[jberrier]

Hi, I realize there are a lot of opinions regarding how to form an overall plan for when to sit for specific exam sections, but I thought I would give my particular strategy and see what some think.

I have been studying FAR (my first exam section to attempt) since October, giving myself twelve weeks to get through Roger’s course outline for the section, and then about two weeks for RogerCram and general review. So, I am scheduled to sit for FAR on January 19. Obviously, I hope to pass it on my first attempt, but I need to assess a strategy in the case of a non-passing grade.

I really don’t want to stretch out another 12-week study session for one section (I made an exception to this for FAR), so I recently applied to take the next two sections, though I have not actually scheduled yet. My idea was to schedule the shortest section, BEC, for the very end of February, allocating about five weeks of study for it. From then, I would take REG in late April, and AUD sometime after.

So, assuming a failing score for the FAR exam, is it recommended to go ahead and sit for BEC at the end of February, or should I wait until the next testing window in April to take FAR again, putting BEC aside until FAR is passed? It seems like I won’t get a score back until early February, based on a January 19 test date. I chose to take FAR first, as this seems to be the most challenging for me, and I preferred to not have the eighteen-month limit start until after passing it.

What I’m worried about, though, is that by moving onto to BEC (assuming a FAR fail), I will “push out” much of what I learned for FAR. But, then again, I would have to wait until April to take it again, stretching this out even longer. I tend to think that one wouldn’t forget too much of the FAR material from mid-January through late February (when I would take BEC), but I don’t know about this. In addition, perhaps moving on to BEC would provide a nice little “break” from FAR. While I’m sure some of the information would be forgotten, I’m assuming that the five weeks taken to study for BEC would still be short enough to keep most of the FAR material relatively fresh and easy to get back into.

I realize that opinions vary on this, but I would like to hear some on this. Even though I already applied for (though not yet scheduled) BEC and REG, I’m not considering possible monetary loss from forfeited fees if I feel I should reschedule those. Thanks for any suggestions!

[ohiostategirlcpa]

Take one test at a time and make damn sure you will pass it. Do not even allow the possibility of failure.

Do not schedule anything else in advance though, as a back-up, in the very remote case NASBA/Prometric lose or misread your test and you unfairly end up with a failure. In that case re-take it.

F91 A95 R90 B94
CMA since 2015
(Gleim books/PDFs, MCQs, SIMS)

[Hawkeye220]

I scheduled all my tests in advance and made them within a short period of time. I took my first test (FAR) July 11 and my last test Oct 2 (AUD). I studied 3 hours a night, and 6 hours a day on weekends. I didn't have time to forget the material. It also kept me from pushing off the tests and studying. Don't take it one test at a time, and don't just do one test a quarter, because if you fail one, you will need to retake it before Nov 30. Don't put the tests on a pedestal, despite what a lot of people say, it's a test of determination. Put the time and effort in, and you will pass.

Far – 79, Bec – 89. Reg – 83, Aud – 84

FAR 7/11/15 - 79
REG 8/07/15 - 83
BEC 8/30/15 - 89
AUD 10/2/15 - 84

[thehip41]

12 weeks is WAAAAY to long.

Study 7 weeks, test.

If you set it up correctly you can take two tests per window until its done.

Early Jan
End Feb
Early/mid april
End May
Early/mid July
End august
Early/mid Oct
End Nov

Repeat. No reason to not take two tests per window. Don't make this a job

FAR - 83
AUD - 73 92
BEC - 83
REG - 88

Licensed CPA in the state of Michigan

[DZagt]

Test when you feel comfortable with a section in my opinion.

[jberrier]

I have now scheduled BEC for February 29. Currently, I'm thinking that I will take this as scheduled even if I do not pass FAR. Hip41, I agree with you somewhat that 12 weeks is too long, but this was my first section and I didn't know much better at the time. I think 8 weeks would have been more reasonable. However, I don't necessarily regret doing it the way I did. It's obviously very critical to consistently review old material, especially when dragging it out so long. I've tried doing this to the best of my ability, but I must admit it's been very tiring and that I'm pretty sick of FAR studying right now–to the point where I'm almost excited about moving onto BEC 🙂

So, this has motivated me to spend less time on subsequent sections. I'm fine with the idea of studying BEC for about five weeks. After that I will probably take REG in April (got my NTS for it, but haven't scheduled yet). I haven't even thought about AUD yet.

I wouldn't necessarily want to discourage others from studying FAR for 12 weeks like I did, but I will say that it does make it drag on for a long time and can make it hard to stay motivated.

[thehip41]

12 weeks is too long for any section.

However, if you plan on 6-7 weeks and realize you aren't ready, then back the test up a few weeks.

Don't plan for a 12 week study window though. Just too long. 🙂

FAR - 83
AUD - 73 92
BEC - 83
REG - 88

Licensed CPA in the state of Michigan

[Author]

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