[Anonymous]

I passed BEC(93) in February, Audit (89) in April, and REG(86) in July using mainly the CPAExcel Course with some supplementation from the 10 Pt. Combo.

I probably put in between 90 – 140 study hours for each test. I broke my hip in June and was off work, so I was going to use all of August to study for FAR on Tuesday the August 27th. However, out of nowhere my employer called me and asked if I could come back to a light-duty office job at the beginning of August.

Since I lost all that free study time I felt I would not have time to prepare for FAR at the end of the month and planned to reschedule for October or November, and therefore did no studying.

When I went to reschedule on Thursday night 22nd, it wouldn’t show me any available dates. It took me a while to realize what had happened, but my NTS was from early spring, and the 6 months limitation was preventing me from rescheduling. I was so pissed that I had wasted all that money for a test.

I decided I might as well take it and let it be a learning experience to be more prepared for the next one. After all, there was no way I could pass the exam studying for 6 days?!?! To make matters worse, I had to work every day except Sunday, and Sunday we were having a huge party for my step-daughters 3rd birthday and step-sons 15th birthday.

Thursday night I did CPAExcel, but in 3 hours I only got through about 8 of the 240 modules to learn FAR, and I knew that was hopeless. Starting Friday, I changed course, and knew the only way I would be at all prepared was to become a Ninja.

My technique was to listen to an audio chapter, while simultaneously reading the corresponding Ninja notes. After that I would take a 10-20 question Practice test from the Wiley Test Bank. From Friday night through Monday night, this is ALL I did, no advanced, expensive, time consuming study courses, just Ninja Audio/Notes, Testbank, Ninja Audio/Notes, Testbank…. I typically broke my studying up into 2 2 hour sessions each night. My total studying was probably about 20 hours. Just got my score – IL 516 82!!! I’m done!!!

I’m a good test taker, but I’m nothing amazing. Like I said, I did the full in-depth study thing for my first three tests and averaged 89% – good but not great. It’s been a while since I took accounting classes so its not like all the information was fresh in my head. I’m not an Accountant or an Auditor, I work an hourly manufacturing job.

It’s just that the 10pt combo is enough to give anybody who is a good test taker and has an “Accountant-style of thinking” enough to pass the exam. So if your cheap and/or short on free time, consider just purchasing the 10-pt combo. Take Wiley practice tests (do the practice so you get the correct answer right there and find out why yhou were right or wrong)and use the Ninja audio and see where your at. For all four tests, I scored about 8-10% better than I did on all the Wiley exams.

[jeff]

Thank you for the writeup! That's awesome – congrats!!!

[jeff]

Thank you for the writeup! That's awesome – congrats!!!

[RandomAlt]

@ESchmi

Very inspirational post. I'm doing FAR with about 1 month and 1 week of study time (test is set for the last day of my NTS) and I feel like that isn't nearly enough. I've been very pessimistic when talking about the exam, saying things to my wife like “I guess I will just use this test to see what it is like” … things like that.

I really appreciate that you included your work/accounting class background. I was reading the posting, and going to myself, “this guy has got to be working in an accounting field, he must be comfortable with the material already.” And then you answered those questions in the last paragraph. I am in a similar situation (work full time, unrelated work field, accounting class knowledge not recent), so it is very good to hear about yours.

So I go back to studying with renewed vigor, and a “little” less pessimism 😉

Thanks again for posting.

FAR - [10/07/2013 --> 66] [07/07/2014 --> 86]
BEC - [08/31/2014 --> 86]
AUD - [11/24/2014 --> 88]
REG - [02/14/2015 --> 92]

[RandomAlt]

@ESchmi

Very inspirational post. I'm doing FAR with about 1 month and 1 week of study time (test is set for the last day of my NTS) and I feel like that isn't nearly enough. I've been very pessimistic when talking about the exam, saying things to my wife like “I guess I will just use this test to see what it is like” … things like that.

