[notanother71]

As my handle dictates, I just took and failed my first section of the CPA (yeeehaw!!). I took FAR and got a 71 my first try and in my scoring report I was “stronger” on the multiple choice and “a complete and utter failure” on the TBS. Okay, it didn’t exactly say “complete and utter failure” but it certainly said weaker. The thing that killed me was the amount of focus on journal entries. I understand the concepts well enough to do the multiple choice questions but when it comes time to do journal entries I feel a bit like a fish out of water.

I came here at the advising of a friend and after several late night google searches for advice about what to do to get this monkey off my back. The amount of study time isn’t a problem as I don’t start work until the end of august. I am using Becker self study and for the most part am super impressed with the program. Since getting my failing score and taking a bit of a study break to drink and fish almost every day, I am back to the grind and thus far have been taking a 50 question practice test every day to stay sharp on the mc and have gone through and put a flag next to every journal entry in the FAR book with the intent to memorize or at least vigorously study them. I originally intended to memorize but I feel like that doesn’t accomplish the goal of understanding the framework that is so crucial to passing. So my question is this, how do you veterans recommend getting more proficient with journal entries and the sims in general?

This was my first exam and I’m sure nerves played a bit of a role in my lackluster showing but I still feel like I need just a few tips to get over the hump and knock this thing out. any advice or criticism is much appreciated!

[msgolds]

Honestly the best way to learn the journal entries is to write them out consistently.

One thing I did was every time I did an MC regarding a transaction, I would write out the J/E even if I didn't need to in order to answer the question. I'd also try and write out any disclosures. This helped them get ingrained in your memory.

BEC - 90 PASSED
FAR - 84 PASSED
AUD - 93 PASSED
REG - 84 PASSED

I DID IT!!!!

Using Becker Self-Study

"If we were put here to carry a great weight, then the very things we hate are here to build those muscles."

[notanother71]

great tip, thanks so much. Ill definitely start doing that.

[Author]

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