[jeff]

Welcome to the Q4 2017 CPA Exam Study Group for FAR. 🙂

Introduce yourselves and let your fellow NINJAs know when you plan to take your FAR exam.

The Five Steps (NINJA Framework): https://www.another71.com/pass-the-cpa-exam/

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

[Anonymous]

Is this your first test? Considering there are 6 more chapters to go, 5 weeks may not be enough….

[IwannabeaCPA2017]

@anyatver, actually my last test and my 4th attempt LOL. I'm just a little burnout and not motivated now.

[Ana]

@iwanna seriously consider extending. extend now while you can bc that doesn't sound like enough time at all.

[jeff]

Ask the NINJAs:

1) What is the Recommended CPA Exam Study Time Per Section?

2) Do you Really Need to Take CPA Exam Notes?

Ask the NINJAs: Recommended CPA Exam Section Study Time

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

[IwannabeaCPA2017]

@Ana, Yea think I'm going to extend. one major reason why is because I had the issue with previous attempts where I keep extending and I end up falling behind more and forget a lot of stuff. Hopefully that wont be the case this time. 🙂 thanks for all the suggestions.

[Lentilcounter]

1. I can't speak to the exact amount of study hours needed per a section, because I didn't collect my own data very well. However, I would start with FAR if I had to do it all over again. This way, my clock starts only after I pass FAR which I think takes the longest time to study.

FAR, AUD, REG, and BEC. That's how I would have done it instead of BEC, FAR, FAR, AUD, AUD, FAR, FAR (hopefully last time), and REG.

2. Taking notes is the best way to grasp the information. Take notes as you do the problems on the stuff that you get wrong or that you have trouble remembering.

BEC = 72 (6/08/16)
FAR = ?
REG = ?
AUD = ?

[Ana]

1. exact time is very hard to say, it all depends on what other life responsibilities someone has, work, commute, dietary/health issues, kids, household to maintain, spouse, family issues, etc. I think a good goal is to take at least one exam per window, don't move on until you've passed a section, and start with FAR.

2. I'm not a big note taker, I try to take minimal notes bc when it gets past 6 pages per chapter then it takes too long to review them and I'd rather do more mcq or sims.

@iwanna don't do that lol. some people will slack on studying when they extend bc there's more time but don't fall into that trap. also, it's very helpful to do that 20 progress questions after the end of each chapter on everything you've covered so far.

[Lentilcounter]

@iwanna

Sometimes having a truncated timetable with some pressure is healthy.

BEC = 72 (6/08/16)
FAR = ?
REG = ?
AUD = ?

[IwannabeaCPA2017]

@lentil, I agree but FAR being a monster I'm not too sure but at the same time extending it out isn't always the best. I did end up rescheduling giving myself an extra week and I hope to make the best use of this opportunity!! My becker is set to expire soon and I have ninja but that is also expiring a week prior to my exam (originally I had it enough to cover till exam date prior to change) does anyone know if I can extend this for free rather than paying another 47 bucks just for maybe 5 extra days?? Jeff? If I were to retake then I don't mind paying the renewal.. Thanks!

[kara]

Alright,

I finished CPA review through Becker, and have finished Practice exam 1. I wanted to take the practice right after to see how I am doing, I got a 62%, scoring higher in the simulations a lot higher. I feel really good about this because I know once I am able to review my notes and go through each module I will be good. How does everyone review notes? Go through only the things you didn't do well in? I need some tips!!!! Is anyone doing the final exam through becker? If so do you think it is worth it? I am thinking about doing it depending on how my second practice goes. I still have the practice test through the AICPA I will complete this weekend as well before my Test on Halloween.

Any advice, suggestions or tips would be great!!!!!

[Anonymous]

@wannabe If this is a retake, 5 weeks should be more than enough-if it's your last one potentially, I would buckle down and try to go for it!

[Ana]

@kara I review all my notes for one chapter a day. and by all, I have about 4-8 typed notes per chapter so it doesn't take too long, I usually go through it between sets at the gym. I have avoided Becker practice/mocks exams for all of the sections as have ppl I study with. A bad score will really be defeating for me so I don't dare take it. Also, from experience Becker mcq and sims aren't like the actual exam at all (Becker mcq is much more difficult and new sim format on exam is harder) that the score wouldn't correlate to the exam.

[Jen-J]

Kara, I've been doing Final Review since early last week (test on 11/4). I'm finding it helpful so far. I expect to have to go back to the big book here and there for more complicated tasks, but I like the focused overview to keep me on task and it gives me the chance to remind myself about minor points I might have forgotten along the way. It would be worth it to me just as an anxiety management tool. 🙂

[Lentilcounter]

@Kara

I like to do practice exams to see if I am moving along at the correct pace. I agree that Becker MCQ are tougher and more wordy than the actual exam. I would say that Ninja MCQ are more reflective of the exam. I think that the Becker SIMs are not a complete reflection of the exam, but are better than Ninja or Wiley in preparing you for what you are going to see.

I would shoot for at least a 70 on any Becker mock exam that you take. I took only one Becker FAR mock exam and got a 67. My actual score was a 64. Before you freak out, I also did Becker mock exams for audit and got a 70 and 69. My actual score was a 79.

Bottom line – Use the practice tests as a tool to diagnose your weak areas and make sure that you are managing time effectively. If your scores are not where they need to be, don't freak out. Keep on working!

BEC = 72 (6/08/16)
FAR = ?
REG = ?
AUD = ?

[Anonymous]

Statement of Cash Flows… I don't know why, but this section is killing me. The direct/indirect just throws me off. I don't think it's tested very heavily, but does anybody have a good TBS for Cash Flows? Doing a long question with multiple parts helps me understand 10 times better than reading how it works. Any help?

[Author]

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