[Zuly]

NINJA Question –

Hi! I just started studying for the CPA exam and have been scouring this site for days now. Everyone, including Jeff, has had great tips for studying but I am super nervous and feeling overwhelmed with all the material for FAR. I just started studying this past week using the NINJA framework along with the 2014 Roger CPA Review and NINJA 10 point combo. I already started watching the videos…there are 41 hours of FAR videos and plan to complete those in two weeks. However, it’s been sooooo difficult to keep up with Roger since he talks so fast. Currently, I am following along and writing notes in the margin of the book and when he discusses example problems that need to be worked out I write those in a separate notebook. I had planned to just go through all the 41 hours of video with these “light” notes and then write intense notes from the textbook when I’m done watching the videos. I figured I’d allot 1-2 weeks to the note taking process. Is this a good method and is the timing realistic…any better methods or suggestions? Also, Roger has study questions and SIMS problems at the end of each section. Would those be considered part of the MCQ process or should I skip these and just use the Roger & NINJA test banks?

Also, Jeff said we shouldn’t study more than 6-8 weeks for FAR but that’s with how many hours of study? Roger recommends 130 for FAR but I know some people study 200+ hours and passed on their first try. I am currently working in corporate accounting and a lot of these concepts I do understand and some I even use in my daily work life BUT I can’t imagine doing this all in 6-8 weeks working a full time job and with a small toddler at home. I was hoping to studying for 12 weeks so I can feel a little bit more confident and not go into cardiac arrest in the process. 😉 Did anyone feel this way and pass FAR the first time in 6-8 weeks studying 15-20 hours a week OR anyone study longer and feel like that did the trick to pass on the first time?

Sorry for all the questions but I really need help! Thanks in advance. =)

FAR - (11/01/14) 71 (02/07/15) 79
AUD - (04/30/15) 86
BEC - (07/21/15) 73 (10/01/15) 75
REG - (11/30/15) 55 (05/19/16) 74

[Anonymous]

2 weeks is very unrealistic, in my opinion. With a 40-hour job, it took me over 3 months to get all of my studying done.

Here was my Roger method: Watch the lectures and take notes in the textbook as the videos went along, finished all the videos for a chapter, went back and read the chapter again with my notes in the margins, then did the MCQ for that chapter. Roger's MCQ's aren't the best, so focus on the Ninja test bank.

It's a tough exam, but very doable.

[Mamabear]

It took me 3 months with a full time job and kids, averaging 20-30 hours of study per week. I skipped the lectures and only read half of the book. MCQ is where I learned most of it..quizzing and taking notes from there. In addition to the Ninja Materials.

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[Zuly]

Thank you so much @bronxbombers2 and @Mamabear for your responses and study methods…exactly what I needed to hear! I see your methods worked for you so I'm feeling much more confident! I guess I failed to mention but I scheduled my exam for 8/31 so definitely not two weeks from now, lol! I feel much better about 12 weeks of studying. 🙂

FAR - (11/01/14) 71 (02/07/15) 79
AUD - (04/30/15) 86
BEC - (07/21/15) 73 (10/01/15) 75
REG - (11/30/15) 55 (05/19/16) 74

[Anonymous]

If you are dedicated to studying, you can certainly get all of the material done in that time frame. I also took so long because I have many personal responsibilities outside of work. Roger is absolutely right: if you study, you will pass. I wasn't a very good student in college, but his methods helped me tremendously.

[Anonymous]

Oh, and you really can only determine which study method is best for you as you go through the material. Many people suggest taking notes, but I'm terrible at it and it takes me forever. Everyone has different preferences. Mamabear did almost exclusively MCQ, while I personally needed to see the videos at least once to understand the concepts. It all depends on how you work. Good luck!

[Zuly]

Thanks @bronxbombers2! Yeah, I love Roger because I feel like he's teaching the stuff to us like we've never seen it before…in some of these topics, I haven't because my intermediate acctg professors were awful. How long did it take you to take notes after you finished watching the videos? As I mentioned, I'm assuming it should take me two weeks…but is that what you meant by saying that wouldn't be enough time? I can write pretty fast, especially if I abbreviate, but not sure how fast when we're talking about 31 sections of FAR material. Can you please share how many hours of study time you put in for FAR, especially for the note taking part? Thanks!

FAR - (11/01/14) 71 (02/07/15) 79
AUD - (04/30/15) 86
BEC - (07/21/15) 73 (10/01/15) 75
REG - (11/30/15) 55 (05/19/16) 74

[Mamabear]

Be careful with the note taking. You could wind up taking so many notes that you get overwhelmed and the likelihood you will go back and look at all of it is low. With Ninja Notes and my notes from the MCQ I had 100 typed pages of notes. I put in about 200 hours of study time.

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[Anonymous]

Hiya – I used Rogers for my CPA so I can give you an idea of what I did .

I had 8 weeks for FAR and I do work full time. I used Rogers Calendar and modified it so that it would be 5.5 weeks of going through his lectures and 2.5 weeks of review time.

1. Watch his lectures for all of Chapter one. He does do questions in lectures so it gives you in insight on how the material yo are going through could be tested.

2. After Watching that chapter – I would go to the test bank and practice the MCq's in that chapter. This would make me realize what I absorbed and what went out of the window. I use Rogers method of doing a Qs then looking at the answer, reading the answer and having a scrap paper to doddle my points on why its A vs C.

3. After doing a batch of practice session I think made my notes based on his book. They were brief and highlighted the points I was making errors on. This is the part that is the “reinforcement”

4. Move to next chapter and repeat process.

Through out the weeks I would also so a set of 10 Mcqs on each of the previous chapters just to make sure I don't forget stuff.

The Review week is where I did progress tests. scrap notes, reading my short notes, beefing up some of notes where I felt it wasn't clear or need a few more “emphasis” words. This is also the time I did several SIM practices session. Made sure I understood the AL and its format so it would be easier for me to get that Qs out of the way went I saw it.

I focused heavily on my weak areas but kept ensuring my strong areas stayed strong. I didn't let my summary % make me feel low but more like its a challenge to be beaten.

I also used my husband to do flashcard quiz's with me every night before bed.

I made to pass on my first attempt for FAR using Rogers and I know a number of other that have done the same. Rogers will give you the tools, but the hard work rests with you to put in those hours and study with every single moment you have.

Jeff's Ninja was my supplement. I used his flash cards, Audio and Ninja MCQ's.

[Author]

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