[mtaylo24]

I tried to study for FAR like Reg and bombed again, boo hoo . I’m nowhere near quitting, but the pressure is on for Q1. I have BEC left, which I keep barely missing, and FAR left, which I suck at. Ok, so, Audit expires in May, but we won’t know scores until August, (still confused on how that will work out), so I need to be done in Q1. (Skip to the last paragraph for cliff notes)

I need scheduling advice. I think that I will obviously continue w/ FAR, but I really need to focus on BEC too. My dilema is that I will need at minimum 8 weeks to feel solid w/ FAR, I’m using Gleim, but that will leave me with no time to knock out BEC, so should I treat this like college and work on both simultaneously with a “finals” week towards the end if the window (Does this sound like a bad idea)? I plan to go through the Gleim course for both section, and will consider switching back to Ninja if time permits.

I’ll admit, that many of my fails are due to cramming. I haven’t spent over 30 days on a part since I bombed FAR back in August (after studying over 2 months). I went on a mission chasing my second pass, and did 3 in back to back windows. F Q3 74 days (52), R Q3 27 days (74), B Q3 12 days (72), B Q4 30 days (73), R Q4 28 days (75), F Q4 27 days (54). Except for Far attempt 1, I mostly (85%) hammered MCQs like no tomorrow w/ both Gleim and Ninja to prepare. This window I really want to take my time. I’m also tired of being close all of the time, if anyone can tell me how to score in the 80s it would be appreciated 😉.

Something I should mention is that I’m busy as shit. I’m the only accountant (state and local) where I work, but my new boss starts in Jan, who I have to train. Budget season starts in Jan. My wife is a RN and works 12 hr shifts, 3-5 days a week, and I do all of the day care runs for my almost 5 year old (am and pm – 3 days a week), but I try to study as much as I can. Excuses, excuses, I know.

Sorry for the long rant, to summarize, I have BEC (failed 3x) and FAR (bombed 2x) left, need to be done in Q1, not sure how I should schedule (I’m busy as shit). I feel ok about my study strategy and what I should do differently, I just need more time for it to be effective. What would you do? One last thing, if you feel the need to start your post with “Not trying to be a jerk”, or anything of that nature, just move on to the next topic.

AUD - 1st - 60 (12/12), 61 (2/13), 61 (8/13), 78! (11/15)
REG - 55 (2/16) 69 (5/16) Retake(8/16)
BEC - 71(5/16) Retake (9/16)
FAR - (8/16)

[waffle_house]

You have to make the time no matter what and at least 4 hours a day (5 if you can). I say start BEC asap since your close to passing that one than FAR. Give yourself 4 to 5 weeks for BEC and that would put your at the mid Jan testing period. The day after your BEC exam I would start on FAR immediately. I'm not sure how you are studying for FAR but your score reflect that you have no clue what is going on sorry lol. Some people say you don't have to master the topics, I say that is BS, master the topics in FAR because they will throw everything at you and please read the book you will save so much time as it gives you a great basis on topics covered in the MCQ. Test FAR in the first week of March and that should give you 7-8 weeks.

[mtaylo24]

@waffle_house, Regarding your FAR comment, I know right. I always go in as confident as other sections, but that doesn't reflect at all and it is laughable. I know I can't MCQ that one out like the others, and even my prep scores were shit, but I went in with the same mentally that you mentioned, about it being bs to master topics. But now that I think about it, I went in on FAR! Been through Ninja mcq (5000+ questions in review phase), Gleim (MCQs and sims), read the gleim book, read the Wiley focus notes, Did the 2015 Wiley book questions, read the ninja notes, 2014 Becker Final review that I found on eBay, nothing is really helping it “click”. I'm very hesitant about rushing BEC, because I did that twice for retakes and my score improved a whooping 1 point both times. I need to take my time w/ that one too!

