[Not a Quitter]

I am looking for some guidance here. FAR is my last exam and I must pass it a the end of May to avoid losing BEC. I am using CPAExcel but it is really overwhelming me. There are over 1900 multiple choice questions and who knows how many SIMS. One thing I do know is my learning style. I am an experience learner and CANNOT pay attention to audio and boring videos. And reading text will put me to sleep as well. I do much better going through MCQs and learning as I do- looking up topics to read about if the answer to the MCQ doesn’t help me.

But the problem with CPAExcel for this section is that there is just TOO much material and I am getting stuck in areas and having trouble moving on. The clock is ticking and I’m just stuck.

Sorry for the rambling and I’m not even really sure what I’m asking for here. I guess if anyone that has a similar learning style as me has any advice I’d love to hear it. Thanks.

FAR- 85 I'm DONE!
BEC- 75
REG- 60,60,75
AUD- 74,74,83

CPAExcel used for BEC, AUD, REG
Exam Matrix used for FAR plus NINJA Blitz, cpareviewforfree and a little CPAExcel

[Quinacridone]

For FAR, I did not do all of the lectures. Instead, I focused on summarizing the reading material in my own words and doing the MCQs. I don't think I even did all of the SIMS (I don't recommend that – a bit foolish of me). I did MCQs continuously for a month before the test, and any weak areas indicated when I did the practice exams (Beckers uses practice exams, not sure about CPAexcel), I went back to the book and restudied or listened to the lecture. Sometimes I do well listening to lectures, but with FAR I felt like I needed to push through the material. The plan worked for me and I passed on my first try.

REG - Nov 4, 2013: 88
FAR - Feb 27, 2014: 86
AUD - April 5, 2014: 91
BEC - May 6, 2014: 83

Florida CPA 24 July 2014
(Done in seven months - thank you Jesus!!)

[Quinacridone]

For FAR, I did not do all of the lectures. Instead, I focused on summarizing the reading material in my own words and doing the MCQs. I don't think I even did all of the SIMS (I don't recommend that – a bit foolish of me). I did MCQs continuously for a month before the test, and any weak areas indicated when I did the practice exams (Beckers uses practice exams, not sure about CPAexcel), I went back to the book and restudied or listened to the lecture. Sometimes I do well listening to lectures, but with FAR I felt like I needed to push through the material. The plan worked for me and I passed on my first try.

REG - Nov 4, 2013: 88
FAR - Feb 27, 2014: 86
AUD - April 5, 2014: 91
BEC - May 6, 2014: 83

Florida CPA 24 July 2014
(Done in seven months - thank you Jesus!!)

[Not a Quitter]

Thanks for the response. Since I am moving at a snail's pace, I think I need less material to get through to ensure I am getting through all of it with time to review it all again. I am not looking to make a 99, I just want t 75! I've decided to do cpareviewforfree.com and then possibly Roger cram after I am done with that. I think I can get all of that done within two and a half months and really KNOW the material. If anyone else has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

FAR- 85 I'm DONE!
BEC- 75
REG- 60,60,75
AUD- 74,74,83

CPAExcel used for BEC, AUD, REG
Exam Matrix used for FAR plus NINJA Blitz, cpareviewforfree and a little CPAExcel

[Not a Quitter]

Thanks for the response. Since I am moving at a snail's pace, I think I need less material to get through to ensure I am getting through all of it with time to review it all again. I am not looking to make a 99, I just want t 75! I've decided to do cpareviewforfree.com and then possibly Roger cram after I am done with that. I think I can get all of that done within two and a half months and really KNOW the material. If anyone else has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

FAR- 85 I'm DONE!
BEC- 75
REG- 60,60,75
AUD- 74,74,83

CPAExcel used for BEC, AUD, REG
Exam Matrix used for FAR plus NINJA Blitz, cpareviewforfree and a little CPAExcel

[Anonymous]

How readable is the CPAExcel textbook? I am using Roger. His lectures are great, but I find that I am able to get more from the lectures (and take better notes, per the NINJA framework) if I've already read through that lecture's section in the textbook beforehand. Roger's textbook is a really good condensed version of what is in the Wiley book and correlates really well with the lectures, as far as I can tell.

I've found that I retain a lot more information this way than I do going into the lectures cold.

[Anonymous]

How readable is the CPAExcel textbook? I am using Roger. His lectures are great, but I find that I am able to get more from the lectures (and take better notes, per the NINJA framework) if I've already read through that lecture's section in the textbook beforehand. Roger's textbook is a really good condensed version of what is in the Wiley book and correlates really well with the lectures, as far as I can tell.

I've found that I retain a lot more information this way than I do going into the lectures cold.

[Not a Quitter]

I find the CPAExcel text pretty readable. I like the little items of information they but in boxes separate from the text to catch your attention. Last night I downloaded the cpareviewforfree Essentials material and it is super readable and explains it like I'm a kid (which is what I need. It's $15 per section in Adobe format or $39 for the printable version.

FAR- 85 I'm DONE!
BEC- 75
REG- 60,60,75
AUD- 74,74,83

CPAExcel used for BEC, AUD, REG
Exam Matrix used for FAR plus NINJA Blitz, cpareviewforfree and a little CPAExcel

[Not a Quitter]

I find the CPAExcel text pretty readable. I like the little items of information they but in boxes separate from the text to catch your attention. Last night I downloaded the cpareviewforfree Essentials material and it is super readable and explains it like I'm a kid (which is what I need. It's $15 per section in Adobe format or $39 for the printable version.

