[Jsn3004]

I started studying for the CPA exam last July. I took FAR and didn’t pass. I took it again, and I passed again with a 75 (Score on 12/8/2017). A week later I started studying for BEC. I took it on 3/3/17 and found out last night I passed. So I passed two exams in two consecutive quarters. I didn’t think I passed BEC so I haven’t started studying for Audit, but I will tomorrow.

The earliest exam date I can get is May 26th and although I know most people can, I don’t think I can be ready for Audit in two months. It took me so long to study for FAR and BEC… I don’t want to wait until July but with my pace I can’t imagine passing Audit with just two months preparation. Obviously I’m a slow learner but I see people pass numerous exams in one quarter or people taking just a few weeks for a section and I’m just amazed by how fast people do it.

Clearly something is wrong with my studying since it takes me so long. I know it’s about quality over quantity but I feel I’m going as fast as I can and putting in a good effort. I do think i’m going to try to cut back on watching the lectures unless I really don’t understand the text. I also won’t take as much detailed notes because I think that just takes up time and I end up having way too many notes that I don’t review.

Does anyone have any advice on what I should do or how I can change my study habits? I use CPAExcel and use NinjaMCQ once i’m done with the CPA Excel course. I really want to try to knock out the next two exams as quick as possible. By the way i’ll be out of town twice this quarter so I will miss a little over a week of studying.

[waffle_house]

Make a study schedule and stick to it. You can study for AUD in 8 weeks. Complete the material in 5 weeks and review for 3 weeks. AUD is tricky though, I would be careful reading the questions.

[Anthony]

It's a marathon not a race. Who cares if someone passes the exam faster than you? Yes, watching lectures are a time sink, but if that is how you learn the material, then do it. Like Waffle suggested, maybe you need a schedule or something.

[Anonymous]

I took about 3 months for BEC and close to 10 weeks for AUD because I have two kids and a full time job and can't study all weekend long… Who cares how long it takes? Just study:) For AUD it takes 6 weeks to get through materials if you take it 1 chapter a week (I am using Becker) and at least 2 weeks to review (even though I am more comfortable with 3 weeks…) If you have more time to study you can it in less time. I agree-study plan is key.

[Jsn3004]

It's not that i'm comparing myself to others, but I think it's clear that my study habits are inefficient. Maybe I should cut down on some lectures, maybe I should cut down on notes. I write alot of notes and don't really review them so I take that as a waste of time. Yes I passed but I think with better study habits I could easily slash some time off the schedule. I'm not trying to take the exams as quick as possible, I just am tired of spending too much time when there are more efficient ways of studying.

[Anonymous]

I dont think you have room to remove study tactics based on your posted scores. I knwo for me personally, writing notes was VERY helpful in learning the material even if I didnt review all the notes all the time. I passed all four parts in one year, doing one section per quarter on average. It was more like FAR took 5 months and the other ones I managed in the remaining time so…

[Author]

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