[life_is_GOoD]

Hey all,

I found out last night that I passed FAR and am done with the exams. Just wanted to share my experience and offer some feedback/advice to everyone on this forum.
I used Wiley CPA for all four sections, did AUD and REG last year on the same NTS. I took AUD first and was shocked at how difficult it was (the SIMS particularly), then had to study for and take REG without getting my AUD score. REG was a lot more effort because taxes and I don’t really get along, but overall the material was pretty straight forward and I was able to plow through it and pass, despite the nightmare SIMS on that exam. I took BEC a couple months ago. Due to the timing on my NTS, I unexpectedly had to schedule FAR for early Sept, when I was only about 2/3 of the way through my study program. I decided to take the two biggest topics I hadn’t studied yet (leases and gov’t/NFP) and cram them into 2 days, then walked into the exam and did my best. I think I got kinda lucky with this exam in that it hit on my strong points, and the ~20% material I hadn’t studied was barely on the exam.
Based on my experience, there’s a couple things I have to say about the CPA Exam:
– This is a test of ENDURANCE and DISCIPLINE, not being smart. I’m convinced that anyone on this forum is capable of passing the exam if you’re willing to put in the time and effort.
– My most helpful study practice was to star important things in my notes as I watched lectures/did MCQs, then make my own flashcards based on those and study them periodically. This kept old topics fresh in my mind, and writing your own flashcards helps cement the material.
– Remaining calm in the exam room is a huge help. If you’re faced with an enormous SIM or something you have no clue on, remember that there is an answer, think through what you know, be on the lookout for details, and give it your best guess.
– Last but not least, I was fortunate to have a fairly easy exam experience. I was working part-time or not working while I studied, and I didn’t really have to sacrifice anything HUGE for these exams. For those of you who are studying while working full-time or with kids, or are on your 3rd or 4th retake, or who feel like giving up, just know I have a HUGE amount of respect for you guys. Keep pushing, you’re an inspiration to us all!

Thanks so much to everyone on this forum, and wishing you all the best!

 

 

[JPRPfutureCPA]

Thank You for your encouragement and pieces of advice. I just started and I'm using Wiley as well. Did you use their flashcards? did you read the focus notes? or did you follow their recommendations? Lectures, Diagnostic test, and post-assessment test?

Thank You!

[GmaxL711]

I used Wiley and just finished too! I don’t necessarily think that any course is significantly better than another, but Wiley was great for me bc I’m one of those crazies who accidentally waited to take my exams until I was working full time with 2 toddlers (0/10 – do not recommend!), and their smaller videos/sections enabled me to squeeze study time in tight spots of “free” time. I mostly listened to lectures during my hour-long commute, and worked the accompanying MCQs during lunch breaks and after the kids were in bed. All your advice is spot-on. Huge congrats on passing!

[JPRPfutureCPA]

FmaxL711 I'm in the same situation. I have an 18 months boy and work full time. how many weeks did you study for FAR? I'm trying to wake earlier but so far it is not working.

Thank YOu!

[asdf]

Congratulations!!! Soli Deo Gloria!!!!

[life_is_GOoD]

@CololmbianCPA – I bought the entire package, flashcards and all, and only ended up using the books and the online program. I watched all the lectures and took notes, did the MCQs with the lectures, and I would periodically go through the MCQ test bank and do some so that I had them pretty much all done by exam time. Like I said in my post, I also starred important things in my notes and then went back and wrote my own flashcards to study. That was a big help for me. I skipped the diagnostic tests (it's just testing stuff you don't even know yet) and did the post-assessment tests. I only used the books to figure out something I was confused on or to reinforce some more difficult topics.
That's what worked for me, but find what works best for you and roll with it. Hope this helps!

[PC]

Just got done as well. In time, I'll be thankful. Right now, I just feel numb and violated.

I'll offer up a short version of my experience too.

– Biggest agreement is that you don't have to be smart. I've always needed extra time to understand things in school, and this was no different. Don't sweat it if it takes you more hours than what people say it should. I'm 37 so I remembered nothing from school.
– I used Wiley for all (what is the deal with those diagnostics…). Did every single practice question and sim. Re-did every one of those I got wrong. Posted to the forums if I still didn't understand it.
– Did anywhere from 5 to 7 formal practice exams for each section in the 2 weeks leading up to test day.
– Had amazing support from wife, kids, boss, coworkers. Make sure family understands the magnitude of this commitment.
– Daily process was: Read text, take notes. Then watch lectures, highlight notes. Do practice questions over that particular text. Move to next section. There's probably a more efficient way but that's what I was comfortable with.
– Planning to stick around this forum so encourage those who need it.

[75]

I used Wiley as well and never felt underprepared. The bite size lessons helped me stay on track during the study and not feel overwhelmed if the subject was new to me.

hope this is helpful

[brett.zandevakili]

Wow congratulations! great scores!!!
I'm also using Wiley, do you mind sharing your mock scores? I'm scoring in the 60s for Reg and I know you usually do better on the actual exams, I just want to make sure I'm on the right track.

[life_is_GOoD]

@Brett.Zandevakili – Thanks! REG was probably the toughest exam for me. My mock exam scores were high 70s, so my actual was about 10 points higher. Wiley's practice exams are definitely kinda skewed though, especially with how they score the sims. I'm pretty sure my overall scores for MCQs on REG was in the low 70s. If you keep hitting MCQs and figuring out the reasons you're getting stuff wrong, you should be fine!

[GmaxL711]

@ColombianCPA I studied about 6 weeks for FAR. But keep in mind I spent 5 years as an auditor with a Big 4 firm and quit right at the beginning of that time frame and started a job in industry. So I went into it with a ton of relevant work experience, and waaaaay more free time than I was used to at the time.

[Author]

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