[jeff]

This is for people taking their exams in the April/May 2010 testing window.

Recommended prep time for FAR is 6-8 weeks @ 20 hours a week.

Study Notes: https://www.another71.com/cpa-review-store/

Study Videos: https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam/cpa-exam-review-video/

[Anonymous]

Uncle B….it's amazing how you can speak for everyone.

So how many childrent do you have? What ages? Are you married? If so is your spouse work at home to help you?

I think you need to understand the reasons why people fail multiple times before you just ASSUME it is because of their study habits.

Some people have life…..man, what nerves you have.

[jeff]

Don't feed the trolls.

[FARbehind]

good point Jeff

aud,bec,reg-passed
far-->75 Done!!!!!
ethics-100

[weneedrealtimescores]

I'll apologize in advance for being so long winded…

He may or may not be a troll or he may just be ignorantly cocky. Granted he could have posted with a bit more empathy but either way let's not be so quick to judge. Instead of seeing “red” take the emotion out of the situation and ask yourself…is he right? Am I dedicating enough of myself to this? I think he may be a quick to judge others but the underlying theme of his comment just might have some credibility, like it or not.

I'm not tooting my own horn, just providing my example. I know everyone is different. I'm 35 I work full time in Corp accounting for a public company and my wife is due with our 3rd child the last week of July. My first two kids are still in diapers. My wife works until midnight 2 days during the week and all day Sundays and I care for the kids during those evenings and on Sundays. I started studying on Nov 16 and took all four parts in the 1st two testing windows of 2010. I spent roughly 26 wks preparing and put in a little over 500 hours in total. I failed FAR and re-took in on 5/26, I passed the others, my highest score was an 80. It can be done, it just takes dedication. I studied every night from 8-12, Saturdays and even some Sunday's at the library if I was lucky enough to get a baby sitter. I also burned up all of my vacation time by taking 3 days off for each exam. 2 days for intense review and 1 day to test and unwind. I think anyone who does not take 2 tests per window is wasting serious time. There is no need to only take one section per testing window. I think that is a recipe for disaster and will surely lead to expiring credits for passed sections. If you use Becker, follow the program to a T like they say and you will pass..eventually.

And I am a firm believer in taking at least one day a week to give your brain a rest. Although I felt guilty doing so, and took less time off towards the end, I think I suffered for it. I should have had a mandatory day off every week from studying, I think its important.

MASS - BEC 79, AUD 75, REG 80, FAR 71 FEB'10, FAR 71 JUN'10, FAR NOV'10 77 and I'm spent...

[LSU_BR]

I tried to listen to Jeff but I just can't.

Uncle Becker, I have failed FAR twice (71 and 72). I am damn proud of my two fails…maybe even prouder than I am of my 95 in Audit. You know why? Because it shows my character. I keep going. This isn't coming easy for me and that will make it worth so much more in the end. Often times, we are measured by our trials rather than successes.

AUD 95 (3/5/10); BEC 83 (5/28/10); FAR 71, 72, 74, 82 (10/16/10); REG 65,80(11/23/10)
ALL DONE 🙂

[jeff]

With tact:

https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-failure/

[Zaara]

I don't think Becker is like a powerpoint! Becker is excellent and I have briefly seen the structure of the other review courses and definitely hate each one of them. If used right, Becker is the greatest review course out there!

[Anonymous]

others pls can anybody on here give me good study tips to conquer this far this year. i have only gone thru the video once in the past one month and i have another month to complete my studies and it appears i need a better study strategy to effectively utilize the next month to properly cover all of far to take the exam. i am stuck anad not sure how to proceed ……pls help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

it does not appear that i have sufficient time to read the text book -wiley and then solve all mc problems. pls advise asap

[Anonymous]

elsie,

I was in your position for both BEC and AUD. I failed both on my first attempt. What helped me to eventually pass the two was the fact that I decided to supplement my Yaeger lectures with Becker textbooks. Becker textbooks cannot be even compared to Wiley – they are written in simple language and clearly emphasize the most difficult aspects.

