[snel0075]

Hey friends,

I have FAR coming up on Saturday the 23rd and, unfortunately, I have put in roughly ten hours of quality study time thanks to starting my career with an early busy season (thanks to a client with a 3/15 filing deadline). I can only blame myself, however, for the lack of devotion to study time, but I I have to ask whether anyone has any final-week tips for topics to focus on. FAR contains enormous breadth and little depth, so topics likely vary from test to test, but does anyone have any suggestions for someone in my position?

I would love to push it off further but this is the final weekend of my NTS, so I’ll be giving it a shot on Saturday no matter what happens (at least I’ll finally get a Saturday off work)!

Is there anything that you would have done differently (besides studying more)? I’m banking on the possibility of receiving questions which address issues that I am knowledgeable, but I’m not getting my hopes up at this point.

B - 86
A - 87
R - 81
F - 81

DONE.

[MCLKT]

I put myself in a similar situation over the summer, and I rarely speak of it.

Needless to say, I didn't pass. And I have all but blocked that exam out of my memory. I retook it 3 months later and scored a 74 🙁 So here I am… studying for FAR… again.

What would I have done differently the first time? Considered the exam fee a sunk cost and started studying for the next exam. Instead of stressing out leading up to and then wasting 4 hours on exam day. I would have relaxed, recommitted, and set a goal for the next exam. Paid again right away as punishment, and learned my lesson.

A:[73]97 F:[74]85 R:86 B:[74]82
*NINJA 10 Pt. COMBO & Yaeger*

[Anonymous]

can someone please help me! when does your 18months expire? on the day you took the exam 18months later, or at the end of the month? — when i look at my nasba screen, it says “expires” and lists the end of the month under each section i've passed…

[Anonymous]

bjo I'm pretty sure the clock starts ticking the day you sit for the exam.

[Anonymous]

@bjo, every state is different. Some states it expires 18 months after you took the exam (such as my state, Louisiana) Other states expire on the last day of the 18th month. I would assume that yours is the latter if it states that it expires on the last day of the month.

[MustPass1988]

I did the same thing for REG….and failed miserably. REG and FAR are pretty similar as far as breadth of the content goes. I would sit for it still; who knows, maybe you'll be able to figure it out in the next week or guess really well 😉 No matter what, at least you'll get exposure to the types of questions that will be asked.

AUD: PASSED [81]; Expired, retaking August 23rd
BEC: PASSED [83]; Expired, retaking July 11th
REG: PASSED [83]
FAR: FAILED [64]; Retaking May 23rd

[WACCadoodle]

I would get the Content Specification Outline & pick the 3 largest topics to focus on.

I'm one of those people who walk out of the test & have no memory of anything that went-on during those last few hours. I do remember my final review was:

Be able to consolidate

Know partnership accounts & difference w/ S-corp

Know government journal entries & differences in non-profit reports

I don't know if these are major areas for the test, or just my major areas. Better to check-out the CSOs

You know, I really hope you pass. It'd be kinda cool to get away with it

FAR 79
REG 81
BEC 75
AUD 76

[WACCadoodle]

Double post, computer acting up, may end-up a triple.

Now I understand how something like this happens…

FAR 79
REG 81
BEC 75
AUD 76

[mla1169]

I'd get the ninja notes. Like cliff notes, not all inclusive but an exceptionally great guide.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Keely]

Wow, good luck to you. I studied for months and got a 78. I hope you pass, but I'll be very jealous if you do. Let us know how it turns out. I don't know what sections to tell you to focus on, but I would do MCQs non-stop until your exam.

BEC: (4/2012) 88
AUD: (5/2012) 91
REG: (8/2012) 82
FAR: (1/2013) 78 🙂

VA CPA #42010

[MintsRGood]

YIKES!!! If this is your first section ever attempted then consider this your batting practice! Put in as much time as you can but be realistic with yourself. 10 hours doesn't leave you in the drivers seat to pass, but you've already paid and scheduled so why not give it your best effort and see how it goes?

Even if you don't pass and this is your first section, at least you are familiarizing yourself with your testing center and the next time you sit perhaps won't feel as nervous on test day because you KNOW what to expect!

Good luck and keep us posted!!!! 🙂

REG: 75 DONE 🙂
AUD: 61, 71, 68, 92 DONE 🙂
BEC: 76 DONE 🙂
FAR: 72, 74, 79 DONE 🙂
Licensed Michigan CPA 🙂
-Some people dream of success...others wake up and work hard for it!!!
-The cowards never start and the weak die along the way!
-You better work, b***h!
-Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.-JFK

[Anonymous]

Sorry but 10 hrs of studying for FAR is not gonna cut it IMHO…. I mean why waste your energy of going in to take the 4 hr exam when you know you are not ready to take it. Pay for another NTS and study and take the exam after busy season.

[snel0075]

Thanks everyone for the advice/words of wisdom/comments! I'll be doing as many MCQs as possible for the next few days and trying to focus in areas that are highlighted in the content specs outline. This test should be interesting to say the least.

@Anna No offense, but I would not expect such cynical advice from someone who's gone three for three thus far. I've already taken and passed two sections as well, but I was looking for advice from others' experiences regarding this beast of an exam. While I may stand a 95% chance of failing, I'm more than willing to take the test that I already paid for to shoot for that five percent.

Expect an update sometime in March everyone!

B - 86
A - 87
R - 81
F - 81

DONE.

[jlg2010]

Hi snel0075 — don't waste your time. When looking at the pass percentages, you basically have to be in the top 45-50%. But that's really not accurate…there is a percentage of people (e.g. you) that don't prepare adequately…maybe 20%. I think 2 out of 3 people that prepare adequately pass…much better odds. Therefore, use your Saturday to start mastering the material for April.

FAR Aug 12 84
Aud Feb 13 99
BEC Apr 13 86
Reg May 13 87 Done!!!

[samiam]

First off I would definetly take the test. Even if you don't pass you'll get valuable testing experience which will help you on your next go around.

Also, for your last ditch effort I would do as many multiple choice questions as you can possibly manage. That has been the most helpful to me on the exams I've taken so far. If you have a particularly weak section or two try to spend an hour or two focusing on those. It'll be tight, but depending on your background you might be able to pull it off. I know someone who was in a similar situation who managed to get just enough cramming in to pass. Good luck to you! Hope you make it.

[HustlinHustlin]

I vote take the exam. What do you have to lose now? 4 hours? I think getting a feel for the exam is worth the hours you'll spend taking it. As far as studying, do the end of chapter questions focusing on WHY each option is right or wrong. Then do MCQ till you keel over.

B 71 - 79 EXPIRED
A 69 - 75 EXPIRED
R 65 - 48 - 45
F 56 - 61 - 65 - 64

Becker, Wiley Test Bank, Wiley Text and Ninja Notes

"The fish who keeps on swimming is the first to chill upstream" -311

Experience - Done, like WAAAY done.
Still need 30 more credits, in basket weaving (gotta love new CA requirements)

[Author]

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