[SchruteBeet]

I am studying for FAR using Becker. I work full-time and commute for work so usually try to get in an hour on the train and maybe another hour at lunch and 1-2 hours later at night. I feel like when I look back at my progress on weekdays, I don’t feel very accomplished as I’d get through maybe 1 or 2 modules only. I am using Becker and saving the Skills practice and SIMs for last. Even on weekends, I feel like I barely get through three modules of a chapter. Is this typical or is there room for efficiency? I usually watch 3-4 modules, read them over and take my own notes before moving to the MCQs. Just wondering how many modules you guys get through on a typical workday and over the weekends? I am only on Ch 5 and planning to take the exam in early Oct.

[M123]

It's hard to say – but that doesn't sound terribly out of line if you want to understand the material.

I might suggest another way to look at it – FAR will require 150 hours on “average” to pass (probably not scientific but a good estimate). Maybe 200. What you might do is tabulate your time thus far (roughly) and get a run rate. If you're on the 150-200 hour spectrum – then back into your scheduled date and see if it will come together.

You're doing similar to what I did – watch/read/notes/MCQ. With FAR, I de-emphasized the MCQ within the chapter – just enough to get a taste. Then used Ninja MCQ to go through every imaginable permutation. Many people do the over 1600 FAR questions. I did about 1200. For me, going through the lectures, taking my own notes, and using Ninja notes as a cornerstone and finally doing MCQ helped me pass.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you're on the right path. Quality over quantity. How well are you doing on the MCQs/Sims and progress tests?

[SchruteBeet]

@M123: That sounds like a good plan. If I find myself getting overwhelmed by the amount of time MCQ's are taking after backing the total time of 150-200 hours in my schedule as you mentioned, I will try to do something similar where I focus on the lectures and my notes and then do more MCQ's during review.

@drumstick: I have been trying to save the Skills practice and sims for last since the lectures/notes/MCQ's itself are so time-consuming. My scores on MCQ's have been all over the place with the highest being 90 and the lowest being 36. But on an average, I'm scoring consistently between 55-70. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

What sections were the scores in the 30s?

[SchruteBeet]

@drumstick it was for Adjusting Journal Entries and Intercompany Transactions

[Anonymous]

@SchruteBeet – you still have a great plan. You've given yourself plenty of time for review and you spend adequate time per subject. Keep up the good work. You may already be doing this but what helped me a ton was to make note cards of the difficult stuff, even the gigantic decision trees Becker likes to use if I struggled with it (Foreign exchange got me every time). Once a week or so do a short progress test or go back and/or redo the MCQs from your weak sections. You could also purchase the Ninja MCQs in case you're memorizing the answers. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised how much you remember by the time you get to your mock exam. Good luck!

[SchruteBeet]

@drumstick Thanks for your suggestion. I'll emphasize more on making flashcards on my weaker areas. I like the idea of short progress tests – I think I'll def need to incorporate those in my plan as I progress along the chapters since I've heard people complain about forgetting the material from the initial chapters. Thanks once again for your input!

[4thand75]

It depends on the closeness of the test for me. When the test was far out I was doing 3 sections every two weeks and made sure I stuck to that pace. It was probably an unhealthy amount of studying but once I finish I know I can sleep. Once I got through all of the material I went into cram review and did one section a day.

[Anonymous]

I'll be brutally honest here. Whatever recommendations your review course or the AICPA recommends with the amount of hours needed to study for a section – multiple those hours by 1.5 or 2. The AICPA's lack of transparency for the number of hours needed to study and pass is nearly fraudulent – seriously. The only candidates who pass all 4 sections with 300-400 hours of study are candidates who pass all 4 sections on their first attempt (less than 10%). Everyone I have spoken to who is passing needs 150-250 hours of studying per section depending on your educational background, how long u have been out of school, etc. Sure, you can cut corners and put in “90 hours” of studying for BEC and AUD, but goodluck passing (unless u are an auditor).

Just keep grinding through the material and ignore the fraudulently stated hours released by the AICPA. If the AICPA told candidates that on average it really takes a Candidate 600-900 hours to pass all 4 sections, their revenue (fees) would drop dramatically.

Sorry for the rant, but these facts should be disclosed.

Goodluck!!

[SchruteBeet]

@BlueCollarNerd I graduated last year around this time. I appreciate your honestly. I def think that's true for FAR.

[Anonymous]

@ScruteBeet

FAR is definitely a Beast. However, I do enjoy the debit and credit aspect of the exam because it enabled me to organize my understanding of the material. FAR is mostly mechanical and makes a lot more sense to me than Regulation. But, the sheer volume of material in FAR is insane – no doubt. Pay attention to the differences between GAAP and IFRS and know govt/nfp well. That would be my advice.

Goodluck!

[Anonymous]

My study method for FAR currently is mostly doing MCQs, and I'll watch the NINJA Plus videos as well if I need. I'll get through anywhere from 50-100 MCQs a day, depending on how I'm feeling. Some days I take off, some days I use the supplemental material to allow my brain refresh a bit, then I'm right back at it with more MCQs the next day.

I've been going at it since the beginning of July and I have gone through all the sections and just now wrapping up governmental/nonprofit accounting.

My exam is in September. I don't feel like there's really anything too difficult on this exam and I've been doing pretty well on the MCQs. I have a little less than a month left and it will be spent now going over my “weaker” areas, so I'm feeling pretty good on this one.

Just wish there was more I could do to prepare for the SIMs because I know it's gonna be a pain. Might have to make another purchase for more SIM material, or I think Wiley/Glein actually gives full free access for 2 weeks of their material.

[Author]

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