[Riyaad]

Hi everyone, just got the horrible news that I scored a 70 on FAR.. I was so close. I used the Becker review course and felt that the Becker M/C really helped me do well on this exam, however the Becker SIMS were way too easy and not reflective of the actual exam. I definitely struggled while doing the sims on the exams, there were too many documents to read and I pretty much winged it. Even the research question was obscure..

I start working full-time on Jan 7 and I really want to retake this exam before then. Any tips or advice on what I should do for my second attempt at FAR?

[Allsheneededwassome]

Practice more MCQs and as many SIMs to learn the material. I wouldn’t go back to reading/listening since you’re retake is so close. You’re score is not terrible – you’re close. Good luck!

[Biff Tannen]

Haven’t taken FAR yet, but definitely hammer down the material a bit more and take some practice tests to assess your weak areas. Unfortunately, FAR tests so much material that you may have already forgot some of the material, and you may need to start over again. It sounds like you were unprepared for the exam since you admittedly said you winged it, so make sure to practice a ton of MCQs prior to the exam so that you can have a strong grasp of the concepts. Use the Becker flash cards prior to exam day to reinforce the topics. Flash cards are a great way to study the material days before the exam. Good luck!

[hail]

Im in the same boat as you, just got a 74 and its my last part. Studied with becker, I'm planning on doing a quick review of the areas i felt week on and then as many mcqs and sims as I can before i go crazy, aiming for my retake 2nd week of Jan. Probably going to supplement my studying with Ninja this time

[Accountant405]

First of all do not let it get you down! The exams are like the lottery it is totally the luck of the exam. I just passed FAR my final section. It took me 3 attempts. First I got a 72, then a 73, and just received a 86. This is crazy because my score went up 13 points and I study the least amount of time on my last attempt. I spent about 180 hours studying for my first attempt and got a 72, I spent about 75 hours studying for my last attempt and got a 86. My last attempt felt harder than the other two but it was more straight forward and not as much just random out of left field MCQ and SIMs. So it is literally the luck of the draw. The problem I ran into studying so much is that you spend so much time trying to study everything and memorize all this information and you literally going to be tested over maybe 10% of what you study if that. I felt like my exam was so heavily weighted on 2 topics that it easily made up 60-70% of the exam. For example I used Becker and I spent prolly 120 hours studying chapter 1-7 and got like no questions over these sections at all, which is dumb because Becker says these are heavily tested sections.

[vfl]

Took FAR more than six times( Becker regular and Becker final review). Try NINJA! I can’t recommend it enough…and it’s super cheap! Focus on your weak areas and keep hammering the MCQ. Also, take the AICPA exam the morning before your exam and make sure you understand the SIMs.

[HT415]

If you want to take it before your start date, definitely focus on MCQ while everything is still fresh in your head. Just hammer MCQ's as much as you can and make sure you understand WHY you get questions right/wrong.

[HT415]

And honestly, the exams aren't cheap, but considering that you're jumping right into busy season, the next time you'll be able to take the exam might not be in Q1 of the year… just saying… it's a gamble but it's certainly one I would consider taking if I was in your shoes. Just my two cents.

Good luck!

[Riyaad]

Thank you all for your replies. It is much appreciated 🙂

[Author]

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