[CPA2013]

Hello current and future CPA’s,

I am three weeks into studying with the Becker self study for my first section, FAR, and I am currently wrapping up F7. Every once in awhile I glance over note cards I have made for previous sections and I notice myself completely blanking on things I learned in the first 4 or 5 sections. Does anyone else have this problem? I’m not sure if I should freeze where I am until I start nailing down the old stuff to the point I don’t forget or if I should continue to plug along until I’m done with F10 and then go back through everything again.

Right now I view the lecture and highlight while listening. Then I go back and read through the entire section slowly followed by answering the multiple choice for all of F1 or whatever section it may be. Thoughts?

FAR: 91
BEC: August 10, 2013
REG: October 7, 2013
AUD: November 23, 2013

[IwannaBaCPA]

I think just about everyone has this issue – especially with FAR. There is just so much information to know!

I used Becker and I would suggest finishing the lectures and notes before revisiting previous sections. Take a look at Jeff's NINJA methodology and consider following that. It is all about reinforcing the information so the important stuff sticks.

Ultimately you have to find what works for you, but it can be overwhelming. Just stay focused and know that nearly all of us have felt the way you are feeling.

Good Luck!

BEC: 79 - April 2011
FAR: 78 - May 2011
AUD: 81 - May 2012
REG: 79 - October 2012
Ethics: Passed - March 2013
I am finally DONE!

[IwannaBaCPA]

I think just about everyone has this issue – especially with FAR. There is just so much information to know!

I used Becker and I would suggest finishing the lectures and notes before revisiting previous sections. Take a look at Jeff's NINJA methodology and consider following that. It is all about reinforcing the information so the important stuff sticks.

Ultimately you have to find what works for you, but it can be overwhelming. Just stay focused and know that nearly all of us have felt the way you are feeling.

Good Luck!

BEC: 79 - April 2011
FAR: 78 - May 2011
AUD: 81 - May 2012
REG: 79 - October 2012
Ethics: Passed - March 2013
I am finally DONE!

[icanhazcpa]

For Becker I use the progress tests all the time. I usually try to take the equivalent of a full exam (90 MCQs) at least every couple of days, including all the lectures I've gotten through so far. Then I leave a week right before the test and that's when you go back and reinforce with the flash cards. It seems like you're blanking now, but it will all come back to you pretty quickly once you start looking at it again.

BEC - 83
FAR - 83
REG - 74, 78
AUD - 76

Becker Self Study

[Anonymous]

For me, the best part of the Ten-Point combo are the flashcards. I downloaded the BrainScape app on my phone and I can review them anywhere that I find a few free minutes. DMV…check! Traffic jam…check! Lunch…check! Repetition really works.

[Anonymous]

i agree with those above, i think it happens to most of us. however, i also think you remember more than you think you do. every couple chapters hit some review mcqs for the past chapters to keep them fresh and you will be alright.

good luck

[maseosdream]

I agree that this happens to everyone. I used Becker and would go through the videos and MCQs, then go back through all the material on my own, taking notes and re-doing the MCQs and sims. The most important thing that I would get out of my ‘second pass' was ensuring I understood the rational/logic behind the rules. When things make sense, they're harder to forget.

I took BEC, then AUD, then REG, then FAR. My hokey BS in psychology was somewhat helpful in prepping me for the conditioning of the CPA. What I'd learned by the time I got to FAR, was to have faith that my process worked. I didn't fail a section, but when I was studying for REG and FAR, I was ready to crawl in the fetal position when I'd think back on all the stuff I supposedly knew but didn't feel like I knew. By the time I was about to take FAR, I'd learned not to let myself think about the massive amounts of info and panic – it didn't help and history had proven that what I'd done was working.

Hope this helps and good luck!

B - 84 Feb '12
A - 94 Aug '12
R - 80 Nov '12
F - 80 May '13

[peetree]

I used becker and I made it a point to do a progress test at the end of every chapter.

It helped to keep some of that information fresh.

I also reread/skimmed the entire book after I got done with every chapter just to make sure I was at least seeing the content again. I feel like FAR is one of those exams where you just need to keep looking at it so that it stays fresh in your head for exam day. Then you can brain vomit all over the prometric center, pass, and forget why peter olinto loved puff daddy so much.

FAR 02/21/13 - 95
REG 07/02/13 - 87
AUD 08/02/13 - 94
BEC 08/30/13 - 85
Ethics Exam - 90

Illinois candidate awaiting his license

Used Becker Self Study | Ninja Audio | Becker Flash Cards | Ninja Notes | Wiley Test Bank

[CPA2013]

Thanks for all the replies! I am going to start making use of the progress test because I haven't been doing that. Sometimes I just feel like I will never remember this amount of information and the topics near the beginning are almost foreign already, but it seems I just need to keep reviewing them over and over!

FAR: 91
BEC: August 10, 2013
REG: October 7, 2013
AUD: November 23, 2013

[Anonymous]

@peetree haha i totally forgot about all about the puff daddy stuff from far

wow it would be interesting if took far now a year later….

[Author]

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