0-2 on FAR…need a change. What should I do?

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  • September 23, 2010 at 9:39 am #158700
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Hey guys:

    Just got my FAR score last night…a disappointing 71. FAR is my last section, and I didn’t quite make it this time. This is my 2nd time taking FAR; I passed the other 3 sections on the first try. I had been using 2009 Becker. I felt like I did pretty well on the MC, but saw A LOT of questions on cash flows and EPS (two of my weaker areas). I don’t feel that Becker covered these topics adequately, as I wasn’t prepared going into the exam. Whichever route I go this 3rd time around, I want to feel confident in these areas.

    Third time will be a charm for FAR (hopefully), but I am thinking I need a new review course. Whether it be the 2010 Becker, or something else, I feel like I’ve maxed out my 2009 Becker materials and was growing tired of looking at the same stuff toward the end of my studying. Everything is highlighted, lectures have been watched twice, and I’ve probably memorized much of the MC questions, rather than learning from them.

    Any advice on which way to go? I’ve got 2 windows left to pass FAR before I lose BEC in late February 2011, so I want to get this thing done ASAP. I want to get it done in 2010. I don’t want to have to worry about any 2011 format changes. Are the 2010 Becker materials different enough from 2009 to make it worth upgrading? Should I try a completely different review course? If so, any recommendations on which one?

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  • September 23, 2010 at 10:19 am #242482
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    tjburns85,

    Right here with you. It sucks! I even went down 2% after restudying my 2009 Becker for an additional 190 hours. You need to do something different.

    I loved Becker for AUD and REG but since I have been out of school a while, I had forgotten so much about Financial Reporting. Everyone kept referring to Yaeger as a teaching-type course, so I am now doing their FAR Homestudy.

    My plan is watching the lectures and using my already note-filled Becker book to follow along. The Wiley book they gave me is very detailed and I will use that for my problems areas, like consolidations, eps and stocks when I need further explanation. The instructors on the video work through the problems, show you what else they may ask and give test taking tips along the way. It's different but I really hope it does the trick. Obviously, I need to work different problems as well because I have the Becker ones memorized. There is a lot of overlap with the questions in the software, but still lots of fresh material.

    This is my approach. You are so close. I think this will help. Best of luck in whatever you decide.

    September 24, 2010 at 1:42 pm #242483
    MrKnowItNone
    Participant

    TJ Burns, I am right there with you. I did not get hammered on EPS, but cash flows, I probably get at least 15-20 questions on this subject alone. There was literally no governmental accounting (which I studied a ton) and it really annoyed me. In the end, I went through all of Becker but did not do the following:

    1) Required homework reading

    2) Supplemential Questions

    3) Flash Cards (never used)

    4) CPAreviewforfree (first time trying)

    5) Simluations

    I figured with number three and four above, two items which I did not use to pass my exam in prior sections, as well as persistence in the MCQ, I will pass. It is very difficult, and I think a 69 is not horrific (meaning I should try another course), but you just need to master concepts (similar situation happened to me in REG) and I passed. Let me know what you think.

    September 25, 2010 at 8:32 pm #242484
    futurecpa1986
    Participant

    I am in a similar situation. I got a 72 for FAR, my first exam. I am considering Yaeger's CRAM, but still cannot decide if I should stick with Becker. I found Becker to be great with multiple choice but not the simulations. My strongest points on the exam were governmental (my strongest), non-profit, and concepts. My weakest were presentation and transactions, which are the bulk of the MCQs 🙁 I also agree that Becker did not explain EPS well at all. Therefore, I googled this topic and found an EPS PowerPoint used for a university somewhere. It greatly, greatly helped. I think EPS & Cash Flows are topics I am comfortable with because these were the ones I was so confused about in the beginning. I think I put way too much effort into learning these :p

    At this point, my goal is to focus on F3, F4, F5, & F6 first and then do a mini-review for the remaining chapters. It sucks because after I took FAR on 8/30, I think I had a brain dump and I think some info disappeared from my brain 🙁

    Good luck to the both of us and to all other re-takers out there! 😀 We can do this!

    FAR: Passed
    BEC: Passed
    AUD: Passed
    REG: August 2011

    September 26, 2010 at 4:46 am #242485
    Icanpass
    Participant

    Retaking FAR in nov as well & contemplating getting Becker Final Review or Yager Cram, I've been using Becker so fare. Any advice ? So these are the chapaters people would focus on F3, F4, F5, & F6 ?

    BEC & REG & AUD Passed FAR Studying

    September 26, 2010 at 7:22 am #242486
    potatogun
    Participant

    You need to focus on everything with FAR. If you aren't taking it until Nov you have some time to figure out your weak areas in need of focus.