I really appreciate that you included your work/accounting class background. I was reading the posting, and going to myself, “this guy has got to be working in an accounting field, he must be comfortable with the material already.” And then you answered those questions in the last paragraph. I am in a similar situation (work full time, unrelated work field, accounting class knowledge not recent), so it is very good to hear about yours.

So I go back to studying with renewed vigor, and a “little” less pessimism 😉

Thanks again for posting.

FAR - [10/07/2013 --> 66] [07/07/2014 --> 86]
BEC - [08/31/2014 --> 86]
AUD - [11/24/2014 --> 88]
REG - [02/14/2015 --> 92]

[overapplied]

I mentioned this in another testimonial of my own… but after passing REG… and finally being done with the CPA exam!

The Ninja Notes (and other study materials that I've been tearing through) led to me nailing REG with a 22 point combo. 10 point combo? What is that?

AUD - 75 - 07/06/2012
FAR - 72, 74, 82 - 05/30/2013
BEC - 84 - 01/16/2013
REG - 60ish, 84 - 08/16/2013

CISA - Passed

[overapplied]

I mentioned this in another testimonial of my own… but after passing REG… and finally being done with the CPA exam!

The Ninja Notes (and other study materials that I've been tearing through) led to me nailing REG with a 22 point combo. 10 point combo? What is that?

AUD - 75 - 07/06/2012
FAR - 72, 74, 82 - 05/30/2013
BEC - 84 - 01/16/2013
REG - 60ish, 84 - 08/16/2013

CISA - Passed

[so1913]

Thanks for sharing…I'm giving myself 4 weeks to restudy for FAR which I found outyesterday a failed with a 70. I used Becker only. I'm in the A71 store debating what to purchase… the WTB and the Notes or the whole 10 point combo. Also trying to decide if I should tack A71 materials to my single REG WTB purchase made week. I NEED to pass both exams this last testing period of the year and not sure what it will take.

AUD - 90 Pass
REG - 70,61,81 Pass DONE DONE DOOOOONNEEE!!!!!!!!
BEC - 79 - Pass
FAR - 70,82 - Pass

[so1913]

Thanks for sharing…I'm giving myself 4 weeks to restudy for FAR which I found outyesterday a failed with a 70. I used Becker only. I'm in the A71 store debating what to purchase… the WTB and the Notes or the whole 10 point combo. Also trying to decide if I should tack A71 materials to my single REG WTB purchase made week. I NEED to pass both exams this last testing period of the year and not sure what it will take.

AUD - 90 Pass
REG - 70,61,81 Pass DONE DONE DOOOOONNEEE!!!!!!!!
BEC - 79 - Pass
FAR - 70,82 - Pass

[jeff]

s01913 – the Combo Lite could be a good option for you – Notes/Audio/Flashcards

https://www.another71.com/products-page/ten-point-combo-lite/

[jeff]

s01913 – the Combo Lite could be a good option for you – Notes/Audio/Flashcards

https://www.another71.com/products-page/ten-point-combo-lite/

[so1913]

Thanks Jeff, my Becker expired last month, so looks like I'd have to get the full 10pt combo for FAR for the test bank. I purchased the REG TB from A71 last week for the Labor Day sale and now thinking I should done the 10pt combo instead. Guess I'll go ahead and get the 10pt Lite for REG as well.

AUD - 90 Pass
REG - 70,61,81 Pass DONE DONE DOOOOONNEEE!!!!!!!!
BEC - 79 - Pass
FAR - 70,82 - Pass

[so1913]

Thanks Jeff, my Becker expired last month, so looks like I'd have to get the full 10pt combo for FAR for the test bank. I purchased the REG TB from A71 last week for the Labor Day sale and now thinking I should done the 10pt combo instead. Guess I'll go ahead and get the 10pt Lite for REG as well.

AUD - 90 Pass
REG - 70,61,81 Pass DONE DONE DOOOOONNEEE!!!!!!!!
BEC - 79 - Pass
FAR - 70,82 - Pass

[Author]

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