[Nathan Sims]

I am studying for FAR to take end of Feb. I am on Ch. 4 using Becker and am noticing that i cannot keep up with the schedule they have and move on confident with what i dealt with in the last chapter/lecture. Should I move on with schedule or stay with the chapter until i pass all the MCQ’s and sims? I haven’t even completed any sims yet. I am not feeling too confident about this test. The motivation i had coming in is quickly fading. I feel like a failure. any advice?

[Mrs 300]

I was in the same predicament that you were in a few weeks ago. I could NOT get a move on with the earlier chapters. The chapters do NOT get easier. I would definitely recommend doing your best on the MC and trying to get every question right at least once. You would be shocked at how much easier it will be in your final review if you hash it out and try to master the material the first time around. I made the mistake of moving on from Chapters 2 and 4 which I really struggled with. So I spent way too much time in my final review having to learn all those areas.

I personally did not have time to do the sims for any section. I read the sims and made sure that I could handle them, but I simply ran out of time to study them for each test. I am sure this would not be advised by others, but that was my case. Of course, be comfortable with the functionality of the sims.

Personally, I think the key to financial is allowing yourself at least 10 days to 2 weeks for your final review. I did my final review in 6 days BUT I took the week off work and my husband took the kids on vacation.

I hope this helps – I'm taking the test today so if my advice changes, I'll let you know! 🙂 GOOD LUCK! You can do this!

REG - 80 (Becker only)
BEC - 76 (Becker only)
AUD - 71, 76 (Becker only)
FAR - 65, 74, 81! (Becker, Wiley Test Bank, Ninja notes & Audio)

CPA Class of 2012 🙂

[Anonymous]

@nmsims…I am at the same boat too. I am taking FAR the last day of Feb. I plan to finish the reveiw and practice questions 2 weeks prior to the test so that I have time for final review. I am taking Becker live class on Saturday which covers two chapters on each day, and I tried to keep up the schedule by studying two chapters a week. It's been hard for me to keep up. I am like you I couldn't finish chapter 4 (I stopped at Inventory). I moved on to Chapter 5 now. The FAR chapters are shorter, but the MCQs are just so time consuming! I skipped all SIMs and I am also worried about the codification since I just don't have time…

@Mrs300…final review in 6 days??? wow, you must have studied non stop. I plan to take three days off right before the test, so I have five/six days (including weekend) for myself…I guess you are taking the FAR today, please let us know how you are doing. Take care!

[makinthemagic]

Move on to the next topic. I set a very rigid schedule for my limited prep time for FAR. Watch the lectures, work mcq's, repeat. Get a taste of everything. Then use your review time before the exam to improve on your troubled topics. It doesn't hurt to pray your specific exam topics are the ones where you are strongest. Bottom line, it's better to know a little bit of everything than all of one thing and none of the next.

Bec 4/11/11 91
Aud 7/11/11 75
Reg 8/31/11 80
Far 5/24/11 86
Ethics - 98
California Licensed CPA
Illinois Registered CPA

[freshy70]

@nmsims I'm talking FAR on the 26th of Feb. I am using Yaegar and studying 2-3 hours each evening and 4-5 hours each weekend day. I plan to finish my study program 2 weeks prior to the test and I will review all the material one last time.

I agree with everyone else. Don't get hung up. Move on and go through all the material. Brush up on your final review. They can't test you on everything so it's good to know a bit of everything than to master something they will only ask you 1 question on.

Good luck!

BEC - 5/20/11 83
REG - 11/20/11 83
FAR - 2/26/12 82
AUD - 7/26 86
Ethics 12/27/12 90

[Nathan Sims]

That's what I thought would be best to do, makinthemagic. How confident and knowledgable were you going into your FAR exam?

[Nathan Sims]

Thanks everyone for the encouragement and advice. I will keep my head up and stay positive.

[Anonymous]

There is so much material in FAR that I think it's impossible to feel 100% ready for the exam. I realized during my final review that there were several areas I was weak in and really needed more time on. But I just decided to take it anyways and ended up with an 84.

Instead of focusing on MCQ's during my final review, I spent a lot of time reviewing journal entries and formulas. And I'm sure that was a huge factor in helping me pass.

Good luck!

[freshy70]

@apbandj you are probably right. I'm sure everyone feels like they aren't ready.

I saw you used Yaeger – did you spend more time reviewing the handouts in the end rather than focusing on the multiple choice?

BEC - 5/20/11 83
REG - 11/20/11 83
FAR - 2/26/12 82
AUD - 7/26 86
Ethics 12/27/12 90

[Anonymous]

@ freshy – Over my 4 day final review, I watched the CRAM lectures, studied journal entries and formulas and definitely reviewed Cindy's notes. There were a couple of handouts of hers that helped me so much on the exam – I wish I could tell you which ones but I'm thinking that might be TMI for disclosure. I did lots of MCQ's while studying, but during the final review I focused on the ones that required me to apply formulas (such as Diluted EPS, Goodwill, etc.).

[Author]

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