[mb0363]

Hey everyone!

I failed FAR with a 60 the first time around. I realize a 15 point increase is no joke. The first time I knew I was unprepared going in, but took it anyways. I am currently wrapping up Becker chapter 9, going on Chapter 10 next week. I have re-watched every lecture, done every homework problem, have handwritten notes for every lecture, and I have spent a few days doing just progress tests trying to keep the information fresh. This leaves me with about 1.5 weeks for a final review.

So my question is, how have you all utilized your review time?

Everyone keeps saying focus on your weak areas, but obviously every area was weak for me. There’s so much material for FAR that its been really hard to remember everything I’ve learned in previous chapters, and I really want to use my last week just cramming in as much in my memory as I can.

This could potentially be my last exam and out of all the others FAR has intimated me the most.

BEC - PASS
AUDIT - PASS
REG - PASS
FAR - PASS

[Rocky123]

FAR is intimidating. I failed the first time too because I didn't study enough. It's also my last exam.

I plan on doing as many mc's and sims as I can stomach during the week before the exam. I have been doing progress tests to keep all of the material fresh. It's easy to lose points on one of your stronger areas if you forget a rule or an exception to that rule.

The tallest oak in the forest was once just a little nut that held its ground.

AUD-PASS
BEC-PASS
REG-PASS
FAR-PASS

Rocky123, CPA

[Anonymous]

I just took FAR and am a bit nervous about how I've done… to constitute a 60, how do you think you did on the mc and how many sims did you feel comfortable with? Just looking for somewhat of a ballpark comparison.

[Determined CPA]

My advice is to break the topics down into pieces so that you aren't so overwhelmed. If it takes you an entire Saturday to start getting 80-90s on the MCQs, then it's worth it. Jumping from topic to topic sometimes makes it harder to fully understand the material.

Here are some things I've done in the past and find they really help:

1. I keep the book open in front of me, look at the heading and then cover the book and try and remember as much from that topic as possible. then I look back at the book and fill in the missing gaps.

2. Don't be afraid to devote full days to topics you aren't understanding but you know will be heavily tested. I spent an entire weekend on variance analysis for the BEC exam.

3. Take as many progress tests and do as many mcq's as possible. When you get something wrong, read the explanation and write it down if that helps. Then at night, re-read those questions.

4. I have pages of journal entries by chapter and topic that I review daily.

5. I listen to the ninja audio in the car on the way to work (about 30 mins). THIS HELPS! Even if you are dazing off, which of course try to avoid doing, somehow the information sticks! On the way home, I let myself listen to music because I know once I get home, it's 3 hours of studying before bed. I also read the ninja notes 5 times and re-write them as Jeff suggests.

6. Weekends, unfortunately, are not for doing anything fun! I'm having a panic attack that Thanksgiving is 2 days before my test because in my mind, I need to be studying. Its work, study, sleep, repeat! When you are exhausted and can't do another MCQ – do 10 more! Trust me, it will pay off.

7. I also do the Becker final review. I do this 3 weeks out from my exam (I actually need to do my FAR final review this weekend) and then I actually refer to that more than the regular book.

Again, this is just my advice. As you can see from my scores, I work very hard for barely passing grades. Some people can do much less with better scores. For me, all this is needed just to pass.

I know this seems like a lot to do, but it is totally manageable. Just keep at it and you will pass!

A - 75
B - 78 God is good.
F - 77 Answered prayers.
R - 84! Done!!

Paperwork sent - waiting for license!!
Still on a cloud and in shock. Through God, all things will happen.

[noSleepCPA]

I suggest taking as many progress tests as you can. When reviewing for FAR, I took progress tests with 20 questions for each chapter. Each time, I wrote down my results and the questions/subjects I got wrong. Then i reviewed those problem subjects and did more progress tests. I went from a 58 to a 77 in FAR so I'm sure you can too. Good luck!

BEC-61,68,75
FAR-63,63,58,77
AUD-64
REG-59,64

When can I get my life back?

[mb0363]

@nosleepCPA you showed amazing improvement! exactly what i need to do. Hope to do the same.

@determinedCPA I definitely feel the same, barely passed BEC and REG but studied my butt off.

@Rocky, good luck to you!

@cpanj where is your advice? jk…i just read your post and believe me, you did NOT score a 60. I was uncomfortable with it all. I have passed 2 of my exams with weaker sections. If your simulations do come back weaker, you could very well manage a 75 or above.

Thank you all for your advice!!! Plan to take it all into account during my last week and a half.

BEC - PASS
AUDIT - PASS
REG - PASS
FAR - PASS

[Anonymous]

Definitely do a lot of progress tests. Do MCQs over and over and over. Make notes about why you got questions right and why you got them wrong.

Do NOT overlook governmental and not-for-profit.

And, last but certainly not least, KNOW HOW TO DO JOURNAL ENTRIES. This will make such a big difference on MCQs and simulations. Get in the habit of visualizing everything in terms of the JE you would use to record the transaction(s). I especially found this helpful on bond and stock transactions, business combinations/consolidations, and nonmonetary exchanges. When I answered MCQs, I would write out the JEs so I could see how all the pieces fit together. Developing that habit helped me on my exam. It saved time, and it gave me confidence that my answers were right.

As for simulations, I personally don't think it is a good idea to confine your learning to the context of sims. I believe it is more important to have a firm grasp of the underlying concepts. If you've done 5 bond-related sims that all asked you to fill in an amortization table, it's easy to develop a false sense of security about your knowledge of bonds. Then, on exam day, when you get a sim that says “Here are 5 bond transactions. Show me the JEs,” are you going to panic because you've never seen that before or are you going to smile because you know bonds so well that you can whip out JEs just as easily as an amortization table? My advice is to get comfortable with the software for the sims, but spend more time drilling the concepts, calculations, and JEs than actually completing the sims.

[mb0363]

@CaseyTX Thank you!! I have read your advice here and in other threads, you really have great tips and are so helpful. Plan to do just that.

BEC - PASS
AUDIT - PASS
REG - PASS
FAR - PASS

[23K]

@ noSleepCPA —

How did you stay focused as positive – I've failed FAR 3 times just like you

AUD--52,68,83, expired. Retake = 74 RETAKE - 7.24.26
FAR--73,70,68,75
BEC-- 79
REG-- 68,62,75

[noSleepCPA]

@23K it wasn't easy and I felt like an idiot. I spent a lot of time studying for that section so I felt defeated when I saw my failing score for the 3rd time (and it's much lower!). Had to remind myself to just keep going and not think about the scores. Focus on the subjects you were “weak” in and really try to work on those areas until it makes more sense to you. Do alot of progress tests until you feel comfortable. Don't worry, you worked so hard so don't give up!! It will all come together!

BEC-61,68,75
FAR-63,63,58,77
AUD-64
REG-59,64

When can I get my life back?

[Author]

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