I took FAR last window 3 weeks before I would have liked since my NTS 6 month window expired on 2/17. I started the Becker process then, and only finished watching F8 videos before my exam. I did only MCQs for F1 & F2, and realized if I wanted to atleast get through each section I would only have time to watch the lectures. I still only got through F8. I took the exam and surprising got a 71 even with the lack of preparation.
I'm not taking anything for granted this time. I'm doing F9 now, will go back to the beginning, re-write my notes and go through the MCQs. If I find myself struggling with a section I'll rewatch the lecture, other wise I find it to be a waste of time since they just read the book. I plan on taking the exam near the end of the first score release window in the 2nd quarter so I don't have to wait long for my score.
@akh89 70% is fine for the MCQs, don't waste time and go back now. Maybe do a progress test of 30 questions every 3 lectures, but don't go back to the start and slow yourself down.
@fcinloco19 The reason for doing the MCQs after all the lectures is, even if you do the MCQ right after finishing the lecture. When you get done with F9, are you going to remember the material from F1? Most likely you are gonna have to study and relearn again anyways.
I usually want to finish all videos and MCQs two weeks before my exam. The first week of my final review consists of going through the lecture MCQs again and doing 20Q tests in Wiley. The last 5 days consist of me using the Becker Final Review software and more wiley 20 Q tests.
the governmental chapter is turning out to be long and arduous and I have not finished it yet, probably not for another few days then get to NFP. I like to do the mcq with gleim and wileytest bank, then mcq in the wiley text assigned by Yeager after the lecture to cement my understanding of the material. I will still need to do them all over again in the review but am hoping the review will go faster if I had a better grasp of material initially. but whatever works!
@bcc624 – intersting that far is your last test, and that you got such a high score in audit without having far prep. Do you work in auditing by any chance?
@ledgermaven Nope 🙁 I work on the finance team of a non-profit company that invests in clean energy SGBs & SMEs. I was a poor undergrad student who spent too much time partying and drinking. I plan on finishing this up, going to Rutgers to get my MACC to achieve a high GPA and use their campus recruiting to get into Big 4. My AUD sims didn't contain any of the FAR/JE simulations many speak about.
I am just finishing F5 in Becker… Plan to sit in end of April or early May. I've been taking a few “In-Progress Tests” for each chapter that consist of 30-40 MCQs and I've been scoring in the mid 60s-70s (with the help of some notes here and there)… I know these scores aren't that high, but I feel like I should still press on to the next chapters. The In Progress Tests just help keep the previous material somewhat fresh… But I make sure I go through the chapter questions at least once and get all 100% complete (this takes a few tries)…
For my review, I hope to have enough time to go through all of the Becker MCQs for each chapter AND get the Wiley '12 test bank and go through the MCQs in that. And if I'm really on my game, I'll get the NINJA notes.
I'm taking it on the 16th. I have gotten through the Beckervideos, taken some notes, gotten through almost 3 chapters of questions, and have had the flash cards in front of me for about 20 hours (working out, commute). The plan is to get through all the Qs by the end of the month and then get deeper into the details the first two weeks of April.
I am always impressed with those first time passers. How did you guys do it? I am scheduled to sit on April 26 for FAR and it is my first test (Help me LORD!!). I am using Yaeger self-study program. I am watching the videos first then plan on doing the Wiley TB. I have a hard time finding my time to review and I am getting nervous and stress out. I work full time, own a tax preparation business and have two young kids. For those who have passed th exam, can you please give some advice on good study habits? Is it advisable to watch the videos first?j Thank you all and i appreciate all your input. Good luck everyone!
@bugueydreamer: I passed far on my first try with the following study habits. Minimum 1-2 hrs a day (weekdays) and 6-10 hours on the weekends (Sat+Sun). I work in public accounting and thats why I can only study 1-2 a day. Most of the time it's hard just to put in 1 hr, but you have to force yourself. If you don't, you may not pass. I generally read first, then video, then read again on the parts I didn't understand the first time. Then after I do MC. Honestly, I didn't even do any sims to practice for far. As long as you really understand the material, you can pass on studying sims IMO. I didn't do this for FAR, but I did this for all of the other sections which I think helped a lot. When I drive I listen to the lectures over and over and over. That helps get the concepts in my head.
Put in the hard work because I have to say.. life after you passed your exam is just awesome!!! Well worth the hard work.
Taking FAR the first week in April, and I am about half way through F9 in Becker. One of my graduate courses uses Gleim MC as a requirement, so I plan on beginning my final review by going through all those questions over the course of next week. Then its drafting up a sheet of notes that I feel I need the most review on, and re-doing MC and Sims until exam day.
I try to get at least 2 hours of studying per day (including flash cards) Tues-Thurs when I work and have class, and then anywhere from 4-8 hours on Fri-Mon on my off days. Keeping procrastination to a minimum is tough but hopefully it pays off! Best of luck to everyone else in their studies!
I didn't waste my time on the sims for AUD because I figured they would be nothing like I will actually see on the exam. I went through them once and that was it, I never went back to study them. Although I think this really helped me because I concentrated my studies on other parts, I did think that doing the sims once helped with the research question. It just makes it easier to navigate through the research tab.
As for FAR I don't really know what to think about the sims yet. It feels like the research question is a lot easier than any of the AUD research questions but the other sims seem to be a bit more time consuming.
BEC - Feb 2012: 80
AUD - Feb 2012: 84
FAR - Apr 2012: 78
REG - May 2012: 90
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