[jeff]

NINJA Study Notes, Flashcards, and Audio: https://www.another71.com/products-page/

Wiley Software: https://www.another71.com/wiley-cpa-software/

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

[kb24]

Yamaha,

I did all the Wiley text questions after I read each section. When I was done with the text I went through the entire test bank section by section one time in study mode. I did 3 sample exams after this. My weakest area was Govt and NFP, and I woke up really early the morning or the exam stressing about these topics because they count for so much. I went through all the Govt and about half the NFP before I had to get ready to leave so those topics were really fresh in my mind. This made a big difference for me on when answering the govt/NFP questions.

FAR 4/1/11 - 89
AUD 4/15/11 - 85
REG 4/29/11 - 80
BEC 5/13/11 - 85

[yankeeaccountant]

Hey guys,

Finished FAR. Done.

My thoughts:

first testlet was tough, I blew my time budget on this, it wasn't that I didn't know the answers, it was that I had a majority of calculations, which took me awhile. Second testlet was way harder than the first(I am hoping this is a good sign) and blew my budget again, I ended up having to guess a few answers when my numbers didn't foot to the answers, just to keep some time on the clock. third testlet was much easier (I know–this is a bad sign 🙁 ) I felt pretty good about this testlet. I had 2 out of the 7 sims that were very difficult. I had to meader through them, did my best. But the other 5 I felt fairly ok about it. I finished with 10 minutes left. Not sure what this all adds up to—I am going to keep my hopes up.

Looking forward to hopefully putting this one behind me. Hope you all fared well too!!

Have a great holiday.

[kb24]

@yankeeaccountant – It sounds like you did OK. You finished, and that's huge with FAR. I'll be thinking good thoughts for you.

FAR 4/1/11 - 89
AUD 4/15/11 - 85
REG 4/29/11 - 80
BEC 5/13/11 - 85

[yankeeaccountant]

@kb24,

Thanks for the encouragement…and the good thoughts. I could really use some wins. I am waiting on three scores which I feel like I worked hard for. Could I have studied more efficiently? Absolutely. Some days were better than others. But I felt better going into these exams than I did while I was working and testing. I know that studying full time is not a guarantee of success, so now it is all on me–no work(job) to hide behind. I am definitely feeling the weight of that. I so want to deliver.

But I want to say how inspiring your path is! 4 exams in one window and you are still breathing!!! It has definitely put a little kick in my step. And you have been so great to pass on whatever you can to everyone still moving through the process. I appreciate you being around, you have certainly helped me!

Have a good one…

H

[kb24]

@yankeeaccountant

Thanks for the praise, but I don't feel as if it's as great an accomplishment as it sounds since I graduated 5 years ago and hadn't taken a single exam in that time. Granted I had valid reasons for not proceeding as I'd originally planned because of the time my mother's health situation has taken, but there were definitely periods along the way during which I could have buckled down and taken an exam. I'd pretty well reached the point of thinking I was too old for this to be of any value, but I had a change of attitude around the first of the year. No real reason for the change, but it made a huge difference in how I approached this. I set a goal to take the exams by the end of this test window and stuck to it even when it turned out I'd be doing all 4 at once instead of splitting them between the two windows as I'd planned. I can't say that it's been fun, but it has reminded me how much I enjoy accounting (although I still dislike auditing). Now if I can find someone willing to hire an enthusiastic hard-working 53 year old with no accounting experience, I'm all set.

I'm happy if I've helped anyone else on this site. This community helped me quite a bit when I was feeling discouraged or as if no one understood what I was going through, and I'm glad to give back. Also, right now I'm using it as an excuse not to clean the bathroom.

Good luck with your scores!!! I'm trying not to wish my life a way, but I'm so tired on waiting for them.

FAR 4/1/11 - 89
AUD 4/15/11 - 85
REG 4/29/11 - 80
BEC 5/13/11 - 85

[SONIA]

Congratulations & good Luck to everyone who took the beast this window. I think i studied too hard and it resulted in not being able to make it to the exam. Two days before my exam, I was furiously working through my weak areas and decided to do that for almost 8 hours straight with 1 or 2 short breaks. Unfortunately I was using the bar stools we have which have no back support. I never sit on those stools for this long period of time. I usually shift to my desk with a regular chair through half of the day. Anyway's finally done with my review for the day, I decided to clean up and take out the garbage and then happened to experience the most excruciating pain I've ever experienced. I couldn't move or stand up straight. My husband had to lay me down on the floor while i cried from pain. We thought I either sprained my back or pulled a muscle. That night slightly worried but with my flash cards with me I laid in bed and took some pain meds hoping I am better in the morning to do one final review before the exam! The pain was still there and was so painful that I ended up in the ER. After spending the entire day in ER, I was diagnosed with acute herniated disk. I can't believe the timing of this and am now worried about being able to re-schedule the exam. Prometrics told me they can't help me since I called on the day of my exam, so I have to deal with NASBA. I sent them an email earlier along with an attached doctor's note that says that I will not be able to work or sit in for any exam for this entire week. Hoping they approve my request and I can go on to take exam first day in July. Still upset that I missed a chance by missing the window but will take this extra time to improve on my weak areas and hopefully be more confident. I can't believe despite the pain my exam was still my main worry..kind of sickening! Don't know which is worse dealing with this exam or not being able to move-lol they feel almost equally painful!

