[iamstrong]

I’m so upset. This is the (technically) third try. The first one I did not even finish going through all the material. The second one I gave myself plenty of time – so much that I forgot. The third I studied non stop. I reread Becker, did all Becker MCQ, NINJA Audio, Ninja notes, NINJA MCQ. I was trending 89 with an average of 82 and there were only about 400 questions I did not see.
I’m so upset and ashamed. I studied sooo much more and was making so much more progress- I can’t believe my score only went up three points!

I already started on Audit so I’ll continue with that. I think I may try another method for FAR.

I feel so bad.

At this point- I’m concerned I’ve memorized all the answers for questions- what do people do when they’ve failed a section multiple times?

FAR 67, 70

[hasy]

Okay, I didn't see a reply so I guess people are too excited about their scores.

Continue with audit, crush that to get more confidence for FAR.

Hmm, maybe this is that hurdle that you need to conquer. You need to see EVERY single question. I used Roger and NINJA, while I did not see every single SIM (lord, there was so many in each one), I did see every single MCQ from each test bank. It helped A LOT. I think that if the question is there, I should see it and understand it enough so that I might see a similar one on the exam.

Also, you didn't mention SIMs. That's something I still recommend people reviewing at least when they study for FAR. I understand that there are several individuals who believe that the exam SIMs are nothing like the one in the review course, but they are THERE for a reason. So practice them.

Also, I heard Gleim TB is very difficult so maybe check that out? You're clearly improving, so that's good! Remember, marathon, not a sprint. Good luck!

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

-

BEC 80 (10/23/15)
FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
REG 52 (4/28/15)
AUD (9/9/16)

Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

[iamstrong]

Thanks hasy!

Yes, i'm going to focus on Audit. I'm planning to pass and go back to FAR with a clear head. It's so frustrating to study 150% more to see a three point improvement. I've given up so much already and feel awful.

I need to take that anger and apply it to the course material.

Thanks for your message.

[KSOZE]

I love NINJA, but I found the absurdly difficult questions in Gleim for FAR to be very beneficial to me. FAR is the hardest by far, IMO, and it helped to see the most ridiculous convoluted questions to drive home nuances for the MCQ for me. It might benefit you to get more test banks (especially Gleim). Good luck!

BEC - 80
FAR - 81 (third attempt)
AUD - waiting for score 8/23
REG - 09/08/2016 - going to cram and wing it

OH Ethics - Completed

[Pete E. Rino]

As for Audit, I took it this month and passed miraculously with a 78. Becker did a fantastic job in being able to get you the 75 on it. The MCQ helped a lot so get comfortable with them. And also be prepared to see some areas on the exam you have never seen before (that is expected). Don't leave out practicing the SIMS either. They will reinforce what you learned/know.

As for FAR, Don't burn yourself out. Sometimes studying too much hurts as well. You want to be relaxed for the exam, and rested especially.

[iamstrong]

Thanks Pete.
For AUDIT I'm going through the lectures, making the notes, going back to review and then the MCQ. I'm so confused with all these methods. I'm completely exhausted. Just the thought of retackling FAR gets so soo upset! Such a beast!

[Pete E. Rino]

You can call me crazy, but if you see Mike Brown teaching a lecture (he does A4: Evidence for sure, possibly A5) I would just not bother watching it. They put Mike Brown for the hardest lecture in Audit. And I have to tell you he was USELESS for A4. I closed the video and tried to study myself. A4 is not easy and he didn't help. The best lecture was A3 with Gearty. A3 can be a a tough one without a lecture. The others the book + MCQ are sufficient I think. Don't worry about A5 too much. Make sure you look over the first part of A6: Ethics. Do not overlook that just because it is in A6. Ethics in A6 is more important than all of A5. Most important thing — do the MCQ. Book is alright, but the MCQ got me the passing grade. I studied like 2 days a week only for like 2 months since I was mainly focusing on BEC. I took AUD just to sit for it and see how it was cause I want to be over with it by April since it is my weakest area. I did not expect to pass but I was breezing through it because the MCQ was similar to Becker.

