[Anonymous]

Guys I just took the FAR and made a 57. It was expected. I mean I didn’t even study like I was supposed to. I stretched out the time to study so much that I got bored and quite studying two weeks before the exam. I started again after taking a week off. To be honest, I knew I was gonna fail with a score lot lower than a 57. So just so you guys know, I thought the MCQ’s were really easy and the sim’s were the bombs. And I took the exam on 10/24/2014.

Since I am graduating with my Masters this December, I am going to take it again at the beginning of January. Do you guys think less than 4 weeks would be enough to pass a retake? And how should I go about studying this time?

Thanks guys!

[EverybodyswaitingfortheCPA]

@dontsleep – I like your comment about “you seem too nonchalant about getting a 57.” With all due respect, if you know you need to study more, and aren’t prepared, then why take the exam or commit time to the exams in the first place @aqlak?

@Tripp11- Amen! A person has to be committed 100% and great feedback.

@jbisdamon – I agree, studying for 6-8 hours a day for 10 weeks sounds terrible. I don’t see how anyone learns that way, but to each their own! Can you say holy burnout!? I was tired after studying 2-3 hours/ day for a week, ha!

@mminichan – Using Becker, I too failed FAR multiple times. My last time around I supplemented with NINJA MCQs (a no-brainer for a small $30ish bucks). I put the time in with Becker before, but had been going through the motions. In my opinion, don’t waste your time on the videos – what’s the point in just highlighting and staring at a screen listening to boring material? Study to understand the concepts and journal entries rather than go through the motions. Becker is great since you know what the right answer is AND why the wrong answers are wrong- this can help! Only you know how you learn!

If I could go back any give myself advice a year and half ago, I’d tell myself to fully commit to the exam and not just half-arse it. I’d actually work through the material to understand it rather than to get through it. I’d plan more effectively by scheduling when I would study and sticking to it, as well as reinforcing my behavior by studying in moderation. I truly believe that a person can’t retain all of the material if he/ she studies for 8 hours a day; brain fatigue anyone!?

BEC - ✔ REG - ✔ AUD - ✔ FAR - ✔

Becker + NINJA MQCs for FAR

Licensed January 2015

[jlee1086]

I'm not sure how anyone can put an exclamation point after a score of 57. I found out I got a 57 today and was crying for much of the day. The OP's post is just mind-boggling to me! The worst part is I'm not working. With neither a job or passing score, all I can see is an empty glass.

I put in many hours of studying but maybe the problem was stretching it over 3 months. What's a good time table for re-study and more importantly, how do I get myself out of this rut?

FAR 57 (11/2014), 64 (1/2015), 79 (7/2015)
AUD 68 (2/2015), 79 (11/2015)
REG 79 (1/2016)
BEC 81 (4/2016)

[jpCPA]

@jlee1086 Don't cry about a 57 just look at my scores. The first two are from two years ago and the last two are from 2014. My issue is mainly with time management and planning to make sure I study enough. This time I'm going to try the NINJA method as I just followed what Becker said to do. FYI I used Becker only this year and hopefully I can start making progress instead of horrific scores over and over. This last time all I did was MCQ's so that may not be the answer for others saying they might try it, but that's just from my experience.

I will say even with theses horrific scores I'm not giving up on my dream of passing this exam so let's do this everyone! Good luck to all!

FAR - 44,15,36,37, Retake Feb 2015
REG - April 2015
AUD - TBD
BEC - TBD

[Fanalyst]

There's a difference between practicing and studying. If all you're doing is pounding through MCQ's without trying to understand why each answer is right/wrong, you're just practicing.

My main method of studying was MCQ's (didn't do any practice Sims), but I also made sure I understood why I was getting questions wrong.

[jlee1086]

jpCPA, it's not just the score which upsets me. It's coming up empty-handed with both the job search and studying. When I study, I worry I'm not spending enough time with the job search. When I'm applying/interviewing, I worry about not spending enough time studying. Since I don't have much else going on with my life (living with parents), I feel that I should have been able to juggle. I feel like such a schmuck when I see people here passing when they also have real responsibilities like kids and a job.

