[Anonymous]

NINJA Question –

I started preparing for FAR on 4-27-14, and plan to take it on 7-11-14. I have CPAexcel, Ninja Notes, Ninja Audio, and Wiley Test Bank. I originally was planning on spending the first 6 weeks going through CPAexcel lectures and MCQ, but according to Jeff, doing MCQ while doing lectures is a waste of time, and honestly, I don’t feel like I’m making much progress. Should I just do the Ninja method, since I already have the materials anyways? And also, how much time should I allocate to lectures, writing notes, MCQ? I have about 9 weeks remaining, but I hope figure out a game plan and just go with it.

[Anonymous]

If you are using CPAexcel as your main study tool, I would skip the lectures. Read the book and take notes. You can also use the Ninja tools to have a better idea of what is most important; CPAexcel goes a little overboard on material they cover. I only recommend watching the lectures if you are really lost on a particular topic. It is just too tedious to watch the long lectures otherwise.

Also, since you have the WTB available,I don't think it would hurt to do some MCQ's as you go along. I understand Jeff's point about not doing MCQ's but since you have so many available, I don't think it would hurt. I used to read and take notes for about 5 sections at a time. Then I would do some CPAexcel MCQ's to pinpoint my weak points and to get a better idea of what is most important. Then I used WTB in my last week or so just to have more unique MCQ's under my belt. Also, many of the WTB FAR questions are very hard, so if you can start to get in the 70s-80s on WTB, you should be fine. I used this method for FAR and managed an 87 on my first go. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

If you are using CPAexcel as your main study tool, I would skip the lectures. Read the book and take notes. You can also use the Ninja tools to have a better idea of what is most important; CPAexcel goes a little overboard on material they cover. I only recommend watching the lectures if you are really lost on a particular topic. It is just too tedious to watch the long lectures otherwise.

Also, since you have the WTB available,I don't think it would hurt to do some MCQ's as you go along. I understand Jeff's point about not doing MCQ's but since you have so many available, I don't think it would hurt. I used to read and take notes for about 5 sections at a time. Then I would do some CPAexcel MCQ's to pinpoint my weak points and to get a better idea of what is most important. Then I used WTB in my last week or so just to have more unique MCQ's under my belt. Also, many of the WTB FAR questions are very hard, so if you can start to get in the 70s-80s on WTB, you should be fine. I used this method for FAR and managed an 87 on my first go. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Thanks, I will try what you suggested. And wow, a 87 on FAR. Hope I can replicate that success.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, I will try what you suggested. And wow, a 87 on FAR. Hope I can replicate that success.

[RandomAlt]

Hey Determined,

Interestingly enough, we are doing almost the exact same thing. I am taking FAR (2nd time). Started (re) studying on 4/28, and I'm taking it 7/7. I'm also using CPAexcel, NINJA Notes & Audio.

Especially after attempting FAR already, I agree with cscpa21…don't watch every lecture. Occasionally they have a good mnemonic, or word of wisdom, but it isn't worth it to all the extra time. I would suggest looking at the slides. They are a good indicator if the lecture will have anything useful (as they mostly just read from the slides).

I am exclusively reading the study text, and doing the MCQs (leaving SIMs for review period). I listen to Jeff's audio during my morning & evening commutes. I've setup the study planner for both FAR attempts. The first time, I kept falling farther and farther behind, and it was very demotivational. This time, I am almost 5 days ahead, and I already set it up for a two week review, so that is even better.

Edit: After re-reading the method in the post above, I want to clarify something. I don't quite follow the NINJA method. I do the MCQs right after reading the texts. I find this really clarifies the text sometimes, especially if I was having problems with a particular section. Most of my notes are actually based off of the MCQs themselves. I tend to see a lot of patterns within each section, and I make a point to create notes for those.

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]

Hey Determined,

Interestingly enough, we are doing almost the exact same thing. I am taking FAR (2nd time). Started (re) studying on 4/28, and I'm taking it 7/7. I'm also using CPAexcel, NINJA Notes & Audio.

Especially after attempting FAR already, I agree with cscpa21…don't watch every lecture. Occasionally they have a good mnemonic, or word of wisdom, but it isn't worth it to all the extra time. I would suggest looking at the slides. They are a good indicator if the lecture will have anything useful (as they mostly just read from the slides).

I am exclusively reading the study text, and doing the MCQs (leaving SIMs for review period). I listen to Jeff's audio during my morning & evening commutes. I've setup the study planner for both FAR attempts. The first time, I kept falling farther and farther behind, and it was very demotivational. This time, I am almost 5 days ahead, and I already set it up for a two week review, so that is even better.

Edit: After re-reading the method in the post above, I want to clarify something. I don't quite follow the NINJA method. I do the MCQs right after reading the texts. I find this really clarifies the text sometimes, especially if I was having problems with a particular section. Most of my notes are actually based off of the MCQs themselves. I tend to see a lot of patterns within each section, and I make a point to create notes for those.

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

[tomq04]

In re-learning my learning method, doing the initial set of questions after reading the chapter with cpaExcel really helps me. I don't complete them (meaning leave the ones I got wrong), and then I come back and complete those after finishing the material.

That was my strategy with REG and AUD, and I DID NOT do that with FAR on either attempt. I am back to this method with BEC and this test is really clicking. Seeing questions and getting them wrong is not a waste of time for everyone, for me it really helps cement in the lesson.

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[tomq04]

In re-learning my learning method, doing the initial set of questions after reading the chapter with cpaExcel really helps me. I don't complete them (meaning leave the ones I got wrong), and then I come back and complete those after finishing the material.

That was my strategy with REG and AUD, and I DID NOT do that with FAR on either attempt. I am back to this method with BEC and this test is really clicking. Seeing questions and getting them wrong is not a waste of time for everyone, for me it really helps cement in the lesson.

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[Author]

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