[I'm, Ron Burgundy?]

Anyone else out there plan on studying during tax season? What are your study methods?

I work in a small firm that is slammed with tax work during February through April. I hope to still be able to study a few hours each day.

Any advice?

"If you're going through hell, keep going"
- Winston Churchill

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed."
- Michael Jordan

BEC: (54), (72), 80 (losing credit on 02/02/15 - nervous)
AUD: 78
REG: (74), 91
FAR: (71)

[linkman311]

Well I can't give you any advice since I just started studying and just started working, but I have already paid and am definitely taking FAR in April. I'd like to see what some veterans here have to say.

Confidence is a prerequisite for success

FAR - 1/1
AUD - 1/1
BEC - 1/1
REG - Q4

Have Becker, wish I got Roger

[linkman311]

Well I can't give you any advice since I just started studying and just started working, but I have already paid and am definitely taking FAR in April. I'd like to see what some veterans here have to say.

Confidence is a prerequisite for success

FAR - 1/1
AUD - 1/1
BEC - 1/1
REG - Q4

Have Becker, wish I got Roger

[mla1169]

I didn't work in tax but had an overwhelming schedule. Make use of audio if you have a commute or if you have things to do that don't require concentration (laundry, mowing the lawn, stuff like that). Rewriting notes really helps memory more than reading alone. The ninja notes are a “must have” as far as biggest bang for your buck and hour. Not necessary to sit through a marathon study session, every 15 minute increment adds up!

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

I didn't work in tax but had an overwhelming schedule. Make use of audio if you have a commute or if you have things to do that don't require concentration (laundry, mowing the lawn, stuff like that). Rewriting notes really helps memory more than reading alone. The ninja notes are a “must have” as far as biggest bang for your buck and hour. Not necessary to sit through a marathon study session, every 15 minute increment adds up!

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Determined CPA]

I plan on taking BEC the end of February – my boss doesn't even know yet. I'm going to try and get an hour in every morning before work, listen to ninja audio in the car, listen to lectures/do mcqs during lunch and hopefully get another hour in at night. I'll be working Saturdays so I may give myself sat off from studying, but sunday back at it!

with the 18 month expiration, i'm too nervous to let 4 months go by without taking a test. I figure even if it gives me a chance to sit for BEC for the exposure, that's better than nothing….right? lol

A - 75
B - 78 God is good.
F - 77 Answered prayers.
R - 84! Done!!

Paperwork sent - waiting for license!!
Still on a cloud and in shock. Through God, all things will happen.

[Determined CPA]

I plan on taking BEC the end of February – my boss doesn't even know yet. I'm going to try and get an hour in every morning before work, listen to ninja audio in the car, listen to lectures/do mcqs during lunch and hopefully get another hour in at night. I'll be working Saturdays so I may give myself sat off from studying, but sunday back at it!

with the 18 month expiration, i'm too nervous to let 4 months go by without taking a test. I figure even if it gives me a chance to sit for BEC for the exposure, that's better than nothing….right? lol

A - 75
B - 78 God is good.
F - 77 Answered prayers.
R - 84! Done!!

Paperwork sent - waiting for license!!
Still on a cloud and in shock. Through God, all things will happen.

[tonic588]

I am being completely honest here. I wouldn't do it. I usually give the advice that the latest you take a test is February 14th. Now, if your firm dies after Apirl 15th, jump on the intense study schedule and take one in May. Then start studying for one in early July then another in August. Then again it depends on how intense tax season is at your firm. 12 hour days + commute don't leave much time for studying.

[tonic588]

I am being completely honest here. I wouldn't do it. I usually give the advice that the latest you take a test is February 14th. Now, if your firm dies after Apirl 15th, jump on the intense study schedule and take one in May. Then start studying for one in early July then another in August. Then again it depends on how intense tax season is at your firm. 12 hour days + commute don't leave much time for studying.

[I should be studying]

I studied for REG last year during tax season. It was my first test, so I was excited about learning the material and I really wanted to pass the test. I studied every day after work until I went to bed, and non-stop over the weekends. If you have the motivation then you can do it, but if I had to do it again I know I wouldn't be able to.

If you're re-taking REG I would definitely get back to studying. You got a 74, and if you take the entire tax season off you'll end up forgetting everything and be that much closer to losing your BEC credit. Also REG is about half tax-related, which I thought was helpful during tax-season.

REG - 80 (2/28/13)
AUD - 68 (5/24/13), 84 (7/11/13)
BEC - 83 (8/29/13)
FAR - 70 (12/04/13) 80 (2/10/14)

[I should be studying]

I studied for REG last year during tax season. It was my first test, so I was excited about learning the material and I really wanted to pass the test. I studied every day after work until I went to bed, and non-stop over the weekends. If you have the motivation then you can do it, but if I had to do it again I know I wouldn't be able to.

