[Anonymous]

I am using Wiley study material. I have been watching the video and some reading. I complete all the homework in the sections. I think I have spent to much time on one subject. I will hopefully be done with all the material June 24. But I feel like I have forgotten the material. I’m have been thinking about rescheduling the exam. I have year end close coming up at work. I am single no kids. I am all over the place this will be my second attempt at FAR. First attempt was April 2015 score was 45. I wasn’t prepared and my score reflected it. Any helpful advice as to how to study is appreciated. HELP….

[cpa007]

I passed Far after 3 attempts. 61,73,80. What i have learned is that , if you are not scoring above 75 and 80 on each topic, don't sit for the exam otherwise it will demotivate you. Repetition is the key. Do not waste your money. You score is too low do not sit until you score at least 75%. I am not trying to demotivate you , but just telling you to study more and you will pass. See the lectures, do MC in 20 set each in study mode. Know why you get the ans wrong and why you got it right. Keep repeating the process until you really know the topic. Use any test bank to to test yourself. I use Wiley and roger for my review. When i can do it you can do it. Never give up. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice, I have 28 days before I sit for the exam. It is just so much information to read, watch video and do the practice exams. I have been doing the practice exams at this point. Thanks again

[hasy]

Somewhat in the same boat as you, going over the material a SECOND time though, is like amazing. Everything became so much clearer. What I felt studying for this exam a second time is that, YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND. I have tried memorizing and it was my downfall. There are some parts where you have to memorize (personal f/s, liquidation basis, whatnot), that's fine. Memorize them. But for computational and core concepts, making an effort to understand it is better. I plan to be finished with all the chapters by the 24th too.

But at this moment, I'm using NINJA notes as my review and I'm going to rewrite the notes I took as I completed the NINJA MCQs, which I have about 600 questions and can be finished by the 24th too.

I do MCQs everyday and I suggest the same, especially over old material so you're still getting questions from those chapters. I do at MIN 60 a day. If I miss the 60 mark, I make it up the next day, no exceptions. No need to watch the lectures again (unless it's a confusing chapter that you need more help on).

Also, when you're doing the MCQs, read the description, ALWAYS. If you stumble upon a piece of new info that you've never heard or seen, WRITE it down. If you get something wrong, WRITE it down. I take all these notes and have compiled them in a google doc, so that when I do my final review, I rewrite them again. Since I have missed this info before, I may miss it again.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

-

BEC 80 (10/23/15)
FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
REG 52 (4/28/15)
AUD (9/9/16)

Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

[KJ]

It is my second time as well and I am doing exactly what Hasy is doing. I am also listening to Ninja Audio to/from work. I had also memorized some of the concept (computational) which was my downfall. I am doing MCQ section by section and then mix them up at my last run down with MCQ for the day.

FAR - August 2016
AUD - September 2016
REG - October 2016
BEC - November 2016

Remember: "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." - Albert Einstein

[Anonymous]

Just my 2 cents: practice exams are a waste of time, at least/especially when you're in study mode. Maybe when you're trying to assess how ready you are for the exam they're good, but right now, you shouldn't be doing anything in practice exam mode. Everything you are doing should be in whatever they call the mode that shows you the answer as soon as you submit your answer for the specific question. So, it says pick A, B, C, or D, you pick D, click submit, and it immediately says “The correct answer is B cause B is for Bulldog; D was incorrect because the answer asked for the type of dog, not whether it was a dog or cat”. That way you're learning from the MCQs. Practice exam modes, where you answer lots of questions and then see all the answers, are usually not helpful and I think at times even harmful, cause they give you 1/2 hour of having the wrong answer in your head before you see the right answer.

Whether you'll have time around year-end to finish preparing or not I don't know. 28 days is a looooong time, but if you're going to be working crazy hours and unable to study, maybe you won't have time to prep. However, you're already within 30 days of your exam, so it will already cost you $35 to reschedule. I'd keep studying for now and wait till you get closer to decide whether to reschedule or not. IIRC, the next fee increase is at 1 week out from exam day, so I'd see around the 1st of July how you're feeling about the exam, and make the decision at that point of whether to reschedule or not. If you stick to your schedule, you'll have been through all your material for a week by July 1, so you'll know if everything's coming together in the review stage or if you need to push out your test date by a few weeks.

[Texan_176]

In addition to what the others have said I would say hit Non-profits and Governmental Accounting hard. It will without a doubt be anywhere from 12-20% of the test. It is throwing away points to ignore any topic in those 2 areas because it is relatively easy to get once you practice. It took me 3 tries to pass FAR but I did well in those areas in all 3 takes.

For the other parts if you have something you absolutely will never understand during your time on Earth then move on. By that I do not mean skip the entire chapter but don't freak out if you do not get it 100%. For me this as the indirect method when it comes to cash flows. I will probably never get it fully. I also had problems with Dollar Value LIFO and the Retail Method to calculate inventory on hand at year end. I did not waste 2-3 days of study time on these topics when I could master things like Treasury Stock, Owner's Equity, or Consolidations.

Some people will disagree with me and that's fine. For me, shattering my confidence and accomplishing nothing for days on end is not the thing to do. The key to passing IMHO is repeatedly doing NINJA MCQs. Yes you fall into the trap of memorizing the questions but at the same time you memorize rules and how to apply them.

BEC 11/29/14 77 (Roger)
AUD 2/23/15 60 (Roger) 4/13/2015 83 (Roger & Ninja MCQ)
REG 5/30/2015 66 (Roger & Ninja MCQ(7 hours only)) 8/23/2015 78 (Roger & Ninja MCQ)
FAR 11/23/2015 60 (Roger & NINJA MCQ) 2/24/2016 74 (Roger & NINJA MCQ) 5/25/2016 83 (Roger+Roger CRAM & NINJA MCQ/NOTES)
Texas Ethics Exam 92%

Licensed TX CPA Aug 2016

[Anonymous]

Hasy, Texan_176, and kanwal78 you guys are the answer to one of my prayers. Receiving some gudiance on how to get through this thing with 2? days. Hasy I will complete the 60 MCQ dailly. I have the old Ninja notes and audio from July 2015. I listen to the audio on my to and from work. I will begin my journey of multiple choice questions. I intend to complete the MCQ on the subjects I haven't covered and do what you all suggested. Texan_176 I wasted alot of time on indirect, cashflows and etc. Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my goodness you guys ROCK!!!! You guys have given me life. God Bless each of you!!!

[Anonymous]

Thanks Lillla, will do.

[nadroj]

Get inspired! https://www.another71.com/how-to-pass-the-cpa-exam-in-20-days/

[nib]

hello,

It seem I am in the same boat .

My new study plan is as follows ,
1)write and rewrite notes ( which I missed in last exam).
2)daily few mcqs . read answers and understand wrong options .This time I am not after doing large number of mcqs.
concept understanding and revision are my key factors this time .
3) journal entries is my weak area , so focusing on it .I guess that will help time management in exam and increase score in simulation .
4)Government and NFP – daily assign some time for it .

[Anonymous]

OP, skip the videos

[Anonymous]

Bin, I'm weak in journal eateries as well. I found a post for journal entries . It may help you with you studying……https://www.principlesofaccounting.com/illustrative%20entries/entrieslist.htm

[Author]

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