AUD - 1st - 60 (12/12), 61 (2/13), 61 (8/13), 78! (11/15)
REG - 55 (2/16) 69 (5/16) Retake(8/16)
BEC - 71(5/16) Retake (9/16)
FAR - (8/16)

[Missy]

You have to be a bit more creative than the average test taker. I was busy busy busy too (2 kids, full time job and part time job, taking two grad classes.) Get the audio. Listen while you're driving, if you can have a radio at your desk listen while you're working, listen while you're doing chores, listen while you're falling asleep. Those times you can't devote your full attention but it can't hurt and I think subliminally some sinks in. Have flash cards on you at all times, yeah I was THAT person in the waiting room at the pediatrician office lol. Do take out all the time, get up an hour early, whatever it takes. Not healthy long term but hey it didn't kill us when our kids were newborn and it won't now either. Kids may watch a few more hours of tv than you'd prefer,and nothing in your world gets the attention you would otherwise give but has to be done. You can do it.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Spartans92]

I'd stick with FAR first, mate. I feel like having FAR out means that Im essentially done with the exams 99%! Yes, BEC is changing but that one isn't too bad to prep for as indicated by your scores.. you have a pretty solid understand just need some tuning. If I were you I'd take FAR in Q1 as far out as possible and tackle BEC in Q2. I know it sucks and the risk of losing AUD but think it this way… Lets say you give 110% effort on FAR take in March (first week).Assuming thats a pass 🙂 Move on to BEC immediately and take it in May before AUD expires. if you can pull that one off too u r DONE!!

As you mentioned studying these exams simultaneously, if you feel great on FAR by the end of Feb you can start BEC and do some review on FAR little by little.

Im in a similar situation. Having BEC expire in July-Aug.. Doubt I will pass FAR this coming window but hoping to knock AUD out in March and focus FAR at the end of May or beginning of July before the expiration. I would suggest rushing 2 in 1 Q, often that result in a Fail more than a pass. Good Luck!

BEC- PASS

[mtaylo24]

Spartans! Yup, that was the plan when I mentioned doing it simultaneously…go in on FAR, while half-assing (better than forgetting and then re-learning) BEC, then leave a week or two to turn it on for BEC after I re-sit for FAR. Definitely not sitting for anything until the end of the window (late Feb, early March).

AUD - 1st - 60 (12/12), 61 (2/13), 61 (8/13), 78! (11/15)
REG - 55 (2/16) 69 (5/16) Retake(8/16)
BEC - 71(5/16) Retake (9/16)
FAR - (8/16)

[ct0516]

You are so close on BEC, I would schedule that one for early-mid January, hit the BEC MCQs hard until then. If you can get that one out of the way, it would be a good boost. Immediately start studying for FAR, and aim to take that at the end of February or first week of March. That way you have one more shot at FAR before losing your AUD. I lost my REG – it's not impossible but it sucks so bad. For FAR, it seems that you need to do more practice questions. When you run into something you really don't understand, go back to that section and review. FAR is a lot of material, but if you can have a real understanding of the financial statements and the relationships between the accounts it helps tremendously. For me, the only way to get there was practice. I work full time, and have two young children. My husband works full time too, so I completely understand being busy. Its tough, but its not forever. Dig deep and take every single spare moment to study! Good luck.

[mtaylo24]

@ct0516, you really have me thinking 🤔. You know, I was studying for BEC while waiting for my FAR score, and I had no clue why I was studying for this simple exam again, it makes no sense why I keep failing that one. My score report had me strong in Cost and Comparable in IT and WC and weaker in everything else. I was knocking out MCQs and chapters like it was nothing, something weird just happens every test, that throws me off, like not listing present value tables on the questions, Coso questions from left field. I've never been good in Econ and I even have an Econ minor 🤦‍♂️. I know that I can pass that one, but I just don't want to become a victim of my own arrogance (again).

AUD - 1st - 60 (12/12), 61 (2/13), 61 (8/13), 78! (11/15)
REG - 55 (2/16) 69 (5/16) Retake(8/16)
BEC - 71(5/16) Retake (9/16)
FAR - (8/16)

[ct0516]

Yeah, BEC is pretty tricky. “They” say it's the easiest one, but I know so many people who had to do that one more than once. Since there is less material, I feel like they ask more in depth questions. For COSO, completely memorize the “cube” and each component that goes under it. Know the formulas for the valuations. For econ- I thought the NINJA notes did a pretty good job covering the need to know on that. Now get off the forum and go study. LOL.

