[I'm, Ron Burgundy?]

Hello Everyone,

I found out 2 weeks ago that I passed Audit and only have FAR to go. The light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter. However, I had some events take place in my personal life literally the week I got my results which was the same week that I was planning to begin to study for FAR. Due to this, I have been in more or less of a depression/study slump for the past 2 weeks and just cannot seem to figure out a way to get back on track.

For my materials I have an old Becker book (useful for accounting material that does not change), the 2013 Wiley Book and NINJA MCQ’s for FAR. The amount of information for FAR is quite in depth and I’m trying to go through the material by chapter in the Wiley Book, do the questions, take the notes, etc. However, it’s taking so long to do as I want to make sure I have a firm grasp before moving to the next section(which is fine as this is a process). However, it becomes somewhat de-motivating.

I’ve used the NINJA method in the past and it’s worked EVERY TIME. I guess I’m just having a hard time getting motivated and am frustrated with myself over it. Can someone please give me some advice on a study plan/motivation to get me back on track? Did anyone use any different methods for tackling FAR i.e. learn topics in a different order, etc.?

Thanks for your feedback.

"If you're going through hell, keep going"
- Winston Churchill

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed."
- Michael Jordan

BEC: (54), (72), 80 (losing credit on 02/02/15 - nervous)
AUD: 78
REG: (74), 91
FAR: (71)

[Kimboroni]

FAR has so much material, so it does take a long time. Please don't let it demotivate you. It will take some time to get there, but it should start clicking.

For me, I tried not to nail anything too early in the process and went for more of a general understanding the first time through. It was much closer to the test date that I went more in-depth to get the firm grasp.

To do that, I did a couple problems for each little area of the text at first and saved most of them for later. Eventually I did them all (well, not quite all, but almost all).

AUD 84 (1/9/14-Wiley books/TB + free materials)
FAR 83 (5/21/14-the above + NINJA 10 Pt Combo Lite)
REG 84 (7/9/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC/Notes)
BEC 76 (10/5/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC)

Disclaimer: My ninja avatar is not meant to imply that I have any affiliation with this site other than being a forum member. That's a pic of a T-shirt that my daughter gave me for my birthday. 🙂

[Tncincy]

Ron,

FAR is just about everybody's worse nightmare….. With that said, the best advice I have gotten is to ditch the books, and the videos, and go mcq nuts. It's really working. tedious but working. for me, I say tedious because I hate getting the wrong answer even though I am in a learning phase. The review phase should be more pleasant. Anyway, the ninja mcq's seem to be going over really well according to that topic, I would go with ninja mcq's but my computer won't play nice (shoot). If you can stand not depending on the book and the videos, this is the way I would go. Let me warn you though …..discipline is the key and you still have to pace so that you don't get overwhelmed. ( experienced another meltdown this morning) the study group is a real help even if you can't post frequent.

So that's it….get r done.

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

[Mamabear]

MCQ! MCQ! MCQ!–FAR is a lot of material that really only comes together when you start working the MCQ. Know your JEs and Formulas.

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[Determined CPA]

I'm, Ron Burgundy? – im in the exact same situation as you! Left FAR for last! I'm finishing up F2 now and it is so much information i have NO idea how i'm going to get through it all and have enough time for my final review.

So many people are saying to ditch the books and lectures and just do MCQ's but I feel like I will get every single question wrong if I don't go through the material. Does anyone else feel this way? I do feel like it's not really helpful sitting there listening to the lectures, especially for FAR bc of Tim (who is awful, boring and confusing!) but I also feel like it's a necessary part of the process. It got me through the other 3 exams but i'm feeling differently about FAR, maybe because of the volume of work!?

I just keep telling myself ‘this is the last one, just pass it!'.

A - 75
B - 78 God is good.
F - 77 Answered prayers.
R - 84! Done!!

Paperwork sent - waiting for license!!
Still on a cloud and in shock. Through God, all things will happen.

[Anonymous]

FAR is a beast. I gave myself two months for this one because not only are you learning a lot of material, there's so much of it that you have to constantly go back and review it. As everyone else said, do a lot of MCQs. I used Becker and found that the lectures did help me a lot, so I didn't skip them. I bought the WTB though so I did all the Becker MCQs and all the WTB questions plus a bunch on CPA review for free. The more questions, the better for this section. And don't underestimate IFRS, Governmental, or NFP.

