[Anonymous]

I am thinking about investing in one of the two above products for my FAR exam in August. At the end of the day the prices are about equal, does anyone have any recommendations as to which product they would use? I am currently using/have been using the Becker review course, if that makes any difference.

[Anonymous]

Though I haven't taken FAR yet, I am astounded to hear that as well!!

[Anonymous]

@whitesox, our study schedules seem to be similar; I think that what I'm going to ultimately do is watch the lectures, do the HW, and move on, until I get all the lectures out of the way (as I've done so far). I don't usually touch the supplemental questions until my second go-round with the homeworks. I'll go back and start at Lecture 1, re-read the notes I took and skim the book, and go through the homework again for each lecture. I'm ultimately looking at having 3+ weeks to “review” and do as many MCQ's as I can, and using the Final Review the last weekend before the exam.

[whitesoxfancpa]

FARbehind,

I had three hours to go after two testlets. So I had one MC testlet plus the two simulations left. One hour used for the first two testlets.

That means for the first two testlets, I took one minute per question on average. Given that maybe (I'm just guessing here) 30% are theory, that means I did 42 computations and 18 theory questions in an hour. Figure 30 seconds per theory question, that means I used about 73 seconds per computational question.

Either I know how to do it or I don't. I can't see spending more than that on a given question (for me, anyway…everyone is different, though). Extra time doesn't help me. I know it or I don't.

I thought four hours was more than adequate. What do you spend your time on during the exam? The computations are generally short…are you triple checking answers or something? Even if you spent 1.5 minutes for every MC question, that still leaves over 50 minutes for each simulation. Is it the simulations that you spend a lot of time on?

If you are spending a lot of time checking answers, maybe you should stop doing that and move on, just to ensure you finish. I find that checking answers rarely yields a change in an answer. If I had to skip checking answers in order to finish the exam, I'd do it. I might get one or two wrong that I would have changed if I checked them, but think of all the points I'll gain by finishing!

You're 3/4 done with this thing, so you're obviously doing something right! If you could nail down why FAR is taking you so long, I bet you pass with flying colors.

AUD 96 FAR 95 REG 94 BEC 88

[FARbehind]

whitesoxfan,

Thank you for the thorough explanation. I generally spend 1-1.5 minute per question but then a question comes up that I think I know how to solve and I start applying a formula that yields nothing. I find myself spending over 5 minutes on such question or 2 and since I already invest so much it is a shame and I really want to solve it. However, now that I think of it I probably end up guessing on such questions and waste time and effort. So I should definitely stop doing this and save my time. I usually have about an hour and 30 minutes left for the 2 simulations which is not bad overall but the simulations also take some time. I remember spending over 5 minutes on one research question: it seemed easy but I couldn't find it and then I was mad that I spent so much time looking and just kept looking. It's hard to let go when you spent time on something. I will reconsider my strategy this time and hopefully I can pass.

Your post about the doritos just made my day today. You are a miracle to me since I think a lot of people don't finish FAR. I will definitely listen to your advice and go faster. I think I will set a limit per question and if I think I am going over I will just guess and go on. Good luck studying for REG!

aud,bec,reg-passed
far-->75 Done!!!!!
ethics-100

[whitesoxfancpa]

Well, if my score comes back and I get a 16 or something, then maybe I'll regret that Dorito break. I just got hungry and grabbed a bag out of the vending machine for $1.00! Can you believe, it, one of those little $0.25 bags for $1.00! It even said $0.25 ON THE BAG!

For $1.00 it should have been one of those Big Grabs!

Seriously, though, the reason I did take the breaks is because I thought it would help me. When I study, if I'm doing a bunch of questions, I find that if I walk away for a few minutes, get a drink of water and then come back, I feel fresher when I come back. So given that I felt I had enough time, I wanted to do it during the exam. Doing 90 questions in a row is a lot of consecutive brain usage! If I felt I did not have the time, I certainly wouldn't do it.

Good luck with FAR. You can pass it. You will pass it.

AUD 96 FAR 95 REG 94 BEC 88

[Anonymous]

@whitesox- Yeah the breaks just to stand up, walk out of the testing room, and take a deep breath really help. Unfortunately, I didn't have much time to spare for REG, but for BEC and AUD I had plenty of time to take lengthy breaks, and that really helped. If nothing else, walking outside for a minute can clear your head momentarily and give you some clarity when you return to the exam.

[Anonymous]

I placed the order for the Becker Final Review today. Hoping it's the first and last one I'll need!

[whitesoxfancpa]

CyYoung,

Good luck. I hope you like it and find it worth the money.

AUD 96 FAR 95 REG 94 BEC 88

[Anonymous]

whitesoxfancpa

I just have to ask – are you a speed reader? I have a friend with that ability and has pretty much total recall. It is a talent! Helps her out a lot. Needless to say – wish it was something we all had during the exam 😉

[whitesoxfancpa]

cpajourney,

No, I'm not a speed reader and I don't have total recall. I wish I was, imagine how much easier studying for the CPA exam would be. Read it real fast one time and remember everything!

Just curious…why do you ask?

AUD 96 FAR 95 REG 94 BEC 88

[Anonymous]

Well, the time has come to use the Becker product, and for those who have used the final review, how many days ahead of time did you use it? I know you're supposed to use it as close to testing day as you can, but I'm curious how long it took you guys to get through all the material, digest it, do the MCQs, etc. I've noted that the lectures last about 7 hours.

[miniloc0724]

Doc,

I bought my final review for FAR yesterday and spoke to a becker rep. They said that it should take 10 hours to complete… so i'd say two days or one crazy day. I am going to take the test on the 30th (monday) and plan on starting it on the saturday. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Thanks, miniloc0724. I was thinking that I would just hate to not finish the class after spending all that money on it. I was thinking of getting it started on either Thursday after work, maybe even Friday, to make sure that I am done by Monday morning, and so I could possible review it on Monday before the exam on Tuesday. Good luck to you as well.

[Icanpass]

DocHalladay, I hope you pass FAR. Were you happy with Becker final review for FAR?

BEC & REG & AUD Passed FAR Studying

[Author]

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