[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)

[Nancy]

SAME I gained about 20 lbs since starting this exam it's like all fast food or frozen meals 🙁 and I look like buttface these days

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

[Anonymous]

@mtaylo24 I'm sooo sad to hear that you didn't get FAR…I was rooting for you!!!! We are very similar in that my hubby is a police lt and works rotating 12 hour shifts so kiddo duty is always mine lol. My house is a wreck and we eat way too much pizza and taco bell but I'm sure the fam won't be too much worse for wear after all this is said and done. My two cents is to keep focusing on FAR because it's the last section you studied and I think that you can knock it out with constant study by the end of Jan-early Feb. My advice after passing FAR is to write out the journal entries or do t accounts-that strategy was better for me than all the multiple choice in the world. It helped to truly understand what the heck they were asking and I'm convinced it gave me my passing grade. Then focus on BEC because you are sooo close and I thought that the two sections had alot in common, you can pass in Q1!!!! Good luck and keep up the positive attitude, it really goes a long way!!!

[oldercandidate21]

What is this no scores till August about? so if you take a test in April (Q2), you won't know the score until august? what sense does that make? You won't know if you should be studying for a retake in Q3 until the Q3 window is closed.

FAR - 75 November 2015
REG - 69 April 2016 (WTH? Test I got isn't what I studied for)
BEC - 81 June 2016
AUD - TBD

[LIZZ]

Just keep going, we all feel your pain. I still have to pass all 4 exams and I am hardly holding on to my sanity.

FAR - 05/2015
AUD - 75,11/2014
REG - 07/2015
BEC - 09/2015

[Claudia408]

@mtaylo, @oldercandidate21 – yes it's very curious how the score release will work as it relates to studying and scheduling your next exam. i lose BEC 4/17/17 if i don't pass Reg and Far before then. if i do end up having to take them in Q2 i won't know if i passed until mid August. During that time I could be studying for a retake for one, both or none. and the clock has started ticking and the candidate doesn't know how much effort to put into studying or not to study. WTF! i hate this process so much.

https://www.aicpa.org/BecomeACPA/CPAExam/nextexam/Pages/next-cpa-exam-faqs-2016.aspx

BEC - 75 (3x)
AUD - 78 (3x)
REG - 67, 66, Aug 1
FAR - 54, Sept 8

[alexio senchez]

@mtaylo24

Firstly, I admire your persistence! Many would have given up by now. Are you in the DC area by any chance? If so, let me know if you're interested in coming over to the dark side (public accounting).

I lurk here more than I participate, and I always see your posts helping and encouraging others. Your posts stand out because of the funny avatar 🙂

I have a theory on why you're cutting it so close with BEC all the time. Someone may have mentioned in a post above, but I didn't take the time to read through all the replies. This is meant to be constructive criticism and is offered with much Ninja love: I think your WC is keeping you from passing.

To elaborate further on my theory, I have a very hard time reading through your longer posts and understanding what you're trying to get at. Yes, yes, this is a online forum and we're all informal here. However, I believe that someone's informal writing style is indicative of how their formal writing will look like.

Your writing seems to be too wordy and busy. I believe you can simplify and cut out the fat. For example, your original post above can be trimmed down to 1/3 of the size while still conveying your thoughts, concerns, and question. Another way to look at it is to think of the reader when writing and if said reader will easily understand your thoughts.

Again, this is not criticizing you and I am not claiming to be a writing pro myself. I just wanted to let you know how I struggle to read through your posts sometimes.

[hasy]

I can't help but agree with @alexio senchez (BTW, great advice, I'm more often a lurker as well, too bad, you're in DC, I would have asked for a referral).

I do believe for my exam, the WC has helped me get over the hump and even with some breathing room. The best way to practice for WCs is to read a lot of examples. I would simply remember the structure and what sort of key terms they were requiring.

In terms of the MCQ, I would believe the way that I learned was how each ratio related to each other and they sort of all connected. I do see your posts a lot and I hope that you can pass by Q1 as well. Good luck!

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

-

BEC 80 (10/23/15)
FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
REG 52 (4/28/15)
AUD (9/9/16)

Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

[mtaylo24]

@alexiosenchez and @ hasy I write just how I speak (or text), but I may also be one of the most politically incorrect people that I know of (He!). English and Journalism were probably two of my most hated subjects growing up. I do appreciate the insight though. For what it's worth, I actually received stronger on the WC and comparable my other two times, not sure how much that matters 🙂

I am actually in Richmond, VA, but I grew up in the DMV, and have considered going back. If you don't mind passing me your info, we can chat offline.

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)

[alexio senchez]

@mtaylo24

glad you're [kind of] local. My boss charged me with recruiting and, again, I really admire your persistence in passing this exam. To me, work ethic like yours means you'll always be good at what you do in the real world, exam scores be damned.

You remind of the don't ever give up frog

Back to the topic at hand, if you've scored well on WC before then perhaps my theory is wrong. However, I would suggest you definitely break the habit of writing like you speak because it may hurt you on a future WC. @hasy‘s advice is solid, read a lot of examples that are out there.

[Nessie]

Mtaylo24, your post is funny and lighthearted – especially the part about pooing and drinking coffee while studying. However, I’m going to be blunt here. Listening to audio recordings and doing a million MCQs does not work. You need to read the textbook and write out the concepts in your own words, or even pretend you are lecturing the concepts – but again, in your own words. Draw pictures, make tables, whatever it takes, then do a few MCQs for fun. Sure there are a few people who can master the courses with MCQs alone, but, most of us need to do the $hitty part, which is making notes – the heavy lifting, the part that makes you hate studying.

Keep up the great attitude.

REG Aug 20/15: 88
AUD: Feb 29/16: 80
FAR: Jun 10/16: 80
BEC?

Becker self-study, Becker Final Review & NINJA MCQS

[Author]

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