[Faintear]

I’m about to start studying for the CPA exam and planning to take the FAR exam first in October. I just ordered the Yaeger course, but the books won’t arrive until next week.

Any good study advice that I should know when I start to study for the exams? Any good habits? I plan to stay in a library as much as possible when I have free time since studying at home would probably have too many distractions. I have access to the online lectures, but should I wait for the books to arrive first before I begin watching the lectures?

Also any advice that would calm me down? I’m already going crazy thinking about the exam and I haven’t even started it yet.

Thanks in Advance

[jeff]

Welcome!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbHSTBhf71c

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS) | Another71 | NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE

[littlenumberrobot]

Welcome! Dont freak out yet, the fun has just begun! No really, all sarcasm aside, dont freak out yet. I have been at this for 2 years, and I am trying Jeff's ELL plan to get 20 hrs a week in. I am also studying for FAR, I take it in August. I like sutdying at work before anyone else arrive and library in evening. I am also trying out the writing notes and rewriting, because I havent done that yet and I havent passed so I am hopeful this will help.

Good luck!

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[Faintear]

What would also be a good order to take them in? I'm choosing FAR first because people say that's probably the hardest. I'm thinking of taking FAR in early October. 2nd exam in late November. 3rd exam in maybe mid or late January. Last exam in late February or in April.

Does this goal sound realistic? If that is the schedule, what would be a good order to take them in? I heard AUD and BEC are smaller while FAR and REG are the 2 bigger ones. I also work part time doing bookkeeping and some occasional tax returns if that means anything.

[littlenumberrobot]

I took FAR as my first also. I didnt prepare enough due to working long hours. This is my 2nd attempt. Everyone is different, REG was my best score without a lot of preparation because I DO REG everyday(CPA firm). I thought AUD was small, prepared a good amount and did not have much luck. It is small yet TRICKY. I have not taken BEC with new format, so I dont have much experience with that. Sounds like a good plan. Maybe do REG after FAR Then pick between AUD and BEC after that. All depends on your experience with them. I think it is good to go with FAR first.

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[Faintear]

Thanks for the feedback, even my boss (who recently passed all exams) suggested I take REG next or AUD. I heard some of the material from FAR can be used directly with REG so it might be a good idea to take that second and take down 2 of the biggest beasts first. But, not sure if I can get the FAR and REG material mixed up since they use similar stuff?

[Sandra]

My review- Roger CPA Review- recommends REG second which is what I'm doing.

No real advice other than that since I haven't taken anything.

[jeff]

Beyond taking FAR first, it really doesn't matter after that.

FAR will help you understand deferred taxes for REG (or visa versa)

BEC will help you understand Auditing Technology because of the overlap (or visa versa)

FAR will help you understand Auditing

etc.

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS) | Another71 | NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE

[Faintear]

Thank you guys for for responding.

Jeff, I watched your study video and it recommended that I should watch all lectures before doing any multiple choice questions. However, the Yaeger lecture for the FAR section totals up 51 hours. I know it isn't watching all 51 hours of lecture at once, but isn't it still a little overwhelming to spend so much time watching without doing anything except taking notes? I'm not trying to disprove your method, it's just something that came across my mind.

I started the first lecture on FAR yesterday and almost the entire lecture referenced the book and on the multiple choice questions. I guess I should wait for my books before I really get started.

What really makes the CPA test hard anyway? Is it the questions they ask, the time constraints, or just that you pretty much have to put everything you learned in school into one huge test?

[Author]

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