[happy75]

Sonia, so sorry about your accident.

I've noticed that some Prometirc sites had this testing window extended till today for some reason.

(They do it very secretively though, so it's very hard to get a spot.)

I don't understand why they didn't let you retake your exam this window.

Good luck to you next time!

[Memphis CPA]

I take FAR on July 2nd and this is my first exam in the CPA process. Any advice or tips on how to prepare for the exam? I've been using Becker and have mainly just been focusing on the MCQ's. I try to spend about 4 hours every day working MCQ's and reviewing my notes. FAR is such a beast and I can't help but go into information overload sometimes. Does anyone feel completely prepared when they take this exam? For those who have taken the exam, do you think you should focus more on your weaker areas than your strengths or vice versa the closer exam day approaches? Is it worth spending the time doing the Simulations in Becker? I've heard that the Simulations in Becker aren't anything like what you see on the exam. Thanks in advance for any advice you can give!

[kb24]

MemphisCPA

Some things I'd suggest are

–For any weak areas you have write down info by hand e.g. I was having trouble with bonds so I wrote out J/E for different situations. It took about 20 minutes, and I didn't have any problems with bonds after that.

–Make sure you're strong on govt and NFP (16-24% of exam)

–Doing MCQ is a great way to reinforce the material. Make sure you're reading all the answers including the wrong ones. They can help a lot. If you find that you're starting to have questions memorized consider using a test bank. I used Wiley (you can get it at a discount through this site) and it helped me a lot. Other people have recommended Gleim.

–You should do enough SIMS that you feel comfortable with the format and types of questions you might see including the research questions. The AICPA sample test has a few. The Wiley test bank has some as well. I didn't do the Becker SIMS so I can't say how well they prepare you for the exam.

–Look through the old posts on this thread for other tips and try the ones that sound like they will help you.

Good luck next month.

FAR 4/1/11 - 89
AUD 4/15/11 - 85
REG 4/29/11 - 80
BEC 5/13/11 - 85

[MercyGrace]

And I thought the wording on Audit was tricky. Geesh… FAR has all Tricks and no Treats. Studying is slow for sure!!

BEC - 75 (Prayed Hard)
AUD - 85 (Thanking God!)
REG - 77 (Yes, Lord!!)
FAR - 4/20/12

[ROACH]

Hi, I'm new here…

Studying FAR at the moment and its a pain. I'm using Becker review and it is hard to retain the information. I only have the lecture notes, summary notes, and the passmaster. I really need flashcards and the video lecture but they're pretty expensive.

Can someone direct me on how to get setup with the Wiley test bank and the discount from this site?

Also, can someone give me advice on how to approach my studying with all I have mentioned above. Right now I'm reading the lecture notes, then the summary notes, and doing a few passmaster questions all in between. And I'm hardly retaining anything. I'm good at memorizing questions though, which in this case, is bad news.. that's why I asked about the Wiley test bank.

Anyway, any feedback is appreciated. Thank you.

BEC: 66 | 69 | 7/23/2013
AUD: 8/28/2013
REG:
FAR:

[wchimbani]

How good is Gleim simulation wizard? are the simulations any different from those in the book

[kristen1479]

I am STRESSED!

I have FAR scheduled for July 1st and I am only halfway through the Yaegar videos. My stepdad passed away last week and as a result, I missed over a week of studying. I don't feel like I have enough time to study enough to pass. I work full time, am a single mom of two kids, and have bday parties for each of my daughters over the next two weekends.

Any suggestions as to what I should do to maximize my absorption of info once I finish the lectures? I should have about 10 days left, most being weeknights. I also have Jeff's Ninja notes. And I can't push the exam back because July 1st is the last day on my NTS.

Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks!

BEC- 73, 73, 80
REG- 74, 83
FAR- 50(didn't study), 76 (<--How the heck did that happen?)
AUD- 71, 71, 79!!!!!
Finished!!

[Peanut]

Kristen, Have you tried getting up super early and fitting in maybe 2 hours before work? Plus week nights once the kids are in bed? Just push through the lectures and bang out as many MCQs as you can before the test. You can do it!!!

AUD 81 (X4) Previous scores 59, 72, 72
REG 80 (X3) Previous scores 59, 60
FAR 75 (X2) Previous score 67
BEC 79 (X2) Previous score 58

[kristen1479]

Peanut, I have tried the early mornings before but can't usually sustain more than a few days in a row. I'm going to try again though. I should be able to suck it up for two weeks. As for once they kids go to bed, I am way too tired to do much by then. I can usually study from about 6:30-9:30, while neglecting them for most of it and putting them to bed during that time frame.

Thanks for the advice. I really hope I can can do it!

BEC- 73, 73, 80
REG- 74, 83
FAR- 50(didn't study), 76 (<--How the heck did that happen?)
AUD- 71, 71, 79!!!!!
Finished!!

[Author]

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