[ndelc_4136]

I just started studying for FAR and wanted to ask you all a few questions. For those who have had success on the FAR exam, what were some of your studying techniques? What topics did you stress most while preparing? How frequently is GAAP vs IFRS tested?

Thanks

Why be afraid of what we do not understand?

[Minimorty]

Everyone will be different given each of their strengths and weaknesses. Get through the material once and then start focusing on your weaker areas. The CSOs provide detail on which topics are heavily tested (ie. government/NFP 20%). You'll need to know the major differences between IFRS and GAAP (even though it's doubtful the US will actually adopt IFRS).

[SoCalCPA]

+1 to what Mini said. As for studying techniques, what I found most effective is to bull-doze through materials. I have always crammed for all my tests so far and with good results. If you don't understand a topic, mark it, and come back later. FAR will be a long journey, and you shouldn't dwell on one topic.

B - (4/2012)
A - (5/2012)
R - (1/2012) Done!
F - (10/2011) Done!

[Anonymous]

I agree with SoCalCPA. Don't spend too much time on one topic. Get through everything once since there is a butt load of materials. Along the way make notes of areas/topic, you have trouble with so you can go back to them during final review. Don't beat yourself up if the material doesn't come up to you as 2nd nature. You'll understand it through practice and repetition.

[ledgermaven]

opposite for me – i stay with a chapter or module until i have it down really well and then go faster with the review second time around. older and with more distractions this style does take longer, but feels more comfortable for me getting the material into automatic mode.

good luck!

[Minimorty]

@ledgerman – What's your exam status? Just wondering how that technique has worked for you.

[Anonymous]

I study very much like ledgermaven. I took the chaper's slowly and made sure I understood it as well as I could and then moved on. If I had to redo it again, I would review older sections weekly to keep the material fresh. My final review was rough because I honestly didn't remember it anymore. I had to relearn the material, but it did come back very quickly since I knew it somewhat well enough in the past.

So you don't freak out like me, I recommend reviewing 1-2 problems from each chapter on a weekly basis.

Know your IFRS.. I didn't care much to study it and I was freaking out when it came up more than I had expected.

Good luck!

[ledgermaven]

@mini – I don't have a time set yet for my first exam, FAR, but hope to be done with second review in maybe three weeks, and then will make a date. The disadvantage of this style is certainly a prolonged study period. There's no time pressure for me about when I take the first one so I've fit it in between other things.

After this is REG and I will use what I've learned from my first go, and what I've learned from this site to step it up a notch, will definately not be as slow.

[Minimorty]

Gotcha. Like I said, just wondering if you had had success with that. Let us know how it goes.

[nuclear3579]

I too studied exactly like ledgermaven said, get everything down cold, piece by piece. I did all 4 sections like that, now I'm a CPA. Everyone's study habits are different though. Some other people may do better by cramming.

BEC - 84
FAR - 71, 80
REG - 82
AUD - 78 - Passed! Done!

[Anonymous]

Crammin' for CPA Exam= >90% chance of failure unless you're a very smart person (I've read about a few on here).

With that said, I think the key to any section is constant repetition and being aware of your capacity to absorb information (fast leaner vs. slow learner).

The Ninja Notes are a must not only for FAR, but for every section.

[Author]

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