[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

[Jen-J]

Good luck tomorrow Ana! I hope this is the end of FAR for you and good luck on BEC.

[Lentilcounter]

@Ana
I meant you said to focus on the tax stuff not the tax law stuff. LOL. I'm not kidding. Working on the blueprints now. I won't have it done though probably until Friday or Saturday.

@Jen
good luck on Saturday

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

[Ana]

Thanks Jen! I'm sure I've annoyed everyone on here enough, time to move on to BEC.

@Lentil I'll be ready to help you out with Reg, don't rush with the blueprint. There's plenty to do in the meantime. We have to switch info though bc like I said I don't have access to Reg in Becker anymore.

[Lentilcounter]

@Ana
Will do. Not sure how to do the info switch thing without using another contact medium. Networking and sharing contact info is breaking Another 71 ten commandments. I will think about another way.

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

[Hitz]

FAR 2018 Changes
hi everybody,
I just started studying for FAR with Becker, they didn't mention anything about the 2018 changes and i am planning to write the exam in Jan 2018……
Will the Becker software will automatically be updated with the Revenue recognition changes ?? and when..its already Nov

Can anyone please help??

[Lentilcounter]

Be sure to study with V3.1. You should have received an email from Becker saying that they made an update.

Financial V 3.1 – The following units and modules have been updated for new standards that become testable on January 1, 2018:

F1 Modules 3 and 4 – Revenue Recognition (ASU 2014-09, as amended)
F4 Module 1 – Financial Instruments (ASU 2016-01)
F7 Modules 1–3 – Pensions and Postretirement Benefits (ASU 2017-07)
F7 Modules 3–6 – Not-for-Profit Accounting (ASU 2016-14)

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

[jeff]

Ask the NINJAs – How to Study 20 Hours a Week

Ask the NINJAs: How to Study 20 Hours a Week for the CPA Exam

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

[Katie]

@Hitz

Becker sent an email saying the software would be updated 11/9/17 for 2018 changes.

[Anonymous]

@Katie and @Hitz-got that e-mail as well. You are only to use the V3.1 version if you are testing in January and beyond. I hate when they do it-gotta remember not to switch versions as my test is 2 weeks away

[Earla Riopel (NYCARE)]

@Jeff,
As to,
Glad you're liking the BLITz vids, Earla 🙂
I wish I had used these Blitz videos in 2016 Q4 & 2017 Q1/Q3, which I didn't. My fault. My scores could have been higher for sure. These videos are great, especially for a visual learner.

As to,
Ask the NINJAs – How to Study 20 Hours a Week
https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-how-to-study-20-hours-a-week/

I tried to put 8-12 hrs per day, per section. My exams for FAR/BEC/REG are in the last week of Q4.

I have added the Ninja writing strategy, I have been writing a lot in the last month, making notes while answering MCQs. I have a collection of 600+ MCQs (per section) of AICPA Newly Released MCQs date back 2005 to 2016. I noticed similarity of the MCQs questioning in last Q3 exams. So, I am paying attention on these questions, this time around.

Looking forward doing Ninja MCQs & SIMs app in few days, after I am done with the Ninja Blitz. Likely, I would see most of the above mentioned AICPA MCQs in the Ninja MCQs app.

I allocated at least 3 weeks for Ninja MCQs/SIMs, 1 week per section. This time, I would like to do 1,000-1,500+ MCQs + all SIMs per section. Then, I would be comfortable going into Prometric.

I am studying a lot for the Q4 exams, more than I normally do in the past.

Again, thanks Jeff for your help. It's always appreciated.

[kara]

Lentilcounter:

So glad that I hear it looks like you got a different testlet then me! I also finished with 30 minutes left to spare! Hopefully we are both winners. I am feeling more confident as the days go but I don't want to get my hopes up!!!! I am starting to study for audit but I find it a lot less entertaining then FAR difficult to stay focused and study.

Everyone else MAKE SURE YOU KNOW CASH TO ACCRUAL LOL!!!!!!! AT THE ANALYSIS LEVEL…… all I am going to say about that.

[Recked]

Just tried a practice test with Roger.
MCQ times were slow off the bat, I think I had about 2:15ish left after the 2 testlets.
The Roger Sims were all pretty fast and easy. Ended up finishing the practice with about an hour left.
3 questions were research, one DRS, and one Direct Cash Flow problem. (Granted I have done all of these SIMS before, besides the research.)
Did not feel comfortable or confident with the MCQ but ended up getting 60 out of 66 correct.
SIMS were 5 of 8 correct, but they grade SIMS pass fail so curious to see how much of them I actually got correct but still no points for.
Time to review.

Good luck everyone, keep on grinding away!

[Wannafree]

@Kara if it is in blueprint then I am covered as not leaving any analysis stone upturned as failed thrice .As such I don't see anything like that in Blueprint but I am good in cash to accrual and accrual to cash.

[Ana]

Info from taking the exam today:
Timing – mcqs about 42 minutes each, 1st sim testlet approx 35, 2nd sim testlet (with research question) approx 35, 3rd testlet 1.15 hours. I did the exam as slow as I could, checked my answers and used the AL throughout the sims which I've never done for FAR before. I'm really happy with my time on this test.

MCQ – probably the hardest set of questions I've gotten in all 4 attempts. They were longer and more detailed. I was really nervous (crapping my pants) that the 2nd testlet would get easier bc I might not have done as well and thankfully it felt just as hard if not harder than the 1st set. Questions from all over the place, random stuff, you have to know everything and the nuances. I got strong on MCQ last time and this was harder. I checked a few answers when I got to my car and got some right and some wrong on those I had narrowed down. These mcq were more in line with Becker than Ninja for me this time around. I was trending about high 80s in Becker and Ninja. But I've done waaaaaaay more questions in Becker than Ninja. MCQ topics totally different than mcq in Q3.

Sims – sample test is HIGHLY recommended, got a sim from last FAR attempt too, 2 topics that weren't on the blueprint, and overall sims are challenging. I think I did better on the SIMS this time than last time but maybe little worse on MCQ this than last time. Since I took FAR in Q3, I was expecting how hard the SIMS would be and it didn't shock me this time. Like I mentioned above, I used the AL throughout the SIMS to try to pick up points and confirm what I was thinking. Practice the blueprint and it should help a ton.

If I'm missing anything let me know. I wish I could give you guys all the details but you know I can't.

[Ana]

site won't let me post the above on the ‘far exam experience' thread, if anyone would like to add it for me, great…if not, they can find it here.

[Author]

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