[Anonymous]

So I am sitting for FAR (first exam) on 4/15 and go through periods where I think “I got this!” only to be followed by periods of “There is no way I am passing this exam.” Please tell me that’s normal because I am starting to question my sanity. I have never been one to freak out in an exam and am worried this might be the first.

I don’t know why I feel this way. If I fail, I will take it again in July. It will suck but it’s not the end of the world. Maybe because I have invested so much time and effort? I have studied like crazy, gone through the Becker MCQs at least 4 times, read the book cover to cover, made 200 flashcards, you name it. Despite all that I still get problems wrong which upsets me, even though in my rational mind I know that it is impossible to know everything…

Please tell me I am not the only one feeling like this.

[KEIT1182]

I could have written this exact post a couple of months ago. It is completely normal to have those feelings. I failed the first time and had to re-take it and you are right, it was not the end of the world. I just took AUD and went through the same emotions. It is definitely a roller coaster of emotions when studying and taking these tests. Just keep pushing through and studying the best you can and you will get through it! Good luck on your test – sounds like you have prepared well!

FAR - 73, 78! (1/5/15)
AUD - 73, 83!!! (7/1/15)
BEC - 85!! (5/19/15)
REG - 65, 80!!!! (11/16/15)

St. Jude, St. Joseph of Cupertino, & St. Matthew - thank you!!!

[TheTaxingNinja]

FAR is a beast and yes everyone gets a little nerves before the test. Honestly FAR is not about KNOWING a ton of financial accounting concepts but actually PERFORMING on the test. What helped me on FAR was to write out the problems and think of them conceptually. A lot of people get stuck on problems…if you do not know an answer move on and make sure your confidence is high and thus you will perform better. Half the stuff you study you won't remember so make sure you are confident on the concepts you do know and make sure you get those questions right. The worst mistake to make is going into the test and missing problems that you know because the problems you didn't know undermine your ability to think logically on every problem.

FAR - 81
AUD - 77
BEC - 77
REG - 79 DONE!

Ex-Big Four Tax - DTLA
CA CPA as of 3/26/14

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the responses. I do realize how important it is to ‘isolate' each question so that I can proceed through the exam with a clear mind.

One thing I am stressing about are a few problem areas I have. I feel like I have made an effort (to include pulling out the old Intermediate II textbooks) but there are some concepts I just.don't.get. I told myself I would not be that person praying to not get any questions on X topic, but here I am, 8 days out, praying that I don't get a ton of indepth questions on DTA/DTL, discrete vs. blended presentation, or cost vs. par method for Treasury stock.

[Anonymous]

I definitely felt the same. I had highs and lows throughout studying for FAR. There were some weekends where you think you've mastered the material, only to be demoralized when you're reviewing F2 and forgot all the intricacies of installment sales or the capitalization rules.

I haven't felt that way for any of the other tests. I've felt confident with BEC, AUD and even REG to some extent. Just the sheer amount of material that FAR covers is daunting.. so this is a typical feeling. Good luck next week!

BTW, I spent wayyyy too much time on DTA/DTL. I kind of regretted it. I probably spent a weekend making sure I understood the basics and even then, I was only scoring 60%~ on that chapter. And I definitely agree with TheTaxingNinja. Don't get bogged down by the details and make sure you're able to answer the “easy” questions. I also take the approach that if I don't understand the question within a minute of reading it, I just flag it and move on. Better to build up momentum and confidence and then come back for the harder questions than spinning your wheels on 1 question.

[Skynet]

One of the tips i keep telling people is to continuously do cumulative reviews of the previous units and chapters that you have studied every few weeks to keep the materials fresh. If you keep moving on to new units and never go back to do cumulative reviews you will forget the materials and be back where you started.

[Author]

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