FAR 57 (11/2014), 64 (1/2015), 79 (7/2015)
AUD 68 (2/2015), 79 (11/2015)
REG 79 (1/2016)
BEC 81 (4/2016)

[EverybodyswaitingfortheCPA]

@jlee1086 – You'll get it. Trust me, the worry doesn't stop until after you've passed. Even now, I think, aren't I supposed to be studying? Like you, when I wasn't studying, I thought ABOUT studying. When I was studying, I thought about everything BUT studying. Ha.

BEC - ✔ REG - ✔ AUD - ✔ FAR - ✔

Becker + NINJA MQCs for FAR

Licensed January 2015

[Anonymous]

Hey guys! Thanks to all of you for your replies. I just graduated with my bachelors and masters like a week ago and will be starting work with Deloitte in about two weeks. I was thinking I study about 4 hours solid every day and take the test on January 31. What do you guys think? Am I giving myself too much time? Because that is exactly what happened last time, i had too much time in hand and never studied like I should have. Do you guys think it would be a good move? Please get back to me.

[taxgeek83]

A January 31 target date gives you about 5 weeks – a solid enough time frame to make a plan and stick to it. I'm not exactly the best example of “making a plan and sticking to it,” but given the amount of material that FAR has, I think you're going to find that 5 weeks may start to look a little tight. However, I am by no means suggesting you push it out further. Since you've already taken the exam once, you've at least had exposure to the material, so now you just need to give each topic a more in depth review and leave yourself a week and a half or two weeks to hit the test bank, run flashcards, rewrite notes – whatever it takes to review everything you've learned and make sure it sticks before exam day.

Good luck! 🙂

P.S. Congrats on graduation!!

[Anonymous]

To be honest, I cannot relate to your study issues. My first question is, why would you just get bored and stop studying? It doesn't sound like you were studying enough to begin with. Why would you only plan to study for four hours a day? If you already graduated and you aren't working, then you have at least ten hours a day you can spend on the material. It sounds like you think this is game where all you have to do is get the timing right and you don't really need to understand the material.

In my opinion, you should spend a lot more time on FAR than four hours each day. You should be studying until your mind breaks, and then try to cram some more IFRS in there for good measure. With your study habits you will not be doing enough to barely get by, and you're likely to quit before you actually start to understand how the financial statements are built and what it takes to make them conform with GAAP. You might be able to pass the test without actually knowing anything, but you will struggle and you will have to rely on luck. I don't think it's worth it. You don't want to be taking this particular test for the third time while you are busy working ten hours a day.

You should just spend the ten hours a day and learn it now, while you still have free time. You have to get over this misconception you can't push yourself past a measly four hours a day to learn some pretty difficult concepts. If your getting bored and quitting on the material, you have to take a look at why your quitting, and if that is really a good strategy. Specifically, do you think its acceptable to quit on something because its hard to stay and do the dirty work? Do you plan to apply this principle to other parts of your life?

I know a lot of people approach things this way, but I can't relate to it at all. I don't know anyone who is successful that doesn't put in very long hours, especially in this profession.

[rnguyen7]

This is key, I think this is my weakness. I think it is important to go over the Chapters but maybe the MCQ is much more important and understanding why it is wrong or right.

But seriously, how do you study for 8-10 hours a week?

Most of the study guides say 4-5 hours a week to get through the material and get enough multiple choice.

[Anonymous]

4 weeks is plenty of time. several coworkers of mine did the becker fast pass style of studying (chapter a day) with two or three days of review and passed all sections that way.

[highlightnumb]

57 woohoo!!! That was my first blessing. All good, you'll get revenge.

Mario Marcel, CPA

FAR. Feb 2014 76
REG. Jan 2015 79 half way there!!
BEC. Feb 2015 79 thank you God!!
AUD. Apr 20, 2015 and will be done. Hold that thought 65, 7/14/15 85!
Ok where was I? Oh thats right now I'm Done!!!!!!!!!
Ethics 92!!

"You down wit SEC?, yeah you know me!!!"

Cali Candidate

All Becker Materials, Wiley Test Bank, Ninja audio, Ninja MCQ, Ninja Notes

[Author]

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