[ayc311]

Hi guys, just wanted to ask, how did you guys feel when you guys were studying for the FAR exam? I have been studying on n off for a month n half but wow, I feel very overwhelmed already!! There r so much things that its almost scary. I passed other 3 exams and I have about 15 months to pass FAR, but I am feeling very nervous about this one. I am using Surgent CPA which has worked for other 3 exams but for this one, I am not sure. Any advice on how to tackle this monster? maybe recommend another course that I can use to maybe get a better idea of the materials, def will not invest in to a full course cus that would not really make sense at this point. Maybe Ninja or i-75 for FAR part only. Please advise the best way to study, plan n stay motivated for FAR. Thank you un advance

[ellabella]

FAR is the worst one, and the one I started with for this reason. It contains the most information, so be patient with it. I am studing using UWorld Roger CPA, and make use of flashcards, the app, and repeating the lecture when needed. I take copious notes, and make sure that I can read my scrawl after I finish the session, as there have been many times where I go back and can't discern what I wrote!

[monikernc]

The temptation with FAR is to study too long because of the breadth of material it covers. However, you cannot retain information beyond a certain amount of time. If you want an excellent and affordable supplement Ninja MCQs and sims will walk you through each topic. Jeff has a study plan on here so be sure to organize your time. FAR has probably 10-14 key topics that are tested for thorough understanding. Learn, don’t memorize. At the end of the day FAR is all about reliable financial reporting. Focus and finish. When you feel overwhelmed take a short break, drink water and have a light snack. Positive self talk is key! Rejoice when you understand something. Refocus when you are not grasping. Never despair. Enjoy it!

FAR 7/25/15 76!
AUD 10/30/15 93
BEC 2/27/16 82
REG 5/23/16 88!
Ninja Book and MCQ and the forum - all the way!!!
and a little thing i like to call, time and effort!
if you want things to change, you have to do something different

[Recked]

FAR is a beast and you will never feel truly prepared or ready for the exam. Try to sit for it at least once a quarter so you can maximize your chances.
There is no such thing as studying on and off for FAR, you are doing yourself a disservice.
Just buckle down and get it done ASAP before your busy season starts.
Massive amounts of MCQs was the key for me to get the stuff to come together and stick in my mind.
Keep pushing! Good luck!!

[Mookie]

I am also using Surgent, and I supplemented it with Ninja. I didn't really use Ninja a ton, but the notes and audio are great for a knowledge check. The actual exam is challenging because of the vast amount of topics covered; be prepared to be tested on anything. A lot of the topics for which I was heavily prepared were hardly mentioned on the exam. Then again, I had a full simulation on a topic with which I was familiar rather than highly proficient. Partial credit is definitely your friend when it comes to the sims. I was actually angry when I left the exam room, but wound up passing.

I recommend watching all of the lectures and doing as many multiple choice and sims as you can. I did around 1700 MCQs and like 50 sims. All in all, around 100 hours of studying with Surgent and probably 10 with Ninja just for review.

[ayc311]

Guys great advice, I see many are recommending Ninja, but what about i-75? I absolutely love those youtube videos he has on youtube, great explanations!


@mookie, did you watch all the lecture videos on Surgent? Its just there are so many videos, especially for Select Financial Accounting w 40-50 videos. I am almost done watching all the lectures but wow, so much info just for one part of the exam. When I took Audit, I watched no lecture videos at all, it was just study using MCQ as I did not find videos as much helpful as the MCQ for BEC n REG where I watched all the videos. I am just nervous about FAR so watching all the videos n that is what is very overwhelming. Maybe just do straight up MCQ? N study from there? will that be enough? I am almost done w 60% of the vides anyways. Thanks

[monikernc]

I passed exams first time with NINJA book and MCQs so I can't recommend them enough. I also used the audio and blitz! and scored points on exams from those gems. Jeff has it down – pricewise you can't beat it. Now, I did also used free youtube videos to supplement on concepts that I required more detailed explanations. I watched an i-75 last night and they are just ok. My youtube go-to and hero is Alan Mursau who has now passed away RIP. I could not have gotten through DV-LIFO without him in school and he helped me a lot on BEC with those darn diagrams. That man took so much time to provide thorough videos. They are still available and most are still relevant – only a few of the changed standards impact his work.

Whatever you choose has to match your learning style. NINJA did it for me – no frills. I learned so much from the mcq's and books that I needed little else. I had also just finished school and had been an excellent student so I had a great foundation and work ethic. Finally, I loved studying. It was a very transitional period of my life and it anchored me plus gave me so much positive feedback. I still miss it 4.5 years later. I will say, I do love being a licensed CPA more, though.

Good luck, positive self-talk is always key to success. That and plenty of water to keep your brain big.

FAR 7/25/15 76!
AUD 10/30/15 93
BEC 2/27/16 82
REG 5/23/16 88!
Ninja Book and MCQ and the forum - all the way!!!
and a little thing i like to call, time and effort!
if you want things to change, you have to do something different

[Mike J]

I agree. FAR is a beast.

I suggest instead of trying to memorize everything, to first make sure you are comfortable with sketching out the problem with journal entries. eg. If you receive cash, debit cash and credit cash for payments. Expenses are typically debits. Basically solve for x with what you know. For government, let the name of the funds tell you what it is, where it's closed out, etc. I'd say practice the journal entries for them a little but spend more time on regular accrual JEs. For NFP, just keep in mind that what you're doing isn't for profit (excuse me while I laugh at that when it comes to reality outside the exam) so much as tell donors what you're doing with contributions. That's why sometimes you will have a wash journal entry to show revenue and the expense you are now allowed to pay due to the restrictions being met.

Also make sure you give yourself time to review the MCQ. Ensure you know why you got it right or why your choice is wrong. That bought me I feel at least 10 points.

[Author]

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