[Anonymous]

1st full week of studying for my retake. I jumped right into Ninja MCQ, and about half way done. My average score is 78-the topics I am weak on are no surpise. I started to re-write my own notes today, but that was so de-motivating, I didn’t get very far. Tomorrow I need to re-write my notes (they are disjointed from my first test, I want to re-write them by topic in a new notebook). I really need to re-read my Becker book on acquisitions, equity method, and non-monetary exchanges so far. My plan is to get through the rest of the Ninja MCQ by end of next week, and re-write the rest of my notes. I then plan on printing out Ninja notes (didn’t utilize last time) and then jump into SIMS, while re-doing the missed MCQ in Ninja and continue re-reading the book. How are others approaching their re-take?

[Tncincy]

I feel like I am behind if I don't do mcq's right a way, although I don't, but I keep going trying to get through all of the material before trying to conquer the mcq's. I feel like I am always learning. I want to be ready and I go so far then I feel stuck 🙁 Maybe I'm just panicking.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Tncincy]

Panic and insecurity over, back to study. Thanks guys for your support. 🙂

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Anonymous]

@Tncincy-panic is my middle name! The first time around, I would do MCQ after each module, that's a better way to retain the info in my opinion. I think progress tests after each chapter or a couple of chapter should also help review as you go! Happy studying! 🙂

[msquared17]

I hope everyone is making good progress on studying. I realized today that I can't take any shortcuts. Taking notes might be the key to my success. I find that when I read, take notes and do mcq right away, I'm getting about 65% correct. I don't think that's bad for a first attempt. My goals this weekend are to finish F3, complete sims for F1-F3 and do a progress test for F1-F3.

What are your study goals for the weekend?

[Tncincy]

@msquared17
Trying to clear my head with score release stuff, and get to work. My goal is to get through the rest of the materials and get those mcq's under belt. Hey, study hard, with all the changes we will need it.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[msquared17]

@tncincy – my fingers are crossed that I will be able to take the exam in this testing window. I just applied for the re-exam with my state board. I'm hoping it only takes a few days to get a new NTS. This is all very disappointing.

oh well, back to studying.

[Anonymous]

That score release stuff is madenning! oh well:) I plan on finishing up government accounting notes and finishing gov't accounting MCQ in ninja -have 86 of the new questions left there. I also have about 80 of the ones I missed last time that I have to get through, oh and take notes on NFP accounting. Tomorrow, I hope to start SIMS…and continue doing MCQ for the next 2 weeks. Did a really quick set of 20 questions in Becker-chapter 1 and 2-90%, my average in Ninja is currently 74%…My trending is higher (82%), but I decided that trending is not as indicative and paying close attention to my average! Happy studying!

[Anonymous]

Hello my fellow FAR re-takers. I am exactly 2 weeks away from my test! I am switching to SIMS. I just looked at the Blueprint and plan on focusing my attention on the skills practices and SIMS in Becker that correspond to the blueprint-so far, it looks like the “analysis-type” questions focus on the financial statement preparation and discrepancies, Inventory, PP&L, Consolidated financials, and leases. Other areas are contingencies and commitments and subsequent events. I am going to do other SIMS as well, but want to get these done first. There are no “analysis-type”questions for pensions, or government accounting, so while I will complete those SIMS, I will make sure to know the concepts for MCQ. I will continue to take progress tests in Becker and Ninja and focus on my weak areas but need to get these SIMS done! How is everyone else doing?

[msquared17]

@anyatver – That sounds like a solid plan. You are rocking and rolling 

I have a dilemma and need some advice. Let me start by saying this a retake but I’m approaching it like its my first time. Which means lectures and taking notes. Here we go….I really want to take the exam by 2/26. The reasons for this date is because my Audit review class starts 2/26 and I have a work trip from 3/5 – 3/10. I don’t know if I should change my approach or stay the course and at the latest, take the exam on March 2nd. Right now I’m reading, taking notes, skills practice, mcq (first pass), review, mcq (any wrong) and them move on to the next chapter. I completely underestimated how long it takes to write notes. However, I have found this step to be very helpful (not something I did the first time around). In order to take the exam on 3/2 and still have 10 days for review, I will need to be done with everything by 2/18. That’s not realistic with my current study method. I will need to skip taking notes and just pound mcq and sims and take notes on the concepts I’m not getting right. Does that sound doable??? If I stay the course, I will not be able to take the exam until April.

Feeling defeated right now :/

[Anonymous]

@msquared17-are you on the clock for any other sections? The reason I ask is if you are are not, it might make sense to slow down, however, momentum here is also key as more time spent with the material sometimes backfires and you forget things….If you don't mind me asking, what was your first score? The reason I am asking is if it was in the high 60s, then maybe taking notes on everything is an overkill? The other way to shortcut this would be to take Becker outlines and re-write those-and then take notes around them, as you are doing MCQ on the ones you are getting wrong. I am not sure if you are even using Becker. Another shortcut would be to listen to lectures on your way to or from work, this way at least you are with the material in audio format.

[msquared17]

@anyatver – I took the exam in Dec and got a 52. I started out strong for F1 – F4. Lost my motivation and decided and just went through the motions for F5 –F10. I completed the mcq’s but I didn’t fully learn the topics. My final review was pretty much nonexistent. I took the exam anyway “just because”. My biggest issue is that I’m easily distracted and not focused. When I work, work and rework the questions, I totally get it. Yes, I’m using Becker and taking the live online course. This has been helpful with hearing the info from a different perspective than the self study lectures.

[Anonymous]

Oh, ok-I see what you mean-then you do need to study like it's the first time. I think with this section in particular, no shortcuts work and you are better off taking time and pushing your exam if needed instead of taking and re-taking it multiple times. Do you have a study plan which you are following? (like 1 chapter a week, or two, etc.?) I can commiserate-note taking does take forever, and a huge time suck!

[msquared17]

I was thinking I could do 2 chapters a week. I think I could realistically I can do 1.5 a week. Taking bites is the biggest time suck. But I think that’s the reason I’m able to get through the mcq within a decent time.

[msquared17]

Ok- I should proof read before hitting submit. Lol

*taking notes is the biggest time sucker*

[Anonymous]

LOL-taking bites is too! 🙂

[Author]

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