for test takers and sees 15-20% improvement for those that pass the BAR.

You can plan for 3-5 weeks for BEC, 4-6 weeks for AUD and 4-6 weeks for REG and 2-3 months for FAR. That seems to be the overall experience for folks on the forums. However, if you have circumstances that allow less studying effort or false starts, then you can take longer.

Some say to take 1-2 tests per test period. Depends on your discipline in studying…Even the best seem to take 2 test periods to get through and pass all 4. If you have full-time work and kids, then 1 per test period makes sense. Otherwise, your life may fall apart.

There is alot of controversy around whether establishing a date and sticking to a plan is the right approach. It is definitely a motivator…however, life gets in the way, kid gets sick, work becomes 60+ with travel, and you get into a emotional trough…Don't beat yourself up. Move out the date rather than take it…How many pass if they just take the test…Even the best rarely do. The only person I heard that wasn't well-studied and just took it was already a CMA and passed BEC with an 80.

You will know when you are ready…you will feel a sense of confidence. With FAR you will feel so nervous..everyone does because there is so much material and it is THE BEAST. You may not feel the same (confident) when you exit from the exam …that is the exam testers sending folks on mind-benders. Most of them seem to pass. The test is hard no matter how hard you study and how smart you are…

Give yourself 2 days of rest after any exam. Let your body unwind from the stress. And then pick-up your sword and go to battle on the next section.

I'm here with everyone…heading into battle starting in July!

Best to everyone that is passing in April/May and going on with their fabulous careers..!

[Anonymous]

First, the plan may be different depending on the review materials….CPAExcel FAR is bit-size but an elephant of material. I tried to take notes and blew my schedule with the CPAExcel plan. I started printing out the power points and flashcard sections and after 400 pages–1/3 of FAR textbook–I had printed 1,000 pages…! I had to adjust to an extended schedule with FAR which meant changing my FAR test date..originally set for May 28th now pushed back till the end of July. I can beat myself up or reset. I am also modifying the CPAExcel plan, focusing on reading and flashcards and tagging of difficult subjects and then going back to MCQs except more difficult subjects….Can't hurt to hit them 2- times!

I am also daily using Lumonsity…it gives me a daily mental exercise and I feel like it is a fun break from studying. I notice small improvement in my sustainability in studying.

The CPA exams is all about discipline and sustained studying…If you study and then take 2 weeks off and study and then take 4 days off..you lose the momentum.

Yaeger Blog Radio interviewed a guy that provides hypnosis for test takers and sees 15-20% improvement for those that pass the BAR.

You can plan for 3-5 weeks for BEC, 4-6 weeks for AUD and 4-6 weeks for REG and 2-3 months for FAR. That seems to be the overall experience for folks on the forums. However, if you have circumstances that allow less studying effort or false starts, then you can take longer.

Some say to take 1-2 tests per test period. Depends on your discipline in studying…Even the best seem to take 2 test periods to get through and pass all 4. If you have full-time work and kids, then 1 per test period makes sense. Otherwise, your life may fall apart.

There is alot of controversy around whether establishing a date and sticking to a plan is the right approach. It is definitely a motivator…however, life gets in the way, kid gets sick, work becomes 60+ with travel, and you get into a emotional trough…Don't beat yourself up. Move out the date rather than take it…How many pass if they just take the test…Even the best rarely do. The only person I heard that wasn't well-studied and just took it was already a CMA and passed BEC with an 80.

You will know when you are ready…you will feel a sense of confidence. With FAR you will feel so nervous..everyone does because there is so much material and it is THE BEAST. You may not feel the same (confident) when you exit from the exam …that is the exam testers sending folks on mind-benders. Most of them seem to pass. The test is hard no matter how hard you study and how smart you are…

Give yourself 2 days of rest after any exam. Let your body unwind from the stress. And then pick-up your sword and go to battle on the next section.

I'm here with everyone…heading into battle starting in July!

Best to everyone that is passing in April/May and going on with their fabulous careers..!

[jazethomas]

@wendywhite and @jaredo155. I am in a similar situation like you guys were once and hoping to have the same results like you did. Can you please tell me which review/ material you guys used?

Thank You,

Jaze

[jazethomas]

@wendywhite and @jaredo155. I am in a similar situation like you guys were once and hoping to have the same results like you did. Can you please tell me which review/ material you guys used?

Thank You,

Jaze

[islagirl]

I'm very similar. I'll be 50 in 3 months, took some recent courses to help with the 5th year requirements, and hopefully will be taking my last CPA exam around Thanksgiving. As far as test prep – my original intention was to do self-practice…after all, I'm a capable accounting pro, LOL. Well I quickly learned the exam is its own beast and I needed better prep help. I use Gleim with some supplements. Gleim's book format is bullet style outlines. Wiley writes in narrative paragraphs. Sometimes I need the different perspective. As far as study time – I do ELL because it's logical…evenings & weekends are a must for me. I also take one exam each quarter. Good luck & stay committed…it's a tough road at any age.

[islagirl]

I'm very similar. I'll be 50 in 3 months, took some recent courses to help with the 5th year requirements, and hopefully will be taking my last CPA exam around Thanksgiving. As far as test prep – my original intention was to do self-practice…after all, I'm a capable accounting pro, LOL. Well I quickly learned the exam is its own beast and I needed better prep help. I use Gleim with some supplements. Gleim's book format is bullet style outlines. Wiley writes in narrative paragraphs. Sometimes I need the different perspective. As far as study time – I do ELL because it's logical…evenings & weekends are a must for me. I also take one exam each quarter. Good luck & stay committed…it's a tough road at any age.

[Author]

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