[jstay]

Ok, so I’m using becker, probably sitting for FAR on one of the last days of the quarter- first exam, first attempt. I’ve done all the lessons except F8 & F9 (gov’t & nfp)–doing this weekend. I’d say I’ve deff been averaging more than 50% on the MCQ (and obviously better on the ones I really understand). I’ve been outlining the chapters on index cards and studying them through out the week. I’ve been writing down all the gasp vs ifrs, and if i find myself bored and doing nothing I’ll read my intermediate book.

I usually do a lecture, then the MCQ on that section, then back to the lecture for another part and then do the same for the MCQ.

I probably will get the Ninja mcq once the exam gets closer and I finish reviewing with becker to supplement the questions

So, am i preparing myself enough?

Any ideas would be appreciated

[How many letters do you need]

Sounds like you are borderline overprepared! So you are sitting end of Aug and already through most of the Becker books? 10 weeks of final review is a very long review time. However, it can be a good thing. I would suggest slowing down a little bit and don't jump right into pounding MCQs just yet (it's just too soon). I would take a couple of weeks to try to review your weaknesses in an attempt to really understand the material. Go between MCQs and the book until it all clicks. Between 8 weeks and 4 weeks out I would then begin to focus more on MCQs and flashcards, less on books. Ramping up your MCQs quite a bit. 2-4 weeks out I would then pound MCQS (especially if you have a second source and aren't in danger of repeating the questions. ..I am not a big fan of doing the same MCQs more than once). Then do a two week final review where you spend about 60% of your time on your weakest topics and 40% on stronger topics you want to keep fresh. You have plenty of time the hard part will be not burning yourself out before the exam! Good luck!

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[Kimboroni]

You do sound ahead of schedule to me, too, but you might want to spend more time on govt and NFP than you've allocated, since those together are about 20% of the exam per the CSOs. Don't take them lightly.

AUD 84 (1/9/14-Wiley books/TB + free materials)
FAR 83 (5/21/14-the above + NINJA 10 Pt Combo Lite)
REG 84 (7/9/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC/Notes)
BEC 76 (10/5/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC)

Disclaimer: My ninja avatar is not meant to imply that I have any affiliation with this site other than being a forum member. That's a pic of a T-shirt that my daughter gave me for my birthday. 🙂

[How many letters do you need]

Agree with Kim a million %. They are difficult topics for most…myself very much included

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[jstay]

Yeah I'm deff not neglecting them, ill prob do them this weekend just to get a feel. and with everything else ill go through during the week. I have taken a gov't nfp course so I really hope that gives me a bit of an edge being that I've been introduced to the concepts. Im more worried because i haven't taken an advanced course so i haven't learned consolidations, acquisition method, partnerships, and vies. but i think I'm understanding them and conceptualizing them.

[Mamabear]

I think you could consider moving your test up to the end of July if you really wanted to. You sound ahead of the game to me too. My REG test is 3 weeks away and I just finished going through every section once. 3 weeks to keep pounding away and review. I don't think I've given myself quite enough time, but I think you may get burnt out studying FAR for another 2 months when you've already gotten through all the material. If you moved it up you could potentially fit BEC or AUD in at the end of August because there is a lot less material for those 2. Don't worry about not having an advanced accounting class. I didn't have one or a government/NFP class and I did okay on it. The review material really teaches you what you need to know for the exams. The classes give you more information than you'll ever need on the exams.

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[jstay]

yeah I'm considering it, however i do not have my nts and probably won't get it until mid july. i need to talk to my teacher tomorrow to see if he can post my grade early so i can mail in transcripts sooner, and thus register sooner

[Anonymous]

I'd see if I could move the test up to at least the beginning of August rather than the end. 2 months is so long it's going to be more of a detriment than a help, I think anyways. It's a lot of time to review, but it's also a lot of time to forget.

For comparison, I'm almost exactly where you are. I finished NFP, which was really simple so I don't count it as much (I know it's a big part of the exam but I feel like I have it down), and am just starting governmental. I've scheduled FAR for July 9th. I think maybe I should've pushed it back a week or so, my final review is going to be a crunch, but I think that'll be fine. I figure I'll finish governmental, have about a week for that final review stage where I'm just doing a ton of MCQs and re-reading notes on memorization-heavy or otherwise difficult topics.

I don't know what I'd do with myself for 8 more weeks of time to do that last stage. Probably burn myself out worrying, and making sure I don't forget anything, to be honest.

edit: After seeing your post about not having your NTS, yeah, that's troubling to say the least. I dunno. I don't think you're doomed or you should stop studying and restart or anything like that. Just hold back on doing lots of MCQs for now. Save 'em for later. Definitely buy ninja MCQs so you have lots and lots of things to do while you're waiting.

[jstay]

yeah after reading everyones response i may shoot for begin-mid august. i just feel i need a lot of time to review. final review- 30-40 hours a week is good you think?

Also, side note..but how would you say you were as an accounting student? do you think that has any effect on the cpa exam? cause i would say I'm a good student, who can conceptualize things

[JamesBJames]

I would assume there's a positive correlation between GPA and CPA scores, although it's probably not incredibly significant. That said, everyone at my college who I thought was intelligent and/or diligent has been doing very well on the exams so far. Collectively, we're 6 for 6.

Don't get held up on it, though. Even if you were the worst accounting student ever, I feel like Becker teaches in such a way that you could pass.

Regarding the last review… I dunno, I think I have a different opinion than most people. I try to fit everything into a week or maybe a week and a half and just cram as much as possible. I would hate spreading out a review over a month.

FAR: May 1st, 2014 - 91
AUD: May 29th, 2014 - 97!
BEC: July 16th, 2014 - 91
REG: August 29th, 2014 - 88

Licensed December 2015

Feel free to add me on LinkedIn by clicking my username!

[impska]

1) I am also studying for FAR and just started Chapter 8. I've finished maybe a third of the MCQs for the other chapters. And today I moved my exam up a month from August to July 18. And that's with me working full time. So in my opinion, you're waiting way too long! But that's just my opinion – I over-prepped for my first test too. It's hard to know what to expect on that first time in, so there's no true harm in delaying (other than wasted time).

2) I was a 3.75 student and I have a 94 and 92 on REG and BEC. All of the things that help you do well in school will help you on the CPA exam. Good reading comprehension and internalization, good study habits, good note taking, good test taking – that's the stuff that passes the CPA exam.

REG - 94
BEC - 92
FAR - 92
AUD - 99

[JamesBJames]

Dang impska, impressive REG and BEC scores. You wanna take my remaining two sections and I'll take yours?

FAR: May 1st, 2014 - 91
AUD: May 29th, 2014 - 97!
BEC: July 16th, 2014 - 91
REG: August 29th, 2014 - 88

Licensed December 2015

Feel free to add me on LinkedIn by clicking my username!

[jstay]

Thanks everyone, loving the responses

Yea, I'm going to talk to my teacher tomorrow and see if he can just post a grade tomorrow night for me (even though class won't end till 7/3) and keep it up for 24 hours so that on friday i can go to registrar and get an official transcript with the 120 credits and mail it in this week. this would pretty much guarantee me to sit this quarter. if the teacher doesn't do that, ill have to wait until probably 7/7 to mail my transcript in, I'm going to have to overnight it if this is the case. but do you think..in either scenarios….that i will receive my nts before end of july and will be able to take it before august ends?

[Mamabear]

it really depends on your state. I live in Florida and mine went through quickly. As soon as they approve your application, apply for your NTS and start checking dates. You may have to keep it to the end of August because of availability at your Prometric center, but it's worth a look to see if you can get something sooner.

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[Author]

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