    FAR 92 - AUD 91 - REG 94 - BEC 86

    September 26, 2010 at 11:30 am #242487
    FARbehind
    Participant

    guys, i am here with you. attempting far for the 4!!! time in November. have moments of desperation when I think i will never pass. but overall trying hard to find the right way this time. switched to yeager. yeager is good for areas with heavy calculations, but areas with theory – stay with becker. becker has good mnemonics to help you remember. also, if you don't like becker's simulations keep in mind yeager's are worse. i am trying with cpareview for free and it helps but some questions/areas are so difficult. good luck to all far retakers!

    aud,bec,reg-passed

    far-73,70,70,nov13

    aud,bec,reg-passed
    far-->75 Done!!!!!
    ethics-100

    September 26, 2010 at 11:52 am #242488
    futurecpa1986
    Participant

    @Icanpass, no, those chapters are what I need to review..per taking the exam and just overall, I know those are the areas that I need to brush up..yours may be different.. I just purchased Yaeger's CRAM for FAR a couple of minutes ago.

    @FARbehind, thanks for the tip. I like the mnemonics that Becker taught..hopefully in conjunction with Yaeger CRAM, I can increase my score and pass! 😀

    FAR: Passed
    BEC: Passed
    AUD: Passed
    REG: August 2011

    September 26, 2010 at 2:04 pm #242489
    75 CPA
    Participant

    tjburns85

    Thank Becker for geting you to a 71. It is now time to move to a new review program with a new approach to FAR. Use the Becker book as a reference book in your new review program.

    The best review program for FAR is Yaeger's Home Study. I passed FAR on the second attempt with Yaeger after failing FAR with a 68 using Becker and Gleim (two good programs in their own right).

    September 27, 2010 at 3:01 am #242490
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I just purchased the Yaeger Home Study. I have enough time to complete a full blown course, rather than just a CRAM, so I think this was the best option for me. I did quite a bit of research on other courses. A few friends of mine are all about Bisk, but I haven't heard much about that one otherwise. I have heard a lot of great things about Yaeger, especially for FAR. I pondered on it for a while, and actually called the Yaeger number. No answer, so I just hung up. Five minutes later, I get a call from Phil Yaeger. Mind you, this is at 3pm on a SATURDAY. He talked with me for about 20 minutes about my prior review course, study habits, and what Yaeger can offer. Talk about fantastic service. If this is any indication as to the quality of the Home Study, then I fully expect to finally pass FAR. Looking forward to receiving it.

    September 27, 2010 at 2:31 pm #242491
    FARbehind
    Participant

    How do you people reach Phil Yeager? I called twice the number and every time his wife picks up. This is annoying. I want to talk to HIM.

    aud,bec,reg-passed
    far-->75 Done!!!!!
    ethics-100

    September 27, 2010 at 2:47 pm #242492
    75 CPA
    Participant

    FARbehind

    Sometimes Dr. Phil Yaeger picks up ther phone. However, usually Dr. Yaeger's wife, Bonnie, picks up the phone. Did you ask Bonnie to have Dr. Phil Yaeger give you call?

    If you are having trouble with bonds and othe liabilities, or leases and pensions, etc. buy the Bisk Hot Spots by Bob Monette. Bob is a great teacher like Dr. Phil Yaeger and Cindy. Do NOT buy the Bisk review courses. I bought the Bisk Classic Review for REG and I threw it into the trash can after only a few hours.

    September 27, 2010 at 3:01 pm #242493
    almostdone
    Participant

    I was lucky enough to have Bob Monette in his live Philadelphia CPA Review classes… the Bisk software worked for me, paired with such excellent instruction. Rather than buying Bisk, you can buy Philadelphia CPA Review's FAR course and have Bob Monette for at least 8/10 classes. They do pair it with Bisk software, which isn't perfect, but worked for me – 91 on first try.

    Philadelphia CPA Review/Bisk
    AUD 7/6/10: 84 | FAR 7/19/10: 91 | BEC 8/16/10: 80 | REG 08/25/10: 99

    September 27, 2010 at 4:00 pm #242494
    OnMyWayToBeCPA
    Participant

    i am in the same boat as most of you! it's so hard to get motivated to study for this exam for the 3rd time… i just bought a wiley book – hopefully it will make a big difference! good luck to everyone!

    September 27, 2010 at 5:08 pm #242495
    FARbehind
    Participant

    OnMyway,

    did you pass all your other exams on your first try? From my experience and looking at the posts, this kind of grades is very hard, almost impossible to achieve on the first try. If yes, you're very lucky.

    aud,bec,reg-passed
    far-->75 Done!!!!!
    ethics-100

    September 28, 2010 at 1:22 pm #242496
    MrKnowItNone
    Participant

    Anyone have a link for Jeff's notes that you can purchase?

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