[MrKnowItNone]

This website is an absolute dream to anyone taking the CPA Exam, and I have read and learned so much on here. I thought I would share with you my experience on the FAR exam. I took FAR this past August and did not study anywhere near what I should have studied (was interviewing for a new job and other personal matters). I did not study one specific topic that miost likely had 15-20 questions associated with this topic (yes that many). I had used Becker to prepare, and I received a score of a 69. I was really heartbroken given that it was only 6 points away and my creidt is expiring for AUD and BEC in March 2011 so the pressure was on. I am estimating in addition to the time spent studying for my first FAR attemt (80-100 hours), I spent another 200-225 hours restudying FAR (inclusive of a 60 hour cram session Thanksgiving week) and really understanding the in’s and outs of every questions. Today, Novemeber 29, 2010, I took the exam at 9 oclock this morning and must say, it was not as bad as I thought. I knew alot more than I had in August, however, there were still some “fuzzy” areas that I did not know. Also, on the previous exam which had 15-20 questions on one specific topic only showed itself in 2 questions in the current test. This just showed me how unpredictable this exam could be. Furthermore, my testing experience was as follows, first testlet was quite easy and am hoping I answered most of the questions correctly, second testlet wasn’t so much “harder” just wordier with more computation, and third was very similar to the second testlet with a few “give me” questions (questions which were relatively easy). The first simluation was VERY difficult touching on a varietty of areas but I answered everything (def not all correct) and i gave myself 55 minutes for the last simulation. The second simulation had three different topics plus a memo which I was very familiar with and was hoping I go tmost of it correct. In all, I definately put the time in and can not believe how much I wrote, but just hang in there and hopefully I have passed (am worried that the testlets did not go from easy in book 1 to horrendous in book 2), but there is nothing I can do.

Lesson in all of this, the CPA can test you on a variety of topics and can change the way the questions are asked or the topics covered. Whatever is thrown at you, take a deep breathe and try to answer your best. I came out of FAR confident (not 90% confident but a passing grade confident hopefully), but my question to all of you is this: “should I restudy for FAR in the event I fail and retake in January?” My credit for two secitons expires in March as stated and I am in a Financial Reporting Role (translation I will have little to no time in Mid January – February). Thank you for listening to my rant and if you are still with me on this post and it helps one person, well worth the write. Thank you to all and wish you all best of luck.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for sharing your experience with FAR! I take it tomorrow and am hanging on to this site for words like these to keep me going and not tear my hair apart!

Going by what you described, I feel certain that you passed the exam (with a brilliant score most probably!) and should probably enjoy a well deserved break from studying for the exams! Either way, the wait will probably not be too long this time and you will have your score soon enough to re-study if need be!

[MrKnowItNone]

No problem and good luck to you today. I just looked up three qquestions I was not sure of which were realtively “easy” and two of them I got wrong. We shall see how things turn out. Do you think I should just go ahead and start studying againa nd if I fail take in the begining of January? Thanks

[FARbehind]

MrKnowItNone,

you describe the perfect testing experience, really. I envy that. Not that much the passing itself like the feeling I wanted to have after the exam and I never had… Anyways, I don't think you should study now. You will get your score in mid December. In the unlikely case you didn't pass you will not need much time to restudy but basically just cram for 20-30 hrs to keep it fresh.

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

[thorsbew]

Just like everyone else, I just want to get this exam FINISHED! It is my last one and I want to be done with the studying. I've had the same thoughts as you.

Truthfully, at the start of a study period, I'm not studying as hard as toward the end. So I plan on picking up my FAR book again the week before score releases and going over some of the topics again. I know two specific areas that I was quite weak in. It doesn't hurt and will give you some assurance that you are doing the right thing JUST IN CASE. You will have plenty of time (the rest of your life!) to cool down from all the testing. But until I see that 75 or greater, I am back to the books!

Aud - 65 + 79, BEC - 82, REG - 89, FAR - 86

[MrKnowItNone]

I just want to be done with this section. I find myself checking the score on the NASBA website as if it is going to magically appear. Anyone know any estimates on when scores will come out for FAR?

[Author]

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