FAR- 85 I'm DONE!
BEC- 75
REG- 60,60,75
AUD- 74,74,83

CPAExcel used for BEC, AUD, REG
Exam Matrix used for FAR plus NINJA Blitz, cpareviewforfree and a little CPAExcel

[Anonymous]

Judging from your original post, you might already follow this, but I would say, if you are crunched for time, NEVER watch a lecture more than once. The best use of your time is going over your textbook, taking notes from it, and doing MCQ over and over again. I am an experience learner as well and NEED someone as upbeat as Roger to keep my attention. I am not crunched for time, so I can work at a more leisurely pace. But even for me, rewatching lectures feels really inefficient.

The cpareviewforfree product might be exactly what you need. Is it somewhere in between your CPAExcel and the NINJA notes in terms of concision? The NINJA notes are great for review/repetition, but I definitely don't think I could learn the material initially from them–and don't think they are designed for such. But something maybe two-to-three times the length but still shorter than the review texts could be where your sweetspot is.

I might also suggest buying a section of Gleim, if you just love MCQ. My audit professor uses what I have been told are Gleim questions in our class for practice quizzes….they are THOROUGH. And specific. Almost to the point of demoralization. I feel like I could learn the entire audit section of the exam just by doing these MCQ over and over again.

[Anonymous]

Judging from your original post, you might already follow this, but I would say, if you are crunched for time, NEVER watch a lecture more than once. The best use of your time is going over your textbook, taking notes from it, and doing MCQ over and over again. I am an experience learner as well and NEED someone as upbeat as Roger to keep my attention. I am not crunched for time, so I can work at a more leisurely pace. But even for me, rewatching lectures feels really inefficient.

The cpareviewforfree product might be exactly what you need. Is it somewhere in between your CPAExcel and the NINJA notes in terms of concision? The NINJA notes are great for review/repetition, but I definitely don't think I could learn the material initially from them–and don't think they are designed for such. But something maybe two-to-three times the length but still shorter than the review texts could be where your sweetspot is.

I might also suggest buying a section of Gleim, if you just love MCQ. My audit professor uses what I have been told are Gleim questions in our class for practice quizzes….they are THOROUGH. And specific. Almost to the point of demoralization. I feel like I could learn the entire audit section of the exam just by doing these MCQ over and over again.

[san4596]

OP – from what I have heard most say, FAR is mainly difficult due to the vast material that is covered. FAR is my last section as well, and I will be taking it on May 30. You are just going to have to grind through the material. I simply read 10 pages during lunch and 10 pages at night. I learn better by reading than watching lectures or listening to audio. Still, I can only read about 10 pages before getting really bored and tired. So, I only read about 10 pages at a time, and will take a bread every 10 pages to do an excercise to get my blood pumping. (10 pgs, 5 min of jumping jacks, 10 pgs, 5 min of body weight squats, …..)

I do the same with MCQ's, except it's 20-40 MCQs instead of pgs. Getting your blood pumping really helps me focus and learn. Hope this will help you.

CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
Ethics Course: Passed
Application Mailed: 3/16/15
Professional Conduct Exam: 97
Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

[san4596]

OP – from what I have heard most say, FAR is mainly difficult due to the vast material that is covered. FAR is my last section as well, and I will be taking it on May 30. You are just going to have to grind through the material. I simply read 10 pages during lunch and 10 pages at night. I learn better by reading than watching lectures or listening to audio. Still, I can only read about 10 pages before getting really bored and tired. So, I only read about 10 pages at a time, and will take a bread every 10 pages to do an excercise to get my blood pumping. (10 pgs, 5 min of jumping jacks, 10 pgs, 5 min of body weight squats, …..)

I do the same with MCQ's, except it's 20-40 MCQs instead of pgs. Getting your blood pumping really helps me focus and learn. Hope this will help you.

CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
Ethics Course: Passed
Application Mailed: 3/16/15
Professional Conduct Exam: 97
Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

[Not a Quitter]

@Brian Yes, the cpareviewforfree notes are a nice medium between NINJA notes and CPAExcel text. Thanks so much for your reply.

@sans I'm taking FAR at the end of May too. Thanks for reminding me about blood flow…I agree that does work! Especially for me b/c my body cannot handle caffeine :/

FAR- 85 I'm DONE!
BEC- 75
REG- 60,60,75
AUD- 74,74,83

CPAExcel used for BEC, AUD, REG
Exam Matrix used for FAR plus NINJA Blitz, cpareviewforfree and a little CPAExcel

[Not a Quitter]

@Brian Yes, the cpareviewforfree notes are a nice medium between NINJA notes and CPAExcel text. Thanks so much for your reply.

@sans I'm taking FAR at the end of May too. Thanks for reminding me about blood flow…I agree that does work! Especially for me b/c my body cannot handle caffeine :/

FAR- 85 I'm DONE!
BEC- 75
REG- 60,60,75
AUD- 74,74,83

CPAExcel used for BEC, AUD, REG
Exam Matrix used for FAR plus NINJA Blitz, cpareviewforfree and a little CPAExcel

[zieba]

I'm not sure that 1,900 MCQ's are “too much” given that your exam is out in May. Nineteen days at one hundred MCQ's per day, or thirty eight days at a more manageable fifty per day.

As you know more, i.e. get to the end of FAR material, the MCQ's become easier and faster to do. The idea is to do all 1,900 and then some to get an idea of the many different “looks” at the same topic.

AUD - 75*, 88 done 5/14! (*exp)
BEC - 74 , 77
REG - 65 , 76 (10 point combooo!!)
FAR - 69 , 75

Dr: perseverance
Dr: intelligence
Dr: luck
. Cr: . advisory score

[Author]

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