[Tony]

this makes it 3 times on FAR….49,64,71……..

Audit two times 60, 60

REG 3 times 68,68,73

BEC 2 times 74, 78 (going to loose it next month).

Has anyone had the though that they just suck at this cpa crap? Im about throw in the towel, I went 10 rounds and got my ass handed to me every round.

BEC: 73,78 79
AUD: 60, 60, 70, 80
FAR: 49, 64, 71, 82
REG: 68, 68, 73, 78

DONE.... OMGFG DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well 2 ethics tests to take.

[MustPass1988]

I genuinely think the key to passing these exams is having a solid study plan and schedule. Pick one study course and stick with it. Listen to all the lectures, read thru the material and take notes, do all the homework, not just once, but until you've gone back and gotten every question right, and do the sims. These tests aren't a measure of intelligence. They're a measure of your dedication and willingness to do whatever it takes to learn this stuff.

I have a tendency to get extremely discouraged with these tests. I have been on this journey for three years and I've given up twice, because of failing a test. Now I'm back on it and I'm going to get it done this time but the key for me, is my schedule. Every Sunday, I write out in my planner what I plan to get done that week, including what I want to review. I spend every single lunch hour studying in a conference room and I get home and within 30 minutes, I'm parked at my desk, studying. I normally take a 45 minute break to go to the gym, to clear my head and destress. I have three weeks left until I take FAR and I'll be waking up at 5am every day to get extra studying in. Seriously, you can do it. If you have a degree in accounting, you can pass these tests. There's no one foolproof method of studying so find what works for you and stick with it.

AUD: PASSED [81]; Expired, retaking August 23rd
BEC: PASSED [83]; Expired, retaking July 11th
REG: PASSED [83]
FAR: FAILED [64]; Retaking May 23rd

[Anonymous]

I'm no natural at this stuff, the only reason I've been able to pass is by cramming every second of my day with focused studying and remaining disciplined. I spend 6 weeks doing nothing but CPA review. When I wake up, in my car, on my lunch break, and until I go to bed. I wake myself in the middle of the night because I'm shouting formulas in my sleep. The only reason I put myself through this is because I know that's they only way I'll pass it. I don't slack up once I start to understand the material better, I go harder. And with that being said, I have never walked out of an exam thinking I passed. I took my last exam on Saturday and I'm already studying again for a re-take. Most of us who've passed sections have had to give it everything we've got. And then sometimes we still fail. But when you put in that effort and pass, there's not much else to compare to it. So stick with it, you can do it. Give it EVERYTHING you've got, and if you fail again, dig deep and try even harder. I believe everyone that cares enough to join this forum can pass this thing and you will too if you stick to it. Best of luck my friend.

[Anonymous]

I'm no natural at this stuff, the only reason I've been able to pass is by cramming every second of my day with focused studying and remaining disciplined. I spend 6 weeks doing nothing but CPA review. When I wake up, in my car, on my lunch break, and until I go to bed. I wake myself in the middle of the night because I'm shouting formulas in my sleep. The only reason I put myself through this is because I know that's they only way I'll pass it. I don't slack up once I start to understand the material better, I go harder. And with that being said, I have never walked out of an exam thinking I passed. I took my last exam on Saturday and I'm already studying again for a re-take. Most of us who've passed sections have had to give it everything we've got. And then sometimes we still fail. But when you put in that effort and pass, there's not much else to compare to it. So stick with it, you can do it. Give it EVERYTHING you've got, and if you fail again, dig deep and try even harder. I believe everyone that cares enough to join this forum can pass this thing and you will too if you stick to it. Best of luck my friend.

[Anonymous]

I really suggest that you pick one test and focus on it until you pass. Every time you put another test in there you are using your brain for more info and you have to relearn everything again when you retake the previous test. Don't overwhelm yourself with too many materials. If you don't like Becker's highlight format then try using the Wiley book and the Ninja notes/audio/flashcard/Q bank combo. I haven't tried the Ninja Qbank, but I know Wiley raised their prices and it isn't worth it to go with them anymore IMHO. You have to have the motivation to cut all the nonCPA crap out of your life if you haven't been able to balance having a life and passing the CPA. When I study I need no distractions. No kids in the house, Husband at work or reading in another room, no tv, no music, no phone. I tell my friends not to invite me to things so I'm not tempted to skip studying. I shut off my FB account while I was studying for FAR. You have to be someone single minded in your approach I think. Some may be able to still have a life and pass this thing, but beyond working everyday and doing as much as I can for my kids on the days I'm not studying, I can't fit the other stuff in and maintain any kind of acceptable study schedule. I didn't read all the comments so I really don't know how dedicated you have been in your studying, but that may be the problem. If you aren't ready to take the test when test time comes, move the test to a date further out. Don't sit for a test unless you feel GREAT about the material. You know what the tests are like. You can do this. Just refocus and get it done!

