[Anonymous]

I have applied for my NTS, but my application will not be complete until this semester ends and grades post (5/7/13). (I needed an additional Business Law course). I am not working or taking classes this summer with the plan of taking 3 of the CPA exams. Ideally, I would like to get my NTS before the end of May and schedule BEC for 5/30 or 5/31. With the uncertainty of not knowing whether I will receive my NTS in time, I am unsure how to begin studying.

1) Study for BEC and hope to schedule/take the exam before May is over (if I do not get my NTS before the end of May, I will end up taking it first thing in July, but that leaves me with 8+ weeks of studying for BEC, which seems like a huge waste of time if that ends up being the case)

2) Study for a longer section (FAR) beginning in May and taking the exam in early July.

Obviously option #2 is the safe option since I will have my NTS by July FOR SURE, but if I spend 8+ weeks on FAR (or any section), I will not have enough time over the summer to take 3 exams.

Any advice is much appreciated!

[Anonymous]

I can say from personal experience (three years ago) I applied for my exams as soon as I finished my requirements to sit which was about the same time frame as you, first week or so in May. I did not get my NTS until around the third week of July. I ended up studying for FAR and was very prepared by the time my nts showed up. Not sure how long your state typically takes for the first time application process but it took a wile for me in Louisiana

[Anonymous]

Thank you bnrhilton. I originally applied for my NTS in January (didn't realize that I was short one class) and they sent me a letter within 6 days. We apply through the state board of accountancy, though, not NASBA, so I've *heard* that they are a lot quicker than some other states (but who knows). I may just study for FAR to start with and go from there. 🙂

[Author]

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