[mikeymike92]

Hi another71 community,

I am a new member and it seems like you guys have a lot of constant activity on this forum. I am in the process of signing up to take my first test and wanted to know what part I should focus on initially. I have heard to take FAR first and save the easiest for last. However, this past week I have been studying for FAR (Becker) and no real progress. It is just a bunch of chaotic info loll. Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you

[M.O.D.]

The concepts in FAR are applied in REG and AUD, so knowing them helps with subsequent tests.

The logic is that if you pass the easy section, but struggle with the hard section, you might lose credit with the easy section, by the time you understand the hard section, so it is best to pass the hard section first.

Also, once you know the level of studying necessary to pass one section, you can pass the others.

BA Mathematics, UC Berkeley
Certificates in CPA and EA preparation, College of San Mateo
CMA I 420, II 470
FAR 91, AUD Feb 2015 (Gleim self-study)

[Anonymous]

I am voting for FAR first.

[mikeymike92]

What is your reasoning behind that?

[Study Monk]

M.O.D. logic is sound and the best way to go.

FAR helps a lot with AUD and there are even whole Simulations that are based on FAR principles. There were many concepts in REG that were covered in more detail in FAR. I have found that the order I took the exams was really logical as some business law concepts required an understanding of audit engagements. So the order I recommend is FAR, AUD, REG, and then BEC.

FAR can take people three months to prepare, so getting it knocked out first gives you at least a month extra to pass all four exams. If it is your destiny to take FAR more than once it could end up giving you two to three months extra to knock out the other three. Also as you progress it is common for people to get burned out. Ending with FAR would be a nightmare for me with my current motivation issues. With just BEC left I can afford to take weekends and even weeks off without worrying about not having time to finish this thing. Life is good!

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[Anonymous]

Not long time ago, Mamabear shared this article entitled CPA EXAM STUDY STRATEGIES.

I found this very helpful during my struggles for FAR from a very low score of 62 up to a passing score 78.

https://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/Section/id-404805.html

[Anonymous]

FAR

[mla1169]

I agree with M.O.D., the 18 month clock starts ticking once you pass your first exam. FAR is a beast and its good to get it out of the way-if you don't pass your first try the clock isn't ticking yet.

Besides FAR has the most material to study, you burn out quickly during this process and I would have just curled into a ball and cried 8 months into the exam process if I hadn't even started FAR yet.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Mamabear]

I took BEC first because I wasn't sure that I would be able to pass all 4 within 18 months and the only one I wouldn't mind repeating was BEC because I have two business degrees and I figured it would be the easiest one for me. I also thought it would be great to get a win under my belt to help with my motivation for passing the other 3. I kick myself everyday for that decision. True BEC has been my easiest one, but BEC and AUD have the least amount of material. So I essentially took the two with less material first. Going into FAR I was so discouraged because the amount of material was overwhelming to say the least. I had to completely change the way I studied because I wasn't used to having that much to retain through the study process. And now that I'm on REG I have no motivation because it seems almost as overwhelming as FAR. It's also dumb to go into this with the mindeset of not passing all 4 in 18 months. I studied for FAR for 2 months lightly and 3 months hardcore. That was 5 months of my 18 month window just for studying FAR. To do it all over again, I would take FAR, then AUD for a little breather of less material, then REG to go back to more material, then BEC. As another commentor posted, it would be a breath of fresh air to study BEC last because I am so burnt out and REG feels like a mountain I just can't find the strength to climb. Knock out the big one first.

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[jeff]

I cover this in the Survival Guide (it's free)

https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-survival-guide/

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

[Determined CPA]

I did the same as mamabear. I knew reg would be the ‘easiest' for me so in the event I couldn't pass the others, I wouldn't mind taking reg again. To take FAR again didn't sound too fun =)

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.

[Anonymous]

In hindsight, I would have taken FAR first. I took it the last window and since then I've had the hardest time beginning my REG studies.

So yea I'd vote FAR. But if you want a quick psychological win – start with BEC.

[Anonymous]

I took BEC first, as well. My reasoning was that I wanted to start with what many exam takers consider to be the “easy” exam. While I know there was no guarantee, I wanted my first exam attempt to result in a pass so I didn't get discouraged right away and the exam with the least amount of material seemed the way to achieve that, even though I ended up having some difficulties getting all of the material in BEC down since my undergrad degree is in Biology and I didn't have much exposure to general business courses and topics going into the exam.

I took REG after BEC for two reasons: 1) it seems like BEC-REG and AUD-FAR are good exam pairings for one after the other and 2) I wanted my next exam to be one of the more lengthy ones content-wise so I didn't end up with my last two exams taking the longest to prepare for.

AUD is up next simply because I'm saving FAR for last. I know many recommend taking FAR first so you don't have to worry about losing credit for it and that's probably a wise decision for most people, but I've been happy to knock out the other exams so I know I have nothing left to focus on but FAR when the time comes. If all goes according to plan and I pass AUD on my first attempt (or even if not and it takes 1 or 2 more attempts), I'll have 5 testing windows to pass FAR before BEC expires for me and I'll have no other future exams to worry about. So for me that has made the exam order of BEC-REG-AUD-FAR the most suitable. It really all does depend on the individual, though. If nothing else, I like to recommend taking the exam you feel most confident you'll pass first to give yourself a confidence booster so you're eager to move forward and keep studying. Then look at some of the harder exams to knock out.

[Anonymous]

I'm thrilled that I took FAR first. Not only is the hardest one out of the way, but now I'm extra motivated to pass the rest and not have my credit expire 🙂

[Anonymous]

My strategy is to book end the two hardest exams, FAR and REG. The reason is that motivation is high when taking the first test and high again when knowing that one more pass and you are finished. I have passed FAR so my order going forward is AUD, BEC and then REG for last.

[UHC2005]

FAR – A test so nice, I'm taking it twice…

Using Ninja MCQ, NINJA Notes, Audio, Flashcards and BLITZ, and 2014 Wiley Text

FAR - (61,63)
AUD - (68)

Keep Calm and RTMFQ

Accountant, what is best in life? To crush your MCQs, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentation of their SIMS!

[Author]

Replies