[Broag]

Felt like I knew the material. The exam itself didn’t seem to be out of left field. Get my score….47. Granted this is my first time taking FAR, but what a huge disappointment. The last 2 1/2 months were almost a complete waste. I haven’t passed any part of the exam and I’ve been studying since November 2014. I’ve made the sacrifices that are necessary to pass (i.e. neglecting a social life) and have come up empty handed. I did all the Becker HW and simulations and wrote down the JEs.

What do I need to do for my retake? How many times should I redo the HW? Should I get Ninja MCQs as well and how many times should I go through that? I guess I will have to go back through the book and rewrite all the JEs too. I don’t think I’ll waste my time on the lectures since they are time consuming and aren’t very helpful. Man this sucks.

I’m not looking for encouragement. I’m not looking for “well, at least you got the experience under your belt”-type of response. I want to know what pushed you over the top. What helped you gain 30+ pts on your retake?

I’m not down on myself or depressed. I’m just really pissed off. Really angry.

Thanks in advance…

REG - 79
FAR - ?
AUD - ?
BEC - ?

[TNCPA16]

I'm retaking FAR on Friday, and while obviously I don't know how well I'm going to do, here is my strategy…

My first attempt with FAR, I used Becker. I watched all of the lectures, did the homework, etc. I didn't follow the Becker plan perfectly, but followed the overall gist. My result? A disappointing 72. My first go-around with the exam a few years back, I used Becker and I have to say, this program just does not work for me. So for my retake, I've been using the Ninja 10 point combo. My focus has been probably 80% MCQs and the other 20% listening to audio, reading the book, and reviewing the notes. I work questions until I come to an area I'm weak in, and then pull up the book/notes for a refresher. I found that in my first exam, especially on the SIMS, that I knew the topics very well, I just didn't always understand what the questions were asking me. Working 2k+ questions has helped me pay attention to the details and pick up the nuances in how questions are phrased. Hopefully this strategy will pay off (fingers crossed!)

[Gabe]

My first attempt at FAR I got a 50. So, I know how you feel. What pushed me over the top was:

1. knowing JEs- even governmental/NFP

2. knowing bonds inside and out

3. Ninja MCQs- or another MCQ source, just to give you a different perspective

4. Write own notes

5. Don't waste time on Becker lectures

For my re-take I focused on MCQs and JE's. Even for MCQs that don't require JE's I would write it out. Hope this helps.

CPA, CFE
CISA- Experience will be completed by August 2016

[Broag]

Gabe

This is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!

REG - 79
FAR - ?
AUD - ?
BEC - ?

[Gabe]

@broag no problem. Good luck. It can be done 🙂

CPA, CFE
CISA- Experience will be completed by August 2016

[san4596]

Broag – I used Becker before, and failed almost every exam. Their material just did not click with me. Then, I switched to just Wiley Books and MCQ's, which resulted in me passing 3 sections straight. Wiley merged with CPA Excel and changed their MCQ system. I did not like the new system, and failed FAR. Now, I have used the Ninja 10 Point Combo, and took the test on Monday. Overall, I felt like I was answering the question before even seeing the answer. We will see in 2 weeks what the results will be.

CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
Ethics Course: Passed
Application Mailed: 3/16/15
Professional Conduct Exam: 97
Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

[Broag]

San

I'm tempted to check out Wiley and the 10 pt combo, but is it actually teach you the material? I want to understand and not just memorize. I have a good job and I want to make myself invaluable. Memorizing a test bank is not what I'm looking to do.

I also feel bad spending all this money on the Becker materials. I guess I should have came here before buying all of it.

At any rate, I think my course of action (after tax season) is to redo the Becker MCQs twice and buy the Ninja MCQs and do those twice. Enough fooling around.

Thanks!

REG - 79
FAR - ?
AUD - ?
BEC - ?

[bigbuk]

can someone elaborate on how they studied JE's, any websites that helped them, when i get the sims on far its usually so much other computational matter occurring i am lost from square one

[Author]

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