[Anonymous]

I really suggest that you pick one test and focus on it until you pass. Every time you put another test in there you are using your brain for more info and you have to relearn everything again when you retake the previous test. Don't overwhelm yourself with too many materials. If you don't like Becker's highlight format then try using the Wiley book and the Ninja notes/audio/flashcard/Q bank combo. I haven't tried the Ninja Qbank, but I know Wiley raised their prices and it isn't worth it to go with them anymore IMHO. You have to have the motivation to cut all the nonCPA crap out of your life if you haven't been able to balance having a life and passing the CPA. When I study I need no distractions. No kids in the house, Husband at work or reading in another room, no tv, no music, no phone. I tell my friends not to invite me to things so I'm not tempted to skip studying. I shut off my FB account while I was studying for FAR. You have to be someone single minded in your approach I think. Some may be able to still have a life and pass this thing, but beyond working everyday and doing as much as I can for my kids on the days I'm not studying, I can't fit the other stuff in and maintain any kind of acceptable study schedule. I didn't read all the comments so I really don't know how dedicated you have been in your studying, but that may be the problem. If you aren't ready to take the test when test time comes, move the test to a date further out. Don't sit for a test unless you feel GREAT about the material. You know what the tests are like. You can do this. Just refocus and get it done!

[Zaq]

You're not studying effectively.

You can use all the materials in the world, but it won't change a thing if you're not studying the right way.

You are right. You're not stupid. Getting a 71 in FAR is huge for such a beast of exam. However, you're definitely approaching this CPA exam incorrectly and need to completely change your tactics. In my opinion, the only materials you really need if you're using Becker as your core program is supplemental Wiley MCQ's (for your last two weeks of review) and perhaps Ninja Notes/Audio if you find yourself having spare commute time.

I would also suggest that you do NOT jump from subject to subject. Start with the beast (FAR) and keep knocking at it until it's done. When you pass FAR (and you will), that's when the official countdown begins.

Your scores tell me that you're not quite giving it everything you have:

– How many hours are you putting into studying a day?

– Are you waking up early morning to study before work? Do you have notecards for while you're at work? Are you isolating yourself when you study after work?

– Are you spending time with friends or families? Going on dates? Going “out”? Because none of these are allowed.

– Are you absorbing the information as you listen to lecture and read the Chapters? Or are you skimming? If you do understand a topic, do you understand it enough to teach someone else?

– Are you watching TV?

I'll wrap this up.

If you can honestly tell yourself that you gave 110% effort and used every last second of the day that you possibly could to study… and you still failed, then I'd say throw in the towel. But if you know that you could have done more then get your ass back out there, stop complaining, and study for this piece of shit of an exam like your life depended on it. No half-assing.

FAR: 50, 76!
REG: 74... (ouch baby, very ouch), 76!
AUD: 65, 91!?
BEC: 80! Aaaand doneskies!

May 2012 to August 2013. Can't believe it's over.

[Zaq]

You're not studying effectively.

You can use all the materials in the world, but it won't change a thing if you're not studying the right way.

You are right. You're not stupid. Getting a 71 in FAR is huge for such a beast of exam. However, you're definitely approaching this CPA exam incorrectly and need to completely change your tactics. In my opinion, the only materials you really need if you're using Becker as your core program is supplemental Wiley MCQ's (for your last two weeks of review) and perhaps Ninja Notes/Audio if you find yourself having spare commute time.

I would also suggest that you do NOT jump from subject to subject. Start with the beast (FAR) and keep knocking at it until it's done. When you pass FAR (and you will), that's when the official countdown begins.

Your scores tell me that you're not quite giving it everything you have:

– How many hours are you putting into studying a day?

– Are you waking up early morning to study before work? Do you have notecards for while you're at work? Are you isolating yourself when you study after work?

– Are you spending time with friends or families? Going on dates? Going “out”? Because none of these are allowed.

– Are you absorbing the information as you listen to lecture and read the Chapters? Or are you skimming? If you do understand a topic, do you understand it enough to teach someone else?

– Are you watching TV?

I'll wrap this up.

If you can honestly tell yourself that you gave 110% effort and used every last second of the day that you possibly could to study… and you still failed, then I'd say throw in the towel. But if you know that you could have done more then get your ass back out there, stop complaining, and study for this piece of shit of an exam like your life depended on it. No half-assing.

