[LLin89]

I am taking FAR for the second time in 11 days. I feel completely unprepared. I know a lot of you understand how hard it is to work full-time and try to tackle this exam. Running on 4 hours of sleep trying to cram in every possible second to study just about has me worn down. Any advice on how to make it through the days leading up to the exam without losing your mind?

[Rocky123]

Are you taking FAR on the 23rd like me? I'm in the same boat. Second time around for me too and I work fulltime. I can't seem to escape the rising panic.

Let me ask you this. Do you know why you failed the first time? I failed because I didn't study enough. I only did half of the homework. Trying to answer the exam questions confirmed this. The topics that I didn't look at much, I had no clue on how to answer them. I deserved a fail. I wasn't prepared.

This time around, I have at least studied. I'm not fluent in everything but have a decent grasp of most of the material. I at least stand a chance of hitting a 75. Couldn't say that before.

Most imporant, make sure you get enough sleep. It makes a HUGE difference in studying. I dont know how many nights of studying I lost last window because of it.

The tallest oak in the forest was once just a little nut that held its ground.

AUD-PASS
BEC-PASS
REG-PASS
FAR-PASS

Rocky123, CPA

[LLin89]

YEP! Full on panic mode. I think I failed the first time because I spent more time watching Becker videos and reading the textbook than I should have. I've tried to spend more time working problems this go around. One minute I'll be on a roll and answer the better part of 20 questions correctly. Then the next set I do will be completely awful. Simulations killed my score last time as well. I thought if I understood the concepts I could figure out the Sims. I couldn't have been more wrong. Now that the last 3 sections of the FAR book are out, I want to spend time going through those. But, I really don't know where my time would be best spent. If I'm lucky I can get 3 to 4 hours of studying during the weekdays and 6 maybe 7 this weekend. There are just not enough hours in the day!

[Rocky123]

Focus on govt and nfp. 16-24% of your grade is in there. I feel like a broken record because I've been preaching it so much. It's guaranteed to be on the exam!

You are taking a chance with the other stuff. For example, you could spend a solid week on leases/bonds and maybe get a couple of questions.

There's so much material in FAR to draw questions from. It's best to know a bit about everything.

The tallest oak in the forest was once just a little nut that held its ground.

AUD-PASS
BEC-PASS
REG-PASS
FAR-PASS

Rocky123, CPA

[LLin89]

It is insane how much success on this exam is just the luck of the draw.

[Anonymous]

Try not to panic! Walk in with confidence 🙂

I too focused on reading the book and Becker videos (was really useless)

My test (which I did not pass) consisted of MANY questions on Leases/bonds, and Pensions! And maybe 5 at most on gov/nfp…seemed like NASBA's plot against me 🙁

Rocky123 is right, you never know of the draw! Study everything..easier said than done

[Rocky123]

That is true. But in my past experience with the other sections, if you know the material well enough, you should pull off a 75. My theory will be tested on the 23rd… I may have a different view point after that.

The tallest oak in the forest was once just a little nut that held its ground.

AUD-PASS
BEC-PASS
REG-PASS
FAR-PASS

Rocky123, CPA

[Robert Bentman]

@MScpacandidate I as well am taking FAR for the second time at the end of this month. This is my last section, I definitely know the feeling.

I know it is easier said than done, but I would really try to get more than 4 hours of sleep especially the week before the exam. You really do not want to run yourself down and feel awful. Also, I'm not sure if you are able to, but if you can then try to take a day or two off from work in order to be able to study with a little less stress. (That is if you are able to take off).

Otherwise, keep studying hard and just keep doing what you are doing. We've both sat for the exam and know how hard it is but if we put in the time we will pass this beast.

Best of luck to you and everybody else in here taking FAR!

[LLin89]

Thanks for the encouragement everybody!

[Anonymous]

FAR was a beast…took it two days ago. I will say this, mcqs were harder than I thought, sims weren't as bad as I thought they would be (that doesn't mean I did well on either though…I'll be pleasantly surprised if I pass).

If I had to do it again…we'll find out next Friday if that is the case, I would do several things differently. I would have studied more IFRS, and I would have known ALL the journal entries forwards and backwards.

Good luck!

[warrreagle1015]

Confidence makes or breaks it IMO. I do have to say (like others) that sleep is very important during the two weeks prior to the test. Don't stress yourself out and get 4-5 hours. I'd get at least 6-7 hours if not more. I also don't study the day before the exam. Just enjoy it with family, calm yourself down, and then dominate the beast.

FAR - 71, 76
AUD - 72, 67, 74
BEC - 71, 69, TBD
REG - TBD

[Wskirby123]

@WE are you taking it in Bham?

[Wskirby123]

@WE are you taking it in Bham?

[warrreagle1015]

@wskirby123 – No. Grew up in Montgomery but live in Dallas (TX) now.

FAR - 71, 76
AUD - 72, 67, 74
BEC - 71, 69, TBD
REG - TBD

[Author]

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