[jeff]

Resources:

Free Study Planner + FAR NINJA Notes (Governmental Accounting): https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-study-plan/

FAR Exam Experience: https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/far-exam-experience-official-thread

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS) | Another71 | NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE

[Anonymous]

Getting through F1 today, I'll try and catch up to F2 soon, so I can be smacked by the HW as well I suppose. :/

[Katydid]

Pamdo-what are you focusing in on this time around? Were there particular topics that you had a difficult time tackling?

I'm having a really hard time getting my head around FAR. I knew it was a monster and I knew not to underestimate it but I'm having such a hard time with it. The concepts are not sinking in and I feel like if I learn something new, it pushes out the old stuff. I'm working on government accounting now. I think it's taken part of my childhood memories as well as important chunks of pension plan information that I needed. My plan is 1 month of review. Finishing up first round of all 10 sections this week and circling back around and hitting it hard for 2 weeks. I'm considering the Becker Final Review or the Ninja 10 point plan for the 2 weeks leading up to the exam.

Anyone have success with either of those in the past?

B-74,84 (Expires 1/31/14)
A-79 (Expires 7/31/13)
R-72,83 (Expires 4/31/14)
F-80 No more expiration worries, I'm Done!

[newleaf]

Feeling really discouraged. I've just found out I didn't pass FAR on my second try. I've been using Gleim, and realized during the exam BOTH TIMES that there were topics covered on the exam that never appeared in the Gleim study materials. They were not calculation questions. They were specific knowledge questions.

I studied about 300 hours for each attempt. I worked those multiple choice questions to death. After the first attempt, I thought I just didn't study certain topics enough and just got a rotten luck of the draw on the questions that were randomly chosen on the exam. But, after the second attempt with the same experience (actually lower score–went from a 73 to a 71), I know now that I need to switch to a different study guide.

Gleim worked for me for the first three exams, but I question how well it really worked given that I had to study SO LONG to get through each section.

What do you guys recommend for someone who has a good breadth of knowledge now for FAR but just needs an extra boost? Should I try Wiley? Thanks!

AUD - 73, 87...done
BEC - 80...done
REG - 69, 76...done
FAR - 73, 71

[Anonymous]

newleaf – do you have the NINJA notes? I got the notes for AUD and they were lifesavers (and they were a BOGO special so I have FAR too). Wiley might be a good addition so you can get some fresh questions as well.

[splinter1643]

Well, I got a 74 on FAR so I'm here now. Planning to take the exam in Feb. Reason why I'm dragging it out: last experience with a 74, it was on AUD, I figured I could retake in about a month, but then I ended up with a 73! Also going to take the time to really understand everything about the material so I get as far away from a 74 as possible. I've re-taken FAR more than once, but I don't think I have a good strategy going, even though I did improve my score by a lot. Any advice for re-studying FAR? I also ended up with “weaker” on simulations, so I am thinking about getting Gleim for that. Any thoughts?

CPA license in progress....

[newleaf]

CrockPot78 – Thanks for the quick response! No, I don't have the Ninja notes, but am seriously considering getting those thanks to you! I could do that with Wiley and cover my bases. I'd like to retake first thing in January, so I'd better get to it tonight. My holidays aren't going to be as jolly this year as I'd hoped.

splinter1643 – I always have done well on simulations, and I think the simulations that Gleim offers are worthwhile. The MCQ's are worthwhile also. Just don't expect to get by with just Gleim for everything. I have learned that the hard way.

AUD - 73, 87...done
BEC - 80...done
REG - 69, 76...done
FAR - 73, 71

[just_shoot_me]

Advice please! I took FAR on 11/30 and got a 74. I used Becker and felt like I got a 94 walking out of the exam. FAR is the last part that I need to pass and I want to take it before MBA classes start back up in January. I'm shooting for a January 4th retake.

I am thinking about using the 10 Point Combo product on this site. Has anyone used it, and if so what were your thoughts? I'm thinking about pulling the trigger tonight, but wanted an opinion or two first. Thanks!

