[Anonymous]

So my 6 months ran out and the last chance I can take FAR is 2-28 or I have to reschedule. I am not even close to ready, meaning I’ve only covered about 3 sections of the material at this point. I studied ALOT for BEC, but have still failed 5 times. I was using Gleim which was not explaining FAR concepts well at all, I was bombing all the MCQ’s and getting really frustrated, so I have since switched to ROGER CPA about a week ago. (I know, I am a total mess at this!)

SHOULD I EVEN SHOW UP TO TAKE IT???? Here’s my issue: I work 45-50 hours a week, so if I skip out early to take, I will probably have to make up the hours somewhere, and let’s be real, it will take a miracle to pass. Then I will have to tell my boss & co-workers that once again I did not pass! So do I take 3-4 hours to take a multiple guess test, or cut my losses and take next testing window?

What would you do?

[MCLKT]

There are some other threads on this topic:

https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/far-in-six-days-currently-ten-total-hours-of-study-time

https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/planning-to-fail

https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/far-in-80-hours

I wouldn't take it. Call it a loss and get ready for the next one. Although, most people will say take it anyway for exposure, etc. I was in the same situation, and took the exam for “exposure” and also to help my fellow testers by lowering the curve 🙂 But, if I had to do it again, I wouldn't have gone.

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

[LSNYC]

If it might cause an issue for you at work i would skip it. Normally i would say take it but it isn't worth causing an issue at your job if you don't feel ready. I hate telling people at work when i am sitting, I almost always schedule my exam for weekends so i can avoid talking about it at work, I don't like my poss messaging me pop quizzes during the day, and asking how it was, better I try to keep it to myself if I can.

I wanted to comment on the Gleim material, as it is my main study material right now too. You need to find a material that works for you, and its very possible Gleim isn't it. It is working for me so far, I also had Becker and did not like it at all, while other people swear by it. But everyone learns in different ways. I would supplemented with NINJA for BEC next time it really helped me, also I added the Wiley test bank as some of the Gleim questions i didn't like, i use both test banks and it makes a difference for me.

A - 61, 91!!
B - 78!
F - 76!!!
R - 71, 73, 74, 69, 77!!!!

Finally done!

This is my 2nd attempt at the exam, I had two parts passed (failed many) and I stupidly quit, big mistake. Now I'm back and with a vengeance!

[Goods]

I'd skip it. I sat for FAR before when I knew I had no business taking it. Even though I knew I wasn't going to pass it still was hard seeing the failing score and affected my motivation.

FAR - 72, 69, 88 (Nov 2012)
AUD - 89 (Jan 2013)
REG - 85 (Feb 2013)
BEC - 83 (May 2013)
Ethics - Passed

Becker, Wiley TB, Ninja Audio

[Anonymous]

@camouflage I am with the others I believe you should consider it a sunk cost. Before taking FAR, I think it is necessary to, at a minimum, to complete all of the MC's in your review course at least twice and prefarably three times.

I am afraid you would just end up frustrating yourself if you go “just to see” and guess your way through. Your next exam will not be the same so just showing up is not going to benefit you at all.

Good Luck!

[Anonymous]

Thanks to all for the advice! I am about 90% sure I am going to skip it. I would really like to be able to say that I passed FAR the first time since my BEC track record is so outta control!

[Anonymous]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say take it. I walked out the first time I took FAR after the MCQ because I was so hungry and drained from studying all day up until my 6pm test, that I just couldn't think anymore. And I ended up doing pretty well on the mcq.

But honestly I thought it was a pretty valuable experience. I got a great sense of whats tested the most (what people aren't allowed to say per disclosure rules) and what I need to focus more on.

Don't think of it as “i'm not going to pass this time” think of it more as scouting an opponent for the big game next time. It honestly helped me a lot for my test tomorrow.

[henryv]

Nice decision.

FAR - 92 02/2013
AUD - 90 05/2013
REG - 85 10/2013
BEC - 80 12/2013

I'M DONE. THANK YOU LORD!

[J]

My opinion seems to go against the tide as well but unless you would feel psychologically deflated by failing, why not go ahead and take it? You're going to lose the money for registration regardless given that the six months have passed. I don't know exactly how poorly you are faring with the FAR MC questions, but raw scores are almost always lower than the “weighted” scores on the exam.

Why am I saying this? While I feel that I prepared adequately for FAR, my preparation for BEC was a joke. I studied on and off (if you can call it that) for three weeks, 30 to 35 hours total (I don't count them like some people do but that's my estimate), and didn't even do multiple choice questions for three of the eight sections in the Wiley review book. I was debating even going to take the exam, was sick during the week leading up to it and the day of the exam, and decided to just go to get some practice as it was my first exam. Ended up with an 85.

Obviously it's your decision but just because you don't feel prepared should not automatically be a dis-qualifier. Besides, I doubt anyone ever feels 100% prepared for FAR.

With respect to your boss and co-workers, don't tell them anything. They don't need to know. Say that you decided not to take it but took a personal day off or whatever.

Good luck regardless.

[jw_83]

I would have to agree with InterFC1 and banks94. If you are already gonna lose your money, study as much as possible, take it and see what it is like. You never know what could happen and don't worry about your co workers. If they are CPAs then they know how hard the exam is. As far as your study material, you have to pick what works for you. I used CPAExcel for Reg and failed twice. I like the idea of mini lessons and I liked thier study planner. However, I learned that I needed more MCQs. I switched to Gleim for FAR and purchased NINJA notes and finally passed my first exam. My score isn't a phenomenal 99 or anything, but a pass is a pass. I felt Gleim prepared me well enough for FAR because there wasn't anything on my exam that I hadn't seen before. After I took FAR I knew if I had to retake it what I needed to concentrate on for a restudy. Good luck.

REG - 64, 72, 81!
FAR - 77
AUD - 79
BEC - 72, 79! And Done!

[Author]

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