[Anonymous]

Hi everyone!

I’m new to this site, and I’m glad to be here. I am looking for some insight on what to do about passing FAR. I am scheduled to take FAR for the THIRD, yes THIRD, time at the end of May. I am a horrible test taker naturally, so this whole CPA experience has been an extra challenge for me. I was fortunate to pass REG, but I can’t seem to get there with FAR. I will lose my REG score in November of this year. I need to pass FAR this time as I still have BEC and AUD to take. UGH!! HELP! Any other horrible test takers out there that can shed some light on my situation?

[Anonymous]

Maybe I should add that I started with the Becker materials. When I failed the first time I bought the Wiley Test questions…problem there was that I was averaging 60% on them…which unfortunately I got on my exam the second time I took it. Tuesday this week, I purchased the NINJA Notes, Audio, and Flashcards. I am in the middle of writing my first set of notes. I'm obviously not getting the concepts good enough, so I am hoping these notes will help me. UGH…

[LSNYC]

Welcome!

I am a horrible test taker too. I feel your pain I really do! All I can say is practice, read the questions, learn the concepts, NINJA is great, read it, write it, listen to it. I know as soon as I really started studying I started passing exams. When I take an exam and I start to freak out and I close my eyes count to ten, right READ on my scrap paper and read the question again. I am a poor test taker because I let the question, and the anxiety get the best of me, this short 10 sec break helps me refocus and really read the question which helps me to be a better test taker.

I have take 18 exams so far. In two weeks 5/3 i will sit for my 19th and hopefully my last exam. DO NOT GIVE UP if you want this you can do this!

A - 61, 91!!
B - 78!
F - 76!!!
R - 71, 73, 74, 69, 77!!!!

Finally done!

This is my 2nd attempt at the exam, I had two parts passed (failed many) and I stupidly quit, big mistake. Now I'm back and with a vengeance!

[Anonymous]

@lsnyc – is that a typo or did you somehow manage to take 18 exams in 2 weeks? I'm seriously confused about how you managed that. LOL

[LSNYC]

Haha! Total typo see grammar is important… I fixed it

A - 61, 91!!
B - 78!
F - 76!!!
R - 71, 73, 74, 69, 77!!!!

Finally done!

This is my 2nd attempt at the exam, I had two parts passed (failed many) and I stupidly quit, big mistake. Now I'm back and with a vengeance!

[smp73]

My suggestion when it comes to test day would be the following.

First: Make a chart with A B C D on the top so when you read a question you can mark off which answers you know are wrong.

Second: I always read the MC answers from D to A instead of A to D. It helps me focus on what the answers are really saying and not prematurely pick answer A just because it sounded good.

Third: Write READ or RTFQ on your note board and like LSNYC said when you get overwhelmed write it again, take a deep breath give yourself a few second brake. Also if the question is a “not” question I tend to write the word “not” on my noteboard so I do not pick an answer that is true when I need one that was false.

Fourth: If you are really feeling frazzled take a break at the end of the testlet. Remember to take deep breaths.

I also chew gum during the test, have done it ever since college. I have no idea if it helps but I can not take a test with out it. 🙂

You can do this.

NYS CPA License # 113563
CIA: Done as of 2/15/14

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[jsblamer]

The first thing you need to do is stop calling yourself “a horrible test taker,” going into an exam of this difficulty your competition already has a leg up on you if they are confident in the knowledge that will ecompass the exam. If you are even eligible to sit for the CPA exam, that means you made it through college – you can't make it through college and be a horrible test taker. You have not mentioned your study strategy but knowledege is power, your confidence willl increase the more you study, and you have to be confident to pass. So, what has worked for me was watching lectures of the material from a review course, taking notes off of those lectures then going to work many multiple choice questions through the wiley test bank. Jeff's ninja notes are also a nice compliment to any study plan. I won't wish you luck, you don't need luck on this exam, you need to be prepared, you need to make your own luck. Stick with it, be confident in your knowledge, and you will pass.

B -
A - passed
R - passed
F - passed

[jokami]

The key to this test (or any test for that matter) is to be strictly disciplined.

B - 62, 70, 72, 79!!!
A - 68, 81
R - 70, 82
F - 84

"The limit to your abilities is where you place them" - Fortune Cookies

[Anonymous]

Prior to, do MCQs 'til your eyes bleed – haha, just kidding. not really. just a little… and remember to slow down a bit and RTFQ!

After I am seated and before I enter the code to begin the exam, I try to write down as many formulas or mnemonics as I can (the most important ones take priority) onto one corner of my board as quickly as possible before the Prometric people hound me to start the test; that way it's an easy reference during the exam and doesn't eat into my test time. Having the information already written down makes it so much easier since you don't have to think about it.

And like smp73 suggested, write down the important points in the question – like NOT, July 1st dates, etc.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

@jsblamer – I've been thinking about what you said that I need to get the idea that I am a bad test taker out of my mind. So when I sit down to study, I say to myself…that I can pass this exam! Right now I'm in the process of writing my first set of NINJA notes. I find myself writing it, saying “Oh yeah, this looks familiar” or “I remember this”, but when it comes time to do work the MCQs, I am still getting the answers wrong. I need to be averaging higher on my MCQs, but can't seem to get there.

I appreciate everyone's tips! I will definitely be using them on exam day. Right now…I'm just trying to get prepared. Set to take my exam May 28th…

[Anonymous]

Wow – I just learned about the 10-minute time out after you enter your launch code. Since I AM one of those people who write down as much as I can before the test, so glad I did it before entering the launch code.

Posting these so more people know about it >

At your workstation, you will enter your Launch Code, read the introductory screens and complete the survey at the end of the exam.

“Once you enter your launch code to begin the exam, proceed directly through the introductory screens. There isn't time to write notes,” said Vernon. “If you exceed the 10 minute time to go through the screens, your exam will time out and cannot be restarted.”

https://nasba.org/features/preparing-for-the-cpa-exam-part-ii-test-day/

[I just love this]

@smp73: I sometimes chew gum as well to help my focus. I remember reading some studies on that subject, some evidence indicates chewing gum increases your brain activity a little bit.

REG- Waiting 7/1/13
BEC- Waiting 7/23/13
AUD- Studying 8/12/13
FAR- Signed up 10/1/13
Studying with CPAExcel and Wiley Test Bank.

[Tncincy]

Well big red gum…here I come.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Anonymous]

We are not allowed to take anything with us except for what's already in our mouth.

How long would you chew a gum while testing?

[Tncincy]

until the first break? lol

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Anonymous]

I haven't passed FAR yet, but I want to say hang in there bro & don't give up.

[Author]

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