[Anonymous]

So, I was originally supposed to take FAR in October of last year (I think). I’ve rescheduled it 3 times. I never feel ready. Now, I’m scheduled to sit on this Saturday. I’ve been busting out MCQs, but it’s just so much information and I am wanting to reschedule it yet again. Ugh! Why don’t I feel ready? I need to pass this exam by end of June or I’ll lose BEC. I’m so nervous!! Just venting…advice please!

I'm tired of operating in fear and mediocrity. It's time to try. It's time to do. It's time to go.

[Go.For.Broke]

@Born to Win FAR is intimidating for sure. It's never a good practice, though to keep rescheduling. You'll never feel totally ready for any of these exams; you're in good company: no one ever feels ready. Keep pressing forward with your studies for Saturday's exam, and do your best. If you don't pass, you'll have one more opportunity in Q2 to sit, before you (potentially) lose BEC in June.

I know what you're feeling. It took me 4 times to pass REG. If I didn't pass that 4th time, I would've lost FAR and AUD both. The stakes were high. Maybe that'll help you really focus and do your best.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the motivation, Go.For.broke. You're absolutely right! I just need to keep pressing forward. It's interesting what a difference another opinion or some motivation can do. If for nothing else, I'll have the experience of FAR under my belt.

I'm tired of operating in fear and mediocrity. It's time to try. It's time to do. It's time to go.

[Anonymous]

So only 5 exams in 18 months? I'm sorry, but you'll never pass at that pace.
Ideally you should be taking up to 3 per window. It's more about quantity and luck not quality.

[Ryan – Just Another Dollar]

I agree with @calvinus in this case. You can't pass if you don't sit for it. I'd rather fail and know what I was weak on and be able to refocus and sit again next window than to only have one shot at it. I sat for an exam every 4-6 weeks while working full time (not in public at that time) and I feel that was the key to maintaining progress to pass. Good luck, go for it!

B - 88 (2/16)
A - 84 (4/16)
R - 73 (6/16), 82(7/16)
F - 67 (1/16), 84(4/16)

Ethics - 93

Roger course & Ninja MCQ - HiYa!

[NYSCPA]

@BORN TO WIN- I know excatly how you feel. I never felt ready for any of my exams but you just have to think of it as any other exams. whats the worst can happen?? you fail the exam and retake it again. if you keep rescheduel it you will never move on. I think its best you sit for it asap and learn from the experience and go from there

[Anonymous]

While I'm not too fond of the kick in the butt, all of you are right! I got myself in this mess and own every part of that. I will go ahead and give it everything I have. Going forward, I'm sitting every window. I never thought 18 months would go by so fast. Let me get off of this forum and get back to studying. BTW, I'm soooooo tired of doing MCQs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm tired of operating in fear and mediocrity. It's time to try. It's time to do. It's time to go.

[Tim]

Really disagree with calvinus. It's about actually putting the time in, having a good study schedule and sticking to it. Throwing money at the problem and wishing on a star is not the way to go.

@borntowin I'd love to know more about your study plan. How did you review the material, how many hours per week are you studying, etc. I have a feeling that if you've been preparing for that long and don't feel prepared then you haven't been fully committed to a study plan but I'll let you tell me if that's the case or not.

[jombe]

calvinus – not sure where you are basing your opinion from, but it took me about 18 months from start to finish. I sat in for 1 exam per window. First one took about five months to prepare, but it's definitely do-able, because I did it.

FAR - 94 (10/4/15), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
AUD - 99 (1/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
REG - 96 (4/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
BEC - 91 (7/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ

581 days of listening to lectures, reading texts & 10,000+ MCQs...

[alloverit]

If nothing else you should take it just to get a feel for FAR. You will probably pass and even if you don't, the combination of seeing the exam and getting the suggestion letter from NASBA should help for next time (though I'm told the letters are only a slight help).

[MIsconnie]

If you sat for one exam each window and focused on quality of studying you wouldn't/shouldn't have to retake an exam. Quantity over quality is terribly expensive advice because each retake will cost you. These exams are generally not passed with “luck”, if you put in the hours and do your best you can beat these exams with skill rather than luck. IF after all this time you are not prepared (or maybe you are and you just don't know it) than you need to reevaluate your study methods.

[Anonymous]

Oh, I completely agree! I would never sit for these exams on a wish and a prayer. I believe that I started out on the right path (if there is such a thing) when I was sitting for at least one exam each window. I believe I messed up when I failed AUD the second time and decided to move on to FAR. Failing AUD for the second time really crushed me because I felt like I had studied a lot harder than the first time; not to mention, I waited months to find out…come on. Then, I started a new and very demanding job right before I scheduled FAR. I didn't anticipate how much of my time would be dedicated to the job. Fast forward, after a few reschedules, I realize I made some mistakes and plenty of excuses. I just have to push past life. Bottom line.

As for my initial study schedule for FAR, I followed Roger's calendar. Also, I have NINJA. So, I tried to couple the two. Mistake. Then, I gradually tapered off and wasn't putting in the time to study as I should've. As I stated above, I'm going to go ahead and give this exam everything I have and leave it all at the testing center. I do not have the cash flow to sit for all of these exams every quarter (nor do I want to) or the time. I just purchased my NTS for AUD and scheduled it for April 6th. I'm going to study intently using only the NINJA study package. If I pass FAR, wonderful! But, if I do not, I'll retest for it after AUD while the information is still fairly fresh in my mind near the end of the April.

If anyone has any pointers please share. Thanks.

I'm tired of operating in fear and mediocrity. It's time to try. It's time to do. It's time to go.

[Anonymous]

BTW, I feel pretty comfortable with the material–for the most part. I'm bothered by the SIMS.

I'm tired of operating in fear and mediocrity. It's time to try. It's time to do. It's time to go.

[Anonymous]

Well, yeah, the assumption is that you are properly prepared for each exam, in which case it would be statistically advantageous to maximize your chances. And by luck I meant variance which does exist and is a factor.

[Allsheneededwassome]

Good luck this Saturday. Let us know how it goes. 🙂

Reading here on this forum people are generally walking away feeling decent about the MCQs but no so much the SIMs.

[Author]

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