I think I know where to focus, as my diagnostic report read:

Content Area:

Framework and Standards (17-23%)- Stronger

Financial Statement Accounts (27-33%) – Stronger

Specific Transactions/Events (27-33%) -Comparable

Governmental (8-12%)- Weaker

Not-for-Profit (8-12%)- Weaker

by Item Type

Multiple Choice (60%) – Stronger

Simulations (40%) – Weaker

[to_be_a_CPA]

Welp found out that I failed FAR with a 71……. My Becker materials have expired and I used the extension as well. Does anyone have any suggestions on a good review course for FAR? Or should I just purchase Becker again?

AUD- 61,76-PASS!!!
BEC-60,71,76-Pass!!!
REG-66,78-PASS!!!
FAR-71, 81-Pass!!!
MD Candidate

Becker Self Study expired now using Wiley Text Book and Test Bank

[kmanharris]

Got hammered by FAR the first time and ended up with a 58.

I plan on taking it again middle to late January. I am having SUCH a hard time getting motivated. I am using CPAExcel so my plan is to sit down and take the practice exam again. That way I can see exactly what areas I need to focus on again. I just need the motivation to sit down for 4 hours.

I think I did really, really poorly in the government section as well as the damn simulations. Any tips on how to study for the simulations?

FAR - 59, 68, 8/30/13
BEC - 69
REG - TBD
AUD - TBD

[Tncincy]

@kmanharris,

I am using cpaexcel too and I am a little frustrated. It seems to be a little drawn out so I am using wiley books, wiley software, with ninja audio and notes.I am hoping I can make better progress. I really don't want to waste time stressing over review materials even though I review materials are very important. In a nutshell…I am scared to death.

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

[LSNYC]

FAR studiers, I have a question I just started my studying (watching lectures) I am trying to follow the ninja plan. However I am out-of-town this weekend and would prefer not to bring my computer. Do you think it is ok to read the ninja notes even if I haven't finished the lectures? I would really like to get some studying in this weekend but know I won't really be able to watch lectures even if I bring my computer. Any opinions are welcome!

Thanks!

A - 61, 91!!
B - 78!
F - 76!!!
R - 71, 73, 74, 69, 77!!!!

Finally done!

This is my 2nd attempt at the exam, I had two parts passed (failed many) and I stupidly quit, big mistake. Now I'm back and with a vengeance!

[Tncincy]

@LSNYC,

I would take along the ninja notes and start writing them. Use your Ninja audio and start listening. If you have any reading materials whether wiley books or books that came with the software or a kindle app, would use whatever you have. I have found when I do nothing (even out of town) I lose the desire to study. It is easy to say I will get back on track. But I found it to be really hard. Even if you have flash cards or a phone app. Just do something. I hope this helps.

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

[olivertwist1234]

My FAR exam is in exactly one month.

My strategy is to work 90 MCQ's and 7 sims from the Wiley Test Bank every day. I am concentrating on one or two topics at a time, reading my NINJA notes prior to working the MCQ's and adding fact nuggets on the topics I missed. The sims are providing a nice recap of the subject matter.

I will do all of the MCQ's on the Wiley Test Bank before my exam.

And I will rewrite my NINJA notes in condensed form.

I listen to my NINJA audios during the day, and while running at the beach.

Forge on NINJAs and let's conquer this beast!

____________________________________

FAR 1/11/13

AUD

REG

BEC

[just_shoot_me]

@olivertwist1234-

Regarding the audio portion of the notes, what format do they come in? I'd like to upload them to my Android phone and listen to them at the gym. Is something like that possible?

[Anonymous]

I guess its time to get up to speed. I'm scheduled for a retake 1/5 and this is the day my NTS expires so I cannot move my date. That being said I have 23 days ( 1 day off for Xmas) and am currently on section 4.2 not even half way through. I need to speed up my studies, some of the material is coming back to me when I am reading and it is a bit easier now than it was the first few times I took it.

I just don't know if I will have enough time to study it all in depth. REG expires in August so If I fail I do have 1 more testing window to pass but I don't really want that stress.

It's my goal to pass FAR in January.

PS I am only using 2011 Becker for FAR it worked for me last time and hopefully it works again.

[Author]

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