[rmm77]

Is it normal to feel that I dont understand all the material the first time around? I’m freaking out a bit if i’m the only one in the boat like this…will it come all together during my review stage when I start practicing more mcq’s and revisiting areas idk as well?

FAR-74,92
BEC-85
AUD-8/8
REG-83

[cpagal]

I feel the same way. Just got through all of my material the 1st time and am starting my review tonight or tomorrow.

FAR - 08/30/15 - 90
AUD - 11/12/15 - 92
REG - 01/19/16 - 82
BEC - 02/29/16 - 83

Passed all on 1st attempt using GLEIM (full program) and NINJA (MCQ only)!!!

Louisiana Licensed CPA

[Kls238]

Its normal. Keep plugging away and slowly things will come together.

Passed all sections.

[rmm77]

i dont remember alot of accounting from college, and i am using wileycpa excel. Do you think that will put me in good shape as long as I understand the material?

FAR-74,92
BEC-85
AUD-8/8
REG-83

[SurfNY]

I'm using the same materials. Did FAR in 3.5 weeks of solid studying because my NTS was due to expire July 1st and my REG NTS was expiring May 26th (3 weeks of studying). That lit a fire under my a** and apparently that's exactly what I needed.

I think your conclusion about understanding the material is on point and is essential to passing.

My CPA coworkers all told me to make sure I don't leave a section unless I completely understand the processes that take place not only on the calculation / theory side but also on the J/E side (FAR). This tip was essential. Also review…review…review. On daily basis I would make sure to review the material I already went through. I did that by taking screen shots (ipad / cellphone) of things I deemed important or couldn't grasp in full (also use outside sources). I would do my reviews during my daily 40 min commute in and out of the office.

It was rough and I thought I failed both. I didn't finish FAR…bombed 3 simulations due to a lack of time but I guess MCQs saved me. Also I developed some highly unconventional study methods.

It seems you guys still have 2 weeks to go. That's plenty of time. Hit the sections you don't understand first and deem hard. Start from the beginning. FAR builds on prior knowledge and later materials assume you understand the concepts outlined in lessons that were already covered. Once you gain understanding of the topics casually review them once in a while. Sections that get ridiculously complicated…DV LIFO Retail method for example I decided to just skim….take that with a grain of salt though.

Good luck to you guys…you got this.

REG - 82 05/26/15
FAR - 80 07/01/15
AUD - 82 08/31/15
BEC - .. 10/26/15

[rmm77]

Thanks, I'm only in 3 weeks and have 7 weeks to go.

FAR-74,92
BEC-85
AUD-8/8
REG-83

[SurfNY]

That's great! 10 weeks is a lot of time and with 7 weeks to go definitely puts you in a good position. However, watch out…that's two and a half months of studying for one section….you still have 3 to go after this one. That's plenty of time to get bored and be distracted by life. Whatever you do don't get complacent. Keep your focus. I know I didn't because my REG exam was getting rescheduled from one month to another until I found myself at the end of the road and it was make or break time. To make it worse there was FAR hanging over my head with less than a month to go.

Some of my coworkers fell in the same trap. Now we have a small competition at the office amongst the CPA candidates. We keep tabs on each other while being a little bit competitve at the same time. I have to say it does work. Essentially we have setup a timeline for people participating. Since everyone knows your business you study a little bit harder to avoid the dreaded <75. So far our average CPA completion time is somewhere between 5 – 6 months with 3.5 being the time to beat. We pretty much all came to conclusion that a month for each section and 5 weeks for FAR is plenty of time to pass without giving up too much of your life.

REG - 82 05/26/15
FAR - 80 07/01/15
AUD - 82 08/31/15
BEC - .. 10/26/15

[rmm77]

Yea ik 10 weeks is a long time, but I figured i'd give myself some extra weeks since i have a finance background and wanted to make sure I really understood concepts I will be seeing for the first time. I will definitely be focused because I dont want to study this for another time lol!

FAR-74,92
BEC-85
AUD-8/8
REG-83

[rmm77]

Yea ik 10 weeks is a long time, but I figured i'd give myself some extra weeks since i have a finance background and wanted to make sure I really understood concepts I will be seeing for the first time. I will definitely be focused because I dont want to study this for another time lol!

FAR-74,92
BEC-85
AUD-8/8
REG-83

[Author]

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