Here is what helped me and can potentially help you:

(1) listen to Yaeger lectures quickly, just to give yourself an idea of what the whole exam is all about and what topics are covered, fast forward the instructors' jokes, solutions and explanations to multiple choice questions and simulations, and justifications on why not choose “A” unless “you are absolutely sure” (you can actually finish 48 hrs of FAR lectures in two-three days),

(2) listen to Yaeger again, now slowly, and pay attention to multiple choice questions and simulations, make notes to emphasize and remember different approaches the instructors use,

(3) do ALL multiple choice questions in the text and mark those which you got wrong; at this point you'll be able to pinpoint your weak areas,

(4) review multiple choice questions which you got wrong and read Becker text to really understand the topics you are weak in, and compare notes you took when listening to Yaeger with Becker textbook explanations; eliminate some of your Yaeger notes or substitute them with notes prepared from Becker textbooks (you will find that some of Becker's approaches are easier to comprehend).

Becker is a great course, the textbooks are excellent, and if it is not late to switch, do it. Most of my friends, who used Becker, were able to successfully pass the exam on their first attempts.

I also feel that Uncle_Becker's post was somewhat harsh, but he has a good point – if a person is dedicated enough and is willing to sacrifice most of their time to prepare for the exam, it is possible to pass two sections in a single testing window (provided, there are no spouse, kids, etc.) It is interesting that Uncle_Becker has only one post on this website, with the total online time of 1 min. Maybe he was actually studying during his free time, while most of us trying to collectively develop a strategy on how to study?

The day before the exam, go back to your Yaeger-Becker notes and review them. Good luck and stay focused.

[Anonymous]

nyc thanks so much for reply!!!!!!!!!!!!1 it appears u r right that becker textbook is easier than wiley to read. i wish i had it. wiley is difficult to read. i guess i have to watch the lectures this time to understand. it took me forever like over a month to even watch the first time.

pls how many hours and how many mcs can u cover in one study day????????????? i think i am unbelievably slow in covering all these materials.

[Anonymous]

Elsie

What is the best way for you to learn and retain information?

– Listening to lectures

– Reading text

– Do you take notes

How do you practice MC questions?

Right after studying the text?

Do you redo the missed questions a day or two later to make sure you are retaining the information?

Do you practice 20 – 30 MC from previous chapters periodically to keep the information fresh?

Once you figure out what is the best way for you to study – follow through and revise as needed

I think the key to passing to just putting in the time and a bit of luck on exam day. The exam asks the questions on the information you know!

Good luck

[Anonymous]

elsie,

I know that many people here say that you are supposed to study for the exam during any free minute you have. Well, it is very difficult to have such a commitment. I suggest that you “split” the Yaeger lectures by time, not by topic and try to stick to your plan. Generally, devote at least 2.5-3.0 hrs to study during Monday through Friday, and about 6.0-7.0 during Saturdays and Sundays. But, remember to stick to the plan. If you tell yourself that you finish Deferred Taxes on Monday (and the lecture is about 2.0 hrs), you'd better do it.

I do not really understand how people can study during their lunch time, etc.

[Anonymous]

@weneedrealtimescores…I am very impressed with your situation. I too have 3 children 10, 4, 2. My husband works away and is only home every other 4 weeks. I am going to try your schedule. It is very hard for me to study on the weekends, I try, but when my husband isn't home I try to study but can't concentrate. The small two just don't understand the concentration it takes to be able to study.

I guess I have been being selfish. I am not a morning person what so ever and have to have my sleep. However, I will be a zombie for the next few months, if that is what it takes.

What study materials did you use?

Any other pointers you could give me?

[LindseyA]

Ok guys seriously. I need my score now! I am sooo tired of waiting. This is the most anxious I've been for a section. I need to start studying BEC, but I'm consumed with checking here, facbook and twitter to see if scores have been released yet!!! AHHH!!

[AARON]

CantTakeIt – Did you end up passing?!

? AUD - 87 (8/12/09)
? REG - 77 (1/15/10
? BEC - 77 (1/6/09 - Expired) / 79 (11/18/10)
? FAR - 75 (2/11/11)

[Author]

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