[Anonymous]

This is going to be my second match with far. I failed BAD last time. But my methods of studying were completely inefficient: barely any mcq, did not refer back to notes to DO mcq, not really master anything, etc. I mastered the heck out of Gov and not for profit which I swear were 40 percent of my test (and showed up on sims). I bombed regardless.
I work as an accountant. Private. Single step income statement. Not publicly traded.
All this oci, stocks, multistep has me feeling like a complete idiot. #1 because I didn’t get it last time and #2 because it isn’t THAT hard, but I’m still struggling. I hit hedges and swaps and want to throw my book against a wall.
I swear I just feel like I’m in the wrong profession. I work in it. But I have no idea what I’m doing. Worst yet I will read the chapter, type notes and watch lectures and be fine. Then I will go do mcqs and sit and stare at the question not knowing where to start or end.. like I cant apply the concept to the calculation.
A lot of the chapters I can breeze by: Gov, non profit, cash flows, inventory, etc. I swear if it affects oci or the shareholders equity section somehow, I become a drooling moron.
I’m overwhelmed and feel stupid. Did this happen to anyone? What do I do?
Just keep hitting mcqs?
Funny how last time all the things I mastered were not on the exam. Everything I ignored was my best friend.
I literally had to print a multi step income statement so I can see how every mcq I’m doing will affect it.
I feel accounting just doesnt click for me. So frustrating.

[Jen-J]

Everyone feels overwhelmed studying for FAR. It's a beast. Go back to the basics, like you did by printing an income statement. T-account everything. Write the journal entries. Find videos on the internet (someone somewhere has explained it in a way that's different from your review course. It can really help.) If you get MCQ's that have you stumped, open the book back up and walk through the problem using the book. Do that enough times and it really will start to stick. It sounds like you've got a good grasp on a bunch of things but have some trouble spots. Lastly, don't panic.

[Anonymous]

First of all, what CPA review material are you using?

How do you like it? Do you mind sharing with us how you did score on your first test?

[win2bet]

with FAR, try to understand as much concepts as possible, If there is a few that you cannot understand just go to the next topic and try to understand it best you can. Key is to know to know everything well but to know majority of it well & you'll pass. FAR I got at least 50% of the exam wrong, but I know I got a few really difficult areas spot on; ended up passing with a 75

REG 68,87
BEC 85
FAR 75
AUD 64,64, 86!

[Anonymous]

@ amor
I used Yeager my first time. My score didn't even register, it was that low. I got points for showing up: 53. Yup. That bad.

I have roger and ninja now

[Anonymous]

I have only heard of maybe 2 people who said that FAR was easy. They probably got a very easy form of the exam that day they took it. It is a very, very difficult exam – if only for the volume of material you have to know for it. DO NOT feel badly about your fail. Did you at least come out of there with a bit more of an open mind, or opened eyes as to what you need to work on? The SIMs I had on FAR, during the last window when it was on the old format (only 1 SIM testlet, and only 7 SIMs) were some of the craziest questions I've ever seen on a test in my life. There was one easy one, the research question was not bad, and then the other 5 were just wicked and/or very difficult. I had one that would've taken me an hour to do so I filled in zeros for all the boxes. I had another one on stockholders' equity that was just freaking insane – it wasn't a DRS, but it had a boatload of info to sift through. Probably would've required filling up a full white board sheet (why do they call them white boards? They're always pink or yellow with those godawful gridlines…c'mon, this is not a math or physics test!!) ANYWAY, there were plenty of times that I wanted to throw my laptop across the room while working FAR questions. I too studied like crazy for it. But, since I'm a glutton for punishment, I will be taking it again later this year. Good luck on your retake. If you did a 53 the first time, you'll probably either pass or get into the 60-69 range the second time. I know of someone who got an ‘8' on AUD. Now THAT is laughable. That person probably only answered 3 MCQ and left the rest blank. I know someone who got 13 – walked out after 1st testlet. 53 means you're still on the board.

[Skynet]

Cheer up.

FAR makes everyone feel like an idiot.

What people don't realized is that even though i passed FAR with an 84, i spent amost 7 months on it. There were sections that made me feel like an idiot at times.

Keep at it though. Give it time and soon enough you will see it all come together. It will be like a light just came on.

[Allsheneededwassome]

I felt like it didn’t click until it did start to click and that didn’t happen until my 4th attempt. FAR has a lot of information but I feel like the test itself doesn’t test you too deep into anything. It’s voluminous. Go back and approach it with a fresh set of eyes. I think you’re understanding the material but are struggling with application so my advice would be to do more MCQs that will drive some concepts home. Reading and rereading concepts sometimes only does so much. Good luck

[Anonymous]

So happy I found this this thread. FAR was starting to make me contemplate my life choices. LOL. this was enough to let me know I am not alone and to just keep going. Thanks!Good luck on your next attempt.

[RyonT]

I'm right there with you. I'm currently on my first attempt, and the investment/bond stuff kills me(there are other sections as well). I'm sure I look like a madman throwing little fits at the library, breaking pencils, whisper cursing, and questioning who the f@#k comes up with this sh@t. I've just accepted it as part of the process. Eventually the stuff will click, at least enough to pass. Hopefully on this attempt. Good luck!

[DoubleBogey]

If anybody struggles with bonds and time value of money type stuff. it might behoove you to learn on youtube how to use excel to set up a full amortization table instead of learning the entire amortizing process if it is that challenging and you have any tech savvy.

[Anonymous]

It's perfectly normal to feel like an idiot studying for FAR. Just put in the time and effort, and you'll be fine. I always say, “trust the process of your review course”.

[msquared17]

Im in the same boat. I was ready to throw in the towel because I was feeling like such an idiot. I made my second attempt at FAR this past Saturday and it did not go well. The test was drastically harder than the last time. Sims had a ridiculous amount of documents to review. I agree to trust in the process. Really master the heavy hitter topics. I know all topics are fair game. The questions on my exam were asked in such a way that it made me realize I didn’t fully master the concept. Keep your head up and press on. It will start to kick in.

[Anonymous]

I'm waiting for that pivotal moment when things start to click. Small clicks are happening that didn't happen before.
And I'm actually understanding the material this time. That's new. But then when I go to apply it during an mcq, I have to grab my notes. Ugh.unless it's a non calculation question. I'm great at memorizing theory so I get those correct.
Sky: I might guy hit study for seven months too! Gotta do what I gotta do. Ya know? If it takes that long for the lights to come on, then so be it.

[SK]

Hi,

I just passed CMA exams and want to go for CPA next. Which part should I take first? I want to start with “hardest” part. Please help!

[Anonymous]

FAR is the hardest and the thickest; and REG comes next.
I think, BEC and AUD would be a breeze for CMA passers like you.

[Author]

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