[CPA2BE]

Hi everyone,

Just took my first cpa exam this summer and I got a 67 on far (ouch) after studying fulltime for a couple months. I take reg in a couple weeks, and I also start work in audit at a big 4 next week. I want to go back to study for far after I take reg, while the information is still semi fresh. Does anyone have any ideas what is a good time frame studying for far second time around , and this time incorporating work? I plan on supplementing with ninja or Wiley … I just don’t think I have it in me to go through the whole Far section in becker again… also I don’t think it will be necessary….

Any ideas? Just sent in my remittance form so I think I should be able to schedule in a few weeks. Should I try to take before December 10 or in quarter 1?

[CPA2BE]

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[Anonymous]

First of, I would take an honest look at what you know and what you don't. I am sure some parts will be familiar and you will be ok, but some parts may require detailed review to understand exactly what you are doing. I would start with Becker and maybe go through each section's MCQ and SIMS to see where the pain points are… Alternatively you could use Ninja to diagnose where you are lacking knowledge and fine-tune your study strategy from there but I would think the retake will still take a couple of months at least and I would plan to study at least 20 hours a week….

[Wannafree]

I am on same boat and can understand your pain.

[Madhav]

I think two months is minimum required. Remember you need 75 on the next try, not just 6 more points. After i failed FAR with 52 score, i studied everything as it was new for me and did not hesitate to tackle areas which were difficult to me. I think you are in better position than me but you never know what shows up in the exam. During my second try, i got two Research based simulations and one easy Cash flow Simulation. In fact, if i had gotten those question in my first try, i wouldn't even have to take the second time. Hence i would say try everything and keep close eye on things that you are not comfortable this time around.

[ixlr82day]

I agree with the above a minimum of 2 months. I took 3 months because I already felt burned out and knew I couldn't keep up with the 2 units per week. I used Becker. I even ordered replacement books for the second time so that I had to rewrite and remark up a whole new book and not just skim my old one. I started from the absolute beginning and I think it helped me pass. Good Luck!

[Anonymous]

I am in a similar boat, except I am on my last part. Only you know how you learn best, but for me after a failing score, I would go back and do all the MCQs again. This go around, I am picking 8-10 areas of weakness and make them my strengths. For instance, if you struggled with inventory – spend an entire night on it and master it. Learn everything about it so that you are hoping for a Sim and numerous MCQs. If you can master an additional 8-10 parts over the next 2-3 months, you are in a MUCH better position to pass.

I would also recommend using the practice tests to gauge where you are at in the process. Search the board for the practice test score – actual score threads to give you a better idea of where other people are on practice tests before ending up with a passing score.

[Brandon]

Hi there. Fellow NINJA who failed FAR first attempt and is currently working Big 4.

You won't be doing shit your first two-three months (hopefully, depends on the situation like if you're audit vs tax). I'm Tax and was told I have “off” to an extent to study until January so I'm sitting at my desk doing 6+ hours a day of FAR studying.

My plan is to redo everything and then do NINJA until the test. Besides that I don't really know what you can do.

[Author]

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