If you're re-taking REG I would definitely get back to studying. You got a 74, and if you take the entire tax season off you'll end up forgetting everything and be that much closer to losing your BEC credit. Also REG is about half tax-related, which I thought was helpful during tax-season.

REG - 80 (2/28/13)
AUD - 68 (5/24/13), 84 (7/11/13)
BEC - 83 (8/29/13)
FAR - 70 (12/04/13) 80 (2/10/14)

[I'm, Ron Burgundy?]

@ tonic588

There's no way I cannot do it. I already have 2 exams scheduled for this window and one is a re-take that I'm quite confident in (REG, Feb.1). The other test is AUD on Feb. 22nd. I have been getting up at 5 am to study for a good 2 hours before heading to work. If I can squeeze in an hour at lunch time and another hour in the evening before bed I think I can do it. However, I'll let you guys know if this works out. I think I've found the work – around with this approach.

@ I should be studying

Agreed – I don't want to put this off and start stressing over a window closure. Even though I don't lose BEC until Feb. of next year I still refuse to cut it close. I am retaking REG right off the bat before things get too crazy. That leaves me 6 weeks until AUD. 2 1/2 of which will be relatively slow. If I study 2 hours for my REG retake in the a.m. and do non-stop MCQ's and Sims I think I'll be fine. The SIMS is what killed me last time around. I just wasn't ready for them.

"If you're going through hell, keep going"
- Winston Churchill

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed."
- Michael Jordan

BEC: (54), (72), 80 (losing credit on 02/02/15 - nervous)
AUD: 78
REG: (74), 91
FAR: (71)

[I'm, Ron Burgundy?]

@ tonic588

There's no way I cannot do it. I already have 2 exams scheduled for this window and one is a re-take that I'm quite confident in (REG, Feb.1). The other test is AUD on Feb. 22nd. I have been getting up at 5 am to study for a good 2 hours before heading to work. If I can squeeze in an hour at lunch time and another hour in the evening before bed I think I can do it. However, I'll let you guys know if this works out. I think I've found the work – around with this approach.

@ I should be studying

Agreed – I don't want to put this off and start stressing over a window closure. Even though I don't lose BEC until Feb. of next year I still refuse to cut it close. I am retaking REG right off the bat before things get too crazy. That leaves me 6 weeks until AUD. 2 1/2 of which will be relatively slow. If I study 2 hours for my REG retake in the a.m. and do non-stop MCQ's and Sims I think I'll be fine. The SIMS is what killed me last time around. I just wasn't ready for them.

"If you're going through hell, keep going"
- Winston Churchill

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed."
- Michael Jordan

BEC: (54), (72), 80 (losing credit on 02/02/15 - nervous)
AUD: 78
REG: (74), 91
FAR: (71)

[san4596]

It really depends on your situation. I have a nice little family (Wife & 2 kids) that will need attention. My tax season consist of 60 hours a week from about mid-February to April 15. That leaves little time to study if any. However, I have known a couple of single non-family people who studied during tax season, and passed a section of the exam.

My goal is to take REG around Feb. 15, and cover 1-2 chapters of FAR during tax season. The 1-2 chapters of FAR will be mastered slowly, and then study the rest and take FAR by the end of May.

CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
Ethics Course: Passed
Application Mailed: 3/16/15
Professional Conduct Exam: 97
Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

[san4596]

It really depends on your situation. I have a nice little family (Wife & 2 kids) that will need attention. My tax season consist of 60 hours a week from about mid-February to April 15. That leaves little time to study if any. However, I have known a couple of single non-family people who studied during tax season, and passed a section of the exam.

My goal is to take REG around Feb. 15, and cover 1-2 chapters of FAR during tax season. The 1-2 chapters of FAR will be mastered slowly, and then study the rest and take FAR by the end of May.

CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
Ethics Course: Passed
Application Mailed: 3/16/15
Professional Conduct Exam: 97
Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

[megasaurus]

OP- I'm planning to do the same thing. My FAR credit expires at the end of May, and the idea of losing that makes me want to curl up in a ball and quit life, so that means I can't let a testing window go by without taking full advantage of it. I just took BEC this morning. I'm taking tonight off, reformulating my plan tomorrow and the starting to study for my REG rematch on 2/22. You can do this. It's going to suck, it does suck.

I plan on employing Jeff's ELL plan. Wake up early (which sucks), study through lunch (still sucks) and staying later than normal a few nights a week each week. I will already be in the office late since it is busy season (I'm also in tax) so what's an extra hour or two? Nothing, if it means I'll be done with this horrendous exam.

Good luck! I'm hoping that since there are a few of us in this boat we can keep one another accountable. And how nice would it be to be done w/ the exam by March? Or at least be 3 out of 4 :).

[Author]

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