[Anonymous]

Today I took FAR and also got my Audit scores back. First off, FAR was a beast! I thought I was prepared. I studied full time for 5 weeks and probably put it 200+ hours but during the exam I wanted to cry. The testlets seemed like they got slightly harder but I am not sure if it was just my imagination playing tricks on me. I didn’t even bother marking questions because there were so many I wasn’t sure about, besides I was running short on time. Some of the conceptional questions seemed harder than number crunching ones.The SIMs were crazy hard as well! I just pray that I got a passing score. On a good note after I finished my exam I checked my Audit scores and found I passed with a 95! That was my second time taking audit after receiving a 74 the first. I am curious as if there are any opinions out there on whether I should take BEC or REG next? I have to take an exam before the end of the month and another during the first 11 days of October. I am not sure which order I should take them in though. It is going to be hard to keep studying for those if I find I didn’t pass FAR but my NTS is up in Oct. and I made the mistake of applying for all parts at once before I graduated.

[gettingthere]

Personal opinion is to take BEC next. I took REG and then FAR and really regretted having them next to each other. I felt like I had to unlearn so many financial rules for REG in order to keep the tax rules straight. Then I had to turn around and do it the other way.

AUD-April 2012-CPAExcel only-86
BEC-April 2012-CPAExcel w/ additional practice questions from Becker-91
REG-May 2012-Becker primarily w/ practice questions from CPAExcel-78
FAR-July 2012-CPAExcel primarily w/ Becker supplements-81

[Anonymous]

Thank you very much for the advice. I had been leaning towards BEC for that reason. I just pray I don't have to re-study FAR but at this point I am feeling like I might have to. I feel like I just went brain dead about half way through the exam.

[Anonymous]

Just want to make sure I'm following your timeline here… you're going to take another exam at the end of August and then take one at the beginning of October?

I would allow as much time as possible for REG studying, so I'd decide based on how many weeks you have to study for each.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Yes that is my plan, to take one at the end of the month and one at the begging of October. Although if I didn't pass FAR I will possibly forgo my REG part of the NTS or just go ahead and take it but with out much studying in order to re-study FAR because I really want to focus on passing that section before I move on.

[Anonymous]

Gotcha – that's a great plan to get FAR knocked out first. And don't give up on yourself yet until you get your score. I walked out of there 99% sure I didn't pass.

REG definitely has more material than BEC so just keep that in mind. Plus with BEC you don't have to worry about SIMS which is so nice!

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much apbandj! You just made me feel a little better about FAR. I see you did very well with and 84, that gives me hope. I just remember checking me Audit scores after taking FAR and wishing there were rollover points on these tests lol! I always find it hard to start studying the next couple of days after taking one of these exams but I am about to jump back on that horse for BEC in the next day or two. I am a little nervous about the written portion but I have been looking over some of the Becker examples today.

[nearly_there]

Like others have said… do BEC first and then give yourself plenty of time to study for REG.

FAR - 85 November 2011
AUD - 81 January 2012
REG - 68 March 2012
BEC - 86 April 2012
REG - 92 July 2012

[Author]

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