[Determined CPA]

Amanda_88 – ok good! makes me feel better to hear the lectures aren't a complete waste!

A - 75
B - 78 God is good.
F - 77 Answered prayers.
R - 84! Done!!

Paperwork sent - waiting for license!!
Still on a cloud and in shock. Through God, all things will happen.

[Anonymous]

It's not fair to Mr. Burgundy that the best advice is this, or this, or this. If I relied solely on MCQs, I would have failed FAR miserably. I passed FAR on my first try by watching the lectures and really learning the material. I did about 25-50 MCQs after each section, and drilled MCQs the night before the exam and managed to pass. My test was heavy in theory and concepts, so MCQs alone would not have been fruitful for me.

FWIW, my study plan was lectures, review the chapter, do the questions. I then would move on to the next section, and once I was finished with all 31 or 32 sections in the Roger FAR book, I did a Roger Cram the 3 days before the exam. The night before the exam, I drilled MCQs until 3 am. The morning of my exam, I did Sims from 7-11. I was in Prometric at 12:30, out at 3:00, and passed with an 80.

Good luck!!! Pass that exam, or I will make ju eat zee cat poop!

[Mr. Clutch]

Same here. I left FAR for last.

Sometimes I get burnt out by a topic. Becker does spend a lot of time on each topic. I definitely thing the lectures are worth it. It is a good refresher on what I learned years ago. As I get closer to the test date I focus more on the MC. I have the WTB, but I'll only get to it if I finish Becker.

For motivation look at it this way: We've come too FAR to fail!

Good luck!

AUD - 85
REG - 78
BEC - 79
FAR - 79
I've come too FAR to fail.

One and done!!!

[Tncincy]

The best advice is not meant to be the only advice……it's only a suggestion. Ditching the books or videos is a suggestion if you are crunched for time, nothing more. If you need the books read them, if you need the video watch them, guess for crying out loud…. but do what ever it takes to pass. Looking for the right answer? Just study.

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

[Mamabear]

@Audit_This–When someone asks for suggestions on this forum, that's what they will get…suggestions. Suggestions based on each commentors personal experience. I skipped lectures and only read half of the book and I wasn't pushed for time and I passed FAR. That's my experience and doesn't necessarily work for everyone. Most people that start this journey think, “I paid for lectures, a book, flashcards, outline Notes, and a test bank. I must use everything or else I won't pass.” That's not true and we are here to provide alternative study methods to those that your review courses preach. Everyone knows what the experts say you need to do. They come here to see what current test takers do and to get encouragement if they decide not to follow the prescribed study regimine.

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[Michael]

I'm in the same boat I for some stupid reason saved FAR for my last exam. I'm scheduled for Aug 29. My study plan:

Becker Lectures and MCQ's done by July 16 so i can enjoy a long week in myrtel beach for a bachelor party

Outline Becker and MCQ's again by mid august

MCQ's in becker and in Gliem and practice exam from mid august until exam day.

Its a lot but make a plan and try to stick with it. WE CAN DO IT!

REG - 63,74,70,81!!!
FAR - 44,73, 81!!!!
AUD - 51,81!
BEC - 73,77!!

3 years later and I'm officially done. Never give up no matter what!

[Anonymous]

FAR requires that you put in the time, which for most people is 150 hours. I did the entire Wiley (excl. SIMS), the Yaeger Cram alongside Wiley, read Ninja notes 5 times, and 600 WTB mcqs.

The test was actually easier than the studying.

[Anonymous]

@mamabear , I'm sorry my post wasn't more clear. I wasn't saying suggestions were wrong, I was saying telling someone “you need to do this” is. Only working through problems works for some people, while focusing mainly on lectures works for others. Neither party can say they have the absolute solution. A suggestion isn't a suggestion anymore when someone claims to have the perfect solution and it <i>must</i> be done.

[Determined CPA]

Mr. Clutch – I LOVE YOUR SAYING!!

I've come too FAR to fail!!!!!

A - 75
B - 78 God is good.
F - 77 Answered prayers.
R - 84! Done!!

Paperwork sent - waiting for license!!
Still on a cloud and in shock. Through God, all things will happen.

[Mamabear]

Sorry Audit_This. I agree with you. I must have skipped over the post where someone was saying you have to do it this way or I just read a post differently. If anyone says something is the the only way to get it done, then they are wrong. Everyone is different and learns differently.

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[Author]

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