FAR: 50, 76!
REG: 74... (ouch baby, very ouch), 76!
AUD: 65, 91!?
BEC: 80! Aaaand doneskies!

May 2012 to August 2013. Can't believe it's over.

[M_Knight]

Hey Inferno Omri, I noticed your big jump in FAR. If you don't mind explaining what was your technique the second time around? I just received a very disappointing score for FAR after I studied very hard but clearly something was off in my study technique. Thanks!

[M_Knight]

Hey Inferno Omri, I noticed your big jump in FAR. If you don't mind explaining what was your technique the second time around? I just received a very disappointing score for FAR after I studied very hard but clearly something was off in my study technique. Thanks!

[Zaq]

Sure. Not to hijack the thread but FAR was the first exam I took. I thought I could wing my way through it like I did through college. Studied inconsistently. Skipped some days. Played video games. Then tried to cram as much as I could the last two weeks. Just overall bad study habits.

Got the 50. Got angry. Then just poured every minute of my time into FAR until I was having dreams about pensions, inventory valuation, and government accounting concepts. You have to aggressively attack this information. I used Becker and Ninja Audio for FAR specifically. I suggest you start from scratch and go into every study session alive and alert. Don't just memorize, but understand it to the point where you could easily teach someone else this information. And write down topics you don't quite understand in a huge “I Don't Get This Shit” notepad. Eventually as time goes by you'll be crossing off those topics when you reengage yourself to conquer that specific section.

FAR: 50, 76!
REG: 74... (ouch baby, very ouch), 76!
AUD: 65, 91!?
BEC: 80! Aaaand doneskies!

May 2012 to August 2013. Can't believe it's over.

[Zaq]

Sure. Not to hijack the thread but FAR was the first exam I took. I thought I could wing my way through it like I did through college. Studied inconsistently. Skipped some days. Played video games. Then tried to cram as much as I could the last two weeks. Just overall bad study habits.

Got the 50. Got angry. Then just poured every minute of my time into FAR until I was having dreams about pensions, inventory valuation, and government accounting concepts. You have to aggressively attack this information. I used Becker and Ninja Audio for FAR specifically. I suggest you start from scratch and go into every study session alive and alert. Don't just memorize, but understand it to the point where you could easily teach someone else this information. And write down topics you don't quite understand in a huge “I Don't Get This Shit” notepad. Eventually as time goes by you'll be crossing off those topics when you reengage yourself to conquer that specific section.

FAR: 50, 76!
REG: 74... (ouch baby, very ouch), 76!
AUD: 65, 91!?
BEC: 80! Aaaand doneskies!

May 2012 to August 2013. Can't believe it's over.

[M_Knight]

Thanks a lot! I think my mistake was I hit too hard on concepts and did not go as hard on MCQ. I used the Wiley book and read every chapter and made a big hand written outline that was very helpful and organized, however I didn't spend enough time on MCQ, I didn't even get to finish all 1400 in WTB, only got to 1200. I think for the 6 weeks of my restudying, I will just read my notes and the Ninja notes and hammer out MCQ the whole time. In college, repetition of questions until it was engraved in my mind worked best for me so not sure why I strayed away from that while studying FAR. Section by section until its clock work is my plan this time.

[M_Knight]

Thanks a lot! I think my mistake was I hit too hard on concepts and did not go as hard on MCQ. I used the Wiley book and read every chapter and made a big hand written outline that was very helpful and organized, however I didn't spend enough time on MCQ, I didn't even get to finish all 1400 in WTB, only got to 1200. I think for the 6 weeks of my restudying, I will just read my notes and the Ninja notes and hammer out MCQ the whole time. In college, repetition of questions until it was engraved in my mind worked best for me so not sure why I strayed away from that while studying FAR. Section by section until its clock work is my plan this time.

[nolifecpa]

i suck at the cpa crap but that didn't stop me from becoming a cpa. go back for 1 more round, it's very hard to beat someone who doesn't give up.

you can do it!

REG-65,71,74,73,70,74,79
BEC-60's,60's,69,71,76*,78
FAR-67,66,65,79
AUD-54,60's,65,83*,69,80
*expired

DONE

[nolifecpa]

i suck at the cpa crap but that didn't stop me from becoming a cpa. go back for 1 more round, it's very hard to beat someone who doesn't give up.

you can do it!

REG-65,71,74,73,70,74,79
BEC-60's,60's,69,71,76*,78
FAR-67,66,65,79
AUD-54,60's,65,83*,69,80
*expired

DONE

[Author]

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