45 on the FAR Exam

I wouldn't necessarily suggest trying out a new review course, as that can get pretty expensive, but it might not be a bad idea to add Ninja as a supplement. I found Jeff's notes and audio to be very useful during my studies.

Regardless of which decision you make, you are going to have to start fresh with FAR. You need to decide if you prefer to watch videos or read the text book. Which ever one you decide to do, be sure to take notes as you are either watching or reading. It is normal to score low when doing MCQs after each module or topic. The most important part of doing MCQs is understanding why those 3 answers are wrong, and why that 1 answer is right. You should be taking notes as you do MCQs, and try and get into the habit of explaining to yourself why that answer choice is right, and why the others are wrong. You may get mixed opinions on this, but I feel doing SIMs are just as important as doing MCQs. I found I learned just as much, if not more, from doing SIMs.

I think it is also important to keep in mind that the CPA exam is not like your typical exam in college days. While doing MCQs and SIMs non-stop is good and helpful, it is also just as important to review the material and understand these core concepts, as well as a general review of your own notes or Ninja notes if you go down that path.

One tip I would suggest for FAR is dedicate 1 day out of your week to just do a cumulative review of everything you've gone over. There is a ton of material in FAR, and it is so easy to forget things once you get through all of the material. Don't get too discourage with your score, first time I took FAR I scored in the 50s. Use this as a learning experience and as an opportunity to improve in your studies. I'm sure others will chime in and provide very useful tips and suggestions. Use this forum, and lean on us, we are here to help and be supportive, this quite the journey!

@accountingfan47 I scored a 52 I think on my first FAR. Followed by a 67, 71, and finally an 86. I had to learn how to study. I was a terrible college student and just did enough to pass. I, like you, am slow at studying. You can take all the advice from people on here, but it really comes down to figuring out how YOU retain information best. I figured out that I read from the textbook the best and write notes. I will watch a lecture if I don't understand a topic, but otherwise it was wasting alot of my time. After I finish a section, I will hammer MCQ's so it sticks. At the end, I supplement NINJA MCQ's for 2-3 weeks because I had memorized all my study course's MCQ's. With FAR, I also had to practice simulations. They were too overwhelming for me and I got lost while in my first attempt. I saw several people say just practice MCQ's and you don't need to practice simulations. That doesn't work for me. My point again, is that everyone is different. Also, are you REALLY studying when you're sitting down? I wasn't. I would sometimes go through the motions. That'll cost you and it shows in scores. This is a test of discipline. Let the fail go and get to work. You can do it!

The little I will add to what all have said is journal/Ledger Entries!!! journal/Ledger Entries!!!. JEs/T accounting should be your friend when learning FAR .Let your notes be structured around JEs/T accounting .

You took the test for the first time, now you know how difficult this test is. You need to study based on how the actual test is laid out. Doing sims is important but whats more important is really understanding the concepts and applying it toward answering the questions. Good luck n good luck to myself!

Agree with what's been said by people above. It's different for everyone. For me, FAR took two tries. Both times I only used Ninja. The audios I think were the biggest help. Listening to them over and over over about two months. That along with the notes and MC questions/Sims provided by Ninja were the biggest help. I used wiley for the other three exams but Ninja's what worked best for me.