[Anonymous]

So I have failed FAR again with a 73.

I first took FAR in Nov 2011 and didn’t know how to study for the exam. Used 2011 Yaeger full course. Result 65.

Attempted it again, 8/31/12. Used 2011 Yaeger full course and Wiley test bank. Result 68

Resat again 12/6/12. Restudied using ELL method with Roger CRAM, Ninja notes, and Wiley Test Bank. Result 73

I work 40 hours/week, my busy season will start about February. I would like to retake FAR at the end of January or beginning of February. I’m thinking of buying another full course. Yaeger or Roger maybe? or not?

This is getting expensive and discouraging. I’m feeling embarrassed, stupid and desperate. I need whatever suggestions you have.

/deepbreath

[musicamor]

You clearly understand the material given (1) your score progression and (2) your closeness to passing. I believe taking another course will cause you to fail again. Why? Because you already know the material and putting your brain on information overload will cause testing fatigue, believe me, I know.

What you need to do is get the most current Wiley test bank along with questions from CPAreviewForFree.com and just work multiple choice questions–it is clear that your question-answering technique needs to be improved so that you can perform well on the test. I repeat, do not pick up another book or watch another lecture–your time for learning is passed. You need to work MCQs as well as simulations and get used to how the examiners will ask the questions. Additionally, you need to practice writing out the journal entry (or whatever) to visualize the problem and the answer. As you are doing MCQs, have a pad of paper next to you and write out the problem.

Hope this helps.

Texas CPA - licensed in 2012!!!

[Anonymous]

Thanks @musicamor. I do feel as though I understand the concepts. Never do I encounter anything during study that I can't figure out quickly when the correct answer is revealed. I can only guess I am falling prey to choosing the most commonly picked wrong answers. I also believe that I may be weak on sims. I have been completing the exams and leaving nothing blank (albeit with some educated guesses.)

I feel burned out and frankly depressed. If I'm going to retake this in the next month I want to be sure I am doing EVERYTHING I can to finally pass. If it means getting new materials, I will. If it means starting over, I will. I would like to do as you suggest and just continue doing MCP's, but I'm afraid I will kick myself if I come up short again.

Does anyone else have suggestions? What helped you to pass after failing previously?

[Anonymous]

bluegirl,

Please do not let those feelings get you down, you have to be positive. You can do this. Yes YOU CAN.I kind of understand your feelings. I got 70 four times in a row. I did understand the materials but my time management was very poor. (and after each exam I would think to my self if only I had partially finished another SIM I would pass)

So at taking FAR the 5th time here is what I did (I used Becker for everything). I had to trust in me (that even if I did not finish then what I did was sufficient to get that passing score) I was barely completing 2 to 3 SIMS.

Read book, do homework (Example:read chapter 1 do all HW, read chapter 2 do all HW). I would make my own note cards carried them around. I would just pull out random topics and quiz myself. I would journalized numerical questions in every possible ways I could think about. When I was done with Becker HW I did cpareviewfor free MCQs and journalized those as well I definately remembered that they were much harder then Becker's MCQs.

FAR has a lot of materials and the questions can be worded in different ways but have the same answers.

Make your own note cards, study your weak areas until they are comparable or better than your strong areas.

Spend more time on your weaker areas, do not ignore your strong areas though, review after every three chapters.

If you have to talk yourself explaining a concept then do that too. Your scores are progressive.

YES YOU CAN.

Have a happy holiday and best wishes to you

[Anonymous]

Thanks @CPAexamhard I appreciate your feedback.

This journey is different for everyone. I appreciate this community because there are many of us willing to share our struggles and help others learn from it. In real life its a bit harder, it seems like everyone around me is passing with flying colors. I am happy for their success but also find that it makes failure sting even more.

I am beginning to think it may not be the best idea to buy another course. My plan is to go through all of my notes and redigest them. Maybe retype them all. Continue to refer to the Ninja notes and do as many MCP's as I can. I think I will also look into CPAreviewforfree just to mix it up a bit.

[Author]

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