[Anonymous]

While I do love my NINJA materials that I’ve used almost exclusively for FAR, I think that after two failed attempts within 5 points of passing I might need a bit more help than the Notes and MCQs are providing. That being said, is there any particular cram course that anyone would recommend for FAR? I’ve been studying the material since mid-July, so I’m almost positive I don’t need a full review course of any kind, I think I just need to see the major topics presented in a different way at this point.

I used Roger for BEC and am leaning towards purchasing his cram course for FAR, so any comments on his cram course would be greatly appreciated. I tend to learn better by reading and doing MCQs, hence my use of the NINJA Notes and MCQs thus far, so I’m particularly interested in any of the books and MCQs provided with the cram courses. I know Roger is great for learning via lectures, but I’ll likely utilize the book more than the lectures, so I don’t know if he’ll be the best fit for me.

Any other advice for my third FAR retake would also be great! I won’t be sitting again until early to mid-January, so I do have a while to go back through the material, at least. Which actually made me think of another question- would ordering a cram course at this date give me the 2014 material or the 2015 material? I think I read that the new material is usually released in November, so unless someone knows otherwise I’m guessing it’s a toss up at the moment.

Anyway, congratulations to everyone who did find out that they passed this morning. I’m determined to join you with a passing FAR score next time! 🙂

[Mamabear]

I would suggest Becker Study Notes or a Wiley book. You can get the Wiley book for less than $50 and there are a ton of MCQ/SIMS in each book. It also does a good job of having you stop after each reading topic and answer MCQ to even know if you're understanding what you're reading. If you don't take notes you could probably get through the book pretty quickly to pinpoint exactly what you're problem areas are. I'm using the Wiley book and the Ninja MCQ for my REG retake. I only used Ninja MCQ for my first pass and just in reading through the Wiley book I feel I am understanding so much more than last time just because it's laid out a little differently.

Even if a new book comes out, I was under the impression that the AICPA didn't update tests until July of the year following updates so you should still be good with 2014 books/materials if you're testing in Q1 and Q2.

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!!

[SkilletCPA]

I'm curious about a cram/condensed course and its effectiveness as well.

@amandilee, you mentioned that you used Ninja exclusively for preparing for your FAR exam. Do you mind explaining your preparation method? Like you, I was real close with the original take with the result of a 73 :(. Did you do anything different for your retake?

For me I used the Ninja notes, Becker text, and Wiley test bank. This time I plan on using the Ninja MCQ and was strongly considering the purchase of the Roger's Cram course.

Hang in there we will accomplish this challenge!!

BEC Pass
AUD Pass
REG Pass
FAR Pass

[Rocky123]

I wonder too. I have a little more than 2 weeks for FAR review. I use Becker. Has anyone found any benefit to using the Becker Final Review for FAR? Or is it better to just do progress tests?

Do the new lectures and homework on the final review give you any more valuable insight that you won't get from the regular course?

The tallest oak in the forest was once just a little nut that held its ground.

AUD-PASS
BEC-PASS
REG-PASS
FAR-PASS

Rocky123, CPA

[jeff]

I would just treat NINJA MCQ as a cram course and spend the extra $$ on something cool – like some new headphones.

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS) | Another71 | NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE

[23K]

can NINJA MCQ questions be used as a stand alone product or only as a supplement to a review course

AUD--52,68,83, expired. Retake = 74 RETAKE - 7.24.26
FAR--73,70,68,75
BEC-- 79
REG-- 68,62,75

[jeff]

People have used it standalone – someone passed this window using just MCQ and BLITZ.

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS) | Another71 | NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE

[23K]

Thanks Jeff –

I'm going to buy MCS question for FAR and see how I like them.

AUD--52,68,83, expired. Retake = 74 RETAKE - 7.24.26
FAR--73,70,68,75
BEC-- 79
REG-- 68,62,75

[Kimboroni]

For amandilee, I second using the Wiley book. It's dense, but it does explain things really well. I wouldn't consider it a cram course, but since you said you learn well from reading books, I totally agree with Mamabear about getting the Wiley book to get you over the hump. I used it for all 4 sections and it worked great.

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. 🙂

[Lion_of_the_Rock]

I used NINJA MCQ for FAR and wanted to beat myself up after only trending 68% after 3 wks of using it.

That being said, while Jeff's products are effective, I kinda pulled an audible and watched Roger lectures (specifically on one topic) prior to the exam and that set of lectures saved my bacon as I saw multiple questions on the exam concerning that topic, even a SIM, and I could hear Roger pointing out exactly how the exam was going to trick me.

Probably lucky, but I passed with a 75 first attempt.

Traditionally I like reading and working questions but since you've been doing this why not give Rog a shot and just listen to his lectures without going crazy taking notes, etc. While active learning works best for me, this passive style prior to the exam provided a fresh change and things just stuck.

I'd take a shot with a Rog cram course. A pass would be worth more than a fresh set of Beats. Variety is the spice of life.

BEC - 78
AUD - 75
REG - 74, 79
FAR - 75

You have to buy a ticket to win the raffle.

[Author]

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