I don't know if you passed BEC yet, but my recommendation for BEC is the opposite. Know the concepts, ratios, formulas, etc. The MCQ questions were alright but it was more important to know the concepts more than anything. Passed that as well so Becker must be doing something right.

I am going to be taking FAR for the first time on Nov 2 so I can't offer any advice on how to pass since I haven't taken it yet. My recommendation is to understand the accounting behind everything. It helps to know it rather than trying to memorize journal entries, and what to do, etc.

[Jackobe24]

I was averaging 55 and trending 52 and I passed with 79.

I stopped practicing with Ninja with about two weeks before the exam I think.

I went back and watched Becker videos and used Becker's progress test.

When I watched the lecture for the 2nd time, I definitely learned a lot more things and know what I need to work on.

Then just try to improve on my weaker area, instead of just doing an overall MCQs.

Hope that will help you.

FAR - 9/8/16 (Hopefully it's my last CPA exam, God bless me!)
REG - 80
BEC - 81
AUD - 69, 81

[Anonymous]

Same here!
I understood every single MCs in Becker and got 67, used to score in 80s on review MCs questions

[iamstrong]

Hey Pete,
Chap 4 in AUD has 3 set of simulations and a really long lecture. You think it's a waste?

Thanks Jackobe24- my score report showed weak in SIMS. I have no idea how to practice SIMS- it all depends on the subject you get- right? I also heard of people who did not practice SIMS and passed. I was hoping that would be me!!!!

Hey car84lady- so sorry to hear and I can totally sympathize. Are you going to retake? Did your score report say anything?

[Pete E. Rino]

@Rgleicher

A4 is HELL. HELL! It is an important chapter but Mike Brown is just a waste of breathe. All he does in the lecture is read the book. I closed the video during that lecture because it was that useless. You might like him, I don't know, but not me. I hate everything about Mike Brown. His voice, the way he looks when he talks, the boredom, and the uselessness because all he does is read from the book. I don't even think I finished the 3 set of SIMS for A4. I would have gone completely crazy if I had. I was getting so aggravated at why every time I had to choose between two choices I always chose the wrong one. I did not know what was going on in A4 for most part and the SIMS. My MCQ % in A4 was terrible as was, and the SIMS were no better. That is up to you what you want to do but I feel like going through the book yourself for A4 is better than watching the lecture. You could always test the lecture out and see for yourself. But I would recommend that unlike me, you have time, so take your time with this section. Take a week if you need to because it is heavy stuff that is also tedious.

[iamstrong]

Pete

Thanks. Yeah- the lecture is 4 hours!

I feel like I'm dating Becker!

[melody_pinaycpa]

You have probably memorized the questions in NINJA. After failing REG twice with NINJA exclusively as my materials, I felt I have memorized their questions so I switched to GLEIM (test prep + sim wizard) with my 3rd attempt and I thankfully passed.

FAR (Apr 2015) - 88
AUD (July 2015) - 86
BEC (Oct 2015) - 82
REG - 73, 70, retake Sept 2016

[livealittle]

I am in the same boat as you.

FAR is my last one.

I decided to approach a little different. i've used Becker for all the other parts. I got the Becker final review for FAR.

I got some color coded index cards (never used flash cards in my life and I've passed 3 parts, I graduated college with an Associates and a Bachelors degree with 4.0 and 3.83 – and I have NEVER used flash cards) I'm going to try flash cards this time. I am also going to go through the book and print out the practice questions and put them in my notebook with dividers between sections.

I found out Tuesday I failed, I sent my NTS off Wednesday, I got my index cards, notebook and cleaned my study area real well.

I'm going to review my index cards whenever I am at the kitchen table eating. I'm going to do MCQ and studying notes/taking notes every weeknight except Friday (gonna play hockey instead) and study and take notes on the weekend a lot. I took off every Monday in Nov to study.

I'm just going to have to hit it harder.

I made a 72 in May and after studying more, I made a 70 in August.

BEC - 8/8/16
REG - 66, 77
AUD - 81
FAR - 9/8/16

[Author]

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