[cpagoal]

So…i received my score from my FAR test I took last weekend and I completed around 1100 questions with Ninja MCQ but have to admit, my trending score was not great as I was still trying to get majority of the concepts. I didnt expect to pass on the first try but I did expect to possibly get a reasonable score that would keep me motivated to continue however, i got a F@#$#$ 42! These concepts are really hard but I registered again to take FAR on the next window but I am def. broken right now. 🙁

CPAGoal

[Island Mango]

@Cpagoal: Sorry for the fail. I failed FAR too my first time on the high 60s. My main mistake was not figuring out my learning style early on. I kept doing Wiley MCQs and forcing myself to listen to boring lectures. I finally switched to Roger's lectures and the concepts just clicked better for me. Figured I learn better with a dynamic instructor. His engaging style helped me retain information better. I also stopped watching lectures on my laptop and hooked my iPhone to my TV and streamed Roger to approximate the classroom experience. Watching him on a big screen felt like listening to a good professor. I'm not necessarily suggesting you get Roger but more like figure your learning style. Take advantage of free trials from other reviewers. Oh, also, don't wait too long in between retakes. I think a shorter gap between retakes is better for information retention. Try again and good luck.

[Stevie]

What helped me learn the concepts were to keep it simple.

I failed twice and finally passed the 3rd time.

I went through each Roger chapter/lecture video and took notes on the formula/journal entries that I needed to know, then hammered mcq on each section and took notes on any guesses/wrong answers.

Went over my notes and practiced cumulative 20 mcq at a time until exam day.

[1rightanswer]

I find the best way to study for CPA exams is to read the book and understand the concept. Doing MCQs doesn't really help you learn concept because you are just looking at details and analyzing fact patterns.

Read the books and make sure you understand it well and then work the problems. It will take longer but you will learn more. The best books I found are from Gleim between (Wiley CPA Excel, old Wiley, and Gleim). It paints the most complete picture of concepts for me. The videos did nothing for me. CPAExcel prof was not my style, didn't paint a complete picture and made my mind wandered off. Reading the books you can control your pace and tie separated study units together better.

FAR is by far the hardest exam, once you pass this one, you are almost certain to pass the other 3.

[cpagoal]

Thank you all for the info.

Time to get back to studying!

[Madhav]

I say it is better to get lower score than getting in 70s. You need to start from scratch. As someone said above, try to study smarter and practice AICPA sims.

[Tommy]

A 42? After studying? Wow, you CLEARLY have NO idea what you're doing lol. But that's the good news! Scrap whatever you have ever done with your life up to this point and start over with a new strategy on HOW to study. Ignore your accounting degree(s) become it/they mean nothing.

[23]

@cpagoal, was this your first test? What was your study routine? Did you only do MCQ? Your experience sounds similar to my first test: I had heard the importance of MCQ so I bought Gleim and did nonstop MCQ (this was in 2011). In the end, I received a score in the 50s. For my retake, I purchased Yaeger which taught the concepts.

Since you have NINJA, take advantage of the other study tools – books, etc. You may consider a lecture review course as well. As other have noted, it's about finding your learning style and understanding the concepts.

WA candidate

[12tang]

Don't be discouraged. I took it in 2015 and passed first try. Fast forward to Feb 2019 and I scored in the 50's with about 120 hours of study. My first time in 2015 I had 160 hours in. This new FAR is a different kind of beast from the old test. They definitely made it harder. I think FAR now, you'll need a minimum of 200 study hours to have a chance to pass. Some will say that's too much but screw them, it's your money! Also, a minimum of 1.5 weeks for review which is the most important part of any study regimen! Good luck! We got this!

Using Becker self-study
FAR: (82) 175 hours - 1st attempt
BEC: (XX)
AUD: (69) 45hrs of study - 1st attempt
REG: (XX)

[Author]

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