[Drew]

Hi All,

I’ve always lurked this forum, which I love, but i finally feel the need to type/vent/something. My brief story goes like this…FAR twice in 2017, 71 both times then Audit once – 85, BEC once – 83 and I just got home from my third attempt at FAR and well…just like a lot of candidates, demoralized. Not even close, the hardest of the 3 attempts by far, it felt like a completely different test. Like Audit and BEC were fair representations of what I studied, but this third attempt on this exam was the FAR cu de gras. I know there are examples of people thinking they bombed and passed, but if I passed I will find a hill to roll down and laugh. I did over 3,000 MCQs, some sims, I wrote stuff down, flashcards, videos…anything I could think of. I run an accounting department going through year-end so maybe my brain needs a break.

With that said, I will get through it, I have 2018. Reg for the first time in March. I will read your stories for motivation and I admire all those who commit to this thing.

Cheers.

[satyakatiwal]

Sorry to hear your story. Scary.
What happened,couldn’t complete last testlet or too many documents? How many DRS u got ?
Just curious after getting 71 you should pass this time as you are experienced in new format.

[turo9992000]

For how long did you study for the retake? Did everything seem to come from left field?

[Drew]

No DRS, SIMS were “obscure” I would say. Most shaded boxes I've ever seen. Testlet 2 was harder, but I think fair. Just devastating sims, which is frustrating I was “strong” in sims last time.

[Drew]

I studied harder than I've ever studied, 8 weeks give or take on this particular retake. Every free moment not at work I was putting in time. That's the thing, I need to figure out how to study effectively for this exam, although it always comes back to understanding each and every topic, in and out because yes, left field, like the dodger stadium parking lot.

[Anonymous]

Drew-all I can do is empathize, this exam is not for the faint of heart-take solace in the fact that you really can't know how you did until you get your score…I felt destroyed by REG, couldn't shake the feeling of utter defeat for days…Passed it though, so maybe take a break, take a deep breath….I am re-taking FAR in February , after doing 3 for 3, it was a very hard blow….Just know that you will get there, one way or the other-good luck!

[Right Brained Accountant]

Sorry to hear about your experience @Drew – it was
foul for me today as well, with “demoralizing” also being the most accurate description I can muster.

I scored a 70 the first time, after fleeing a hurricane, my car breaking down the night before and getting stranded at a gas station for 4 hours, and a headache the entire day of which flirted with migraine status… but that was still a cake walk compared to today. Felt better on MCQ than the last attempt, but stunned by the SIMS.

@anyatver keep all the material fresh and you’ll kick this thing to the curb.

[Anonymous]

@Right Brained Accountant-thank you for the words of encouragement! Good luck at score release!

[satyakatiwal]

RightBrain , so Blueprint was of no help ? Stunned by SIMs ? Is it due to 2018 changes or too much documents or too many tables needed to be filled . Curious n scared to hear your horror story.

[Kodiak]

So I want to say ‘don't give up hope' because I've been there, other than it being a retake. I took FAR and left the exam feeling beaten up. The SIMs were rough, the MCQs were calculation heavy. It just felt like an uphill battle the entire way but those SIMs. I had multiple DRs. It was just a slog fest and it was as if the test knew my weakest areas and hit them, repeatedly.

Wound up passing.

That's the thing with these exams – you can feel like you don't have a chance in hell and end up passing.

That said, I know it's almost mentally easier just accepting you bombed it rather than get your hopes up only to see a failing score. So I guess don't give up the possibility but remain cautiously pessimistic. You probably did pass. 🙂

[Drew]

After posting that yesterday and talking to some CPA / CPA candidate friends I feel ready to move on! Crazy how much more drive this exam can bring out of you, definitely becomes a “lifestyle.” My boss is pretty cool about it, he passed in the early 90's so he is always interested in my progress, respects I've become a work/study zombie in a way.

Already put 2 hours in today for REG. If I didn't pass FAR my time will come where my brain aligns with that damn thing, all I can focus on is continuing to nail the other exams. @Kodiak fingers crossed hopefully I can share in that feeling. I can't wait to look back at all of this. @anyatver crush it in Feb!

Appreciate all of you!

[Anonymous]

@Drew-that's the right attitude-go onto REG, we will all get here, eventually! I cannot tell you how defeated I felt after failing this flipping test…was miserable for a day, like really sad, but what are our choices? Just keep going-we are all so far down the line, and so invested, that we have to do it! Saw this on someone's tag: “winners don't quit, quitters don't win”! So let's win! 🙂 LOL

[J King]

@kodiak, your post lifted my hopes up in passing FAR even though I put tremendous prep time in it! (see sig) 😛

This score waiting kills me slowly as day goes by..

[Right Brained Accountant]

@kodiak – Thanks for the optimism! Not running on a good night's sleep today, however I am assessing how high on the dog-doo list I am feeling, since this has happened in the past for me as well with passing results. I think the threat of losing REG in March and other arising life commitments just make it seem that much more… weighted. Ah well! At least busy season will keep me occupied for the next five weeks.

Thanks @anyatver! I hope the end of February brings us all passing scores!

@satyakatiwal The blueprint was useful, but as others have said with their experiences, this exam felt like an entirely different on than I had taken in October. Abundant DRS and overall it seemed much more intensive than prior.

Happy Friday, y'all!

[satyakatiwal]

@RightBrain ,you got more DRS , someone got one n some none.
Pass percentage is consistent at 43% for FAR except Q3.

[Drew]

Hi All, just wanted to say another good example of freaking out after exam day and ending up passing; albeit with a 75 🙂

Thanks again for the well wishes! Enjoying studying for REG.

[Author]

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