[NEWCPA!!!]

Hey everyone, I come to this community for guidance and encouragement.

I originally took FAR with about 10 weeks of preparation and failed with a 72. I was discouraged but I had also quit multiple times preparing for the test because the material was so difficult and i didn’t think i had it in me. However, I stuck with it through and as I continued to study (after giving up for a day maximum at a time) and i strongly believe that if it was not because of my bad time management skills in the test I would’ve been able to finish the test. On my last test packet I only had about 30 minutes and it was not close to being enough.

Discouraged, I moved on to REG and was able to take it between quarantine and passed with an 86.

Now, I come full circle back to FAR and I need advice to restudy. I know I got it in me but i haven’t reviewed FAR in almost 6 months. My weak areas for FAR from my diagnosis from the AICPA was accounting fundamentals if I recall correctly.

I’ve read people spend between 3 – 6 weeks restudying for an exam and I’m not planning on rewatching lectures and instead reading over my notes I wrote my first take but should i ditch the 3 – 6 week plan and instead completely restudy again?

I will be studying full time but I am a very slow learner and it takes me very long to get through MCQ and simulations. On the actual exam and the practice I use excel but on my practice and on my first take of FAR i used pen and pencil which I think was one of the main reasons i was short on time.

I am also using only Becker as of now, I’d love to explore other options but I’m working with a very limited budget and the Becker materials were provided to me by my firm. On average I scored about low 60’s on the practice test from Becker and I made a 72 on the actual test.

I apologize for the long post, I really tried to make it as descriptive as possible to ask for help. If anybody has tips or suggestions I would really appreciate it!

My two options as of now are:
1. Retest for FAR in 4 weeks-ish (31 days)
2. Retest for FAR in 7 weeks-ish (53 days)
**based on the release dates for score by the AICPA starting to study on 8/9 to 9/8 or 9/30

TLDR questions:
1. Average restudy time FOR FAR?
2. Is it recommended to restudy from scratch with how long its been since i saw the material?
3. Which option would you recommend as the best strategy?

I am posting this at 2:37 am because this retest has been living in my head since I found out my score. Here’s to hoping I never have to think about this again!

[lfranc8]

@strugglingaspiringcpa Let me tell you about FAR!! Please do not get discouraged.

So I to failed FAR with a 72. I studied for 6 months(way to long now). But I got married and bought a house.
I had never failed at anything in my life (school/studying wise). I even passed AUD on my first try and 1st time taking the exam. This was a huge blow to my ego! So I did what every one said to do and did a retake 6 weeks later. This was a terrible idea for me I should have moved on to another exam. I failed with a 63. Got my ass handed to me. So I then switched to BEC in the middle of studying for that exam I was in major car accident broke my arm and 2 fingers on my right hand(the hand I write with!). Long story short I pass BEC after teaching myself how to write in finger splints. So I circle back to FAR. I used Wiley and Ninja. I did everything in Wiley. If I didn't understand it in Wiley I found the video's in Ninja. For example, consolidations and diluted earnings per share are better explained in Ninja than in Wiley. I worked SIMS till I couldn't work them anymore (this was a weak area for me). I passed with an 81. I like the second option. Take your time if you have it. Some people will disagree with me. But I am not a crammer. I used flashcards also and that help to keep things fresh. My only piece of advice after being at this for 2 years is that you can't stop living. Some nights you have to take a break and get outside. Good luck! You will do it.

[monikernc]

@strugglingaspiringcpa First, you have to mentally let the fail go – turn it loose, forget about it and free yourself because it is over and done. Then change your name to hopefulaspiringcpa – it is not a struggle it is a process and you will succeed.
Next, I think you need to listen to lfranc8 and really work through the material to grasp what FAR demands in order to pass. Give yourself enough time – not too much, not too little and learn not memorize the material while building confidence.

As I love to say, positive self-talk matters, you can do this, now get it!

FAR 7/25/15 76!
AUD 10/30/15 93
BEC 2/27/16 82
REG 5/23/16 88!
Ninja Book and MCQ and the forum - all the way!!!
and a little thing i like to call, time and effort!
if you want things to change, you have to do something different

[lfranc8]

@strugglingaspiringcpa I totally agree with @monikernc!! I never realized how bad my self-talk was. I literally read good self-talk things on pinterest!! It really does help! So stay focused, do good self talk, and take a walk outside when it all seems like its to much!And at the end of the day this is a test… that is all it is. There is so much else that is way worse then this and honestly it took a car wreck for me ( I crossed 5 lanes of traffic and took out a street sign. I was a lucky one and walked away) to realize this.

[Recked]

As they say, you are not 3 points away from a pass, you are 75 points away from a pass on your re-try.
6 months is a big gap for FAR. I would probably try to do a complete restudy. The minor details that you might skip over could cost you that final point you need to pass. If you are unable to do a complete restudy with your current provider, you might want to try using a different provider that might teach things slightly differently. Focus on your time management, and lots of MCQs. The idea of re-reading your own notes, that ultimately resulted in a fail, doesn't sound like a solid approach to me.

[RobOh]

I agree with Recked that the complete restudy would sound like a good plan at this point. You will notice that it will be quicker this time because stuff will come back to you but there will also be areas that you will sure be glad that you went back over them. Everyone's learning style is different but that extra time could be the difference of putting you over the hump.

[NEWCPA!!!]

Thanks so much for your kind words guys, I didn't realize I came across as slightly down but I'm thankful for this awesome community. I will make sure to keep myself motivated through this process and come back to this forum because you guys are so encouraging!

I think moving on to REG and BEC was the best decision ever, as of today I have successfully passed both on my first try with a 84 and 80. My confidence is definitely 300 times higher than it was after my first FAR test and I will keep in mind the suggestions made in this forum as I prepare to restudy this coming week.

I haven't decided what strategy I want to choose just yet (although I am leaning more towards a complete re-study), but I was suggested by some friends to go over the final review to get a high level overview of the content and then go over the textbook all over again. It's tough making decisions when there are so many ways of going about this but I'm so thankful for I have this community and friends to ask for guidance for this re-test. I will definitely keep you guys updated!

[monikernc]

Congrats! You are now succeedingaspiringcpa Now go get FAR by any means necessary.

FAR 7/25/15 76!
AUD 10/30/15 93
BEC 2/27/16 82
REG 5/23/16 88!
Ninja Book and MCQ and the forum - all the way!!!
and a little thing i like to call, time and effort!
if you want things to change, you have to do something different

[NEWCPA!!!]

I passed FAR guys!! I did a complete restudy of FAR with handwritten notes on all MCQ/Outlines for Simulations and retaking the practice tests. Definitely did not walk out of the test with the best spirit but I am thankful to have finished with this monster test. On to my last exam with Audit!! Thanks for the support guys!!!

[CH89]

That's awesome! Congratulations on passing FAR. Just one left, you got this!

[monikernc]

Congratulations! 🎉

FAR 7/25/15 76!
AUD 10/30/15 93
BEC 2/27/16 82
REG 5/23/16 88!
Ninja Book and MCQ and the forum - all the way!!!
and a little thing i like to call, time and effort!
if you want things to change, you have to do something different

[Tncincy]

Wow, Congrats!!!!

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

[NEWCPA!!!]

GUYS!!! I PASSED AUDIT! I HAVE OFFICIALLY PASSED ALL MY CPA EXAMS!!!

Thank you so much for encouraging me and your wise words of guidance before taking FAR. It really made a difference in my attitude and studying strategy. I will forever remember this community. Thank you all!

[Author]

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