[Earla Riopel (NYCARE)]

After writing my FAR (Aug 25, 2017), it definitely crushed my heart. It is the worst nightmare for test-takers who aren’t fast in calculation, and mostly rely on Excel spreadsheet for doing daily schedules and with lots of time to finish on their own time.

My tip to future FAR test-takers, budget your time. Make sure to allow 2 hours for the last Testlets after the 15 minutes break. You need those two hours for the last 2 Testlets. An 1.5hr for the last 2 Testlet didn’t work for me.

The FAR(Q3) that I just took covers areas that require a lot of time to finish. Read your WHOLE TEXTBOOK(S). Funny, it even have areas that I have it in my 2000 textbooks illustration! Unfortunately, I ran out of time, the 1.5hr for 2 last testlets weren’t enough for me.

Did I pass? I doubt it. Even with the part marks, I don’t think it is enough. Is it doable? Maybe for those who can do calculation questions in 1 minute/MCQ. In order to have greater success, you must spend for: Testlet 1 (45min max), Testlet 2 (45min max), Testlet 3 – Sim (30min max), Testlet 4 – Sim (55-60/min max) & Testlet 5 (55-60/min max).

Will I take FAR again, maybe if I can answer calculation MCQ questions in 1min/per question.

Good luck to you all!

[maverick87]

Sounds like you need updated study material. They make changes to the exam such as material and how questions are asked. You also most likely need to practice way more multiple choice questions. You should be practicing 2500 mcq minimum for each section. I finished with enough time to look over answers. MCQ were not bad at all. Bonds gave me the most trouble. I felt like I kind of rushed some of the sims early because I was worried about getting multiple advances sims with documents but I do feel comfortable on the sims for the most part. But we all know no one can guess their score. Study harder for the next time. Good luck.

[Wannafree]

“It is the worst nightmare for test-takers who aren't fast in calculation, and mostly rely on Excel spreadsheet” ,yes I am that guy.
@Earla , I can hear you and can feel your pain as I am my self struggling since last two attempts.
After March (Q1 ) this is what I am doing ,I solve any MCQ and stare it for many minutes to figure out how I can do it faster.In Q2 again I fall flat on my face.Let us see what happens in Q3.
But you got so many Calc problem in testlet 2 ,that means you did well.Could you complete 6 SIMs ? Could you balance the long SIMs like fill the one million fields of FS or Stock and equity type problems ,if yes then expect 81.

[Earla Riopel (NYCARE)]

@Maverick87, I hear you, 2500 MCQs calculation questions coming up. I have access to over 10000+ FAR MCQs. It's about time to utilize these FAR MCQs to their full usage. Thanks.

@WannaFree, my FAR Q1 & Q3 are totally write-offs. So many things went wrong. It sounds like we have similar last testlet. I ran out of time in this one. I definitely know this by heart. It's a replica of an illustration found on Becker's textbook. If I have an extra 30-40 minutes left, I won't have any problem.

As to your comment about FS reconciliation, especially with Stockholder's equity, this is not a problem for me. If only I had time, which I did not have in Q3 FAR 2017. The 80%+ MCQs calculations caught me first, and made sure I did not have time for the last testlet. It's totally my fault.

@Maverick87/@WannaFree, Thanks for the advice, recommendation and the kind words, they helped a lot. Right now, I am in a state of soul searching, and in the ‘plan-work-to-pass' mode, while staying on a budget.

I am currently preparing for 2017 FAR Q4 or 2018 FAR Q1. I'm thinking of writing FAR in Washington State or even Oregon, instead of writing 4 sections each time, like 2017 Q1 & 2017 Q3. I will concentrate in writing at least 1-2 section(s) in the future, depending on Sept 19, 2017 score results.

The following is a ‘repost comment' related to 2017 Q3 FAR: https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/far-q3-sim-difficulty/page/2/

[Wannafree]

@earla ,what you described is similar to my Q1 experience.2nd 3rd testlet were full of Calc and that left me hardly any time for SIMs ,i ended up with 68.As per a podcast of Nasba , that means they can test less your knowledge to decide if you should pass or not.You may pass.keep your hope alive as no one knows the how the questions are weighted.
Q2 ,same ,rather worst than Q1 and ended up 68 which i feel was curved as I was expected 58.
But now I understand if you are getting difficult questions on 2nd testlet that means you did well in T1.
I prepared Q3 assuming too many calculation based problems but many people described on this forum that they got almost 40% theory question in mcq.So I am catching up.

[IwannabeaCPA2017]

I def feel like there is no WAY in HELL I passed this Exam. Im gonna give myself the rest of the week off and pick studying back up next monday and rescheduling the exam sometime in October before any score drop off. The SIMS were terrible, ran out of time with 2 SIMS left I just put in random numbers and mostly 0. MCQ were decent prob did okay not as lengthy as becker/Ninja. Im guessing I'm around a 65-68.

Even after working possibly over Becker MCQ 2x (did all the SIMS once) and at least 1000 Ninja MCQ I felt unprepared going in.

[Wannafree]

@IwannaCPA ,when did you take the exam ? Could you finish the last testlet ? What was the show stopper ? 3rd testlet ?

[IwannabeaCPA2017]

Took it earlier today. It was the last testlet I mainly ran out of time. I spent a lot of time on MCQ and the first SIM testlet. This whole new format is really time management because I couldn't skip through the SIMS. Agree with many people lot of documents to read through and lot of BS filled. Took me long time to cut out the useless info.. I have very little hope of passing as I was trending in the mid 50's to mid 60's in MCQ yesterday. Good luck to you @Wannafree!! When is your test?

[Wannafree]

@wannaCpa my test is on 10th .
Could you find the research question easily or with difficulty ? Do you feel extra 30 minutes would have helped substantially ? Any tips to cut time in 3rd testlet ? Normally how many emails you see in one SIM ?

[IwannabeaCPA2017]

@wannafree, I used the AL this time and though it wasn't easy but I think I nailed it at least. Took me about 10 mins?? Or time just seemed like it flew by when I'm panicking. TBH 30 mins prob would be helpful but I was to the point where I lost all interest in answering the stupid questions I prob did too many MCQ yesterday (bad idea?). I would say when you do the MCQ and you can't seem to understand take an educated guess. I wasn't willing to do this.. I tried all possible ways to get the dang number. There were prob average of 4-5 tabs/documents to review per SIM. Luckily, I had no DRS. But few J/E and Fill in the blank type of BS. Use the last 3 days and practice as many mcq/sim as possible. IDK what u learn best but ninja sim/becker was not even comparable..

I regret for not knocking this section out first before moving on. 🙁

[Wannafree]

Thanks @WannaCpa ,I am going through my notes .Hopefully this time I would be able to find research question as learned some tips on this forum.

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