[mtaylo24]

^^^ I quit social media, cant quit them all 😂 …

AUD - 1st - 60 (12/12), 61 (2/13), 61 (8/13), 78! (11/15)
REG - 55 (2/16) 69 (5/16) Retake(8/16)
BEC - 71(5/16) Retake (9/16)
FAR - (8/16)

[Tncincy]

Hey, I agree with mia 100%, creative is the way to go, we all find a way to do what we want to do, busy or not…..So mtaylo, get down to business and get it done…..at least you have 2 down and 2 to go. We have to go to the extreme to get this done even if it's quitting everything. Discipline is the other name of the game…You're not alone there are plenty of us still in the battle and sorting it out.
P.s I don't want to deal with those pv tables, open for suggestion for bec study.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[A1lessio]

Do what I am doing but vice versa. So take BEC on Jan 20th-ish and FAR Mar 10th and then pray.

AUD (08/02/2016)

[tmacpa]

Definitely take BEC in Q1 since its changing. What were your score reports like?

Obviously MCQ just do your best, for the written part just write a lot and restate the same things with the key words, from the question along with any others you can think of. Do not be brief.

Take FAR March 10.

You have Q2 if your audit credit expires in May, so can retake any exams then if necessary. Wait for your score will stink but you'll still have your credit as long as you take your exam before it expires.

[mtaylo24]

@tmacpa34…

attempt 1 (71), weaker in everything but cost (comparable), stronger in the WC.

Attempt 2 (72) comparable in everything but cost and financial mgmt (both weak), comparable in the WC

Attempt 3 (73) stronger in cost, comparable in IT, weaker in everything else. Comparable in the WC

Lol! Super frustrating 😂 !

AUD - 1st - 60 (12/12), 61 (2/13), 61 (8/13), 78! (11/15)
REG - 55 (2/16) 69 (5/16) Retake(8/16)
BEC - 71(5/16) Retake (9/16)
FAR - (8/16)

[Nancy]

I would focus on one part at a time… My exams are going to expire in Feb so I need to finish FAR and Audit by then ah!

idk what to say really other than taking into account what you saw from the first few times taking the exams and mainly focusing your time on the main topics you saw. But, what do I know haha I'm so burned out and sick of this I really really struggle to study even when there is time so idk. Can you possible have someone pick up your child for a few weeks so you can at least use that time to study? When I was crazyyyyyy busy I got up at like 3:45-4:30 several days a week and studied like crazy in the mornings to fit in everything. I also stopped showering hahaha which is prob a bad idea but as a girl that hour drying your hair could be an extra hour studying LOL. I really should go back to doing that lol, and doing MC on your phone in the bathroom while you poo helps hahah

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13

[mtaylo24]

@NancyD8, I hear you, it's getting pretty depressing. And best of luck with your two tests coming up 🙂

I usually get up no later than 6am and study before work. I listen to lectures and audios through the coffee, poo, shower, and shave process (TMI?), aka my hands off time. I usually study at work because no one cares about that stupid place, and I take plenty of bathroom breaks. We are both from out of town and don't have any family here. It would be nice to be able to go into monk mode on a weekday, just don't have that option. I usually just have the kid veg out humpty dumpty/paw patrol videos on youtube (6:30-8) while I study/make dinner until mommy comes home. Then I get back to work after dinner time and study until failure (usually 11pm-1am). On weekends, sometimes I have to force myself to take a shower (usually sometimes in the afternoon) because I'm vegging out to some Gleim or Ninja. Don't really hit the gym anymore, I've pretty much become a broke, out of shape POS over this stupid test, with only two passes to show for. So yeah, I'm really trying to be done next window 🙂

AUD - 1st - 60 (12/12), 61 (2/13), 61 (8/13), 78! (11/15)
REG - 55 (2/16) 69 (5/16) Retake(8/16)
BEC - 71(5/16) Retake (9/16)
FAR - (8/16)

[Author]

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