[UCFCPA]

So here’s my story:

I’m graduating from the MSA program in December, and I will be starting full-time as a staff accountant in January. I’m not sure yet when to retake FAR (I got a 70 first try) because I’m not sure what busy season will be like at this firm. Luckily, I have until February 2014 before I lose my REG credit. I’m thinking I will retake FAR at the end of May if possible.

Onto my question:

I studied for all 4 exams using only the Wiley books and Wiley test bank (and NINJA audio for BEC). I found them to be perfect for all 3 except FAR. I found the book to be WAY too difficult to focus on for FAR. For my retake, I am debating a few different approaches for the study tools. Should I:

a) Try to keep using the Wiley book, test bank, and just add the NINJA notes, audio, and flashcards?

b) Not use the Wiley book this time but use the test bank, NINJA notes, audio, and flashcards?

c) Or get some type of review course to add to all of the above? I have been researching Roger and Yeager. Their normal courses are just so expensive. Would the CRAM courses of either of the above be enough? And which of the two courses would you recommend?

Thank you for all the advice!

REG (8/7/12) 77
FAR (10/4/12) 70 Retake 5/25/13 84!!!!!!!!!
AUD (11/2/12) 78
BEC (11/30/12) 82

[UCFCPA]

Does anyone have any advice?

REG (8/7/12) 77
FAR (10/4/12) 70 Retake 5/25/13 84!!!!!!!!!
AUD (11/2/12) 78
BEC (11/30/12) 82

[rhine500]

I would buy the Yaeger course which follows through the Wiley book, but they explain it to you. I used only Wiley book for FAR and it took forever to go through and I didn't know which topics are more important than others. The Wiley book has way too much information in it. Yaeger goes over what you need to know.

I would also use Wiley test bank to have more questions to practice.

FAR: 92
AUD: 99
BEC: 90
REG: 95

[Anonymous]

(You can see by my scores I haven't passed FAR yet, so take this advice with however many grains of salt you would like.)

1. Ninja notes are super useful, I would use them with whatever else you decide to do.

2. Ditto for the Wiley test bank, learning happens for me through practice.

3. I have sat through the long form Yaeger course. I felt it was good, although extremely long. They teach everything you will need to know. It is comprehensive. I did not encounter anything on the test and felt like I hadn't seen it before. If you feel like you have trouble grasping concepts and don't understand some topics then this might be for you. They use the Wiley book throughout the course.

4. After my last FAR fail I got the Roger CRAM. I liked it a lot. Roger reviews at a very fast pace. Notice I said “review” not “teach.” The CRAMs are not designed to teach but review quickly. It helped me to have a different view point on some of the topics. He leaves out some some stuff but covers major topics well. Roger has his own book that he sends (at least for the CRAM that's what happened.)

As you are planning to take the exam approx 8 months after you last studied I would suggest going for a full course (either Yaeger or Roger) and use the Ninja notes & Wiley test bank to supplement. Use the Ninja study method. I haven't viewed the entire course with Roger but based on the style I saw in his CRAM, I would guess the full course will be good as well.

It may seem expensive to buy a full course, but you don't want to have to take FAR a 3rd time. Your time is worth something.

Best of luck!

[UCFCPA]

Sounds like the Yeager long course may be my best bet. Thanks guys! I will definitely look into it. I may end up taking FAR at the end of February if possible, but for now the plan is still after busy season. We'll see when I get to work!

I'm nervous to be working and taking this exam at the same time. Even taking it with a full load of graduate classes has been rough. Thanks again for the advice! 🙂

REG (8/7/12) 77
FAR (10/4/12) 70 Retake 5/25/13 84!!!!!!!!!
AUD (11/2/12) 78
BEC (11/30/12) 82

[Anonymous]

Since my question is along the same lines, I thought I'd post here hoping for some great advice:

I took FAR (my first exam) Oct 2012, failed with a 71. I am using CPA Excel (not overly impressed, but it's what I have). For this re-match, I decided to get the NINJA notes, which I really like so far, but have been going through and rewriting as a starting point to refresh my memory. Any advice on how much to actually use my CPA Excel books, or do you guys think using my Ninja notes and cpaexcel sims/mcq's will suffice?

Thank you!

[UCFCPA]

Does anyone know when Roger or Yeager might be having a discount sale? I qualify for the student discounts on both, but it's not much. I'm just trying to figure out if I wait til the end of the year or another holiday if the discounts would be better.

I don't qualify for the convert review course discount because Wiley doesn't count as a review course 🙁

REG (8/7/12) 77
FAR (10/4/12) 70 Retake 5/25/13 84!!!!!!!!!
AUD (11/2/12) 78
BEC (11/30/12) 82

[Anonymous]

C32 – I have been using CPA Excel as well and once I got through the material once, I really didn't go back and use the text for anything unless I couldn't figure out why a question was answered a certain way. I used NINJA notes for AUD and used them as my main focus of study after getting through the material. I haven't purchased the FAR materials yet but am concerned that the lectures won't delve into the problems deep enough. If I pass AUD, though, I can't see myself buying a different review when it already helped me pass 3 parts. To answer your question, if you have been through the material already, I would use the NINJA notes and MCQ/SIMs unless you can't figure out the answer to a certain question.

UCF – I'm waiting for some holiday specials to pop up as well….there were some last year.

[UCFCPA]

Thanks CrockPot! I'm waiting for a good special around the holidays then.

REG (8/7/12) 77
FAR (10/4/12) 70 Retake 5/25/13 84!!!!!!!!!
AUD (11/2/12) 78
BEC (11/30/12) 82

[STAT]

UCF – I would call Yaeger and ask them if they have any sales going on or coming up. I did that last week for the Regulation cram course and they gave me a coupon code to save $100 off, which was a third of the price.

[Anonymous]

I just saw that Yaeger is offering $50 off for a single course (this week)

[UCFCPA]

STAT- thanks! I'll definitely call instead of doing it online.

REG (8/7/12) 77
FAR (10/4/12) 70 Retake 5/25/13 84!!!!!!!!!
AUD (11/2/12) 78
BEC (11/30/12) 82

[Author]

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