[iamstrong]

Well, so much for feeling like kicked the crap out of FAR.
Weaker in conceptual framework (which is odd bc i did well on that with NINJA mcq)
Comparable with select financial statement accounts
Strong in Select transactions and govt.

I am really at a loss.
For this retake- I went through all the BISK videos first and took notes, then i did all the multi choice, section by section and took notes. then i rewrote every thing and felt really good about it.

I’m planning for a retake in a month?
Do you think the scout package is enough? I still have the audio from the last time i took the exam.
UGH

[Missy]

A month seems kind of tight unless you're not working.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[BatmanInTraining]

I honestly think you seem to have a generally okay grasp of the material, however I can guess that maybe you're making small mistakes that are costing you correct answers. My suggestion would be to take more personal notes and/or flashcards for some of the more in depth stuff, and never hurts to do extra NFP and Gov't multiple choice. I have only ever used Becker, so I can't really say what will/is enough for another person, however Becker was good for me and allowed me to pass first try on all 4. I feel they give you a taste of everything and really diversify how you study, but everybody is different. I still wrote out notes and made my own flashcards as that was my key to succeeding. You can, and YOU WILL do this! Batman believes in you.

[iamstrong]

Hi Batman, i thought Becker did a good job- maybe my brain is shrinking?

Hi Missy, thanks for the feedback. Maybe retake mid Nov to be safe?
I'm just not sure what else to do? Just re-work the NINJA MCQ more? Use Gleim?

Anyone whose had multiple FAR retakes- what pushed you past the 75 mark?

thanks
Rachel

[Anonymous]

What I do for each section is go through every single MCQ for each topic one by one. I take a screen shot of the more difficult or complex problems. If I need to refer to the NINJA PLUS videos, the book, or YouTube for my weaker areas, then I do that when I can. I also squeeze in SIM practice questions once in a while for a good comprehensive review and to keep me fresh.

I'll do at least 2-3 practice exams before sitting for the actual exam and review exactly why I get any question wrong.

The 1-2 weeks before the actual exam, I will go through all the MCQs I took a screenshot of and use it as my final review. I'll also skim through the book one last time and look over all the “application” practice questions to refresh my memory.

While I haven't taken the actual FAR exam yet, I have been scoring the highest on the practice exams than any other section I've already passed so that's a good sign for me.

I don't take any notes either. Waste of time in my opinion.

The main difference in my methodology is doing the MCQs one by one for each topic and screenshotting the more difficult problems. Other people do random 30 question MCQ sessions and will repeat some of the same questions over and over and not even touch on some of the most important topics. That is a huge waste of time in my opinion and poor strategy.

[Earla Riopel (NYCARE)]

You're so close of becoming a CPA. I am quite new in this forum. Lately, I have been taking notes of some of the best advice, especially on FAR. So far, these ones are great advice:

https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/far-crash-course/
https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/far-seems-impossible-2/
https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/far-exam-experience-official-thread/page/4/
https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/need-some-advice-on-what-to-do-and-never-give-up/

Check them out. I made my own personal list, and read it when I am not so motivated studying.
You're almost there. I am still a long way.
Good luck.

[iamstrong]

I was thinking of re-doing the NINJA MCQ- all over again?

I'm not sure if it pays to read the Becker book? I thought the BISK videos were awesome.
I was going to re-read my notes from the videos and MCQ and then re-start the ninja mcq all over again?

[Ana]

Got 73 on FAR for the 3rd time and now lost BEC (passed REG and AUD). I feel just like you do. I don't know what to do to get to 75 and beyond. Sadly, I felt that the test wasn't reflective of the test with this new format. Not sure what my game plan should be now.

[iamstrong]

Ana, I'm so sorry about losing BEC. We will get this done, it will just take a bit longer.

Have a pity party tonight and start over again tomorrow. We can do it!

[Ana]

Thanks Rachel. I know we will! I'm coming close to my two year anniversary on the CPA journey and it's hard to keep going and sacrificing so much. My husband started at the same time as me, failed more exams, but now is done. I got totally screwed with the long score release in Q2. I passed BEC Feb 2016 and it expired without me having another chance to take it.
Having seen the test 3 times, def. know NFT and govt. Thankfully those are easy topics for me. With the new format, the sims are the area to worry about. I wish I could explain in detail how brutal they are.

[iamstrong]

I did all the sims in ninja and some of them twice. Some of the exam sims were really similar. Others were super hard.

so frustrating !

[STP]

Seriously, don't give up! Here are my attempts and scores.
Far – 40, 58, 63, 73, 71, 64, 81

This might be a risky advice to take but because I studied the FAR material so much I felt like a FAR dictionary. I could explain things but I couldn't do the actual problems because I wasn't doing many mcqs and sims since I was using the basic Roger material with absolutely no supplemental material. For the FAR exam, I had one month to study and used NinjaMCQs basically exclusively. Didn't even go back to the book. I did every question twice and it jumped my score to an 81. I was expecting if I ever did pass that it would be in the 70s and nothing more. Sad thing is that I started in 2013 and didn't find this forum until middle of last year. Might have saved me a few years if I did.

[iamstrong]

Thanks STP
I did every NINJA multiple times. I guess i had a brain fart. It's just taking a toll on me.
I'm exhausted.

I don't think the book will really help me. It's just more questions and more SIMS. Find the central trouble areas and maybe review the book
ugh

[Anonymous]

Anytime anyone goes through the MCQs, they should be noting which of the questions are the more difficult questions and studying them more in depth. Which is why I take a screen shot of them so I can easily find them for later. I never understood why people try to just cram random MCQs over and over and think that is going to help.

Also that way if they so happen to fail or need to retake the exam, they have all the more difficult questions right in front of them and don't have to waste time going through all the basic stuff that they already know. Just my advice to anyone taking these exams. Kinda baffles me that more people don't go about studying this way. Super easy and effective.

[jcman240]

seriously you need to do SIMS like crazy, stop spending so much time on the MCQs, do the SIMS many many times, over and over, you will pass

[IwannabeaCPA2017]

OMG that is crazy! I sometimes think it all depends on the timing of taking the exam. These exams sometimes require luck I would say if you get a “good” testlet u can pass easily. For instance, My first take on REG I got killed by all these M1 questions (book to tax etc) and 2nd time I got none of those and I have no idea how but my score jumped 18 pts. Hope you will get more of your strong areas on the next exam.. it is tough to swallow when the score is so close. @Ana, sorry for losing a section, Im at my last shot too. These new sims def are a make or break and I agree with Jcman focus on SIMS more important. I did bunch of SIMS for REG and that was what was helpful. I plan to do that for FAR this time. Best of luck to all!!

[Author]

Replies